by BUS, Ljubljana

Local buses in Ljubljana are relatively efficient, but in order to use them you have to know some facts. It is much cheaper to buy tokens for bus (sold at newspaper shops, about 0.8 EUR, 190 SIT) than to pay at bus (1.2 EUR, 300 SIT - you have to have EXACT SUM - 300 SIT!!!). You always have to enter the bus at the front door and insert token (or exact sum of money) into the box near the driver (or you can show daily/weekly/monthly ticket to the driver). The driver is the one that lets you enter the bus!

Price for the bus is actually very high because everytime you enter the bus, you have to pay. Therefore if you use bus frequently, then you should consider buying daily/weekly/monthly ticket.

Where to buy daily (weekly/monthly) ticket? Here:
Celovska 160
Trdinova 3 (near Slovenska ulica, in vicinity of railway/bus stations).
You have to tell exact date for daily ticket!

Here is plan of Ljubljana bus lines:
http://www.holdingljubljana.si/karte/lpp_mpp.htm

Caution: while buses are frequent during the day (until 10 or 11 pm), there are only few night lines!

Ljubljana had a tram until the early 60's, when the almighty socialistic powers decided it was time for something more modern, and introduced trolleybuses. The trolleybuses are long gone now, but the name is still in use for the buses that operate the LPP, Ljubljana's urban transport system. There are 21 lines, numbered 1-22, with the 4 not running, who knows why. You can get a map of the network at their website but I doubt that you will have to use the bus a lot, because the centre is a short walk down Miklosiceva ulica from the bus/train stations, and the centre really isn't that big...
A token costs 170SIT and you can buy it at most kiosks around the city. If you don't have one, when you enter a bus, you have to have exactly 230SIT prepared and stuff it into the box, where the tokens are put. Daily and weekly passes are an option as well, I guess.

While international connections are relatively cheap and easy by train, many destinations within Slovenia (including the Airport and Lake Bled) are only reachable by bus. Ljubljana's bus station is located only about 100 meters from the train station, making connections between the two quite easy. Inside the bus station, there are ticket counters where you can buy your bus tickets quickly and easily. While it's also possible to buy tickets from the driver, it's probably a good idea just to go to the ticket window. The person at the window can also tell you which lane your bus will depart from.

AROUND Ljubljana

For a ride on the public transport buses within the city you will need either a token or coins.

Tokens - a single token is called a "žeton" (it's pronounced almost exactly as the French word "jeton", where the term originated) - are approximately 20 (euro)cents cheaper than the fare in cash (which is 1 euro, at the time of this writing).

You can buy a token at most newspaper stands and newspaper/tobacco counters in department stores (such as NA-MA, in the centre of the town). The problem, of course, is that you cannot buy them outside the working hours of those selling points.

You can only enter the bus through the front door, where it says VSTOP (= entrance), where you'll find the collecting box for the fare.
And conversely, you may NOT step out through that front door, but through any of the (usually two) back doors (where it says IZSTOP, i.e. exit), although handicapped people - or anyone in an emergency, obviously - may be let out through the same door where they came in.

(Buses are USUALLY clean enough "to eat off the floor", as my grandmother - and many other people's grandmothers, I am sure - would say. ;))

IMPORTANT: If your lodging is not within walking distance from the city centre, for example, be aware that public buses practically stop running before midnight - and certain lines much sooner than that. Yes: even - or especially! - during weekends.

So, if you find yourself stranded in the town centre after midnight, and all the buses have reverted to their pumpkin selves, the best thing to do would be to take a taxi - especially considering the fact that it should be a relatively short ride, regardless of where (within the city) you are staying.

I didn't travelled much by bus in Ljubljana. The main sights there are not far from the old core. I think Ljubljana is well served by buses.

Once you enter the bus you have to put the exact fare into a box in front of the driver. You are not given any ticket. You can also pay with the so called "zetoni". These are small coins sold at most newspapers kiosks or at the post offices. If you pay your fare with zetoni. you can save quite a lot of money.

Bus drivers in Ljubljana usually do want to help when they see a lost tourist. Altough their English is rarly good enough they will try their best.

It will cost you 1 euro if you pay on a bus for one ride, no matter how far you are going. You have to have an exact fare and they will not give you your change back if you don't. You can also get a token for 0,80 at news stands.
Do your math and decide if it's better for you to buy a daily pass for 4 euro, or a weekly pass for 15 euro.

Too see the time table please check www.jh-lj.si/index.php?p=4&k=802

The Ljubljana airport website suggested an hourly local bus service to the city centre, or a 'private bus' service. I was too late to book the Easyjet transfer (a minibus?) so expected to have to wait for the local bus. But lo! On exiting the airport there was a coach, with Easyjet and Whizzair logos, and a nice man who took us to Ljubljana for 5 euros each. Which I thought was very reasonable (and a lot cheaper than a taxi, which can cost 30 or so, depending). The coach stopped outside the railway station, and there is a timetable posted on the bus shelter; seems it's an Adria Airways/Easyjet service.

On my second visit the big coach which took me into the city turned into a rather smart minibus for my return (on a Sunday), so presumably they vary what transport they provide according to how many people they think will want it (no booking seems to be required).

Anyway, it's a pleasant and convenient way to get to/from the airport for a reasonable price. Worth using.

The journey by bus to Ljubljana airport takes about 45mins and costs 4.10 Euros. You can buy tickets from either the office or onboard the bus which leaves at 10 past the hour every hour from station 28 which is on the train station pavement.