NATIONAL PARKS IN CROATIA (PLITVICE & KRKA)
 

Hi there,

I am aware that there are two national parks in Croatia that attract tourists each year; Plitvice and Krka National Parks.

I am starting in Venice on May 12th and from there my plan was to ferry to Pula on May 15th then bus to Rijeka and change buses to Plitvice National Parks. I only want a full day there, then to be on a bus at night towards Split. Is that enough time at Plitvice Park? Are night buses even running?! I only have a couple days to get to Split (I booked a tour departing from Split on May 17th).

***If anyone knows specifics of bus routes to get from Pula to Plitvice and to Split that would be awesome if you could post it here!!

Also, I know that Krka National Park is relatively on the way to Split..... should i make a stop there as well?? Would I even have the time if I need to get to Split by May 17th.

Let me know....

Many thanks!

Plitvice and Krka are similar, so most people choose one or the other. The main difference is that you can swim at Krka, but not much of a consideration in May. I liked staying overnight at Plitvice (to get a morning and evening hike in), and you may find the bus schedule requires it.

You can find most bus schedules online, but sometimes not this far in advance. Here are Rijeka lines:
http://www.autobusni-kolodvor.com/en/terminal.aspx?k=5
I think you may need to go to Zadar and get the bus to Plitvice there. Zadar bus station: http://www.liburnija-zadar.hr/ (This is in Croatian but you can figure it out--select the 4th category in the first drop-down box and then Zadar to Plitvice).
There will be plenty of buses from Plitvice to Split, but you will probably need to check the Zagreb station timetables:
http://www.akz.hr/default.aspx?id=260

I did not count it all up, but you may want to eliminate something with your time considerations.

I would highly recommend Plitvice but try to arrive for your walk very early as it can be very very busy as the tours unload their clients beginning usually just after 9 am.
If at possible consider renting a car as trying to negotiate bus schedules can be quite frustrating in terms of loss of time and freedom. The highway to Split is very good and this will allow you to easily visit Krka.

Despite the similarities, I was surprised by the differences between these two parks.

The Plitvice Lakes are, indeed, lakes, connected by gorgeous waterfalls, and part of the beauty of the park is that not only are there many, many waterfalls, but also, the lakes seem to be different colors. The core of the park takes 6 to 8 hours to see, although one can certainly take much less time for just a glimpse. The down-side to just a short visit is that you won't be able to see the range of different waterfalls and lakes and colors that the park offers. There are "standard" trails of 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours in length, and at least when I was there, park rangers were available at each gate to work with travelers who had different amounts of time or specific interests. As yorkshire said, do stay overnight if you can. And as Parmenter said, the groups of tourists can be a bit overwhelming. I actually decided to wait until AFTER the main groups started out, because I wanted to go slowly, and going early could have given the tour groups a chance to catch up with me.

Krka's most famous falls are along a river and the main set of falls are more massive than those at Plitvice. Actually, I'm not sure that' "massive" is the word I'm looking for, but I can't think of another that works. :-( Do a google image search. :-)

Hope that helps!

Thanks to yorkshire for the specific bus sites. Much appreciated.

if it is not too late, i would change the plans.

here is my recco...

fly to Zagreb, pick-up a rental, then drive to Plitvice taking the D! road (not the motorway - it's a secondary road. take your time...Plitvice is about 130km south of zagreb is is a nice drive particularly from Karlovac to Plitvice.
once done with Plitvice, leave towards Udbina - you will enter region of Lika which is as gorgeous as you can get. continue towards Gracac, then hang a right towards Knin. Area from Gracac to Knin is to die for...scenery is as spectacular as anything you'll find in europe. Make a pit stop in Knin and walk around - Google Knin for more info.
After Knin, head towards Kievo, then Sinj and Brnaze.
Split is only about 30-40 kms away across the motorway.

The route I'm suggesting will take you through the heart of Croatia, is just stunning and can be done in 3 days - including a full day in Plitvice.
The coastal road though Dalmatia is nice too, but can be very busy and congested - you can do that another time.

Trust me on this, you will not regret it.

No one didnt mention to you but you DONT have direct bus line to Plitvice lakes. You need take bus from Rijeka to Karlovac, than change Karlovac-Plitvice (it is actually buses which one run from Zagreb toward Split).

So I will modify last post (because I believe you cant change flight any more :-).

Rent a car or take a taxi to Plitvice (it cost much more money but by the end you will save your time).
If you rent a car take rout Rijeka-Senj-Otocac-Plitvice.
If you take a taxi go early in morning and than you have some time to spent on lakes before you catch bus to Split. LAST bus is around 14-15h. This you MUST check, but last year there is no buses later, there is one night bus toward Split but very often doesnt stop plus you dont want wait in forest (not because people, animals). Or better option is stay over night in some village (best is Mukinje, you have bus station few minute away).