How to Travel Slovenia Without a Car: A 7-Day Itinerary Using Public Transport
When I started looking for a hiking destination in Europe, I wanted somewhere with mountain scenery, easy access to hiking trails, walkable towns, and reliable public transport.
During a hike through the Samaria Gorge in Crete, another hiker told me about the Soča Trail in Slovenia. The thought of emerald rivers winding through the Triglav National Park with picturesque snow-coned mountains led me to plan a week-long hiking trip to Bled, Bohinj, and Bovec, which are surprisingly accessible with public transport.
In this guide, I'll share my experience travelling around Slovenia without a car, including how I got between destinations, what worked well, and what I would do differently. I'll also answer some of the questions I had while planning the trip.
Can you travel in Slovenia without a car?
The short answer is, yes you can. Public transport is very affordable and well-connected, with more routes opening up during the spring/summer season. There are several ways to plan your trip, but I found the key is to base yourself somewhere easily accessible as a main transport hub and then do day trips. I based myself in Bled and Bovec, but Ljubljana is also a popular choice 🙃.
How to get around Slovenia using buses
The two bus systems I used for regional routes are Nomago and Arriva. Both companies have English versions of their websites.
You can also look up schedules and tickets on the Ljubljana Bus Station site, which is a central hub for travel.
Some routes are seasonal, and there are likely to be more travel options in the spring and summer than in the winter.
How to get around Slovenia using trains
I used the train once in Slovenia as it was part of my route from Bled to Bovec. I didn’t have any issues with it, but there can be mixed reviews. My guesthouse host in Bled even wished me luck for my journey! 😅
You can search for train timetables for different routes on potniski.sz.si.
Starting my journey to Bovec
Do I need to book bus and train tickets in advance online?
No, you don’t. I paid for all my trips in cash on the bus or on the train.
You also don’t need the exact change, although it’s faster if you have the correct amount to hand. Most bus drivers had change available (as long as you’re not breaking a €50 note).
I also bought the Slovenske železnice city pass and realised it would only be useful for travelling around Ljubljana. As I was basing myself in Bled and Bovec, the easiest thing was to pay in cash on the bus.
My Slovenia itinerary using public transport
In late May and early June, I spent seven days exploring Slovenia as a solo traveller using only public transport.
While Ljubljana is the easiest base for a car-free trip, I wanted to spend more time in the mountains. Instead, I based myself in Bled for four nights and Bovec for three nights, using public transport to travel between destinations.
If you're willing to do a little planning and allow for some flexibility, travelling around Slovenia without a car is entirely possible.
Here's the itinerary I followed:
Day 1: Ljubljana Airport to Bled
My flight arrived in the afternoon, which gave me enough time to catch a direct Arriva bus from Ljubljana Airport to Bled. If you're arriving later in the day, it's worth checking the timetable in advance, as the final departure can vary depending on the day of the week.
Day 2: Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bled
I spent my first full day visiting Vintgar Gorge and exploring Lake Bled on foot. I walked to the gorge from my accommodation, but there is also a free shuttle bus from Bled bus station for those who prefer transport.
After visiting the gorge, I spent the afternoon hiking around Lake Bled and enjoying the views from Ojstrica, Velika Osojnica and Mala Osojnica.
Early morning in Vintgar Gorge
So happy I came!
Day 3: Bled to Lake Bohinj
I took an Arriva bus from Bled to Bohinjsko Jezero for a day trip to Lake Bohinj. The journey was straightforward, with regular buses running roughly every hour between the two destinations throughout the day.
Hiking to Vogar viewpoint
Day 4: Exploring Lake Bled
I spent another day exploring Lake Bled, walking around the lake and taking advantage of the warm weather with a swim.
Day 5: Bled to Bovec
This was the second most complicated travel day of the trip, and the point where travelling in Slovenia without a car required a little more planning and some mental gymnastics 🙃.
I deliberately kept this day free for travel in case of delays or missed connections.
My route was:
Bled Jezero → Podbrdo (train)
Podbrdo → Tolmin (Nomago)
Tolmin → Bovec (Nomago)
I took the 9:15 am train from Bled Jezero to Podbrdo. Although the train arrived at its destination around 10 minutes late, the connecting bus to Tolmin was also running behind schedule, so I still made the connection without any issues.
From Tolmin, I boarded the 11:00 am Nomago bus to Bovec, arriving shortly after midday.
While the journey required a few changes, it was much less stressful than I expected and gave me a chance to enjoy some of Slovenia's mountain scenery along the way.
Day 6: Hike the Soča Trail
One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Slovenia was to hike the Soča Trail.
