Hi all…we are on a cruise and we are in Koper from 7:00-6:00. I’m debating renting a car and driving to Lake Bled and Ljubljana. It’s so much cheaper to be our own tour guide than going through the cruise line for five people.
Is it doable in a day? Is it an easy drive? Do you need an international drivers license? I just have my California drivers license. I never know what to expect driving in another country. Any other recommendations?
Thank you in advance for the advice!
Posted by
Southeast US
4093 posts
It is easy to drive in Slovenia. You need an international driver's license. Depending on the time of year, traffic can be really bad (moves very slowly!) around Bled. Accounting for the time to get to the rental agency, to rent the car, to drive, and to find parking, I don't think I would be very satisfied with the amount of time I would have in Ljubljana and Bled.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
554 posts
A much closer option might be to spend the day in and/or around nearby Piran.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4344 posts
By the time you get to the rental agency, get the car, drive, find parking in Bled then drive to Ljubljana, drive back, drop off the car, taxi to the pier, you wouldn’t see too much.
Alternatives could be Trieste or the Postonja Caves.
You could also book a private tour guide through toursbylocals.com. They could realistically tell you where you could go for the day. With 5 people the cost could be reasonable.
PS. Obviously I agree with Dave above
Posted by
Southeast US
4093 posts
There are a couple of good thoughts above. Piran is gorgeous. If you think you will have had enough of cute seaside towns on the cruise by that point, a cave is a good idea, too. I would recommend Škocjan Caves if you have good mobility (it's all walking -- Postonja has a train that takes you into the cave). Every Slovenian to whom I talked recommended Škocjan Caves over Postonja, so I followed their advice. It is quite cool and very nature-ish; Postonja is a little more attraction (according to what I've been told and what I've seen). There is an ENORMOUS cavern at Škocjan that is straight out of the Lord of the Rings. I wanted to grab a staff, slam it into the ground, and yell, "You shall not pass!" A private guide excursion would also be a fine idea and may not be as costly as the boat shore excursion.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you all for the ideas. I’ve got some time since our trip is in October. So it gives me more things to research and look at now for different possibilities.