From June 1, a new bus line on the route Kranjska Gora-Vršič-Bovec will start operating, created in cooperation with municipalities and the Ministry of Infrastructure in response to the introduction of barriers at the Vršič pass. Rides on the line, which will operate with multiple daily departures until the end of September, will be free.
According to the published timetable, the bus will travel between the terminal stations in just under two hours, with the journey from the Kranjska Gora side to Vršič taking about half an hour, and from the Bovec side about an hour. Multiple departures from both sides are planned daily, from around 4:30 to around 21:30.
The most departures, 16 each, will be every day in the period from June 26 to the end of August and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from June 1 to 25 and in September. On weekdays in September there will be eight departures from each side.
There will be 14 stops on the line, including important starting points for hiking and tourist spots such as Lake Jasna, Mihov dom, Erjavčeva koča, the Soča spring and the Trenta valley. Three stops - Soča, Kršovec and Ruski križ - are still under construction and are expected to be activated in summer.
Parking areas at the pass will not be fully completed before the start of the season
The delay in the execution of works was due to two key factors: the long winter season practically transitioned directly into the summer period, which prevented the contractor from completing the construction of parking facilities by the planned deadline, and the ongoing unauthorized parking of vehicles in the pass area strongly hinders and limits the continuation of construction works on site, causing additional delays in execution, the Ministry of Infrastructure reported.
"An important step towards sustainable mobility in the Alps"
"The new line represents an important step towards sustainable mobility in the Alps and encourages a more environmentally friendly way of visiting one of the most burdened mountain passes in Slovenia. The goal of introducing the line is to reduce traffic load on the Vršič pass, improve sustainable mobility in Triglav National Park and enable better accessibility for locals and tourists," the Public Passenger Transport Management Company stated in today's announcement.
As they say, the line is intended for local residents who move daily between the valleys, mountaineers and hikers who need access to high-mountain starting points, and tourists and visitors who wish to explore the Julian Alps without a car.
According to the state operator of public passenger transport, the introduction of the line brings several important improvements, namely less car traffic on Vršič and in the Trenta valley, greater safety and calmed traffic due to the new barrier regime, sustainable accessibility of sensitive natural areas, a better tourist experience because there will be no worry about finding parking, and better connection of tourist destinations.
The barrier system for entering the restricted traffic area on Vršič will operate according to an adapted protocol in the 2026 season:
Passage through the barrier system into the Vršič road area will be free and time-unlimited. The barriers will be intended for directing and informing drivers about the established regime and controlling entries and exits.
The barriers will allow transit traffic and access to established parking areas within the restricted area, but parking at the very top of the Vršič pass will not be possible in the 2026 season.
Accordingly, in the area of the barriers where the road widens to two lanes, the right lane, which is otherwise intended for parking at the pass, will be permanently closed in 2026, the infrastructure ministry also reported.
Timetable. Source:
https://n1info.si/novice/slovenija/do-konca-septembra-brezplacen-avtobus-kranjska-gora-vrsic-bovec/