Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zagreb: Small group tour with Rastoke

Waterfalls, boardwalks and turquoise lakes in one morning, then back to Zagreb by late afternoon

A small group guided day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park, with hotel pickup and drop-off, a 3–4 hour exploration of the park on foot, train and boat, and a stop at Rastoke Village to see its houses and waterfalls. The nine-hour tour returns you to your accommodation in late afternoon. Entrance tickets are purchased in advance and paid directly to the guide on departure day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes

• Pick up at accommodation
• Explore Rastoke village
• Guided tour of Plitvice Lakes
• Drive back to accommodation

The experience

You're picked up at your hotel in Zagreb and driven toward Plitvice Lakes in an air-conditioned minivan. On the way, the group stops at Rastoke Village to walk through its narrow lanes and see the small waterfalls that cascade between the old houses. It's a short detour that breaks up the drive and gives a glimpse of how water shapes the landscape here before you reach the main park.

Once at Plitvice Lakes National Park, your guide leads a 3–4 hour tour that moves between the lakes on foot, a scenic train and a boat. You walk the wooden boardwalks that cross the turquoise water, pass the cascades where one lake drops into another, and travel by train through the forested sections to reach the lower lakes. The boat carries the group across the largest lake. The pace is steady but not rushed. The route covers the park's main sights without requiring serious hiking fitness.

The group stays small, which means less crowding on the boardwalks and more room in the minivan. Your guide speaks English and handles the logistics. You pay the entrance fee directly to them on departure day in cash (the price varies by season, from 45 HRK for children aged 7–17 in low season to 250 HRK for adults in summer). By late afternoon, you're driven back to your accommodation in Zagreb.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zagreb.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• access to the park's train and boat routes as part of the guided tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Zico Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're staying in Zagreb and want to see Plitvice Lakes without renting a car or arranging your own transport. The small group size keeps the boardwalks less crowded than larger tours, and the fixed schedule gets you back to the city by evening so you can explore Zagreb's old town or rest before your next day.

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Top questions

How much does it cost to enter Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Entrance fees vary by season and age. Adults pay 80 HRK in winter (January–March), 160 HRK in spring and autumn (April–May, October), and 250 HRK in summer (June–August). Children aged 7–17 pay 45 HRK in low season and 100 HRK in high season. Children under 6 enter free. You pay the guide directly on departure day in cash, and they purchase your ticket in advance.

What exactly do you do inside Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The 3–4 hour guided tour moves through the park on three different routes: walking the wooden boardwalks that cross between the lakes, riding a scenic train through the forested sections, and taking a boat across one of the larger lakes. You see the waterfalls and turquoise water up close from multiple angles and vantage points.

How long is the entire day trip, and when do you get back to Zagreb?

The full tour runs nine hours from pickup to drop-off. You return to your hotel in late afternoon, so it's a full day but leaves your evening free.

What is Rastoke Village, and how long do you spend there?

Rastoke is a small village on the way to Plitvice Lakes, known for its old houses and the small waterfalls that run between them. The group stops there briefly to walk through and see the village before continuing to the national park.

Is lunch included, or do you need to bring food?

Meals are not included in the tour price. You can bring your own food or purchase something at the park's facilities during the day.