How to Get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Most people visiting Slovenia will start off in the county’s capital city, Ljubljana. This small city has loads to offer as well as a relaxed vibe and a thriving café culture. However, if you are looking for some time out of the city, a trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled might be just the ticket! This spectacular lake is less than 60 km from the city and offers exciting hiking, amazing scenery and good food. If you feel like a day or two out of the city, read on to find out how to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled and back.
How to Travel from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Lake Bled is a popular region for visitors. As such, there are several different ways to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. We have summarised the best travel options and included times and costs as far as possible.
Ljubljana to Lake Bled by Bus
Taking the bus from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is probably the most popular travel option. Buses depart from Ljubljana bus station every 15 – 30 minutes (depending on the time of year). You can find an up-to-date timetable HERE. Most buses take around an hour and 15 mins, give or take for traffic. A one-way ticket costs €5.70 and can be bought online or on the bus. The buses are run by Arriva and we would recommend you take cash if buying onboard.
Ljubljana to Lake Bled by Train
For us, Ljubljana to Lake Bled by train was the simplest option. However, that is because we were staying in Lesce – a small town a few miles from the lake. From Lesce, you can take a short bus ride up to Bled. If you don’t mind changing, this is a good way of getting from Ljubljana to Lake Bled as the train is really comfortable.
Trains depart from Ljubljana regularly and make a few stops of the way. You can plan your journey HERE. The train from Ljubljana to Lesce costs €5.10 and it takes 54 minutes. There are power sockets, good Wi-Fi and toilets onboard and it wasn’t too busy, even in peak season. Tickets can be bought from the machine at the station. We found Google maps did not provide correct times, so it is best to conform at the station or on the official website.
The Bus from Lesce Station
The bus from Lesce to Bled departs from the train station every 20-30 minutes and is run by Arriva. Check out the timetable HERE. It costs €1.30 and only takes 10 – 15 minutes – you will need to bring cash as card is not accepted. From the bus stop in Bled, the lake is only a 6 minute walk.
There is a train station in Bled. However, it is not on the same line and involves a rather long detour.
Ljubljana to Lake Bled by Car
Driving from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is pretty straight forward. The roads are good and it should only take you between 45 minutes and an hour to get to the town of Bled. The most difficult aspect is finding somewhere to park when you arrive. We would recommend arriving before 09:30 to avoid the rush and the busy roads. We saw a few places to park. Most were around €20 for 4 hours or €30 for the day.
Ljubljana to Lake Bled by Taxi
If you are in a hurry, you can book a taxi to take you from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. Be prepared to pay between €80 and €100 for the trip. It should be pretty quick though and you should get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled in around an hour.
When to Visit Lake Bled
This stunning lake is worth visiting at any time of year! However, it can get very busy during the peak summer seasons. If you plan to hike, keep in mind that there is a strong possibility of snow in the winter. For these reasons, we would recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons – April/May or September/October.
If you can’t manage these months and you don’t fancy fighting the crowds, visit the lake on a weekday and go early. Even in the height of summer you can b=get the lake to yourself if you arrive around 7am. There are plenty of early buses to make this possible. We found that the town became pretty busy by around 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning.
Should I Rent a Car in Slovenia
This is really down to personal preference. Slovenia’s public transport is decent and most places are accessible by bus. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive. If you can haggle, a taxi driver will take you anywhere!
If you decide to rent a car in Slovenia, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
Plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads that can get really busy during peak times. Several mountain routes can be perilous if you do not plan ahead and take great care.
For this particular trip, we found the car to be more of a hindrance than a help. We would recommend making the most of the public transport in the Ljubljana and Bled areas.
What to Pack for your Trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
We have put together a convenient packing list for your Trip from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. This list is perfect for day hikes!
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack with waterproof cover
- Snacks (energy bars, chews, trail mix, sandwiches)
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone (plus power bank if required)
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
How to Get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled
Travelling from Ljubljana to Lake Bled is super easy and so worthwhile. Transport in this area is cheap and efficient and when you arrive in Bled, you are rewarding with the most amazing natural beauty – well worth a trip!
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not take a look at some amazing things to do in Ljubljana.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Lake Bled or anywhere else in Slovenia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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