The National Park Plitvice Lakes is an absolute must-see when visiting Croatia, the National Park is situated in the county of Lika, close to the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The park is open all year round.
Waterfall at Plitvice Lakes National Park
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Bus
The most economical and environmentally friendly way of getting from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is to take the bus, the bus travel time is from 2 to 2.5 hours.
Price and tickets Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes Bus
The cost of a bus ticket from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes, ranges from 12 to 15 Euro, depending on departure time and occupancy of the buses. In the off-season period, it is possible to find cheaper tickets. Tickets can be bought online or at the bus station, if you have an online ticket you can go straight to the platform at the bus station.
Schedule and Frequency Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes bus
The number of departures from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes varies depending on the time of year; in winter, there are about a handful of daily departures, whereas in summer, there can be up to 15 daily departures. Below, you can see some of the most popular departure times. Please use the search form above for a full schedule on any date.
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Map travel route Zagreb (HR) to Plitvice Lakes (HR)
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Bus Station Zagreb – Departure Location
The departure bus station in Zagreb is located at the address Avenija Marina Držića 4, 10000 Zagreb, which is about 20 minutes walk from the city center, you can find more info about the bus station here:
Bus Station Plitvice Lakes
At Plitvice Lakes, there isn’t a bus station, just bus stops along the road. You can get off at either bus stop, whether it’s Entrance 1 or Entrance 2.
Bus station shelter by Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1
Day trip Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
If you are staying in Zagreb, and wish to visit National Park Plitvice on a day trip, you have the following options.
Public bus as mentioned above, is the most economical if you are only 1-2 persons, but less flexible.
Rent a car in Zagreb, depending on the time of the year you can rent in Zagreb. if you drive following the fastest route, it should take you about 2.15 min to get to Plitvice from Zagreb center. Additional cost: road toll which is about 8 Euro (return), plus the cost of the gas you spent.
Book a car with a driver for a day.
Organized day trip, from Zagreb you have several travel agencies offering small group (2-8 persons) or larger group day trips.
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Car
Driving to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb is easy (I have personally done it dozens of times), the fastest travel route is about 140 Km from Zagreb Center, the route goes via Highway A6 to Karlovac, from here on you follow the country road. As mentioned above, the trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Stops on the way
I recommend you plan time also to visit Rastoke / Slunj or Little Plitvice as it is also called. Rastoke is on the route 30 Km before you reach Plitvice.
Well, I probably shouldn’t mention this, but Restaurant Degenija, located 10 km before Plitvice Lakes, has delighted my family with its amazing cheesecake several times!
Video Guide to National Park Plitvice Lakes
FAQ – Zagreb to Plitvice
How long is the bus ride from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
The bus driving time i between 2 and 2.5 hours, and the buses drive nonstop. Note in summer season, buses might be a bit of schedule, due to heavy traffic.
How frequent are the buses from Zagreb to Plitvice lakes?
In summer seasons there are up to 15 daily departures, the first bus leaves Zagreb around 6 a.m. and the last bus around 7 p.m. In the winter season, buses are less frequent, but you still have around 5 daily departures.
What is the cheapest way of traveling from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
Unless you are a large group, the cheapest way of traveling is to take the bus, the price for a one-way adult ticket is about 15 Euro. Round trip 30 Euro.
Can you do a day trip to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb?
Yes, you can in the summer season, you can do a day trip taking the bus, join an organized group trip, or drive to the park and back on your own.
How much is the bus from Zagreb to Plitvice?
The average price for a one-way bus ticket from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is around 15 Euro. If you book ahead you might be able to get the ticket with a discount.
Is there a train from Zagreb to National Park Plitvice?
No, unfortunately, there are no trains, the best and cheapest option to travel is to take the bus.
Should I buy a ticket for the national park for Entrance 1 or 2?
When you arrive from Zagreb both Entrances are a good option, I would recommend Entrance 1 if you arrive early in the morning. If you plan to travel back from Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb, I would recommend you take the bus from Entrance 2 (As this stop comes first on the way back – hence you will get a better seat on the bus).
