plitvice Lakes in the off-season: tickets, what's open and tips for autumn and winter
From November an adult ticket costs €10, and in winter usually only the Lower Lakes are open. What to check before visiting Plitvice outside the main season.
In summer, the wooden boardwalks at Plitvice Lakes can feel like a queue. In October and November it's a different place: copper-coloured beech forest, mist over the water, far fewer people, and cheaper tickets too. A few things work differently outside the main season, so here's what to know before you drive up.
ticket prices in october and from november
According to the official 2026 price list of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a day ticket costs:
| Day ticket | 1–31 Oct | 1 Nov – 31 Dec |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €23 | €10 |
| Students | €14 | €6 |
| Children aged 7–18 | €6 | €4 |
Children under 7 get in free, and students need a valid student card for the discount. There is also a two-day ticket (€15 for adults from November) valid on two consecutive days.
Parking at Entrances 1 and 2 is paid when you leave. From 1 October to 30 November a car costs €1.50 per hour. The price list doesn't show parking rates for December, so check on site.
what's open when it gets cold
The park is open 365 days a year, but opening hours change with the season. The park's official FAQ says that in winter the Lower Lakes are usually open, while the Upper Lakes are closed, normally until early April, depending on the weather. So a winter visit is shorter and simpler than the classic summer loop.
Most cafés and restaurants inside the park close in the colder months, and Hotel Jezero is the only accommodation in the park that stays open. The currency exchange offices at the entrances are closed, so change money before you arrive.
The shortest official route, Programme A from Entrance 1, is 3.5 km and takes 2 to 3 hours with no boat or train. Programmes B, C, F and H include the electric boat and the panoramic train, and the park's website doesn't publish their off-season schedule. Check which routes are running on the day you plan to go.
what to do
- Buy your ticket online on the official webshop. You can't enter before the time on your ticket, though arriving up to an hour late is tolerated.
- Call the park before you set off (+385 53 751 014 or 751 015) and ask about that day's hours and whether the boats and trains are running.
- Start early. The official website says ticket sales at the entrances close at 3 pm, and it gets dark early in November.
- Dress in layers and wear shoes with good grip, as paths by the water are often wet.
- Keep your dog on a lead. Swimming in the lakes is strictly forbidden.
- Bring snacks or plan lunch outside the park. Food from Lika (the mountainous region around the park), with its potatoes, lamb and local cheese, is a good way to end the day.
Coming from Zagreb or Zadar, you reach the park on the D429 road, which passes both entrances, about 3 km apart. If you're driving on the motorway, see what's changing with motorway tolls from 2027. If you're staying closer to Zagreb, have a look at autumn in Hrvatsko zagorje for another day out.
If you'd like to pair Plitvice with the Velebit mountains, the guide to the Premužić Trail will help you plan a second day.