Skocjan Caves - Slovenia

I have not used any of those listed. However, I've successfully visited two different cave systems and other points of interest with two different local companies and was very happy with both experiences. One trip was a full day outing with a company I found online. The other was a half day jolt with a company recommended by the hotel staff prior to my Rick Steve’s Adriatic tour. That was back in 2017 so I don’t have any information regarding either company. I visited Postjogna in 2024 but that was during a 4 week tour. I found Skocjan Caves which I’ve visited twice to have a very natural and immersive (walking) experience. In Postjogna Cave some time is spent in a moving train which some may find more favorable.

Just to clarify, Skocjan Cave does not have carts you ride in; it's all walking.
I assume raymonelee is talking about other caves they toured.

Note that photography is not allowed during the Skocjan Cave tour. You're
on some walkways pretty high up from the river below and it's fairly dark.
I can only assume there are a few phones and cameras down in the canyon...

Postojna Cave allows photography, is much more brightly lit, and has a much
more developed tourist infrastructure around it. But you do access the walking
tour with a small train that takes you in & out of the cave. Also, the caves are
accessible via local bus from downtown Ljubljana, so for that one you don't
really need a tour guide other than the one who takes you through the cave
as part of the standard admission.

I took a public bus to the stop (along a highway) nearest the Skocjan Caves back in 2015. It was a bit of a walk to the caves, but it wouldn't be an issue for folks without mobility challenges who walk a lot when they travel. Postojna is more easily accessed by public bus.

I did a private tour (not to the caves) with Slovenia Explorer and found the company to be quite helpful.

Acraven...I'm researching the same things as Clabbott. I'm assuming the public bus is easy to take to either Postojna or Skocjan (other than the walk) caves? The Slovenia Explorer 1/2 day trip doesn't include tour and admission to either the cave or the castle so I'm thinking I might as well take the bus to one of the caves. The benefit of the tour might be just the transportation to the cave and the castle.

I changed my plans and am going on the Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle tour through To Do in Slovenia tours.
They provide a van w/ac for transportation, entrance fee to Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle.

I went to Skocjan Caves in 2015. My trip to Postojna was back in the late 1980s, I think. Both were easy via bus. As of 2015 the Ljubljana tourist office was excellent--very helpful even for information on out-of-town trips.

I'm planning to visit Skocjan cavern in May before my Adriatic tour. Looks like there is a train from Ljubljana to Divaca and then a 3km path walk to the visitor center. Has anyone used the train ?

It looks like at least two folks in this conversation are going to be on the Rick Steves Best of the Adriatic tour starting on May 18th as are my daughter and that we are all interested in the Skocjan cave. The tour companies seem to have mostly all-day tours that include Purin or other stops. Their tours also do not include the admission cost for the cave so essentially, we would only be booking them for transportation to the cave. would it make more sense for all of us to get together and book a driver? We are thinking of going on the morning of May 18th but want to make certain we are back in town by 4 for the first meeting with the group.

@cechols:

I think renting a car for 4 of you if it can be organized is the best way to see Skocjan.

The drive is less than an hour. Easy access off the A1 highway at the Skocjan end. In
Ljubljana, you can rent a car at agencies around the railway station and take Barjanska
cesta right out to the E61 highway.

There is a parking lot at the caves and I think it's free.