How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana?

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If you’re flying into Slovenia, your journey will likely start at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) – a small but efficient international airport located about 26 kilometers from Ljubljana city center. Whether you’re traveling on a budget, seeking convenience, or planning a road trip across Slovenia, this guide will help you decide the best way to get from Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana.

In this post, I’ll walk you (through the eyes of a local) through all the transportation options available – bus, taxi, shuttle, and rental car – with details on prices, travel times, where to find them, and pros and cons of each.

Table of Contents

Where is Ljubljana Airport located?

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (Letališče Jožeta Pučnika Ljubljana) is the main international airport in Slovenia, located near the village of Brnik. It’s about 25–30 minutes by car from the heart of Ljubljana and is well connected to the city by various transport services.

Now let’s dive into the best ways to travel from Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana city.

Taking the bus from Ljubljana Airport to the city centre

If you’re traveling on a budget and don’t mind a slightly longer travel time, the public bus is your best option.

🕒 Travel Time: approximately 30 minutes, but can be longer (depending on traffic).

Buses run every 30 minutes during the working week, with a much lower frequency at weekends and on public holidays. For this reason, I recommend checking the timetable beforehand. You can do that here.

💰 Price: 3.90€ per person, one way.

📍Where to catch it: The bus stop is located just outside the airport terminal. Look for the sign for Arriva bus.

Where to buy tickets? You can buy your ticket from the driver on board the bus. But be warned – they don’t accept cards, so you’ll need cash. Ideally, you should have change with you to pay for your ride. If you don’t have change, you’ll get away with a €5 or €10 note, but larger notes can be difficult.

Please also pay attention when buying a ticket from Ljubljana to Ljubljana Airport. The website does allow you to buy a ticket, but be warned – it does NOT guarantee you travel at a certain time. Also, drivers will NOT accept a ticket that is on your phone or printed at home. You will need to turn up at the bus station in Ljubljana to collect your ticket. Unfortunately, Slovenia has a lot of work to do in this area, but the situation is as it is. However, I feel it is my duty to bring this to your attention.

✅ Pros:

Cheapest way to reach the city
No need to book in advance
Good option for solo travelers or backpackers

❌ Cons:

Slower than other options
Limited service in late hours (no overnight buses)
Slightly limited service on weekend and public holidays
If the bus is full, you may be left at the airport and have to wait for the next one. You cannot buy a ticket in advance. Standing on the bus is not an option as the bus is going on a highway and in this case it is not allowed to stand on the bus in Slovenia.

📝 Tip: If you’re arriving late in the evening or have heavy luggage, consider another option like a shuttle or taxi.

Taxi to Ljubljana city

Most convenient option for door-to-door travel. If you’re looking for comfort, traveling in a group, or have lots of luggage, taking a taxi is the most straightforward option.

🕒 Travel time: 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

💰 Price: Prices may vary based on time of day, luggage and provider. Fixed fares range from 38€ to 45€ if you prebook it on Ljubljana Airport Taxi website. If you ask the taxi drivers at the airport for the price, you can expect to pay around 60€.
You can also prebook with other taxi providers, like Taxi Metro Ljubljana or Laguna Taxi.

📍Where to find a taxi: Taxis are available right outside the arrivals terminal. You’ll see an official taxi stand with licensed drivers.

✅ Pros:

Fast and convenient
Door-to-door service
Great for families or groups with luggage

❌ Cons:

More expensive than other options
Possible price variation if not pre-booked

📝 Tip: Always ask for the price in advance or use an app to avoid surprises.

Uber from Ljubljana Airport

At the time of writing (May 2025), Uber has newly arrived in Slovenia. Uber is one of the options to get from Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana. The price ranges between 27€ and 37€. As it is a new service, I have not yet been able to try it out and I only have experience with Uber abroad.

Airport Shuttle Services from Ljubljana Airport

Several shared shuttle services operate between Ljubljana Airport and the city. You can book them online in advance or on arrival. The companies are GoOpti, Nomago and Markun Shuttle. This is also a good option as it offers door-to-door or central drop-off options. For me personally, GoOpti has proven to be the most reliable.

🕒 Travel time: 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

💰 Price: 10-15€ per person. The best price is, of course, if you book your transfer in advance. I regret this myself, as I often make transport decisions spontaneously, but in Slovenia this sometimes means a higher price.

