Parking at Plitvice Lakes: Everything You Need to Know
Plitvice Lakes National Park has three paid car parks: P1 at Entrance 1 (the largest, approximately 1,000 spaces), and P2 and P3 at Entrance 2. Parking fees are approximately €1.50–2 per hour depending on season. Payment is made upon exit at automatic booths — both cash and card are accepted. In peak season (June–August), P1 fills completely by 8:30–9:00 AM on busy days. Arriving before 8:00 AM is strongly recommended if you plan to park at Entrance 1.
Plitvice Lakes does not have free parking. All three official car parks are paid and — in peak season — can be completely full by mid-morning. Understanding the layout, pricing, and timing will save you significant stress on the day of your visit.
Top Tickets
The Three Car Parks
P1 — Entrance 1 (Rastovača): The largest car park, located directly adjacent to Entrance 1 on the north side of the park. Spaces for cars, motorcycles, campers, trailers, and buses. This is the most convenient lot for visitors using Routes A, B, C, or K from Entrance 1.
P2 and P3 — Entrance 2 (Hladovina): Two smaller lots serving the south entrance. P2 is directly at Entrance 2; P3 is a short distance away and serves visitors who want to begin at the boat terminal area. These lots are typically less congested than P1, particularly in the morning.
Parking Prices (2025/2026)
Parking fees are confirmed at approximately €1.50–2 per hour depending on season. Payment is made at automatic payment booths on exit — both cash (euros) and card are accepted.
A full day of parking (6–8 hours) therefore costs approximately €9–16. This is an important cost to factor into your trip budget alongside the entrance ticket.
Parking is open from 7:00 AM in most seasons. In spring 2026, the park confirmed parking hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM for shoulder season.
Peak Hours and Congestion
The P1 car park at Entrance 1 fills completely on busy summer days (June–August) typically between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. By 9:00 AM on peak weekends and holidays, cars queue on the D1 national road waiting for spaces. The P2 and P3 lots at Entrance 2 also fill quickly but slightly later. To guarantee a space without queuing, arrive before 8:00 AM in summer. The car parks gradually empty from approximately 2:00–4:00 PM as day-trippers depart, and spaces become available again for late afternoon arrivals.
Summer (June–August): Arrive before 8:00 AM. P1 routinely hits capacity between 8:30 and 9:30 AM, with queuing traffic on the D1. Weekends are worse than weekdays; Croatian public holidays can be the most congested days of the year.
Shoulder season (April–May, September–October): The lots fill more slowly. Arriving by 9:00 AM is generally comfortable, though popular weekends in May and October can approach peak-season congestion.
Off-season (November–March): Parking is rarely an issue. Walk-up spaces are almost always available.
What to Do If P1 Is Full
If you arrive at Entrance 1 and P1 is full, you have three options:
1. Drive to Entrance 2. The P2 and P3 lots at Entrance 2 are approximately 3 km south on the D1. They are often less full, particularly earlier in the morning. You will start your visit from Entrance 2 instead — your ticket must correspond to the entrance you use, so this only works if you have not yet purchased a timed-entry ticket, or if your ticket specifies Entrance 2.
2. Wait for a space. Cars turn over reasonably frequently once visitors begin exiting in the early afternoon (approximately 2:00 PM). If you arrive at 10:00–11:00 AM with a booked ticket, waiting 20–30 minutes for a space to free up is sometimes unavoidable.
3. Use the overflow parking. Some visitors park along the verge of the D1 in unofficial spots near the entrances. This is not recommended — verge parking on a national road carries risks and may result in fines. Use the official lots.
Campervans, Trailers, and Motorcycles
P1 at Entrance 1 has designated spaces for larger vehicles including campervans and trailers. Motorcycles have their own section. Fees follow the same hourly rate as cars. If you are arriving in a large vehicle, P1 offers the most space — but the same peak-hour advice applies.
Parking for Guided Tour Participants
If you are arriving on a guided tour from Zagreb, Split, Zadar, or another city, parking is not your concern — the tour coach has its own arrangements. Tour buses use designated coach bays at both entrances.
Tips for Stress-Free Parking
Book your ticket before you arrive. If you have a pre-booked timed entry ticket, you know exactly which entrance you need to park at. This avoids the risk of arriving at the wrong entrance and needing to drive to the other one — a stressful situation if the lots are both filling up.
Arrive before the park opens. The lots are open from 7:00 AM; the park opens at 7:00 AM in summer and 8:00 AM in other seasons. Arriving 15–20 minutes before opening gives you a comfortable buffer and the best chance of a space close to the entrance.
Set your arrival time on your navigation app. Be aware that some navigation apps sometimes route drivers to unofficial or less-than-ideal approach roads near the park. Follow the D1 and look for the official signed entrances.
Have cash as a backup. Card payment is accepted at the exit booths, but it is always worth carrying euros in case of technical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking included in the Plitvice Lakes entrance ticket?
No. Parking is charged and paid separately on exit. It is not included in any ticket type — official park tickets or third-party purchases.
Can I pay for parking by card?
Yes — the exit payment booths accept both cash (euros) and major credit and debit cards.
Is there free parking near Plitvice?
There is no official free parking at or near the park entrances. Some visitors report roadside parking on minor roads a short walk from the entrances, but this is not recommended and may be subject to fines.
How early should I arrive to guarantee parking?
In peak summer (June–August): before 8:00 AM. In shoulder season (April–May, October): by 9:00 AM on weekdays; 8:00 AM on weekends.
Can I leave and re-enter the car park during the day?
Yes — the car park is not locked. You pay on exit based on the total time spent. If you leave for lunch at a nearby village and return, you pay for the full duration including time away.
