How Much Does Plitvice Lakes Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a premier UNESCO World Heritage site where costs fluctuate significantly based on the time of year. While winter entry is highly affordable, peak summer visits see adult ticket prices rise to $47 / €40, making it one of the more expensive natural attractions in the region. Visitors should expect a daily budget ranging from $100 / €85 for solo budget travelers to $447 / €380 for those seeking luxury lodge experiences. Compared to other Croatian nature spots like Krka National Park, Plitvice carries a price premium due to its global popularity and strictly controlled visitor numbers. Costs are most manageable in the shoulder seasons of May or October, when entry fees drop to approximately $27 / €23 while the waterfalls remain at their most impressive.
Is Plitvice Lakes expensive to visit?
Plitvice Lakes ranges from affordable to expensive depending on the season, with daily budgets typically falling between $100 / €85 and $447 / €380.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Plitvice Lakes
$100
per person /day
$194
per person /day
$447
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $300 | $583 | $1,342 |
| 5-Day Trip | $500 | $971 | $2,236 |
| 7-Day Trip | $700 | $1,359 | $3,131 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to cover the mandatory tourist tax collected by hosts and the $2.35 / €2 per hour parking fees which can add up during a long day of hiking. This buffer also accounts for the $18 / €15 taxi rides if hikers find themselves at the opposite park entrance at the end of the day.
How Does It Compare?
See how Plitvice Lakes stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Plitvice Lakes
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Meal (Bistro Kozjačka Draga) Main food hub inside the park by the boat pier. Expect ~$16 / €14 for a standard burger and drink. | $16 €14 |
| Mid-Range Dinner (Bistro Vučnica) Located in Mukinje village. A local favorite for pizza (~$15 / €13) or meat dishes (~$26 / €22). | $26 €22 |
| Draft Beer (0.5L) Expect to pay ~$6.47 / €5.5 in tourist-facing restaurants; slightly less in Korenica supermarkets. | $6.47 €5.5 |
| Coffee (Cappuccino) Standard price at park cafes. Standing at a bar in nearby villages can be ~$2.12 / €1.8. | $3.53 €3 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Intercity Bus (Zagreb to Plitvice) Prices vary by operator. Booking in advance online is highly recommended as buses sell out. | $19 €16 |
| Local Taxi (Entrance 1 to Entrance 2) Handy if you park at one entrance and finish your hiking route at the other. Negotiate before boarding. | $18 €15 |
| Private Transfer (Zagreb Airport to Plitvice) Flat rate for a standard car seating up to 4 people. Much faster than the bus (approx. 2 hours). | $165 €140 |
| National Park Parking (Car - Peak) Charged per hour. During shoulder season (Apr–May, Oct), the rate drops to ~$1.77 / €1.5/hr. | $2.35 €2 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm Bed at Falling Lakes Hostel Budget option located in Korenica with a shuttle service to the park. Includes social atmosphere. | $22 €19 |
| Mid-Range Double Room (M&N Zafran) Excellent value guesthouse (B&B) near the park entrance. Price is per person in a shared private room. | $22 €19 |
| Standard Room at Holiday Inn Express Standard nightly rate for a reliable 2-star chain hotel. Roughly $181 / €154. | $153 €130 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult 1-Day Ticket (Peak Summer) Includes electric boat and panorama train rides. Must book a specific entry time online. | $47 €40 |
| Rowboat Rental (Lake Kozjak) Available at the P1 pier on Lake Kozjak. Great for escaping the boardwalk crowds. | $18 €15 |
| Rastoke Watermill Village Entry Located in Slunj (30km north). Often called the 'Small Plitvice' for its waterfalls and mills. | $7.06 €6 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo Croatia eSIM (10GB) Good value for a month-long trip. Coverage is excellent throughout the park. | $18 €15 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining options within the park boundaries are limited and priced for convenience, such as a standard burger and drink for $16 / €14 at Bistro Kozjačka Draga. For better value and variety, many visitors head to Mukinje village for meat dishes at Bistro Vučnica for around $26 / €22 or grab local supplies at the village market. Expect to pay $6.47 / €5.5 for a draft beer at tourist-facing restaurants, though prices drop slightly in the nearby town of Korenica.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bistro Kozjačka Draga
$14–$21 / €12–€18Inside Park (P3) · Food court
Grab a picnic table here for the best view of Lake Kozjak. Portions are generous.
Restoran Poljana
$12–$19 / €10–€16Entrance 2 · Local chain
The fastest way to get a hot meal without the sit-down restaurant prices.
Bistro Vučnica
$13–$26 / €11–€22Mukinje Village · Local chain
A short walk from Entrance 2/Mukinje hotels. Best pizza in the area.
Pizzeria Plum
$11–$18 / €9–€15Grabovac · Local chain
Located 10km north of the park. Great if you have a car and want to escape tourist prices.
