How to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
Why visit Plitvice Lakes?
Plitvice Lakes National Park is an emerald beauty in Croatia’s northern mountainous region. The country’s largest national park boasts 16 terraced lakes, cascading waterfalls, and a glorious karst landscape. Visitors can admire this from the numerous trails that wind through the park or on a relaxing boat ride on one of the lakes.
As majestic as the lakes are, they comprise only 1% of the National Park’s land area. The remaining 99% is lush forest, home to a variety of wildlife – brown bears, wolves, and lynx, as well as a huge array of birds and bats. Plitvice Lakes has seven viewing paths around the lakes and four hiking trails. For safety reasons, tourists are not allowed to stray from these routes, and swimming is strictly prohibited.
Not sure which route to take? Our detailed Plitvice Lakes guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan your perfect visit.
Visiting in summer? It’s important to buy your tickets beforehand to skip the long queues at the park. Prices are the same whether you book through GetYourGuide online or at the ticket booths on-site. An entrance ticket to Plitvice Lakes costs €40 ($46) in summer, €23 ($26.50) in spring and autumn, and €10 ($11.50) in winter.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
There are 4 ways to travel the 130 kilometre (81 miles) distance from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. You can choose between the bus, private transfer, Day tour and Overnight Stay. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 21 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at €10.40 ($12).
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Bus
Several bus companies cover the Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes route daily. However, not all bus departures give you enough time to explore the park on the same day.
Some buses arrive late in the afternoon when the park is almost closed for the day. If you take these afternoon bus trips, you’ll need to stay in a hotel overnight and explore the national park the next day.
Travel time by bus is around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, with ticket prices starting from €10.40 ($12).
Departure and arrival stations
All buses depart from Zagreb Bus Station, about 1.5 km from the train station in the city centre.
There are two possible drop-off points at Plitvice Lakes, depending on the bus operator:
- The Flixbus Bus Stop in front of Entrance 1
- Plitvice Jezera Bus Stop near Entrance 2
Both stops have ticket offices nearby, so if you haven’t bought your ticket online, you can get one before entering the park.
Bus schedules from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
To make sure you get the bus at the time you want, especially for morning trips, you should book your tickets in advance via BookAway.
Return bus from Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb (DIY day trip)
Given the short distance between Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes, you can visit the national park without joining a day tour.
During the summer, entrance fees cost €40 ($46) per person, with discounted rates available in the off-peak season.
Plitvice Lakes National Park opens at 7:00 and closes at 17:00. To make the most out of your trip, take the first bus out of Zagreb at 05:45 and the last bus from Plitvice Lakes at 18:30.
With this option, you’ll have almost the entire day to explore the national park, and you can take on one of the longer hiking trails. Read our Plitvice Lake guide to explore which trail you should take.
Bus schedules from Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Note that fewer buses may be available outside the summer season. If you’re making a day trip in spring, autumn, or winter, consider booking a private transfer instead of taking the bus.
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Private Transfer
Travelling with a group? You can book a private car or minivan for direct transport to the national park.
This option includes hotel pickup in Zagreb and drop-off at Plitvice Lakes. You can also choose the departure time that works best for you.
Since you won’t have to make stops along the way like the bus, you can get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes in only 2 hours.
Cars for three people are available with rates from €255 ($295). This option is the most expensive, but costs can be lower for larger groups. Check GetYourGuide for more details.
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Day Tour
There are several day trip packages to choose from for the Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes route. Most of these tours include a short trip to Rastoke, a 300-year-old village that is also famous for its waterfalls.
One of the popular options on GetYourGuide includes round-trip transportation and a tour guide. Entrance tickets are included in the price, so you won’t waste time queuing at the park entrance.
The entire tour takes 10 hours, including around 4 hours of round-trip travel. Day tour rates start from €105 ($120).
Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes by Overnight Stay
With the travel time involved in a day trip, you might not have enough time to explore all that Plitvice Lakes National Park has to offer. We recommend staying in the area at least the night before so you can be at the entrance when the park opens.
There are a few hotels located within walking distance of Entrances 1 and 2 of Plitvice Lakes. But because of their proximity to the national park, these hotels are often fully booked. If you’re planning to stay overnight, make sure to reserve your room a few months in advance!
For a more unique experience, check out the campsites located 5-7 km north of Entrance 1: Campsite Korana and Camping Plitvice. There, you can pitch your own tent or stay in a mobile home! These campsites offer different activities and provide free transportation to the national park.
Rates start at €20 ($23) per person for an overnight stay at a campsite.
If the nearby hotels are all fully booked, another option is to stay in Grabovac Village, about 9 km from Entrance 1. To get to the national park, you can take a 15-minute local bus, which costs around €4 ($4.60).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
What is the distance from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
The distance from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is 130 kilometre (81 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
The fastest way to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is by bus and takes 1 hour 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes?
The cheapest way to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is by bus with ticket costs starting from €10.40 ($12).
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
