Visiting Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle without a car from Ljubljana is easier than you might think. With public transportation and some helpful tips, you can enjoy a hassle-free day trip to these stunning attractions. This guide will walk you through the best ways to get there and back without needing your own vehicle.
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Visiting Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle makes for a fantastic day trip from Ljubljana
Getting from Ljubljana to Postojna Cave by Bus
The easiest way without a car to reach Postojna Cave from Ljubljana is by bus.
Where to Catch the Bus: Start at Ljubljana’s main bus station (AP Ljubljana). The buses to Postojna depart regularly throughout the day. As of right now the bus at 8:00am and 12:10pm from Ljubljana main station are the two busses that will stop directly at the caves.
I would recommend catching the 8am bus if you are going to both the caves and the castle.
What is the bus stop called at the caves?
If you want to get dropped off directly at Postojna Caves you will want to enter “Postojnska Jama” as the stop. The other bus stop is in town and a 20 minute walk to get to the caves.
Buying Tickets: Buy your ticket at the station, but be aware that the ticket counter is cash-only. If you prefer to pay by card, purchase your ticket online via the AP Ljubljana website and have them print out your ticket at the bus station.
Bus Availability: Buying your ticket on the day of your trip is usually fine.
The journey from Ljubljana to Postojna takes about an hour, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Visiting Postojna Cave
Your first stop should be the famous Postojna Cave. It’s best to explore the cave in the morning and visit Predjama Castle in the afternoon.
Weather Considerations: Weather can be unpredictable, so dress accordingly. On our visit, it was rainy, but the cave tour is mostly covered, making it a great option regardless of the weather.
Cave Tour Details: The cave tour is guided, and the cost is included in the entrance fee. No need to pay extra for an audio guide; a live tour guide provides all the information and is available to answer any questions.
Should you visit the Vivarium at Postojna Cave? In my opinion getting a ticket that includes the Vivarium isn’t necessary, as at the end of the cave tour you do get to see the Olm / Proteus. If you’re trying to visit the castle on the same day, it may leave you strapped for time.
Lunch at Postojna Cave: There is a food court type setup at Postojna Cave, I would recommend eating lunch here before heading out for Predjama Castle.
Getting from Postojna Cave to Predjama Castle
The next leg of your journey is from Postojna Cave to Predjama Castle, about 9 kilometers away.
Getting from Postojna Cave to Predjama Castle can be straightforward, especially in the summer when a free shuttle service is available between the two. However, if you’re visiting during the shoulder season like we did, the journey requires a bit more planning.
Shuttle Service in Summer: During the summer months, a free shuttle runs between Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. This service makes traveling between the two sites easy and cost-free.
Shoulder Season Travel Tips: We visited during the shoulder season when the free shuttle wasn’t operating yet, which made our trip a bit trickier. However, we quickly found a solution. A team offering a paid taxi/shuttle service was in the parking lot of the cave. Fortunately, we weren’t the only ones looking for a ride so we ended up sharing a vehicle with eight other people, making the cost much more manageable.
Cost and Convenience: The taxi cost €20 each way, but since we shared it with other travelers, the price per person was significantly lower. If this taxi option hadn’t been available, it would have been quite challenging to reach Predjama Castle from the cave, so it’s good to be aware of this when planning your visit.
Exploring Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle is a unique fortress built into a cave, and it’s a must-see when in Slovenia. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:
Tour Duration: The castle tour, including the free audio guide, takes just over an hour. The audio guide provides an excellent overview of the castle’s history and its unique architecture.
Return Shuttle: The same shuttle that brought us to the castle came back and picked us up around 2 pm. Make sure to confirm the pickup time with your driver or shuttle service.
Returning to Ljubljana Without a Car
After your castle visit, you’ll need to return to the caves to catch your bus back to Ljubljana. There are usually 3 busses per day that pick you up at the caves bus stop and return to Ljubljana.
If you need a bit more flexibility there are more options from the main bus station in Postojna.
If you are traveling in off season and you took a taxi to the castle you can ask them to drop you off at the main bus station in town if there are no busses running from the caves, this is what we did.
Bus Tickets: You can purchase your bus ticket back to Ljubljana on board. Remember to bring cash, as the buses don’t accept card payments.
Schedule: Check the bus schedule before hand to plan out your day – some days the busses only run at limited times. We caught a bus at around 5:30 pm from the main bus station in Postojna, which got us back to Ljubljana early in the evening.
Additional Tips for Your Trip Without a Car
Cash Is Essential: Many services, including buses and shuttles, do not accept cards. Make sure to have enough cash on hand for tickets and other expenses.
By following this guide, you can easily visit both Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle without a car, making it a fun day trip from Ljubljana. You can enjoy the stunning natural beauty and history of Slovenia, all while relying on public transportation and shared rides.
If you have any questions about how to get to or from Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle without a car, just ask me below!