Postojna Cave: Day Trips and Tours from Ljubljana
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A trip to Ljubljana would not be complete without a Postojna Cave excursion, the most popular day trip from the capital. Known as the Queen of all Caves, the Postojna Cave is 3 million years old and one of the longest caves in the world at 24 kilometers.
Enjoy a journey on the famous electric train to see the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. The cave, discovered 200 years ago, is also home to the mysterious olms, underwater creatures which years ago were believed to be the offspring of dragons.
How to get to Postojna Cave from Ljubljana
The cave park is located near the town of Postojna and is easily accessible by any means of transport. It sits southwest of Ljubljana, close to Highway E61.
From Ljubljana to Postojna Cave by car
The cave is a 30-minute drive from Ljubljana via Highway E61. The correct exit is 41, which is located 2 kilometers from the park.
From Ljubljana to Postojna Cave by train or bus
Leave from Ljubljana Tivoli station and go on the train journey to the town of Postojna, where the cave is located, for one hour and 10 minutes. From here it’s a 25-minute walk to the cave.
There are hourly buses to the cave from Ljubljana Bus Station. The journey ends at the bus stop in the car park in front of the cave.
Guided tour to Postojna Cave from Ljubljana
Joining a guided tour is one of the best ways to explore Postojna Cave, especially if you’re short on time. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and return to Ljubljana in the early evening.
How much does the entrance ticket to Postojna Cave cost?
There are several options depending on how many of the park’s attractions you would like to visit. The cave park also includes Predjama Castle, a vivarium and a cave exhibition. Prices for only the Postojna Cave tour are as follows:
- Adults: €28.50
- Students (16 to 25): €22.80
- Children (6 to 15): €17.10
- Children under 5: €1
Combined tickets for the cave and the castle are priced as follows:
- Adults: €40.90
- Students (16 to 25): €32.70
- Children (6 to 15): €24.50
- Children under 5: €2
What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Postojna Cave from Ljubljana?
A day trip to Postojna Cave will include a hotel pickup or a meeting point in central Ljubljana between 8 AM and 9 AM. After a 30-minute journey, you’ll reach the caves and get on a mini-train, which transports visitors through the spectacular underground world.
The trip may also include a walking tour with a guide explaining the history of the cave. The journey through Postojna Cave takes around one hour and 20 minutes.
A combined ticket, which is provided by most guided tours, includes entry to both the cave and the castle. Predjama Castle is a short shuttle bus or taxi journey from the cave, where the guided tour takes around one hour.
Then it’s a half-hour journey from the Postojna Cave back to Ljubljana. You can also pay more to include a trip to the vivarium where you can see the olms and cave exhibition. Be aware that most day tours to Postojna Cave only include the admission fees for the cave and the castle.
What kind of tours are available to go to Postojna Cave?
Day trip to Postojna Cave plus Predjama Castle trip from Ljubljana
This day trip includes a train ride through Postojna Cave as well as a guided walking tour through the fascinating underground world. Afterward, you'll visit Predjama Castle, a medieval Renaissance-style fairytale building perched on a 123-meter high cliff.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the world’s largest cave castle. This tour to the cave and castle last around six to seven hours. The castle is located about 9 kilometers from the cave entrance and the tour will include transport to the castle.
Day tour to Postojna Cave plus Predjama Castle and Lake Bled from Ljubljana
This full-day Postojna Cave and Lake Bled tour includes three of the most famous sites in Slovenia. The first stop is Lake Bled, where visitors will enjoy a cruise to Bled Island on a traditional pletna boat. Then visit the magical Bled Castle and take in stunning panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
Enjoy a lakeside lunch of Slovenian specialties, before you travel to the cave and Predjama Castle. Explore the Postojna Cave network, then take the short journey to Predjama Castle.
How much does a day tour to Postojna Cave cost from Ljubljana?
A Postojna Cave excursion often includes only transportation and a guide, without entrance to the cave and castle. These tours are priced at around €50 to €90 per person.
Tours that include entry to the cave and castle are priced in the range of €115 to €200.
Tours of Lake Bled, the cave and the castle, which include admission costs for the cave and the castle, but not the boat and castle at Lake Bled, are priced at around €170.
Trips that include Lake Bled, the castle and the cave, but do not include admission to the castle, cave and Lake Bled attractions, are in the range of €90 to €100.
What will you see and do at Postojna Cave?
The cave is home to magnificent natural rock formations shaped by tiny water droplets over millions of years. An underground 3.7-kilometer train ride includes views of stalagmites, the most famous being “Brilliant” which stands at 5 meters tall.
“Brilliant” was formed by water slowly dripping down and depositing a thin layer of calcium, creating a shiny white color.
There are also icing-like columns formed when a stalactite and stalagmite merge together, as well as “spaghetti stalactites” and “curtain stalactites.”
Travel through the Postojna Cave’s dance hall, complete with Murano glass chandeliers. The vivarium is located close to the cave entrance and is home to the famous olms, a white aquatic salamander.
The cave tour covers 5 kilometers of the cave in total. Close to 4 kilometers of the tour is by train and the final kilometer by foot.
Then visit the nearby Predjama Castle, perched over 100 meters high, jutting out of a cave. It is the only preserved cave castle in the world and comes complete with a drawbridge.
A free audio tour is available in 17 languages and provides details about the history of the castle. It was built in the 15th century and boasts stunning views over the valley.
Listen to the story of Erasmus, a knight known as the Slovenian Robin Hood who withstood a year-long siege here. There is also an armory room and a torture chamber. Underneath the castle is a network of secret tunnels and a cave that is home to thousands of bats. The bat cave is only open from June until August.
When is Postojna Cave open over the year?
The cave is open 365 days a year. Tour timetables vary month by month, with more tours taking place in the spring and summer.
What are the opening times?
From May to October, tours are available every hour and in the off-season, three or four times a day. Opening hours to the castle and tours times for the cave change frequently and are as follows.
October to March
Cave tours: 10 AM to 3 PM
Castle opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM
April to June and September
Cave tours: 10 AM to 4 PM
Castle opening hours: 10 AM to 5 PM
July to August
Cave tours: 9 AM to 5 PM
Castle opening hours: 9 AM to 6 PM
When is the best time to visit Postojna Cave?
During the spring and summer, the weather conditions at Postojna Cave are favorable, making this a great time for a day trip. In winter, there are fewer tours, and it can get quite cold. The temperature in the cave is usually around 10 degrees Celsius all year round.
Are there any tours to the Postojna Cave from other cities in Slovenia?
Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in the Slovenia:
Travel tips
- It can get quite cold in the cave, so remember to take a sweater or coat even during the summer.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there are numerous stairs to climb inside the cave.
- If you are tall, watch out for the lower sections of the tunnels in the cave. Many visitors hit their head on the way in or out.
- Try to go on a Postojna Cave excursion early in the morning to avoid the crowds.