I took the 9:30 am bus from Bovec to Trenta and then hiked back along the trail. If you're planning a similar trip, note that this bus is seasonal and began operating on 1 June during my visit.
The Soča Trail hike was a lot of fun with crystal-clear water, bouncy suspension bridges, and incredible mountain peaks throughout the day.
Happy in the mountains!
Gorgeous waters!
Day 7: More hiking in Bovec
After a rainy morning, the weather cleared enough for another hike. I chose the Slap Virje trail, which is an easy walk leading to one of the area's most beautiful waterfalls.
One thing I appreciated about staying three nights in Bovec was the flexibility. Having an extra day meant I could adjust my plans around the weather without feeling rushed.
Day 8: Bovec to Ljubljana Airport
This is where I had one heck of a time getting to the airport. It was easily the most challenging transport day of the trip.
My original plan was:
Bovec → Tolmin (Nomago)
Tolmin → Ljubljana (Nomago)
Ljubljana → Ljubljana Airport
However, on the day of travel, the available bus schedules left me with two options: a very early departure from Bovec at 6:45 am or a 1:00 pm departure that would arrive in Ljubljana too close to my flight for comfort.
Instead, I chose an alternative route:
Bovec → Kranjska Gora (Nomago)
Kranjska Gora → Ljubljana (Arriva)
Ljubljana → Ljubljana Airport
Unfortunately, things didn't quite go to plan. As my bus arrived in Kranjska Gora, I watched my connecting bus pull away. The next departure wasn't for another two hours 😳.
After a brief moment of panic, I visited the tourist office near the bus station. The staff were incredibly helpful and quickly suggested a better route that would take me directly towards the airport:
Kranjska Gora → Jesenice Integral
Jesenice Integral → Kranj
Kranj → Ljubljana Airport
All Arriva buses.
Although it involved an additional bus, there were far more connection options available, reducing the risk of further delays.
After more than six hours of travelling and four separate buses, I arrived at Ljubljana Airport with just over two hours to spare 🙃.
Chillin’ out on Lake Bled
Where to stay in Slovenia without a car
Choosing the right base makes a huge difference. For this trip, I stayed in Bled and Bovec, which gave me easy access to hiking trails, buses, and local amenities.
If you're planning a similar itinerary, these are the areas I'd recommend looking at:
Bovec
Bovec is one of the best bases for hiking the Soča Trail and exploring the wider Soča Valley. Staying in town makes it easy to access the seasonal buses and hiking trails.
Here are some places worth checking out:
I stayed in an apartment on the edge of Bovec with views of the surrounding mountains. It had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, including a washer and dryer. There is also parking available if you're travelling by car.
The apartment is around a 10-15 minute walk from the town centre, and two supermarkets are located nearby, making it convenient for self-catering.
Soca Valley Suites
Located in the same building as Nomad 27, these apartments are finished to a similar high standard and offer many of the same amenities.
I'd recommend booking one of the mountain-view apartments rather than a unit overlooking the supermarket. The views across the surrounding peaks were one of my favourite things about staying in this part of Bovec.
House Elipsa
In a great location and with a range of apartments, many with terraces, mountain views, and free private parking. It’s a great option for anyone looking to stay a little closer to town.
Lake Bled
Apartments & Rooms Aleksandra
I loved my stay here! Zdenka, the host, was really communicative and provided a lot of detailed information. She even gave me a lift to the train station on my departure.
The property is located in a quiet residential area of Bled, about a 15-20 minute walk from the main bus station and approximately 45 minutes on foot from Vintgar Gorge. It worked well as a base for exploring both Bled and the surrounding area without a car.
Castle way Apartments Tamy
In a great location, within a few minutes walking distance to all the bars and restaurants, the apartments are spacious and well-equipped.
Apartments Special Bled
In a peaceful location and around 5-10 minutes walking distance to Lake Bled, the apartments are cosy and comfortable.
Apartments Roberta
I considered staying at Apartments Roberta, but it was booked out quickly and wasn't available for my travel dates.
Located a short drive from Bled, it's a good option for a quieter area outside the centre. I loved the complimentary bicycles, which make it easy to explore the surrounding area using cycling routes.
Lakeview Villa Bled
Lakeview Villa Bled offers apartments with terraces or balconies and is conveniently located closer to the lake. Amenities include a spa and wellness centre, sauna, and fitness centre.
Ljubljana
Hostel Celica
A budget-friendly and pretty cool option; I met a few people staying here in Ljubljana.
As a former prison, it’s been renovated to create a unique experience. The building has a quirky pink look, and the former cells have been refurbished to create a cosy and intimate feel.
