How To Get From Zadar To Plitvice Lakes National Park 2025
Are you planning a day trip to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar? If so, this article’s for you.
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest and most well-known national park, that spans over 70,000 acres in the center of the country. It has these stunning blue lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails, and was the most beautiful place I visited in the country.
It’s just over a 1.5 hour drive from Zadar, and easily accessible by bus (how I got there), as well as group tours. This article will cover exactly how to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar, including where to buy bus tickets, which entrance to use, the best time to visit, and more.
Here is everything you need to know to plan an amazing day trip to Plitvice Lakes.
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Zadar To Plitvice Lakes Day Trip Overview
- Driving distance: 1.5-2 hours
- Fastest route: Toll Road (D1 & E71)
- Where to park: Entrance 1
- Buy park tickets beforehand ↗️
- Buy Flixbus tickets or book a group tour here↗️
How To Get To Plitvice Lakes From Zadar
Zadar is only a 1.5 hour drive to Plitvice Lakes if you take the toll road (D1 and E71), or just over a 2 hour drive if you take D1 road.
The park is well connected to Zadar by Flixbus, which will take you directly to the Entrance 1 ticket office. Zadar’s bus terminal is a 30 minute walk from Old Town, or a short ride on the city’s public bus.
Group tours are by far the most convenient option if you plan on making it a day trip. The group tours include a guided hike in the park, and roundtrip transportation from hotels in Zadar. Plus, they’re around the same price as roundtrip bus tickets.
- View the next available bus tickets here
- View the top-rated group tour from Zadar
Plitvice Lakes National Park is nestled in the countryside, and it’s located off of a high-speed highway. You will drive past entrance 2 before reaching the main entrance 1, which is 20 minutes further up the highway.
Entrance 1 is where the Flixbus stop is, and the best entrance to use. It’s where all of the popular hikes begin, and gives you access to the most scenic viewpoints. Both entrances have large parking lots, ticket offices, and souvenir shops/cafes.
Note: Keep in mind that entrance 1 and entrance 2 are not within walking distance to each other. They’re over an hour walk along a high-speed highway in the forest, and there’s no public buses that connect the two entrances.
The park has an internal shuttle, but it requires you to use your entrance ticket. If you’re arriving by bus, I recommend staying near Entrance 1, or staying at Hotel Jezero, which offers a free shuttle to both entrances.
Check out our guide on where to stay at Plitvice Lakes for more details, and a full list of hotels within walking distance to the entrance.
Things To Do At Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to 16 named lakes, and over 90 stunning cascades and waterfalls! There are boats and train rides (included in your tickets) that allow you to see the entire park in just a few hours.
The park’s lower lakes have this stunning turquoise blue color that they get from limestone rocks dissolving over time. The upper lakes have a darker blue color because they consist primarily of dolomite rock, which doesn’t dissolve as easily as limestone.
Throughout the park, there are dozens of beautiful waterfalls and cascades formed by natural travertine (tufa) barriers.
The most popular hiking trails (Route B & C) begin at Entrance 1. Route C allows you to see both the lower and upper lakes in 3-5 hours. Route B is a shortened version of Route C that takes you to see the lower lakes, and popular waterfalls within 2-3 hours.
Both of these hikes include a scenic boat ride across the park’s largest lake (Lake Kozjak), and a train ride back to Entrance 1.
Entrance 2 has a few hiking trails (Route E, F & H), but most people begin at Entrance 1 because it allows you to face the waterfalls while hiking. View a full list of the park’s hiking trails here.
Once you arrive at Entrance 1, you’ll be a short walk to a popular overlook of the lower lakes. The main hiking trail from here will take you beside the lower lakes on a boardwalk, and there’s a short detour to see the park’s largest waterfall (Veliki Slap).
You’ll be walking beside these beautiful turquoise blue lakes, with water so clear you can see fishes swimming in!
If you continue hiking, you’ll reach the P3 boat stop in around 30-45 minutes. Here you’ll find restrooms, restaurants/souvenir shops, and a boat dock.
From here, you can hop on a 30 minute scenic boat ride across Lake Kozjak, to continue hiking Route B or C.
From Entrance 2, you can either begin hiking the upper lakes (Route E, F, or H), or hop on a train to Entrance 1 to see the lower lakes. The train operates starting around 8am, and you can view its working hours here.
Where To Stay At Plitvice Lakes
If you’re planning to spend a night near the park, the best place to stay is within walking distance to one of the 3 entrances. There are two official entrances, and an unofficial entrance near Plitvica Selo.
