We will be in Ljubljana for 4 nights towards the end of Sept. We plan to take day trips to Lake Bled and Postojna or Skocjan Caves. Is it better to rent a car for these trips or do the local buses offer good trips for this? Which is the better of the two Cave systems? I've read that Skocjan can be a little challenging for elder people with a lot of stairs etc. We are both in our early 70's but in good shape for our age I think, so I am wondering how challenging it is?
Posted by
San Diego, California
7240 posts
I can only speak about Lake Bled-
Using the Public bus was easy, and I think, about an hour?
Have a great trip.
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4835 posts
Bus to Bled: easy
Bus to Postonja Caves: easy
Public transportation to Škocjan Caves: difficult
I have not been to Postonja Caves, buy my understanding is that it is quite navigable. Train into the cave and then fairly level within the cave from what I understand.
I have been to Škocjan Caves. There is a lot of walking... walking from the ticket area to the cave entrance... lots of walking in the first part of the caves that is primarily on sloped concrete paths (as I recall)... lots of walking in the second part of the caves with quite a few steps. This webpage tells about the path, has a schematic of the paths (with times and number of steps), and has a photo that gives an idea what the trek in the second part of the cave is like. The tour follows the lighted upper path in the photo, not the unlighted lower path. I did it as a guy in my late 40's without any trouble... not sure what it would be like for someone in their 70's. Also... you need to be cool with heights in Škocjan Caves.
Posted by
1447 posts
Some bias here because my bus ride back from Bled was kind of a nightmare lol. Yes, you can totally bus and it’s cheap. But if you don’t mind the extra cost, I’d probably go ahead and rent for the two days. Driving is pretty easy, even within Ljubljana, and I think the extra flexibility and comfort would be worth it.
You might want to consider a small group tour to split the difference. Slovenia Explorer is the company that comes to mind but there are other recommendations.
Skocjan has a lot of walking, but it’s a very good walkway with railings. I don’t recall too many steps inside the cave myself, but once outside you’ll probably want to take the short trail exit out. The longer trail, while worthwhile, takes you a ways from the visitor center and makes the whole thing almost 3hrs or something. Not having been to Postojna, I’d hesitate to push Skocjan over it. Skocjan was cool, but it is kind of far for a Ljubljana day trip.
Posted by
London
1637 posts
You can also take the train to Bled and to Skocjan Caves (I've not been to Postojna Caves so can't comment on that one). When we took the train to Skocjan Caves there was quite a walk from the station to the caves- it was a very nice walk but if you're not feeling up to that you may want to look at driving. There were quite a few stairs in Skocjan Caves but I can't compare it to the other one. It was beautiful tho, and that's the one which is UNESCO listed.
Posted by
OP
Calgary, Canada
9 posts
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. I think I will look into renting a car for a couple of days. The Air BnB we are renting has a free parking space I understand, so this will help.