Related guides Zadar is a strong base for day trips because the city connects to North Dalmatia, the A1 motorway, the D8 Adriatic Highway, DC106 toward Pag, and the ferry terminal at Gaženica Ferry Port. A rental car from Zadar Airport, ZAD, at Zemunik Donji lets you reach Krka NP, Plitvice Lakes NP, Pag, Šibenik, Split, and Dugi Otok in a single day, usually with one parking decision and one route decision per trip. Krka NP sits about 70 km from Zadar and usually takes around 1 hour via the A1 motorway, making it one of the most efficient day trips from Zadar by car. The park’s main draw is Skradinski Buk, and visitors choose between the Lozovac entrance, which is road-based, and the Skradin entrance, which adds a short boat transfer. Lozovac entrance: This is the simplest car-focused option because the public parking area is large and free, and the ticket price includes a shuttle bus from the car park to the trail network. In operational terms, Lozovac is the better fit for families, short stays, and anyone who wants the fastest parking-to-waterfall transfer. Skradin entrance: This option is better for travelers who want a slower arrival and a scenic boat approach from the town waterfront. Skradin typically charges €1.50–€2.00 per hour or about €15–€20 per day for private parking, and the park boat to Skradinski Buk takes about 25 minutes. Source: npkrka.hr, cjenik 2026. Optional boat excursions inside the park are priced separately: Skradinski Buk to Visovac Island Monastery return is 2 hours for €15, and Skradinski Buk to Roški Slap return is 4 hours for €20. Krka tickets and parking can change by season, and Skradin’s private parking fills quickly on summer weekends. The park’s official pricing and access rules are published by the Public Institute of Krka National Park, so check npkrka.hr on the day you travel. For drivers comparing insurance before entry, a rental contract may include CDW, SCDW, FDW, an excess/deductible, or a franchise, while some suppliers advertise zero excess or full coverage. If you need external protection, insurers such as iCarHireInsurance, Allianz, RentalCover, and Cover4Rentals often sell separate third-party excess policies that reimburse the deductible after a claim. For Zadar rentals with a preauthorisation on the card, confirm the deposit amount before you leave the city. Compare Car Rental Deals Plitvice Lakes NP is about 130 km from Zadar and usually requires 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on route and traffic, so it works well as a full-day trip rather than a short stop. The route choice is practical: the D1 is toll-free and scenic, while the A1 motorway plus D429 is faster but adds a toll. Route A, D1 state road: This inland route runs through Gračac and Korenica and is commonly used by drivers who want no motorway tolls and a lower-cost trip. The downside is that winter weather can affect the high-altitude sections, especially during snow or ice. Route B, A1 + D429: This route uses the A1 to Sveti Rok and then the D429 toward the park entrances. For a Category I passenger car, the Zadar 2 to Sveti Rok toll is about €7, and the road is usually more predictable in summer. The Croatian Automobile Club, HAK, reported major winter closures on the A1 in the Sveti Rok–Posedarje zone during severe bura episodes, and the D1 can also close temporarily in snowfall between Gračac and Korenica. For winter driving, rental cars should comply with the equipment rules in Decision NN 121/2020 and the current road conditions published by HAK. If you are driving in winter, check HAK before departure, carry winter equipment, and avoid leaving Zadar too late in the morning. The combination of snowfall on the D1 and bura on the A1 can turn a 90-minute trip into a much longer one. If you are reviewing legal or agency sources, the most relevant reference points are Zakon o sigurnosti prometa na cestama (NN 145/24), Narodne novine at narodne-novine.nn.hr, and the Državni inspektorat at dirh.gov.hr for compliance-related guidance. Pag Island is about 50 km from Zadar, and the standard approach is the DC106 to Pag bridge, also known as Paški most. The bridge crossing is free, which makes Pag one of the lowest-friction island trips from Zadar by car.