Pekarna apartments
In a central location, the apartments are beautifully furnished. It’s ideal for visiting Ljubljana, with everything within walking distance.
Eagle's Nest Ljubljana
The Old Town can be reached in around 20 minutes on foot via a pleasant riverside walk, making it a good option for travellers who want a quieter base while still being close to main attractions. There’s also free private parking.
Getting to and from Ljubljana Airport
Most travellers will connect to Ljubljana Airport via Ljubljana or Bled bus station. However, during my trip, a staff member at the tourist office recommended travelling via Kranj instead.
Kranj bus station (Kranj AP) has frequent connections to Ljubljana Airport, allowing you to avoid travelling all the way into Ljubljana and then doubling back towards the airport.
Depending on where you're travelling from, Kranj can be a useful interchange point, with several buses per hour serving the airport.
A few things to know about Kranj AP
Kranj AP is a large bus station with around 18 platforms. If you're unsure where to go, there is an Arriva ticket office where staff can point you in the right direction.
Airport buses typically depart from platforms 17 and 18, but always double-check on the day.
Google Maps may direct you to "Kranj ZD", which is a different stop. Some buses stop there, while others may not, so make sure you're heading to Kranj AP if that's where your connection departs.
Seasonal buses in Slovenia
One thing I didn't fully appreciate while planning my trip was that some bus routes in Slovenia are seasonal.
For example, the bus between Bovec and Trenta, which is really useful for hiking the Soča Trail, only operates during the tourist season. During my trip, the service began on 1 June, and I hiked the next day!
Timetables can usually be found on the Soča Valley website, although I found they weren't always updated far in advance. It's worth checking with the tourist office for the latest info on seasonal routes.
Here’s the picture I took of the 2026 timetable if it helps!
This looked like so much fun! Maybe next time! 😉
Handy tips for using public transport in Slovenia
After a week travelling around Slovenia without a car, these are the tips I wish I'd known before I arrived:
Travel light
Not all Nomago services use full-size buses. Some routes are operated by 15 to 20-seat minibuses with limited luggage space.
I travelled with a carry-on suitcase, which made things much easier. If you're planning to use public transport extensively, I'd avoid bringing a large suitcase where possible.
Leave plenty of time for connections
Delays aren't uncommon, particularly on mountain routes.
While I generally found Arriva services reliable, Nomago buses regularly ran 10 to 15 minutes behind schedule. Build some buffer time into your itinerary and avoid relying on tight connections.
Use larger stations for interchanges
Whenever possible, make connections at larger stations where there is a ticket office, information desk, or nearby tourist office.
When I missed a connection in Kranjska Gora, having access to local staff made a huge difference and helped me find an alternative route quickly.
Check walking distances between connections
Don't assume that a train station and a bus station are next to each other.
While planning my route from Bled to Bovec, I initially considered changing at Most na Soči. I later realised that the train station and bus stop were around a 20-minute walk apart, which would have made the connection risky.
Expect popular routes to be busy
Even in shoulder season, buses between Bled and Lake Bohinj were very busy, with some passengers standing for part of the journey.
If you're travelling during July or August, expect the most popular routes to be crowded and allow extra time.
Budget for public transport
I found most local bus journeys cost between €3 and €5, while longer routes to or from Ljubljana were typically around €10.
Overall, public transport was significantly cheaper than hiring a car for a solo trip.
Know the key transport hubs
A few names you'll see repeatedly while planning your journey:
Ljubljana AP = Ljubljana Bus Station
Brnik / Airport Ljubljana = Ljubljana Airport
Kranj AP = Kranj Bus Station
Bled Jezero = Train station closest to Lake Bled
Bled from above
Bled Island
Would I do Slovenia without a car again?
Yes, absolutely!
For destinations like Bled, Bohinj, and Ljubljana, travelling without a car is straightforward. Bovec requires more planning and flexibility, but it's still entirely possible if you're willing to work around bus timetables and seasonal services.
The key is not to overschedule your trip. Build in some flexibility, allow extra time for connections, and avoid relying on the last bus of the day.
If I were planning this itinerary again, the one thing I'd change would be my final travel day. Rather than travelling from Bovec to the airport on the day of my flight, I'd spend my last night in Ljubljana or somewhere with a direct airport connection. It would have saved a lot of stress and made for a much more relaxing end to the trip. Not to mention, I also got caught with tube strikes on the same day back in London!
Despite a few logistical challenges, I never felt that not having a car stopped me from enjoying Slovenia. With a little planning and realistic expectations, Slovenia is an amazing destination for anyone travelling by public transport!
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