Buses (coaches), Plitvicka Jezera National Park

I have talked to a few people and bus companies and the sales department at Plitvice Lakes who have told me that catching the public transport to Plitvice to Zagreb return is problematic.

A salesperson at Autobusni Kolodvor informed me that during the busy season, you can purchase a bus ticket to Plitvice leaving Zagreb at 7.30am, and that you will get there around 9.20am. However, you can not purchase a return ticket in Zagreb- instead - you must purchase a ticket from the relevant bus at Plitvice. PROBLEM: If the bus is full - the bus simply will not stop for you. The person at Autobusni Kolodvor said that not as many buses take the old "D1" road through Plitvice as previously (they now take the highway), so not sure how frequently buses pass through now as compared to previous times.

The salesperson at Plitvice also told me the same thing - that often the buses are full and you can not be guaranteed to get a space for your return journey, as you can not pre-purchase return tickets to Zagreb. You have to wait around and wait for a passing bus and hope for the best. I guess that you cold get lucky, or if you dont get a bus, there are hotels to stay at.

I would recommend that those looking for a 1-2 day trip to Plitvice, rent a car.

Most buses from Zagreb to the Dalmatian coastal towns (Zadar, Sibenik, Split) still use the old D1 road which means they still run through Plitvice. But you have to check at the bus station first - buses using A1 highway make a big loop and they will be of no use to you.

There are two entrances to the park - Entrance 1 (Ulaz 1) closer to Zagreb and Entrance 2 (Ulaz 2) closer to Dalmatia. If you want to stay in one of the hotels use Entrance 2.

It is possible to visit Plitvice as a daytrip, or by just stopping at Plitvice on your way to/from the coast. Try to avoid weekends (Fridays in direction of the coast, Sundays in direction of Zagreb) because buses tend to be full and in this case they won't stop at all in Plitvice - so you'll have to wait long after visiting it.

You can leave your luggage at Info centers on both entrances. Make sure to note untill what time they are open in the evening!

I took the morning bus from Zadar. 4 hours to reach Plitvice Park.

There are buses to/from Zagreb as well. Which is a better option than any place along the Dalmatian Coast.

Croatia Bus-schedules, the link below.

Getting to Plitvice Lakes National Park is very easily done by public transportation. There are several daily buses going there - some originating from Zagreb (north-south), and others from Zadar or Split (south-north). They are comfortable, they are cheap... and sometimes they are full. So here's a word of advice.. when trying to get a bus out of Plitvice, try to leave in the morning, so you have better chances to find free seats on the bus. I also don't recommend trying to leave the NP during Croatian special holidays - as chances are that buses may be full and won't be able to stop to pick you up.

From Zagreb there are buses after every hour. The journey cost around £6 but the buses are reasonable. The journey takes around 2 to 3 hours all depends on the traffic but my return journey was very terrible as it took more than 4 hours due to the traffic.
You can get the bus from AUTOBUSNI KOLODVOR in Zagreb. i did not remmeber the name of station but our VT member from Zagreb Goran helped me out with that name. you are a star Goran.

Getting to Plitvice is not difficult if you know where you're going. You need to catch the bus from Split to Zagreb, remembering to tell the driver that you need to be dropped off at the 2nd (southern) entrance to Plitvice. So, the driver will motion to you and you'll get off, at which point you will feel very lost and abandoned. There isn't anything out there, just road and trees. I thought I was going to die, but then walked about a 1/2 a mile and found a trail that led me another 1/4 mile to the ranger station. It's the same way to get out.