Ljubljana Airport To Lake Bled By Bus – Easy Guide With Photos

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How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled?

If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia, the chances are that Lake Bled will form part of your itinerary. Lake Bled is the most famous lake in Slovenia, and quite frankly, it’s utterly jaw-dropping. Lake Bled is super easy to get to from Ljubljana Airport. But before I visited Slovenia, I struggled to find useful information specifically about the bus service from Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled (I ended up reaching out to my Twitter travel friends to help me!). So after going (and successfully navigating the journey without issue), I wanted to produce this hassle-free guide to show you exactly how to get to Lake Bled from Ljubljana Airport! 

What is the nearest airport to Bled? 

The major airport near Lake Bled is Ljubljana Airport, officially known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. This is the airport you will need to fly into if you want to visit Lake Bled. Ljubljana Airport is actually located smack bang in the middle of Ljubljana and Lake Bled, and is practically the same driving distance to both.

Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled transport options

I would suggest that the best way to reach Lake Bled from Ljubljana Airport is by public bus. Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled by train is not an option, as there is no train station at the airport. There is a train station in central Ljubljana, and in a town called Kranj which is closer to Ljubljana Airport, but both options would require you to transfer from the airport and to the train station by bus or taxi – it’s easier to get a bus which requires no change. Taxis or private transfers from Ljubljana Airport to Bled are going to be much more expensive compared to public buses. 

Can you travel Slovenia without a car? 

Absolutely! I didn’t rent a car on my trip, and relied solely on public transport. I have nothing but good things to say about the trains and buses in Slovenia – affordable, efficient, clean and prompt! Unless there are places you want to visit which aren’t served by public transport, I’d suggest utilising it.

Is it better to stay in Lake Bled or Ljubljana?

Lake Bled and Ljubljana are both beautiful in their own ways. I spent 3 nights in Bled (the main town on the shores of the lake) and then 2 nights in Ljubljana. In hindsight, I wished I’d stayed in Bled for 4 nights and Ljubljana for 1. Ljubljana Old Town is charming, but I don’t think it requires any more than one full day of sightseeing. Bled is a fantastic base for exploring both the lake and the Julian Alps, and the mountainous surroundings are enchanting. Regular buses which connect Bled to other locations make it easy to get around. I’d recommend more than just a day trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana – it deserves way more than that!

Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled by Bus – A step by step guide

Step 1

When you land in Ljubljana Airport, exit the arrivals terminal of the airport. The bus stop is directly opposite the airport, and is marked by a bus sign, shelters, and a large tarmacked area with long parking bays where the buses pull in. Buses to different destinations stop here, and the location should be clearly marked on the front of the bus. There is a timetable taped to the inside of the bus shelter, which tells you locations and times of buses on working days, weekends, bank holidays etc. (note that buses seem to run very regularly in the summer). 

Tip: There is a small tourist information stand in arrivals at the airport if you need any assistance in finding the bus stop. However, it is literally opposite the exit of arrivals and I hope my photos might be enough to help you find it. 

Step 2

The bus company that operates from Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled (and is very popular in Slovenia) is called Arriva. Arriva has a really easy website to navigate and you can check bus times and fares using their journey planner found on their homepage (note: make sure your phone operator doesn’t charge you for roaming the internet and if so, screenshot timetables before you leave or connect to Wi-Fi). When you search for connections to Lake Bled from the airport, the airport is listed as Brnik/airport Ljubljana. 

There are two bus stops in Bled that the bus from Ljubljana Airport will stop at – Bled Union and Bled. Bled Union is located at the top end of Bled town (up the hill) and Bled is the main bus station (and final stop on the route from Ljubljana Airport to Bled before it returns back towards the airport). Pick your preferred stop based upon wherever your accommodation is (mine was Bled Union). Using the Arriva website or timetable at Ljubljana Airport bus stop, figure out what time the next bus will arrive and wait for it. 

Tip: The Ljubljana Bus Station website also has a public transport planner (note: on this one, the airport is also listed as Brnik/airport Ljubljana). Personally, I prefer using the Arriva website but you might feel different. 

Step 3 

When the bus arrives, board the bus and purchase your ticket from the bus driver. If you are unsure whether the bus is going to Bled, just state Bled to the bus driver and they will advise. You will need cash (Euros) to pay for your bus ticket – card is not accepted as payment and your ticket will be printed there and then. The price of a single adult ticket on the Arriva bus from Ljubljana Airport to Bled is just €4.10 (price correct at the time this blog post was published). There is some overhead storage for small pieces of luggage on the bus. 

Step 4 

Sit on the bus for the journey and enjoy the stunning scenery as you meander around the bases of mountains. The distance from Ljubljana Airport to Lake Bled is 35km and the bus journey takes just 30 minutes – you will arrive in no time! 

Step 5 

Alight at your chosen stop (either Bled Union or Bled). To avoid human traffic jams, there is a one way system on the bus – people board at the front where the driver sits, and exit using the doors in the middle of the bus. You will then need to make your way from your Bled bus stop to your Bled accommodation. If you are staying in or around the town of Bled, you will likely be within walking distance of your accommodation. If you are staying at the bottom end of the lake, you might need to transfer to your accommodation by taxi or by boarding another Arriva bus from Bled to Bled Mlino (direction of travel of this bus is Bohinjsko jezero/lake). 

Step 6 

To return to Ljubljana Airport from Lake Bled, repeat these steps in reverse – board the bus bound for Ljubljana Airport from Bled or Bled Union. 

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