I have been trying to find transportation from Budapest to Lake Bled and it seems there is no direct transportation by air and long trip by train. I understand we may have to get to Ljubljana first and take transportation to Lake Bled. We will be spending our first 6 days in Budapest onto Lake Bled, Zagreb and along the coast and fly out of Dubrovnik. We have a total of 5 weeks to explore. We have been to Ljubljana so want to spend a few days at Lake Bled this time. Before I can plan the rest of our holiday, I need to book this transportation first and the rest will follow. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Maryland
855 posts
Last summer we used Czech Air to go from Dubrovnik to Budapest via Prague. On time - not really. But they show flights to Zagreb, and Split on their website..... Maybe find the best flights you can and then modify the itinerary. Dubrovnik airport was a complete zoo when we were there in August.
https://www.csa.cz/cz-en/destinations/
Good Luck.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Bus is probably the fastest - get a Flixbus to Ljubljana, connect to another bus to Lake Bled from there. Because I hate long bus rides and love trains, I'd be inclined to take the longer train to Ljubljana instead of the bus.
If you can stop in Zagreb on the way, you can take a train to Zagreb and another train from Zagreb direct to Lesce-Bled station (goes through Ljubljana). Lesce-Bled is outside of town; you'e need either a bus or a taxi from there on to the town of Bled.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17872 posts
Maybe fly nonstop Budapest to Podgorica on Wizzair. See Budva, Kotor, then use busses to go up the coast to Slovenia, then home
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Ljubljana bus station is right by the train station. So if you take the direct, 8-hour morning train from Budapest to Ljubljana, you do have the option to catch a bus into the center of Bled (making several stops, see p. 594 and 607 if you have Rick's book), instead of train to Lesce-Bled station plus additional bus or taxi from there.
Ljubljana airport is already half-way between Ljubljana and Bled. If you fly in there (but I understand there are no nonstop flights), Rick's book (see p. 613) suggests booking a shared minivan transfer with www.goopti.com, or also check http://www.zup-prevozi.eu/en/economy-shuttle.html.
Posted by
84 posts
You don't say WHEN do you travel, but there is a seasonal night train between Budapest and Ljubljana between 21st June and 30th August which is the most time effective option(dinner in Budapest, breakfast in Bled).
Night trains are not for everyone, but in case you already travelled by night train and found it OK, this is the best way to go.
Actually, in case you have 5 weeks why would your rush and skip everything between Budapest and Bled? You could break it into a multiday journey by stopping at some nice places along the way. Lake Balaton and Zagreb or Sopron and Graz if going via Austria, just to mention the most obvious destinations.
Posted by
OP
Side Lake, MN, USA
128 posts
Thanks everyone for your great input. Our itinerary has changed to include Ljubljana along with Bled after Budapest. We usually use trains and love train travel. I realize in Slovenia and Croatia we need to look at car, train, bus and boat. We wanted to avoid car rental
If possible. We have been to Europe several times and have RS books. We leave on Sept 3 and return on Oct 9th. We are young seniors 75 years of age and love history, art, walking and absorbing the culture of the area along with local food and wine. I will look into car rentals for drivers over 70 and also taking our time after Budapest. Again, thanks and any other suggestions are very much appreciated.