Private Plitvice Lakes tour from Zadar: Boat and train included

Waterfalls, lakes and a boat ride through a UNESCO site

A private day tour from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park with hotel pickup and dropoff, featuring a 4-hour walk through the park, a panoramic boat ride across the lakes, and an electric train ride through the surroundings. An English-speaking guide leads the full 8-hour journey, which includes transport, insurance and VAT.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour to Plitvice Lakes

• Pickup from your location in Zadar
• Travel to Plitvice Lakes
• Explore Plitvice Lakes for 4 hours
• Boat ride on the lakes
• Train ride through the park
• Return to Zadar
• Drop off at your location

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Zadar location in the morning, then heads inland toward Plitvice Lakes National Park. The drive itself is part of the experience: a scenic journey that sets up what comes next. Once you arrive at the park, you spend four hours on foot exploring the interconnected lakes, cascading waterfalls and the Great Waterfall that defines the landscape. The path is leisurely rather than strenuous, letting you move at a pace that lets the scale of the place sink in.

After the walk, the tour shifts perspective. A panoramic boat ride takes you across the lakes from the water, showing you the same waterfalls and cliffs from a completely different angle. Then comes the electric train, a charming ride that winds through the lush surroundings and fills in the gaps between the walking sections. These three modes of moving through the park (on foot, by boat, by train) mean you see the site from multiple vantage points without backtracking or retracing ground.

The guide speaks English throughout and handles all the logistics: transport from Zadar, timing, route choices within the park. Insurance and VAT are included in the price. The full day is eight hours door-to-door, and you end back at your Zadar location in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes and back.
• panoramic boat ride across the lakes.
• electric train ride through the park surroundings.
• English-speaking tour guide for the full day.
• insurance and VAT.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Adriatic Vision

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a couple, a small family or a group of friends who want to explore Plitvice Lakes without coordinating separate transport or hiring a shared guide. The private format means pickup from your exact location and a guide who sets the pace to match your group's interests.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is the Great Waterfall at Plitvice Lakes?

The Great Waterfall is the park's most iconic cascade, a dramatic drop that you encounter during the 4-hour walk. It's the centerpiece of the landscape and the reason many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes in the first place.

How much of the tour is spent walking versus riding?

The walking portion lasts four hours and covers the main attractions within the park. The boat ride and electric train add variety to the day without requiring additional hiking. They're built into the itinerary to show you different angles of the same scenery.

Do I need to arrange park entry separately?

Plitvice Lakes National Park entry is not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately upon arrival. Your guide will direct you to the ticket office, and the cost is not part of your booking.

What time does the tour leave Zadar?

The tour begins in the morning with pickup from your preferred location in Zadar. Your guide will confirm the exact time when you book.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong hiker?

The walk is described as leisurely and the tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The four hours on foot are spread across the park's most accessible sections, and the boat and train rides break up the walking portions.