It looks like there is only 1 train that gets us to Zagreb at a decent hour. This is the one that leaves Bled at 0731 and gets to Zagreb at 10:43. Unfortunately one needs to take a bus or arrange other transport to the train station in Bled. Looking at the local bus schedule it seems like you'll get to the train station 45 min before it leaves or 2 minutes before it leaves. Has anyone caught this train before? Was 2 min sufficient time? Let me know if you have any experience trying to catch this train from Lake Bled (staying at Best Western Premier Hotel Lovec). Thank you.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Two minutes certainly doesn't allow time to buy a ticket and even with a ticket in hand it sounds stressful. (Also possible to buy tickets onboard for an extra fee; let the conductor know when you board.) If the bus schedule is not convenient (re-check when you're there), then a taxi to Lesce Bled station should cost under 15 euros.
On at least some dates, there's another direct train that departs Lesce Bled at 13:51 to arrive Zagreb at 17:10, which I would still consider a decent hour. Is that too late for you or does it not operate on your travel date?
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
40 posts
Yes. There is the later train and it is a decent hour, haha....but it leaves us no time to see Zagreb and then move on to Plitvice that evening. We really would like to take that early morning one but didn't want to have to wake up in the middle of the night to get to the train station. I think we can buy a ticket on the train, but I think your suggestions are good. We can check the bus schedule again when we are there, and possibly take a taxi if we need to. Thank you for your reply.
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
40 posts
In case anyone is wondering, we didn't bother with public bus to get to the station. We took a taxi and got there in enough time to buy our ticket inside the station. She actually sold us 2 separate tickets for the legs our our journey because she said it was cheaper that way. So we got a ticket to Ljubliana, and then another ticket from Ljubliana to Zagreb, though we didn't have to switch trains at all.
Posted by
Southeast US
4043 posts
Thanks for the update.