Plitvice Lakes in winter: what to expect
In winter the lower lakes are usually accessible and the upper lakes are closed. The park normally reopens the upper lakes in early April, depending on the weather, so do not plan around a fixed date. The big sights of the lower lakes stay on the route, including the Plitvice big waterfall.
Winter is also the cheapest time of the year. Tickets are priced in the low season from January to March and from November to December, and a day ticket for an adult costs €10 in 2026. For the booking and the time slot rule, see the Plitvice Lakes tickets page.
Snow, ice and fog can change the day. Nobody can promise a snow cover, a frozen waterfall or a running boat on a given date. Treat what follows as the usual pattern and check the current situation before you leave.
Winter ticket prices 2026
Per person, in euros, for January to March and November to December.
| Ticket | Adults | Students | Children 7–18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day ticket | €10 | €6 | €4 |
| Two-day ticket | €15 | €9 | €7 |
Children up to 7 and people with a disability level over 50 percent, with the companions named in the rules, enter free. A student ID is needed for the student price. The two-day ticket needs a name and is valid on 2 consecutive days. Electric boat and panoramic vehicle are included as far as your program uses them, together with visitor accident insurance and VAT. For most winter visitors, one day is enough because the upper lakes are closed.
Our pick: Plitvice in winter
Our take: this day trip runs in the cold months with a shorter route when the Upper Lakes are limited.
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 live prices and availability.
Trails and programs in winter
With the upper lakes closed, full rounds of programs E, C, H and K in the form described on the Plitvice Lakes hiking routes page are not possible. Programs A, B and F stay within the lower lakes and Veliki slap, so they are the ones to look at. Program A is a 3.5 km walk of 2 to 3 hours, B and F take 3 to 4 hours.
Whether the boat and the panoramic vehicle run depends on the weather and the current timetable. Dress for cold and wet boardwalks, wear shoes with grip and keep to the marked paths. Swimming is banned all year, and so are drones and bicycles.
Do not count on walking on frozen lakes or leaving the path for a better photo. The park's rule is to stay on the markings.
Winter hours: the pattern of 2025/26
A planning example for 1 November to 31 March. The 2026/27 timetable can differ.
| Service | Hours |
|---|---|
| Ticket offices at Entrance 1 and Flora | 08:00–13:00 |
| Car parks | 07:00–17:00 |
| Boat P1 to P2 | 08:00–16:00, every 30 minutes |
| Boat P1 to P3 | 08:00–14:30, every 30 minutes |
| Boat P3 to P1 | 08:30–15:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St1 | 08:15–15:45, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St1 to St2 | 08:45–16:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St2 to St3 | 08:00–15:00, every 30 minutes |
| Panoramic vehicle St3 to St2 | 08:30–16:30, every 30 minutes |
The winter ticket offices are Entrance 1 and Flora, which is near Entrance 2. Do not assume that the main ticket office at Entrance 2 opens as well. In summer the hours are much longer, as the Plitvice Lakes opening hours page shows. Days are short, so aim to start early.
Driving in winter
Tyres and chains for the road to the park.
What counts as winter equipment
For vehicles up to 3.5 t, Croatian rules name winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread together with snow chains for the drive wheels.
The date rule
The winter equipment obligation applies from 15 November to 15 April on certain motorway and state road sections in continental Croatia. Check the sections on your route before you leave.
Parking fees
Ask about the parking fee for December to February at the entrance and do not assume that parking is free. In other months you pay on exit at the payment points.
Entrances and parking →By bus
Bus stops are near both main entrances, for the directions of Zagreb and Zadar. Check the timetable of your operator, because winter service can change.
How to get there →Skiing at Mukinje and where to sleep
Mukinje has a ski area about 2.5 km from Entrance 2. Whether a lift opens depends on natural snow, so check before you travel and do not plan a ski day on it blindly.
In the cold season only Hotel Jezero is offered as hotel accommodation in the park. It sits near Entrance 2 above the Kozjak lake. Hotel Plitvice and Hotel Bellevue are in renovation, with works planned to finish in 2027, so do not count on them. More choices outside the park are in the where to stay at Plitvice Lakes guide.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that go with a winter trip.
Plitvice Lakes in winter: frequently asked questions
Is Plitvice Lakes open in winter?
Yes, the park runs all year with seasonal hours. In winter the lower lakes are usually accessible and the upper lakes are closed. Access depends on the weather.
How much is a ticket in winter?
In 2026 an adult day ticket costs €10, a student ticket €6 and a ticket for children aged 7 to 18 €4 from January to March and from November to December. Two-day tickets cost €15, €9 and €7.
Are the upper lakes open in winter?
Usually not. They normally reopen in early April, depending on the weather.
Do I need snow chains?
Croatian winter equipment means winter tyres on all wheels, or summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread plus chains for the drive wheels. From 15 November to 15 April this applies on certain road sections.
Is the boat running in winter?
A winter timetable with boat and panoramic vehicle runs in the cold months, but it depends on the weather. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is this the official site of the park?
No. This is an independent guide. For tickets and operating rules the park itself is the authority.