Reaching Plitvice Lakes by Public Transit
Plitvice Lakes National Park is located along the main inland D1 highway, making it directly accessible by scheduled intercity buses.
Bus Connections
- From Zagreb: Buses depart from Zagreb Autobusni Kolodvor almost every hour, taking 2h 00m to 2h 15m for €11 to €15.
- From Zadar: Buses run 4 to 6 times daily, taking 1h 45m for €10 to €14.
- Bus Stops: The park has two main stops: Entrance 1 (Ulaz 1) and Entrance 2 (Ulaz 2). Get off at Entrance 1 for immediate access to the Lower Lakes and Great Waterfall.
Mandatory Online Ticket Booking
Since 2019, Plitvice strictly caps hourly visitors. You MUST book your ticket online at least 48 hours in advance for a specific hourly arrival slot.
- Peak Season (June to September): €40.00 for adults.
- Shoulder Season (April, May, October): €23.50 for adults.
- Winter (November to March): €10.00 for adults.
The 07:00 AM Strategy
Book the first ticket slot (07:00 or 08:00 AM). The tour buses arriving from Zagreb, Split, and Zadar do not reach the park until 10:30 AM. By arriving at 07:30, you get three undisturbed hours on the wooden boardwalks.
Choosing Your Trail
- Program C (Entrance 1, 8 km, 4 to 5 hours): The ideal route. Covers the Lower Lakes, Great Waterfall, a free electric boat ride across Lake Kozjak, and the Upper Lakes, returning by panoramic park train.