I need some suggestions/advice on the most economical/logical way to get from Prague to the Ljubljana area of Slovenia. After much time searching for reasonable one-way airfares from Prague to this area, I have found nothing, even considering Venice, Zagreb, Split etc. We would like to visit Cesky Krumlov, and could leave that area by train if that is even a possibility, if not from Prague. We do not plan to sight see in between because we have been to Austria and Southern Germany, and it appears Budapest is to far east. If train travel is the best option, what would be the routhing. If there is someone who has made this trip, I would appreciate your input.
Posted by
Chicago/Rural WI
811 posts
If you aren't already familiar, the official Czech train/bus website is fantastic and VERY user-friendly (change to English on right side of page): www.idos.cz If you put in Prague as the departure and Ljubljana as the arrival city, you will be able to take a look at maps of the train routes. I briefly eyeballed it and it looks like there would be a few transfers in Austria involved if you didn't detour along the way. However, since you'd like to visit Cesky Krumlov then it gets a lot more involved with connections. Getting from Prague to CK is no problem, there is a direct Student Agency Bus that will get you there in about 3 hours, I believe. But getting from CK to Ljubljana is more involved and time consuming, as you are likely finding. I'd suggest taking a look at the train routing from the IDOS website and, if you wanted to break up the trip, consider stopping at towns along the train line instead of trying to get to CK. I can personally recommend Brno as a great stop, then maybe you could continue on through Austria and make a stop in Maribor, Slovenia (although I haven't been) before continuing on to Ljubljana.
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
534 posts
Yes I have made that trip somewhat - but I don't know how much this will help you. We traveled by train from Cesky Krumlov to Bled, Slovenia. It was an 11 hour train ride that changed in Salzburg. I debated this quite a bit - but I am very happy with the way it went. If I were on a 2 week trip, I probably wouldn't want to waste 11 hrs on a train. However we were on a 30 day trip and that 11 hours was nice because it allowed us to regroup. We poured thru our tourbooks, learned our key phrases, caught up our journals, did some leisure reading and relaxed. By the time we got to Bled, we were somewhat recharged after that break from touring. (fyi, the scenery from Salzburg to Bled is absolutely amazing and it was great to view it all from the train). I looked into a night train but a few things held me back - I had heard/read that night trains in the Czech Rep are well known for theft. And also that 11 hour ride turned into 20 hours if we went via night train which to me defeated the purpose. Let me know if I can help with anything if you have any questions.
Posted by
OP
Tulsa, OK, USA
126 posts
Your reply is so helpful. I have kind of resorted to a long train ride, but I'm sort of OK with giving up 11 hrs, pretty much a day, for beautiful scenery. If you don't mind could you tell me what to expect in Cesky Krumlov? If we left Prague early in the morning for the 3 hr bus ride, could we see whatever there is to see there the rest of that day. Maybe stay in Cesky and leave early next morning for Slovenia? Did you stay in Bled. If you have time could you tell me how long you were in Slovenia, your home base, and what you did. Appreciatively, Susan
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
534 posts
I think we stayed in Cesky Krumlov for 2 nights and your experience will depend a lot on the time of year you go. We were there in October and the weather had just turned and it was COLD and even a little snow and rain. I personally have a rule about staying at a location a minimum of 2 nights. We toured the castle and saw the bear pits and walked the town and stopped in at a great pastry shop. One day we got a few groceries and wine and just took it back to our room. However, if I had been there in the warmer time - I would have liked to have tubed down their little river and spent some time in the outdoors. It was just too cold and rainy. Very pretty and very small town. We did stay in Bled and I think we stayed there 3 nights because we arrived on the first day with just enough time to drop our bags and go out for dinner and then walk the town in the evening. We spent the next day touring Bled (going over to the church on the island) and walking the streets and feeding the ducks. The next day we rented a car and drove thru the Julian Alps. We did some hiking and stopped at a really suprisingly good WW1 museum. Apparently this tiny museum was rated one of the best in Europe. Lots of WW1 history on this drive - plus it is very scenic. But I caution everyone to take dramamine. I did not and I got very sick from the twisty, winding driving. After that we headed into Croatia.