Where should I stay overnight at Plitvice Lakes?
If you arrive by bus, you should preferably find something within walking distance, as taxis can be expensive/hard to come by. The National Park has several hotels near the entrances as well as two camping sites Korana Camp and Borje Camp, both camping sites have free buses to and from the national park.
My personal favorite in terms of accommodation, having stayed at several hotels and apartments in the area is this place here, but you need a car to stay there.
Should I continue to Zadar or Split from Plitvice Lakes?
A visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park is highly recommended for anyone traveling to Croatia, as the park offers a spectacular natural display all year round.
Plitvice, boat on Lake Kozjak
Zadar to Plitvice Lakes by Bus
Taking the bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly way of traveling on this route, with the journey lasting between 1.45 and 2.5 hours.
Price and ticket Zadar to Plitvice Bus
The price for a one-way adult ticket averages around 15 Euros. Occasionally, you can find early-bird tickets for 10 Euros or less. Some bus companies offer discounts for round-trip purchases. On most departures, it is also possible to buy discounted tickets for children under 12 years of age.
Frequency and Schedule Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
In the summer season there are up to 10 daily bus departures between Zadar and Plitvice Lakes, in the winter time there are only a few departures. Below, you can see some of the most popular departure times. Please use the search form above for a full schedule on any date.
Bus Station Zadar – Departure Location
All Intercity depart from the main bus station in Zadar located at the address, Ante Starcevica 1, 23000 Zadar, which is 15-20 minutes by foot from the old town.
Bus Station Plitvice Lakes – Arrival Station
At Plitvice Lakes, there isn’t a bus station, just bus stops along the road. You can get off at either bus stop, whether it’s Entrance 1 or Entrance 2.
Entrance 1 Plitvice Bus stop shelter
Day trip Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
If you are staying in Zadar, and wish to visit National Park Plitvice on a day trip, you have the following options.
Public bus as mentioned above, is the most economical if you are only 1-2 persons, but less flexible.
Rent a car in Zadar. If you drive following the fastest route, it should take you about 1.40 min to get to Plitvice National Park from Zadar Center. Additional cost: road toll which is about 6 Euro (return), plus the cost of the gas you spent.
Book a car with a driver for a day. (Private Transfer)
Organized day trip, from Zadar you have several travel agencies offering small group (2-8 persons) or larger group day trips.
Zadar to Plitvice Lakes by Car
Driving to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar is hassle-free, the fastest travel route is about 135 Km from Zadar Center, the route goes via Highway A6 to Gornja Ploca, and from here on you follow the country road. As mentioned above, the trip takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Stops on the way
A favored lunch spot along the route is Restaurant Macola in Korenica, situated roughly 20 km before reaching the National Park. While Macola may not boast Michelin-star quality, it offers decent meals at fair prices, setting you up perfectly for a day of exploration in the park!
Video – National Park Plitvice Lakes
Take a look at the Video from my latest visit to Plitvice Lakes! (As my voice sounds like Joe Cocker with a bad cold, I had a friend of mine do the voice over 🙃).
FAQ – Zadar to Plitvice
How long time is the bus ride from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes?
The driving time of buses is from 1 hour 45 Minutes to about 2.5 hours, depending on the travel route. Most buses drive Non-Stop.
Is there a bus from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Yes, buses run between Zadar and Plitvice Lakes throughout the year. In the peak summer season, there are up to 10 daily departures, whereas in winter, there are only a few daily bus connections.
What is the cheapest way of traveling from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes?
Taking the public bus is the cheapest way, the price for a one-way adult ticket is about 15 Euro. (Round trip 25-30 Euros). If you are a group of 4 persons or more you could also consider booking a door-to-door private transfer from Zadar to National Park Plitvice.
Is there a train from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes?
No there is no train from Zadar to Plitvice, the only form of public transportation is buses which are available year-round.
Can you see Plitvice Lakes in one day?