You can view all three entrances on the map below.
Entrance 1 is the main entrance where the Flixbus stop is located, and the most convenient place to stay if you’re arriving by bus. Entrance 2 is in Plitvicka Jezera, and where the popular Hotel Jezero is located.
Entrance 1 and 2 are a 10 minute drive, or over an hour walk between each other. Hotel Jezero offers a free shuttle to both entrances, and they can provide pickup from Entrance 1 if you’re arriving by bus.
Entrance 3 is an unofficial entrance with no ticket office, within a 15 minute walk from Plitvica Selo. Here you’ll find some of the nicest hotels, and it’s one of the best places to stay if you’re driving to the park.
It’s on the opposite side of the lake as Entrance 1 and 2, and you’ll need to buy your park tickets online beforehand as there’s no ticket office. If you’re arriving by bus, keep in mind you’ll need to enter the park to get to your hotel, or hire a taxi.
Here are the best places to stay near each entrance.
Hotels Near Entrance 1 (Flixbus Bus Stop)
- Hotel Antemurale: Clean bed and breakfast less than a 10 min walk to entrance 1
- Guesthouse Ljubo & Ana: Cozy bed and breakfast less than a 15 min walk from entrance 1
- House Biba & Leona: Cheap bed and breakfast with coffee makers less than a 15 min walk from entrance 1
Hotels Near Entrance 2 (Plitvicka Jezera)
- Hotel Jezero: Spa hotel with a gym, sauna, hot tubs, free breakfast and free shuttle to both entrances, and nearby restaurants
- Guesthouse Bor: Budget-friendly guesthouse within a half hour walk from Entrance 2
Hotels Near Entrance 3 (Plitvica Selo)
- Pansion Breza: Cozy bed and breakfast, that serves a buffet breakfast with bags to pack a lunch, (15 min walk from the park)
- Plitvice Falls Cottage: Luxurious bed and breakfast with coffee makers, and a restaurant that serves dinner, (15 min walk from the park)
- B&B Plitvica Lodge: Rustic bed and breakfast with king size beds and fridges, and a restaurant that serves dinner, (15 min walk from the park)
Best Time To Visit Plitvice Lakes
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes is spring or fall for the best prices, and least amount of crowds. However, I visited in peak season August, and although it was a bit crowded, it was still completely worth it!
If you’re visiting during summer, I recommend hiking early in the morning (7am), or later in the evening to avoid crowds. If you visit after 3-4pm, they also offer discounted tickets!
Tips For Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Buy your park tickets beforehand to avoid lines
- Pack snacks, drinks, and a lunch to have in the park
- Hike early in the morning (7-8am) or in the evening to avoid crowds
- Hike Route C from Entrance 1 to see both the lower and upper lakes
- Get discounted tickets by visiting after 3–4pm!
- Stay at a hotel within walking distance to one of the entrances
Zadar to Plitvice Day Trip Map
Zadar To Plitvice Lakes FAQs
Is there a train from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes?
No, there isn’t a train to Plitvice Lakes, and it’s only accessible by bus or group tour. The bus ride costs around 20€/each way, and takes 1.5-2 hours.
How much time do you need at the park?
You only need a few hours to hike both the lower and upper lakes from Entrance 1, via Route C. The park’s train and boats allow you to see a large portion of the park in just a few hours, so it’s perfect for a day trip.
Is it better to stay in Zadar or near Plitvice Lakes?
I recommend making Plitvice Lakes a day trip, and staying in Zadar. The park’s located far out in the countryside, and there’s very limited restaurant options in the area.
If you stay in Zadar, you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the sea organ, and have many restaurants and bars to choose from.
Is there public transportation at the park?
No, there’s no public transportation or Ubers available outside of the park.
If your hotel isn’t within walking distance to the entrance, there’s no way to get there besides taxis. If you enter the park, however, you can use the train to get between entrance 1 and 2 (St.1-St.2).
To avoid paying for taxis, it’s best to stay within walking distance to entrance 1, at a hotel with a free shuttle like Hotel Jezero, or stay in Zadar.
Is it better to visit Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Park?
I recommend skipping the Krka waterfalls, and visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Krka National Park is only slightly closer to Zadar (~1 hour drive), but Plitvice Lakes is much larger, and arguably the most beautiful place in the country!
If you have more time on vacation, it could be worth visiting Krka National Park, to explore the nearby town of Skradin, and go wine-tasting in Plastovo.
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