Zadar to Plitvice Lakes Tour: Is It Worth It?

Thinking of going from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes with a guided tour that has a boat and train? It’s almost one of those travel ideas that just sound perfect, right? A trip to see one of Europe’s most stunning natural sights, and you don’t even need to worry about figuring out how to get there? Sounds amazing. Plitvice Lakes National Park is really a UNESCO World Heritage site and it shows – the waterfalls and super blue lakes will really make you feel like you’ve walked straight into a screensaver. Now, the question is, will taking a tour make things better or worse? Let’s take a good look at the ‘From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour with Boat Train’ and really see if it is a good fit for you.

What This Tour Offers

Okay, so the first thing to understand is exactly what this tour is. What is it actually like? This is a day trip from Zadar that, well, it takes you to Plitvice Lakes. No huge surprises there. The thing that’s kind of cool is that it packs in boat rides and a little train trip through the park to really let you see all sides of it. It’s usually about a full day kind of thing, figure on being gone for about 8-12 hours depending on traffic and the specific tour company you pick. What you will often find included is transport, so pickup and drop-off in Zadar. Then you have a guide who is with you through the park. What their job is to give info about the lakes, plants, animals and some of the park’s history. That boat and train ride? That’s bundled in too. Double check, but things like the park entry ticket and meals you will probably need to take care of yourself. Make sure you do before booking.

What’s Great About It

So, why might you go with this particular tour to start with? Really, it is the transport piece of it. Getting from Zadar to Plitvice yourself is definitely doable. But, that might involve renting a car, figuring out bus schedules and, well, it adds up. With this tour, you don’t need to worry about that. They pick you up, they take you there, and they bring you back. It is pretty easy, that is. Next you get the guide. I mean you could wander around yourself with a map and still have a fun time, no question about that. A solid guide can share some interesting details or some unique angles on the lakes. That is, if they are good. Having the boat and the train included? Kind of awesome. It’s almost a nice way to just get different looks at the park. Your legs also get a bit of a break from walking, so you’re less likely to get too tired too fast.

Potential Downsides to Think About

Everything has its drawbacks, doesn’t it? Even a day looking at amazing waterfalls. What are some of the things you might not love? Big tour groups can sometimes feel very rushed. Instead of having a leisurely walk you just sort of shuffle along, following the group. When it is busy and super crowded, it can almost get a little annoying when people block views. Another thing too is that you’re on their schedule, which maybe means you won’t have a lot of time to explore certain spots. Now you are also eating on their schedule, so they might have some expensive, not that great, restaurants already mapped out. Be warned.

The Crowds Can Be Intense

Listen, Plitvice is a really famous park, it should be. Understand this though, many other tourists are all wanting to visit the park at the same time. That could mean that you’re dealing with loads and loads of people everywhere. Even early or later in the day, it’s possible that trails feel crowded, making it slower and a lot harder to grab that amazing picture without 10 other people in it. It’s just something you should keep in mind.

Weather Can Make or Break It

Okay so, picture this. Rain gear ready to go? Good. If the weather is awesome? Then you’re golden, literally! Sunshine bouncing off those lakes is truly stunning. But, if it starts to pour, the paths might get slick. Now, everything is much more gray and sad. These lakes still look cool in any weather though, they just might not ‘pop’ as nicely on your photos or something. Maybe be prepped with the correct rain gear, and try to make the best of it.

Who is this tour perfect for?

Is this trip right for you? Here are a few things to think over. Are you traveling by yourself? Maybe trying to avoid the trouble of arranging things? This might be an excellent fit, very. You can almost just let someone else deal with the specifics. Perhaps you are someone who just wants a taste of Plitvice, without trying to spend days. Then it is really the most direct route. I mean, families with older kids? It also really might be amazing. Getting everyone on the bus and having a structured schedule might really reduce the stress, so you don’t end up yelling.

Who Might Want to Pass

Who is going to maybe want to stay away? First, anyone who wants a slow, really involved, experience. Someone who wants to try some random trails, or spend time relaxing to the sounds of the water. Or people who just love being independent. Then you can think about doing it solo. Additionally, if you really just don’t do crowds well. Think about really visiting at off-peak times. Perhaps even arranging lodging closer to the park. That way, you are avoiding the big tour bus waves of people.

Tips for Getting the Most From Your Tour

Assuming you’re locked in and doing this thing, here are a few tips so you can totally maximize this adventure. Comfortable shoes are vital! There is going to be quite a lot of walking on trails. A good sturdy pair of shoes is vital. Load up on snacks and water before heading out too. The tours often stop for lunch at a pricey place that isn’t that great, so it is possible you will save cash and get better food by bringing something along with you. You may even want to see if you can find a map of the park beforehand and take a look. Or download the map on your phone, so that you know roughly where you are going.

Come Prepared

Weather in Croatia can kind of be, well, random. One moment it’s sunny, and another? Pouring. Pack layers, and take a raincoat, basically. Something else that some people neglect is that you really should charge your phone completely the night before. A portable battery charger isn’t also a bad call, and makes sure you have storage open to take a zillion pictures.

Is the “From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour with Boat Train” Worth It?

Ok, it all depends! To summarize what was discussed, a trip that is guided is definitely convenient if you are wanting ease of transport. Having someone just manage things is awesome if you are traveling by yourself. But you can pay for that convenience. Large group sizes can definitely limit freedom of exploration. I believe that if you are comfortable with crowds, and just want a simple introduction to Plitvice, the tour can definitely be very much worth your money. Anyone wanting a deep and really more involved independent experience in nature should maybe just plan their trip all alone. The bottom line here? Decide on what is really important to *you* on vacation, and go from there.

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