Sure, the longest walking route at National Park Plitvice Lakes takes between 6 and 8 hours, this route includes a boat trip and a trip with the national park “Train”, there are also shorter routes (From 2 hours) focusing on either the lower or the upper part of the National Park. (See Video above for more information).
Which Plitvice entrance should I choose?
I can personally recommend both Entrance 1 and Entrance 2; however, Entrance 1 is the most popular, which often means tickets for the popular timeslots are sold out. Tip: If you are traveling back by bus from Plitvice Lakes to Zadar, you should wait at the Entrance 1 bus stop, as it is the first pickup point😉.
Where should I stay overnight at Plitvice Lakes?
If you arrive by bus, you should preferably find something within walking distance, as taxis can be expensive/hard to come by. The National Park has several hotels near the entrances as well as two camping sites Korana Camp and Borje Camp, both camping sites have free buses to and from the national park.
My personal favorite in terms of accommodation, having stayed at several hotels and apartments in the area is this place here, but you need a car to stay there.
Should I continue to Split or Zagreb from Plitvice Lakes?
Both cities are worth visiting for a couple of days. If you travel to Plitvice from Zadar in the morning, there are several buses in the afternoon from Plitvice to Split as well as from Plitvice to Zagreb, so the choice is really up to you!
Cascaded Lakes at National Park Plitvice
Summary of transportation from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
The travel between Croatia’s two most important tourist sighs Dubrovnik and Plitvice lakes is not as easy and fast as most people think from looking at a map. Although the distance between the cities is only about 450 km, the travel time is quit long, by direct bus more than 9 hours, by car, the trip can be done in about 6.5 hours.
DO NOT forget to bring a valid passport, as the road passes through Bosnia and Herzegovina, by Neum.
Travelling by bus from Dubrovnik to Plitvice lakes:
Currently there in only one direct bus from Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes, departure time you can see below. Alternative we can recommend first travelling to Split, and then catching bus from Split to Plitvice Lakes, you can check bus departures Dubrovnik – Split here, and bus departures from Split to Plitvice lakes here.
Travel tips Dubrovnik – Plitvice Lakes: If you are not under time pressure, Make sure, to take a bus travelling along the coast for the part Dubrovnik to Split, get a seat at the left site of the bus, you will have an amazing view of the Dalmatian coast on this part of the trip.
Visitors guide with information about entrance and walking around the national park Plitvice lakes you can find here.
Staying overnight at Plitvice Lakes: For anyone who has time we recommend an overnight stay by the Plitvice lakes, the nature is absolutely stunning, for that purpose there are several options, the most convenient is the hotels by the entrance of the park, you can find a list of the hotels below. If you would settle for less than a hotel, we can recommend finding an apartment or a room in one of the smaller villages next to the park, you can find a selection of such accommodation units by clicking on the icon:
Plitvice
Plitvice
Plitvice
Other means of Transportation:
By Car: Travelling by car to Plitvice is quite easy, the fast way is to access the Highway by Ploce and then continue to the exit point which, is marked with “exit for Plitvice lakes”, as mentioned above travel time is about 6.5 hours. Alternative to the highway route, where toll apply, it is possible to travel along the coast to Zadar and then follow the country route to Udbina and then Plivice, this trip will take about 9-10 hours, for the extra hours, you get to see the beautiful Dalmatian coast line, and you save a bit of money on toll and fuel. – If you don’t have a car you cant rent one in Dubrovnik / Dubrovnik Airport here.
Transfers: If you are travelling directly from the airport in Dubrovnik, you can also choose the option of a transfer (driver included). More information about the cars and prices you can find here.
Plane: the closest airport to Plitvice lakes is that airport in Rijeka (On island Krk), but as there is no connection between Dubrovnik and Rijeka/Krk this is not an option, only option from Dubrovnik is to fly to Zagreb, which is about 180 km from the Park. Using this option you might be able to save a few hours, especially if you rent a car in Zagreb.
