Plitvice Lakes by car from Zagreb: a one-day plan

Plitvice Lakes is the most visited national park in Croatia and one of the best day trips from Zagreb. By car it is about 130 kilometres to the entrance, a little over two hours of relaxed driving.

Which road to take

The fastest option is the A1 motorway to the Karlovac exit, then the D1 road through Slunj and Rakovica. The road is good and open, and on the way you pass Rastoke, a small village with watermills and waterfalls worth a stop on the way back.

Tickets and parking

• Buy tickets online in advance. In season the number of visitors per hour is limited and there can be queues at the entrance.
• The park has two entrances with large car parks. Entrance 1 is closer to the Great Waterfall, Entrance 2 to the upper lakes.
• Parking is charged per hour, so count on five to six hours.

Which route to choose

For a one-day visit the best balance of effort and reward is the circular trail that links the lower and upper lakes by boat across Lake Kozjak. It takes about four hours with breaks and covers the most photographed parts of the park.

Driving tips

Leave Zagreb by eight in the morning to arrive before the biggest crowds. On the way back, if you have time, stop in Slunj and Rastoke. In winter parts of the trails are closed and there can be snow on the D1, so check conditions before you go. Picking up a car at our Zagreb city-centre or airport office takes ten minutes.