9-Hour Plitvice Day Trip

Spend 9 hours on a day trip from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes. Explore the lakes and their walkways in the park before returning to Zadar the same day.

Overview

This Zadar Adventures day trip packs the whole Plitvice Lakes experience into a nine-hour round trip from Zadar, with pickup service starting between 7:15 and 8:00 in the morning. Transport is by air-conditioned minibus, coach, bus or minivan, and a guide travels with you the whole way. The price covers the ride, parking fees, a suggested route through the park, and the boat and panoramic train rides inside Plitvice itself.

Once at the park, roughly five hours are yours to walk the trails, following the suggested route or going at your own pace as long as you are back at the vehicle on time. The listing promises routes to suit your pace, and one traveller reported that the longest route repays the effort with the best of the waterfall sights. Photos and videos do the place little justice, according to that same reviewer.

The entrance fee to the national park is not in the tour price and is paid separately, so budget for it before you leave. The tour suits most people who can handle a long walk, including families, with pushchairs possible and infant seats available. It is not wheelchair accessible, and the group can run to as many as 50 travellers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup in ZadarPickup service runs from 7:15am to 8:00am, with the exact time depending on the number and location of pickups.
2. Drive toward PlitviceTravel by air-conditioned minibus, coach, bus or minivan with your guide. One reviewer reported a short stop before the park for snacks and the toilet.
3. Plitvice Lakes, first block5 hours in Plitvice Lakes National Park per the listing itinerary, with a suggested route, walking trails, a boat ride and a panoramic train tour included.
4. Plitvice Lakes, second block4 hours in the park, with the admission ticket not included; follow the guide or explore independently and return to the vehicle on time.
5. Return to ZadarDrive back to Zadar at the end of the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape what kind of day you will have.

• Budget for entry. The park entrance fee is not in the tour price. One reviewer felt this was not made clear when booking, and another was asked to pay it in cash, so bring enough money and check the current seasonal rate on the live booking page before you go.
• Long walking day. One reviewer describes quite a long walk. The listing suggests routes to suit your pace, and that traveller said choosing the longest option more than repays the effort with the waterfall sights and sounds, but you can also take a shorter option and go independently.
• Crowds and queues. One reviewer warns the park is very crowded and you often walk in a long line of people. That reviewer also reports pickpocketing, so keep valuables secure and stay alert at viewpoints.
• Bring food and water. Food and drinks are not included.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund.
• Communications. Several reviewers praise the operator's communication and organisation, and one mentions a group chat the guide used to keep a large party informed.

Common issues. The park entry fee is a separate cost on top of the tour price, and one reviewer felt this was not made clear enough when booking, with another reporting a significant extra charge for two people that they had not anticipated. The group can be large, up to 50 travellers, and one reviewer mentions back-ups on the trails caused by tour groups. Departure timing can slip: one reviewer reported a late bus and an earlier-than-stated return time, and another reviewer found little commentary on the drive. The tour also depends on a minimum number of travellers and good weather, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

Common Questions