Plitvicka Jezera National Park Travel Forum

Hi all,
I will be in Zagreb and wish to go to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
I have inquired with many local tourist companies and many offer a full day trip leaving about 7-8am and returning in the evening for about 50 euro.
I understand there are also buses from Zagreb to Plitvice to go on your own. As I will be traveling alone and do not know the park well at all. Do you recommend taking the guided tour with a guide or going alone by public. I generally prefer to travel alone but I am thinking the park is so large and I only have one day that a guide may be best to show me the best places. What do you think??
Thanks all,
Mike

I think it's better to let the professionals guide you..after all, if it won't suite you, you can easily separate from the group and continue enjyoing in NP Plitvice by yourself.

Plitvice park is so well organized that I really see no need of taking an organized tour. You really can't be lost at Plitvice! There are several color-coded paths that are clearly marked - just choose the one that is best for you, go with the flow and follow the marks.

Entrance ticket is valid on electric trains and boats within the park. All paths are marked with time needed to do the full circle ranging from 3 hours to 6 hours of walking. As the paths criss-cross each other it is easy to leave your 6-hours Green route and just join the 3-hours Blue route if you are tired. A good guidebook is available at the entrance, as well as large and small maps.

I've heard some people in fact being a little dissapointed by the organization and efficiency they find in the Park - they were expecting wilderness while in fact you just follow the organized routes (that can be pretty jammed with other visitors).

I recommend the 6-hours Red route which starts at Entrance 2 and goes from the Upper lakes to the Lower lakes finishing with the Big waterfall and a great view of Sastavci waterfall at the end.

The only reason why I would recommend booking a tour is the fact that you would have organized coach transport from and to Zagreb. But I have done several daytrips from Zagreb using only public transport and never had problems. If you use public buses it is better to use Entrance 2 (one further from Zagreb) since the bus stop there is better (important on your return when you'll have to wait for the bus by the road). Try to avoid weekends because that is when the largest number of people visits the park.

Thanks for the responses.
I have heard that there are often problems with the public transportation schedule from Zagreb to Plitvice park. Do you have a timetable or schedule of when buses leave Zagreb in the morning and depart Plitvice in the evening. I would hope that it were possible to depart very early in the morning, do the 6 hr walk as well as stop for lunch and catch a bus back in the evening maybe 7 or 8pm.
Thanks again,
Mike

Yes, that is possible.
Timetables are available online at Zagreb bus station website
www.akz.hr