Market Plitvice Lakes
$3.53–$9.42 / €3–€8Mukinje · Street market
Buy sandwich supplies here to save ~$18 / €15 on lunch inside the park.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Most visitors arrive via intercity bus from Zagreb for approximately $19 / €16, a journey that requires advance booking during the busy months. For those with a rental car, parking at the official park lots costs $2.35 / €2 per hour, while a taxi between Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 typically runs about $18 / €15. Private transfers from Zagreb Airport offer the fastest transit for a flat rate of $165 / €140 for up to four passengers.
Accommodation Overview
Value seekers can find dorm beds at Falling Lakes Hostel for $22 / €19 or private guesthouse rooms like M&N Zafran for the same price per person. For more conventional comfort, the Holiday Inn Express offers standard rooms at roughly $153 / €130 per night. Staying in the nearby villages of Mukinje or Jezerce provides the best balance of price and proximity to the park footpaths.
Accommodation Budget in Plitvice Lakes
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Visit during the shoulder months of May or October to pay roughly $27 / €23 for entry instead of the $47 / €40 peak summer rate.
- 2 Stay in Korenica at Falling Lakes Hostel for $22 / €19 and utilize their shuttle service to save on park parking fees.
- 3 Purchase groceries at Market Plitvice Lakes in Mukinje to pack a picnic, avoiding the $16 / €14 budget meals inside the park.
- 4 Fill water bottles at the designated fresh water taps throughout the park rather than buying bottled water at cafes for $3.53 / €3.
- 5 Book national park tickets online well in advance to secure the earliest time slots, avoiding the need for an expensive two-day pass.
- 6 Take the public bus from Zagreb for $19 / €16 instead of a private transfer to save over $141 / €120 on transportation.
- 7 Choose a guesthouse like M&N Zafran for $22 / €19 per person to enjoy a local breakfast and proximity to Entrance 1.
- 8 Use a Croatia eSIM like Airalo for $18 / €15 to avoid high roaming charges while navigating the park's trail maps.
- 9 Walk the 1.5km forest trail from Mukinje village to Entrance 2 to save on daily parking or taxi costs.
- 10 Stick to the 'panorama train' and electric boats included in the $47 / €40 ticket price rather than renting a private rowboat for $18 / €15.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
+100% (Park Entry)
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
-75% (Park Entry)
May, Oct
The difference is massive: entry is ~$47 / €40 in summer vs ~$12 / €10 in winter. May and October offer the best balance of lush waterfalls and mid-tier ~$27 / €23 entry prices.
Events to Watch
- ● Plitvice Marathon (Early June): Hotels full, park crowded.
- ● Easter Weekend: Significant surge in regional tourists.
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hike to the ruins of Mrsinjgrad Fortress in Korenica for panoramic views of the Lika highlands.
- 2 Visit the Majerovo Vrilo Gacka River spring to see traditional watermills and crystal-clear water at no cost.
- 3 Walk the wooden boardwalks of the public swimming area on the Korana River in the lower part of Slunj.
- 4 Explore the exterior ruins of the Drežnik Old Town, a 12th-century fortification located near Rakovica.
- 5 View the Veliki Slap (Great Waterfall) from the canyon-top viewpoints along the road in Plitvica Selo.
- 6 Cycle the marked forest paths of the Rakovica trail network surrounding the park boundaries.
- 7 Visit the Memorial Center Nikola Tesla in nearby Smiljan (only the exterior and park grounds are free).
- 8 Photograph the picturesque Sastavci viewpoint overlooking the confluence of the waterfalls from the upper cliffs.
- 9 Walk the educational trail 'Čorkova Uvala' through one of the last virgin forests in Europe.
- 10 Explore the peaceful village of Korana, located at the end of the canyon, to see traditional limestone houses.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Guided Full-Day Tour (Group Rate)
Provides deep geological insight and ensures you don't miss the best hidden viewpoints. Roughly ~$13 / €11 per person for a group of 15.
Traditional Dinner at Lička Kuća
Iconic restaurant serving slow-roasted lamb and local specialties in a traditional stone house. Main meals are ~$29–$47 / €25–€40.
Zip-lining 'Pazi Medvjeda'
One of Europe's longest and fastest zip lines (1.7km). Offers incredible forest canopy views.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Plitvice Lakes
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Plitvice Lakes and what they cost
Zadar
$35 / €30 by bus
Free
$77 / €65
Slunj & Rastoke
$9.42 / €8 by bus
$7.06 / €6
$41 / €35
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Cards accepted at park entrances, official hotels, and larger restaurants. Smaller guesthouses and local kiosks often require cash.
Rounding up the bill is common in cafes. In restaurants, a ~5–10% tip is appreciated for good service (~$2.35–$4.71 / €2–€4 for a typical dinner).
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (PBZ, Erste, OTP) for fair rates. Avoid Euronet ATMs which charge high fees (~$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6 per withdrawal).
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$18 for 5-10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 at tobacco shops (Tisak) for unlimited weekly data.
WiFi: Available at park entrances, main hotels, and Bistro Kozjačka Draga, but spotty on hiking trails.
Buy a local eSIM like Airalo before arrival; cellular signal is surprisingly strong even in the lower canyons.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Plitvice Lakes.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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