By Vicky · Published Sep. 5th, 2025 · Updated Sep. 8th, 2025
Visiting Postojna Cave is one of the top things to do in Slovenia and reading our guide below will help you plan a visit.
Page Contents:
How do you get to Postojna Cave?
You have a few options to reach Postojna Cave.
Driving
Firstly, you can simply drive to Postojna Cave. There’s a large car park right by the entrance, costing €6. At busy times (summer holidays), you may have to park in a nearby field (and still pay), and there can be queues to pay for the parking. It’s about 45 minutes drive from Ljubljana.
Public Transport
You can get a direct train from Ljubljana to Postojna, taking 1hr20. From Postojna train station, it’s then a 25-minute walk to the cave entrance. Trains depart every 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a direct bus, which is a bit quicker – 50 minutes from Ljubljana to Postojna. The bus stop in Postojna is also slightly nearer the caves, roughly 20 minutes walk away. Buses depart every 25 minutes.
Guided Tour
A guided tour from Ljubljana to Postojna Cave and nearby Predjama Castle* is a very easy way to visit two of the top sights in Slovenia. There are several pickup points in Ljubljana and you can choose from either a morning or afternoon tour. The cost of the tour includes entrance to both sites; the only thing it doesn’t include is food and drink.
Postojna Cave Complex Map
Tips
- The caves can get busy on holidays, and especially in the summer. Book tickets in advance during the summer holidays. There are a fixed number of people on each tour, but the cave surroundings and car park get busier later in the day.
- Read our guide to visiting nearby Predjama Castle.
- For more walks and things to do, check out our Slovenia Hiking Page.
Popular Tours in Slovenia
Visiting Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave opened as a show cave back in 1819. Several famous people have visited the cave, including Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). In 1872, a cave railway was introduced, though this was first pulled by cave guides and then horses. Now it’s pulled by an electric locomotive.
One of the unique things about Postojna Cave is one of its residents – the Olm. This snake-like newt-fish creature is also known as a human fish or baby dragon, but really it’s a colourless, blind amphibian.
Basic Cave Tour
The basic cave tour includes a ride on a train deep into the cave, a 1.5 km semi-guided walk, then a train ride back. It lasts roughly 90 minutes. Note that the 1.5 km walk includes quite a lot of climb, but although it looks like it would be slippery, it actually is not. You can even bring a stroller/pram around with you if you want.
The basic tour includes an audioguide in many languages. It starts on the train journey, which is quite fun, then there are points along the walking route with audio clips to listen to. Although the walk is officially guided, the guides don’t say anything; they just hurry you along and make sure nobody falls too far behind. In some sections, there are lights that turn off if you dawdle too much.
On the tour, you’ll pass an aquarium containing a few Olms (the ‘baby dragons’), which are fun to see. The tour ends at a gift shop deep in the cave. There’s ample time here (and toilets) before you’re herded to the platform to get the little train back to the daylight.
Vivarium
The Vivarium contains several of the creatures that naturally live in the cave, including the Olms. You’ll also learn about the cave environment and cave life in general. There are audioguides and placards with information, and roughly 15 terrariums containing the cave creatures. Some of these are quite small and can be hard to see. You’re free to visit at your own pace anytime within the opening hours.
EXPO Cave Karst
This is a large exhibition on Karst (limestone) and the formation of Postojna Cave. It’s modern and there are interactive exhibits. Children will also find it fun and can even try ‘driving’ a cave train.
Tickets to Postojna Cave
There are several different ticket options if you want to visit Postojna Cave. The most basic ticket is €32.90 and includes a simple visit to the Cave. For €42.90, you can also visit the Vivarium and Expo Cave Karst.
If you also want to visit Predjama Castle, you can buy a combination ticket which includes both attractions. These are roughly €14 more expensive than the ticket prices mentioned above: €46.50 for the basic cave ticket plus castle, or €56.50 for the cave, Vivarium and Expo Cave Karst plus the castle. It’s definitely worth it to buy the combination tickets, as the castle alone costs €21.
When you buy a ticket, you have to select a specific tour time for Postojna Cave. You can visit the castle anytime within 30 days of your cave visit. Plan to arrive at the cave at least 30 minutes before your tour time: it takes roughly 10 minutes to walk from the car park to the cave entrance, and boarding the train starts 15 minutes before the tour time.
Tour times vary throughout the year; see the official website for more details.
Things to do After Visiting Postojna Cave
- Grab something to eat or drink at one of the restaurants/cafes
- Check out the Pivka River
- Head on to Predjama Castle.
For more walks and things to do, check out our Slovenia Hiking Page.
FAQS
Tickets to Postojna Cave start at €32.90 per adult. If going to Predjama Castle, the two attractions together start at €46.50 and it’s definitely worth buying these as a combination rather than separately.
Yes, it’s quite cold in Postojna Cave, roughly 10°C all year round. Make sure to take a jumper and a jacket, even if it’s very warm outside. Take a hat if you are sensitive to the cold!
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