Zadar to 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.
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.
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Zadar (HR)
1h 55min
Plitvice Lakes (HR)
- door to door service
- no charge for flight delay
- no luggage hassle
- name sign
Unfortunately, we didn’t find any bus route matching your criteria.
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Map travel route Zadar (HR) to Plitvice Lakes (HR)
This information is supplied without liability
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.
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!
Summary of transportation from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
| Travel distance fastest route | 135 km / 84 Miles |
| Average ticket Price | €15 / $17 / £13 |
| Daily Bus departures in Summer | 8-10 |
| Daily Bus departures in Winter | 1-4 |
| Bus companies | Prijevoz Knezevic, AP Varazdin |
| Organic Day trips available | Yes |
| Train | No |
Other popular bus travel routes from Zadar
| Zadar to Split | Zadar to Zagreb | Zadar to Tisno |
| Zadar to Krka | Zadar to Novalja | Zadar to Airport |
| Zadar to Pula | Zadar to Rijeka | Zadar to Sibenik |
Text, photos and travel tips by Morten Smalby
