Plitvice Lakes opening hours at a glance
The park is open 365 days a year, and the hours depend on the season. In the autumn timetable both main entrances run from 07:00 to 18:00, the ticket desks sell until 15:00 and the car parks stay open until 19:00. Boats and the panoramic vehicle stop earlier than the entrances close, so plan your finish around them.
Open does not mean that every path is open in every weather. The Upper Lakes are usually closed in winter, and the transport changes with the season. If you want to book before you travel, see the page on Plitvice Lakes tickets.
Autumn timetable: entrances, car parks and transport
Times for the autumn season. The park changes its timetable between seasons, so check the current one before you go.
| Facility or link | Time |
|---|---|
| Entrance 1 (RastovaΔa) | 07:00β18:00 |
| Entrance 2 (Hladovina) | 07:00β18:00 |
| Auxiliary entrance Flora | 07:00β18:00 |
| Ticket desks | Until 15:00 |
| Car parks at both main entrances | 07:00β19:00 |
| Boat P1 to P2 | 07:00β18:00, on demand |
| Boat P2 to P3 | 08:00β16:30, every 30 minutes |
| Boat P3 to P2 | 08:30β17:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St1 | 08:00β17:45, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St1 to St2 | 08:15β18:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St3 | 07:30β17:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St3 to St2 | 08:00β17:30, every 30 minutes |
The ticket desks close well before the entrances do. Do not count on buying a ticket in the afternoon. Book a time slot in advance when you can. The currency exchange offices at both main entrances are closed, so bring euros in cash or a card.
Our pick: start early
Our take: this small-group tour sets off at the start of the opening hours.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Plitvice Lakes tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips with transport, with live prices and availability. Check the start time against the park timetable.
Opening hours by season
What to expect in different parts of the year.
Spring and summer 2026
Ticket desks sell from 07:00 to 17:00, the car parks are open from 07:00 to 21:00 and the short boat route runs until 20:00. These are later hours than in autumn, which suits a late tariff ticket after 16:00 in June to August.
Autumn
Entrances 07:00β18:00, ticket desks until 15:00 and car parks until 19:00, as in the table above. Boats and panoramic vehicles end earlier in the day than in summer.
Winter
Hours are shorter. The winter 2025/26 timetable is in the next section. Winter 2026/27 hours will be set by the park, so check them before you travel.
Plitvice Lakes in winter βWinter timetable (1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026)
These are the winter hours of the last season. Use them to understand how short the days are, not as a calendar for winter 2026/27.
| Facility or link | Time |
|---|---|
| Ticket desks at Entrance 1 and Flora | 08:00β13:00 |
| Car parks | 07:00β17:00 |
| Boat P1 to P2 | 08:00β16:00, every 30 minutes |
| Boat P1 to P3 | 08:00β14:30, every 30 minutes |
| Boat P3 to P1 | 08:30β15:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St1 | 08:15β15:45, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St1 to St2 | 08:45β16:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St3 | 08:00β15:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St3 to St2 | 08:30β16:30, every 30 minutes |
Transport depends on weather, so snow or ice can change it without notice. In winter the ticket desk at Entrance 1 and Flora is the one to plan around, and you should not assume the Entrance 2 main desk is open.
How opening hours affect your plan
Four practical points.
Time slots
Your ticket is tied to a booked time slot. You cannot enter earlier, and you can arrive up to 1 hour late. Activate the ticket at the entrance you booked.
Match the program to the last boat
If your route uses a boat or the panoramic vehicle, finish before the last departure. A long walk such as K1 or K2 with 6 to 8 hours needs an early start.
Hiking routes βChoose the entrance for your program
Entrance 1 starts programs A, B, C and K1. Entrance 2 starts E, F, H and K2.
Entrance 1 or 2 βArrive by bus or car
The last bus back and the car park closing time often limit the day more than the entrance hours do.
Getting there βPlitvice Lakes opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does Plitvice Lakes open?
Both main entrances open at 07:00 in the autumn timetable. In winter the ticket desks at Entrance 1 and Flora open at 08:00.
What time does the park close?
In autumn the entrances close at 18:00 and the car parks at 19:00. Boats and panoramic vehicles stop earlier, so check the last departure of your route.
Is the park closed on any day of the week?
No. There is no regular weekly closing day. Individual facilities can have their own hours.
Until when can I buy a ticket?
The ticket desks sell until 15:00 in the autumn timetable. A time-slot ticket booked online lets you plan ahead, and late arrival of up to 1 hour is allowed.
Are the Upper Lakes open in winter?
They are usually closed in winter, and they normally reopen in early April, depending on the weather. The Lower Lakes are normally open.
Is this the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not connected to the park administration, the Croatian National Tourist Board or any operator. For official notices, use the park's own channels.