Stories · Getting Around · 8 min read
Dubrovnik to Plitvice: 4 Ways to Travel (Bus, Car, Tour, Flight)
Plitvice is 560 km from Dubrovnik, the kind of distance people underestimate at the booking stage. Here are the four sensible ways to bridge it, ranked.
By Marin Petrović · April 25, 2026
Plitvice Lakes National Park sits in the green middle of Croatia, near the Bosnian border. Dubrovnik sits at the far southern tip of the coast. The road between them runs the entire length of the Dalmatian coast and then turns inland. Plan a full travel day, or break the journey.
Option 1: Direct Bus (Cheap, Long)
FlixBus and Arriva run one or two direct daily buses in summer, 9 to 10 hours, ~€35–€45. Comfortable enough, but a full day burned. Best for backpackers on a strict budget.
Option 2: Rental Car (Most Flexible)
6h 30min driving via the A1 motorway, ~€55 in tolls and fuel. Recommended: break the trip in Split (3h from Dubrovnik) for a night, then drive the remaining 3h 30min to Plitvice the next day. Pair with our Split palace guide and the Plitvice one-day loop.
The road from Split to Plitvice climbs into the karst, the air cools by ten degrees, and the Adriatic falls away behind you. By the time you reach the lakes you have already had the best drive of your trip.
Option 3: Organised Tour
Plenty of companies in Dubrovnik sell 2-day Plitvice + Split tours (~€220–€280 pp). Sensible if you don't want to drive or plan logistics. Pick one with a maximum group size of 16, the big-coach versions cram in three stops you didn't ask for.
Option 4: Fly Dubrovnik to Zagreb or Zadar, Then Drive
Croatia Airlines runs Dubrovnik–Zagreb (1h) or Dubrovnik–Zadar (35min) flights daily. Zadar is closer to Plitvice (1h 30min drive), Zagreb is 2h drive. With baggage and transfers, total door-to-door is similar to driving via Split, but you skip a long day on the road. From ~€80.
Where to Stay Near Plitvice
Mukinje and Korana villages, both within 2 km of the park entrances. Family-run sobe (rooms) from €60. Reserve in summer 2–3 weeks ahead.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to get from Dubrovnik to Plitvice?
- 6h 30min by car, 9–10 hours by direct bus, ~5 hours via a Zadar flight.
- Is it worth going from Dubrovnik to Plitvice?
- Yes, but only if you can spare 2 nights. A same-day round trip is exhausting and a waste of the park.
- Can you fly from Dubrovnik to Plitvice?
- No direct flight. Fly to Zadar or Zagreb and drive the last 1.5–2 hours.
