Which airport is best for Plitvice Lakes?

Zadar Airport (ZAD). The fastest public-transport connection Routavio found from there takes about 2h 29m by bus, with 0 transfer(s).

What is the nearest airport to Plitvice Lakes?

Zadar Airport (ZAD), about 87 km in a straight line. The closest airport is not always the quickest one to travel from.

Can you get to Plitvice Lakes without a car?

Yes. Routavio found a public-transport route from the best airport by bus.

Is there a train station in Plitvice Lakes?

No. Plitvice Lakes has no railway station, so the last leg is by bus, taxi or boat.

How many airports serve Plitvice Lakes?

Routavio compares 3 airports for Plitvice Lakes and has verified a public-transport route from 3 of them.

How to Get to Plitvice Lakes

View of Plitvice Lakes — Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Pablo BM from London, England, CC BY 2.0

The national park has no railway. Intercity buses from Zagreb, Zadar and Split stop at the park entrances; Zagreb and Zadar airports are the closest gateways.

No railway station at the destination

Quick answer

Best airport by total journey: Zadar Airport (ZAD), 2h 29m onward
Verified gateway airports: 3 of 3
Arrival point used for calculations: Plitvicka Jezera
Last data refresh: 15 Sept 2026

Gateway airports compared

Airport	Distance	Fastest onward	Transfers	Modes
Zadar Airport (ZAD)	87 km	2h 29m	0	BUS
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman (ZAG)	105 km	2h 53m	0	BUS
Split Saint Jerome Airport (SPU)	158 km	6h 4m	2	BUS + BUS + BUS

Full airport comparison for Plitvice Lakes

Best routes from popular starting points

Zagreb Franjo Tuđman to Plitvice Lakes: 2h 53m, 0 transfers
Zadar Airport to Plitvice Lakes: 2h 29m, 0 transfers
Split Saint Jerome Airport to Plitvice Lakes: 6h 4m, 2 transfers

Best time to visit

May to September is the main season, with July and August the busiest months. Boat and bus services run their fullest timetables in summer and fewer departures in winter.

Getting around once there

There is no railway station at the destination, so the last leg is by bus, taxi or boat.
Routavio's journey times end at Plitvicka Jezera, the usual arrival point.

Frequently asked questions

Which airport is best for Plitvice Lakes?: Zadar Airport (ZAD). The fastest public-transport connection Routavio found from there takes about 2h 29m by bus, with 0 transfer(s).
What is the nearest airport to Plitvice Lakes?: Zadar Airport (ZAD), about 87 km in a straight line. The closest airport is not always the quickest one to travel from.
Can you get to Plitvice Lakes without a car?: Yes. Routavio found a public-transport route from the best airport by bus.
Is there a train station in Plitvice Lakes?: No. Plitvice Lakes has no railway station, so the last leg is by bus, taxi or boat.
How many airports serve Plitvice Lakes?: Routavio compares 3 airports for Plitvice Lakes and has verified a public-transport route from 3 of them.

Sources and method

Durable access facts come from operator and tourism-authority information. Journey times, transfers and prices are calculated by Routavio's route engine from operator timetables and flight data and refreshed nightly. An airport marked "not verified" is geographically plausible but Routavio has not yet confirmed a public-transport route from it.