You will receive the exact departure time by SMS and email the day before the transfer.

✅ Pros:

More affordable than taxis
Comfortable ride with AC and space for luggage

❌ Cons:

May have to wait for other passengers
Slightly longer travel time if there are multiple stops

Renting a car at Ljubljana Airport

Ideal for road trips or exploring Slovenia. If you’re planning to explore more than just Ljubljana – think Lake Bled, the Soča Valley, or even road-tripping to Italy or Croatia—then renting a car at the airport is a fantastic option.

🕒 Travel Time: 25-30 minutes.

💰 Price: Car rental prices start at €25/day, but vary depending on the season, car type, and rental duration. Additional fees may apply for GPS, insurance, or cross-border travel.

📍Where to rent: All major rental companies are located within the arrivals terminal. There you’ll find Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Hertz & Avant Car.

✅ Pros:

Freedom to explore Slovenia at your own pace
Affordable for multiple travelers
Cars come with vignette (Slovenian highway toll sticker)

❌ Cons:

Parking in Ljubljana can be challenging and expensive
Not ideal if you’re staying in the city center only
International driving license may be required

📝 Tip: Make sure your hotel offers parking or book a parking garage in advance. Use apps like EasyPark.

Summary table

Option	Time	Price	Best for
Bus	approx. 30 min	€4.10	Budget travelers
Taxi	20–30 min	€35–€45	Families, convenience
Shuttle	20–30 min (may take longer if there are stops along the way)	€10–€15	Mid-range, solo travelers
Rental Car	25–30 min	€25+/day	Road trips, couples or groups

How to get from Ljubljana Airport to Bled

Bled, one of Slovenia’s most picturesque destinations, is located about 35 km from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport and is easily accessible by various modes of transport.

Shuttle services (most convenient)

Several private shuttle companies operate regular transfers between Ljubljana Airport and Bled. You can pre-book a shared or private transfer with providers like GoOpti, Nomago, or local taxi-shuttle services. The journey takes about 30–40 minutes and prices for shared rides usually start at around 15–25€ per person.

Taxi

A taxi from the airport to Bled takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around 60–80€. This is a good option if you’re arriving late or traveling with a group.

Bus (cheapest option)

There is a direct Arriva bus from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport to Bled, running year-round. A bus departs from the airport to Bled every hour between 9 am and 8 pm. The journey takes approximately 40–50 minutes.

The ticket price is €4.70. You need to buy your ticket on the bus, payment is only possible in cash, so I recommend you carry small notes with you.

Bus stops at Bled Union station or the main bus station in Bled. For the latest timetables, check AP Ljubljana official website.

Rental car

If you plan to explore more of Slovenia, renting a car at the airport might be the best choice. The drive to Bled is scenic and takes about 30–35 minutes. There is usually ample parking in Bled, especially outside the high season.

Final tips for getting from Ljubljana Airport

Cash vs. Card: buses only accept cash. It’s smart to have a few euros with you.

Wi-Fi at the Airport: Free Wi-Fi is available to help you book a ride or check schedules. If you don’t want to rely on Wi-fi, I recommend you buy eSim beforehand. I use Airalo myself and have had no problems so far. I recommend you check whether your phone supports the eSim option.
If you are not yet an Airalo user, you can use my code JASMIN9648, which gets you 3€ off your first purchase.

Accommodation transfers: Some hotels offer private airport transfers – ask when booking.

Travel time considerations: Always leave extra time if you’re catching a train, bus, or another flight from Ljubljana.

Eco-Friendly option: Consider taking the bus or shuttle if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint.

Whether you choose the budget-friendly bus, the door-to-door comfort of a taxi, or the freedom of a rental car, getting from Ljubljana Airport to the city is simple and efficient.

For travelers spending more than a few days in Slovenia, I highly recommend exploring beyond the capital. With a car, you can reach Lake Bled in under 40 minutes or drive to the charming town of Piran on the coast in just 1.5 hours.

Here are some of my posts about Slovenia that may be helpful to you!

Wherever you’re headed – welcome to Slovenia! If you have any further questions about travelling to Slovenia, please contact me and I’ll be happy to help with any advice.