Plitvice Lakes day tour from Zadar: Panoramic boat ride included

Four hours to walk the lakes, then ride the panoramic boat and train through the park's heart

A day tour from Zadar to National Park Plitvice Lakes with a live English guide, hotel pickup, and reserved tickets for the park's panoramic boat and train rides. The morning departure leaves at 7:15 am and returns around 6 pm. The afternoon tour departs at noon and returns around 9 pm (available June through September only). Park entrance fees are paid separately in cash on the day of the tour and vary by season. The tour includes four hours of self-guided walking through the park's suggested route, with time to rest in the natural surroundings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Plitvice Lakes Day Tour from Zadar

• Meet at agency in Zadar
• Drive two hours to Plitvice Lakes
• Explore National Park for four hours
• Relax in nature
• Return drive to Zadar

The experience

The morning tour picks you up from your Zadar hotel or the agency office at 7:15 am, then drives two hours to the park, arriving around 10 am. You'll have roughly four hours to walk the park's trails and boardwalks at your own pace, following the suggested route through the cascading lakes and forest paths. Your guide meets you at a set point for the return drive, which gets you back to Zadar by 6 pm. The afternoon option departs at noon and returns around 9 pm, but pickup is not available for afternoon departures. You'll need to meet the group at the agency office at 12 pm.

The reserved boat and train rides are included, so you skip the ticket queues and board with your group. Park entry itself is not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash when you arrive. The cost depends on the season, ranging from 5 euros for children under 18 to 35 euros for adults in peak summer. The ticket covers all routes and paths inside the park, so once you've paid, you can explore freely. Bring walking shoes and a raincoat. The weather can change quickly, and the trails get wet.

The agency office sits in central Zadar near Caffe Bar Zlatni Kutić, and they offer free luggage storage if you want to travel light. The drive itself is part of the experience: two hours each way through the Dalmatian landscape gives you time to settle in before you start walking.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup for the morning tour.
• reserved boat and train ride tickets.
• free luggage storage at the agency office.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:50 and 11:50

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Child (under 8)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 148

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Jadera Booking Agency

Is this one for you?The morning tour runs year-round and gets you back by early evening, leaving the rest of your day free in Zadar. The afternoon option (June–September only) works if you want to sleep in, though you'll need to reach the agency office by noon and won't return until after 9 pm.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years); Child (under 8).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend walking inside Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Around four hours if you follow the suggested route through the park. That leaves time to rest in the natural surroundings without rushing, and the reserved boat and train rides break up the walking.

Is the park entrance fee included in the tour price?

No, the entrance fee is not included and must be paid in cash on the day you arrive at the park. The cost varies by season: 10 euros for adults in March and November, up to 35 euros in summer (June through September). Children under 7 enter free. Students and children 7–18 pay reduced rates with valid ID.

What time does the morning tour leave Zadar, and when do I get back?

The morning tour meets at 7:15 am at your hotel or the agency office in central Zadar and returns around 6 pm. The drive to Plitvice takes two hours each way, so you arrive at the park around 10 am.

Can I book the afternoon tour if I'm staying outside the city center?

The afternoon tour departs at noon from the agency office, but pickup is not available for afternoon departures. You'll need to meet the group at the office in central Zadar (Street Rafaela Levakovića 1) at 12 pm. The afternoon tour runs only from June through September and returns around 9 pm.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup for the morning departure, reserved tickets for the panoramic boat and train rides inside the park, and free luggage storage at the agency office. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring walking shoes and a raincoat: weather can change quickly, especially near the water. The tour runs in all seasons, so dress for the conditions when you're visiting. The agency recommends checking the forecast before you go.