I've read a couple different post that Plitvice Lakes now requires all park tickets to be purchased on line 2 days prior to park entry. Another post stated that you are required to request/reserve a time you will enter the park as a way of controlling crowds at the park.
Has anyone recently visited the lakes and was this rule strictly followed?
Safe travels!
We were in Plitvice yesterday and this morning. I would definitely purchase my tickets online. Otherwise, you risk being turned away. I purchased our 2-day tickets last May. At that time, I selected my dates and entry time for the first day. You will receive a voucher that you print out. When you arrive at the park, you turn in your voucher for real tickets. You can arrive 30 minutes before the time you selected to get your tickets. Hope this helps.
Thanks a million! Your info is super helpful. Hope you are enjoying your trip!
We are having an awesome time in Croatia! It is so beautiful! You will love it. Plitvice Lakes is stunning and unique. We had 2 days of overcast skies, no sun, but it is still beautiful! Luckily no rain.
Sounds wonderful! Glad you are enjoying your vacay! How are the crowds? We purchased our tickets to enter the park at entrance 2 between 2-3 PM. We will be staying for one night at one of the Park Hotels and found out that they will stamp your ticket to re-enter the park at no charge the next morning. We plan on doing the upper lakes in the afternoon and the lower lakes soon as the gates open in the early morning. Trying to avoid the busiest part of the day. Enjoy the rest of your trip and thanks again for your helpful reply.
We are here now and the two-day lakes plan is exactly what we did. The crowds were practically non-existent on the upper lakes trail in the afternoon and the second day on the lower lakes, while more crowded, was totally doable. My only recommendation would be to ask the staff about busses if you plan to take one to stop 3 and walk the upper lakes. (Downhill walk is much easier.). The bus stop destinations are not marked very well. Reserve your ticket online. Much easier, and yes, they stick to it for crowd control purposes. You get an hour window after you scheduled entry time. Ours was at 2 and we were there then, but we had to wait nearly 30 minutes for a bus. We finally finished around 5:15 and hiked back uphill from the boat dock to Hotel Jerez, which is very comfortable, BTW. But if you’re planning to stay here, book well in advance. Not as expensive as you are led to believe in the book either. I’d avoid the dinner buffet, though. It was truly bad and noisy with all the groups. We’re staying an extra night here just to relax halfway through our month-long trip, and it’s been worth it.
Thanks for your helpful suggestions Glad you are enjoying your vacay! We purchased our tickets for entry at 2-3 PM for gate 2. We have a car so we’ll drive up to the parking lot near the entrance. Did the hotel stamp your ticket to enter for free on day 2? Hotel Jezero was booked so we’re staying at hotel Grabovac which is further away but it’s still one of the park hotels and staying there you receive sane benefits as their other hotels. Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacay! Safe travels!
Yes, forgot to mention that you need the hotel reception to stamp your ticket for second day access. You’ll also need the ticket for riding the boat, so hang on to it.
