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Is Plitvice Lakes expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Plitvice Lakes is moderately priced: the park ticket is high in summer, but rooms and food in the surrounding villages are cheaper than on the Croatian coast. A budget traveller can manage on about €90 per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about €150 and comfort about €250. The ticket, which includes boats and the panoramic train, is the main cost.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €30 | €55 | €90 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €40 | €70 |
| Sights & tickets | €25 | €40 | €55 |
| Local transport | €10 | €15 | €35 |
| Per person, per day | €90 | €150 | €250 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Plitvice Lakes day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bus from Zagreb or Zadar | roughly €15-25 |
| Park ticket, July-August | the highest of the year (check current prices) |
| Late-afternoon ticket in summer | cheaper than the full-day rate |
| Lika lamb or trout with Lika potatoes | about €15-22 |
| Parking at the entrances | about €2-3 an hour |
| Guesthouse double in Korenica or Rakovica | €55-90 a night |
| Room near Entrance 2 (Mukinje/Jezerce) | €80-130 a night |
| Park hotel at Entrance 2 | €130-220 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
The park ticket is the main single cost, with prices highest in July and August and much lower in winter. Accommodation near the entrances costs more than in villages 10-20 minutes away. Food at the park's restaurants is convenient but pricier and simpler than village restaurants; picnics are allowed at the benches. Transport is cheap by bus but less flexible.
When it is cheaper
Ticket prices are lowest from November to March and moderate in April-May and October; rooms are also roughly 20-40% cheaper outside July and August.
How to spend less
- Visit in May, June, September or October for lower ticket prices and smaller crowds.
- Use the cheaper late-afternoon ticket in summer for the Upper Lakes, then return early the next day if staying nearby.
- Stay in Korenica or Rakovica guesthouses with home cooking rather than the park hotels.
- Bring a picnic and water; park food is limited and pricey.
- Take the bus from Zagreb or Zadar instead of a tour; it stops at both entrances.
- Book the timed ticket online in advance to avoid sold-out days and wasted trips.
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Common questions
Is Plitvice Lakes expensive?
The summer ticket is high, but rooms and food nearby are cheaper than on the coast; budget about €90 per person a day.
What does the Plitvice ticket include?
Entry to the boardwalks plus the electric boats across Kozjak and the panoramic train.
Is there a cheaper ticket?
Yes. Tickets are cheaper outside July and August, and in summer a late-afternoon ticket costs less than the full-day rate.