WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GET TO LAKE BLED?

Slovenia possesses a very affordable train network participating in the Eurail/Interrail system. You can easily reach Lesce Bled train station from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Majority of interstate and international trains will stop in Ljubljana or require you to change trains here except for trains arriving from Austria (which are direct to Lesce Bled).

Flixbus offers affordable journeys directly to Bled from all surrounding countries. Flixbus operate from outside Slovenia, they do not provide journeys from Ljubljana to Bled. This journey is covered by a local bus network, Arriva, for only 5 euros. The average Flixbus price from Italy, Austria, or Croatia is 45 euros with the cheapest journey originating in Trieste, Italy for as little as 14 euros in high season.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE BLED ON A BUDGET?

Multiple small towns surround Lake Bled like Mlino and Recica, yet your best bet will be to stay in Bled. There are numerous bus stops, travel agencies, supermarkets, hostels and cheap eats within Bled that are suitable for a traveller on a strict budget.

Hostels in Bled come highly reviewed by fellow backpackers. Bled Hostel and Ace of Spades Hostel are popular hostels that provide similar facilities for reasonable prices. Do be warned that during peak season these hostels can become quite pricy. Investigating a studio apartment to share with fellow travellers can actually save you some money. There are plenty of Airbnb-style studios available for rent however if you book too late you will most likely be stuck with 40 euro hostel prices.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT LAKE BLED?

I visited Lake Bled in early May during the beginning of the high season, Lake Bled experiences a full five months of tourism from May to September. During early May prices were raised however the weather was pleasant and the crowds were relatively thin. My advice is to visit during late May or June when the clouds have cleared and the weather perks up to allow for a swim in the alpine lake.

HOW TO GET AROUND LAKE BLED?

Any activities that you have planned for Lake Bled – like renting a rowboat to visit Bled Island or hiking to the viewpoint at Bled Castle – are all walkable. The walk around the lake is pleasant and provides 1-1.5 hours of breathtaking views. If you plan on visiting the Vintgar Gorge or Lake Bohinj, further away, the local bus network (Arriva) is easy to understand and ride. The tickets are cheap at 3.7 euros for a half-hour journey.

If you wish to visit the Soca Valley or explore more of Triglav National Park I would suggest booking a tour with a local company or Get Your Guide. This will provide a more relaxed and expertly designed adventure than renting a car to explore the area yourself, and will be worth the money!

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY IN LAKE BLED?

I could happily spend every day waking up and walking around Lake Bled. The tranquil nature of the Slovenian Alps traps you within its beauty and suspends time for the duration of your trip. To truly soak up Lake Bled and its surrounds I would suggest a minimum of 2 full days, the ideal length is 3 days to avoid feeling rushed. Bled is a great place to base yourself if you plan on discovering Triglav National Park. If you have a rental car for a few days, I highly recommend extending your stay by at least 2 nights.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUDGET TRAVEL LAKE BLED?

Lake Bled is definitely one of the most affordable destinations in Europe in terms of bang for your buck. I stayed in an Airbnb studio apartment so my accommodation costs were significantly inflated (I really needed a rest). For a prime location near Bled Centre we paid 43 euros each (yikes). This studio was equipped with a double bed, private bathroom, outdoor seating, full kitchen, and complimentary laundry services.

Our apartment was serviced with a full kitchen so we cooked all our meals which did help offset the cost of the accommodation. Groceries were marginally more expensive and we paid approximately 3 euro per meal. There are fast food places located in Bled however these restaurants are quite expensive and usually meals cost a minimum of 10 euros.

We did not hire a car whilst in Bled and the remaining costs came from transport and activities. To enter the Vintgar Gorge hiking trail costs 10 euros, unbelievably worth it! The only other activity I spent money on was renting a row boat to explore Bled Island which cost 25 euros (split between two people).

Considering accommodation, food, transport and activities I spent an average of approximately 65 euros ($104 AUD) per day visiting Lake Bled.