Split to Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice Lakes National Park, with more than one million visitors yearly, is the most visited attraction in Croatia. Situated somewhat remotely in Lika County, Plitvice is essentially in the middle of the country, if one considers the unique shape of Croatia.
National Park Plitvice Waterfalls in Lower part
Split to Plitvice Lakes by Bus
You can reach National Park Plitvice Lakes from Split all year round by bus, the driving time by bus is between 3.5 and 5.5 hours depending on departure time and route.
Price and ticket Split to Plitvice Lakes Bus
Expect to pay around 25 Euro for a one-way ticket from Split to Plitvice, if you book a round-trip with the same company you can get a discount, also tickets for children below 12 years are discounted.
Frequency and Schedule Bus Split to Plitvice Lakes.
You can travel by bus to Plitvice Lakes from Split year-round, in the Summer season there is a minimum of 5 daily departures, and in the winter time 1 or 2. Below, you can see some of the most popular departure times. Please use the search form above for a full schedule on any date.
Bus Station Split – Departure Station
The departure bus station in Split is located at the address Obala Kneza Domagoja br.12, 21000 Split, which is in the center of town, next to the ferry port and the train station. You can find more info about the bus station here:
Bus Station Plitvice Lakes – Arrival Station
At Plitvice Lakes, there isn’t a bus station, just bus stops along the road. You can get off at either bus stop, whether it’s Entrance 1 or Entrance 2.
Plitvice Entrance 1 Bus Stop
Day trip from Split to Plitvice Lakes.
You can indeed make a day trip to Plitvice Lakes from Split, depending on how much of the park you would like to see, a day trip takes about 10-12 hours. The following options are available:
Public bus as mentioned above, is the most economical way of doing the day trip.
Organized day trip from Split, available in various price ranges depending on the size of the group and weather a guide and other extras are included.
Rent a car in Split, and drive to Plitvice and back.
The most convenient but also most expensive way, book a car with a driver for the day.
Split to Plitvice Lakes by car.
If you have a car at your disposal, you can without any problem drive to Plitvice Lakes, the distance from Split Center to Plitvice is 255 km, and the driving time is a bit less than 3 hours.
The fastest route is via the Highway until Gornja Ploca, and then from there on the country road until you reach the National Park.
Stops on the way
If you’re planning to stay overnight at Plitvice Lakes, consider visiting Krka National Park along the way, which takes about 3 hours. Krka is 90 km from Split and requires only a detour of approximately 15 km from the route to Plitvice Lakes.
Video – National Park Plitvice Lakes
Take a look at the Video from my latest visit to Plitvice Lakes! (As my voice sounds like Joe Cocker with a bad cold, I had a friend of mine do the voiceover 🙃).
FAQ – Split to Plitvice Lakes
How long does it take to travel from Split to Plitvice Lakes by bus?
The bus ride from Split to Plitvice Lakes is between 3.5 and 5.5 hours. All buses stop in 1 or more cities on the way.
Is there a bus from Split to National Park Plitvice Lakes?
Yes, buses from Split to Plitvice Lakes operate year-round. In the summer season, there can be up to 5 daily departures, while in winter, there are only 1 or 2.
Is there a train from Split to Plitvice Lakes?
No, there is no train service from Split to Plitvice Lakes, as there is no railway station near Plitvice. The only public transport option available is buses, as mentioned above
Can you do a day trip from Split to Plitvice Lakes?
Yes, of course, you can. If you are on a budget, you can make a round trip to Plitvice Lakes by public bus. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive there or join an organized group trip from Split. A day trip to Plitvice will take about 12 hours.
I am going by bus to Plitvice Lakes from Split. Can I continue to Zagreb?
Should I buy a ticket for Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 or 2?
The most popular, but also the most crowded, entrance is No. 1. From personal experience, I would say both entrances are great, so don’t stress if you can’t get tickets for entrance 1. Tip: If you are traveling back to Split from Plitvice by bus, wait for the bus at entrance 1. It’s the first pickup point, so you will get a better seat on the bus😉.
Summary of transportation from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park
