Slovenia is a small but beautiful country famous for nature, charming towns and great food. Slovenia has well-developed and extensive railway network and railway connections with adjacent countries. Almost all railway lines in Slovenia offers stunning views from train windows. Train travel in Slovenia is not always a pleasant experience but generally trains are good and reach many interesting places.
Last updated: 27.07.2024
The first railway line in Slovenia was opened on 2 June 1846. That day, the first train between Graz and Celje made his journey.
In March 1860 the railway line Pragersko – Čakovec – Kotoriba – Velika Kaniža was inaugurated. Next year, the line was extended to Budapest.
On 1 October 1862 the railway line from Zidani Most to Zagreb was completed.
In 1870s the railway lines from Pivka to Rijeka (1873) and Divača – Pula (1876) were opened.
In 1991 the company Slovenske železnice (Slovenian Railways) was founded.
Train travel in Slovenia – domestic trains
Passenger trains in Slovenia are operated by Slovenske železnice. Train is a very good way to explore country, although some of the stations are located far from city centers or tourist attractions. Almost all railway lines are scenic with breathtaking views. Railway reaches all regions of the country but if you want to get to Izola or Koper, you need to take a bus from Koper. In recent years Slovenian Railways has purchased some new modern trains, but personally I rather prefer old diesel multiple units and passenger carriages.
Slovenian Railways – timetable, prices, additional information
Modernisation of main railway lines in Slovenia is underway and trains are often replaced by buses. In 2024 many trains will terminate at Ljubljana Šiška stop and shuttle bus will run between Ljubljana Šiška station and Ljubljana main station.
On weekends the trains are crowded.
Most popular routes in Slovenia:
Ljubljana – Celje – Maribor
Ljubljana – Koper
Ljubljana – Kranj – Jesenice
Maribor – Ptuj
Types of the trains in Slovenia:
In Slovenia there are following categories of the trains :
Lokalni potniški vlak (LP, LPV) – suburban or regional train for commuters. It stops at all stations.
Regionalni vlak (RG) – regional train for commuters. Usually it has longer route than LPV train. It stops at all stations.
InterCity (IC) – fast train for long-distance services in domestic or international traffic. Intercity trains run between the largest cities and most popular resorts. There are trains with 1st and 2nd class old but comfortable passenger carriages with compartments and modern diesel or electric multiple units. InterCity trains stop at designated stations only. An IC supplement must be paid for this type of train.
InterCity Slovenija (ICS) – Slovenian Pendolino – tilting train with 1st class and 2nd class section. First class has leather seats and electric sockets. ICS trains run between Ljubljana and Maribor. The seat reservation is compulsory and is included in the price of the ticket.
MV (Mednarodni vlak) – international train, usually cross-border train between small towns.
AV (Avtovlak) – special train which carries accompanied cars between Bohinjska Bistrica and Podbrdo / Most na Soči. The train consists only one passenger carriage.
There are also international Eurocity trains – comfortable trains for daytime services between large cities and capitals and Euronight trains for overnight international passenger services.
Izletka weekend pass
Slovenia is an expensive country but Slovenian Railways offer Izletka weekend pass. Izletka allows an unlimited number of journeys on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays in 2nd class in all types of trains operating on the Slovenian rail network. Tickets are cheap and many people explore Slovenia by train using these tickets.
Scenic routes
As I have written before, almost all of scenic railway lines are scenic. I recommend these lines if you want to enjoy breathtaking views:
Jesenice – Nova Gorica
Ljubljana – Koper
Ljubljana – Celje (alongside Sava river)
Ljubljana – Kamnik
Train travel in Slovenia – what to see
Slovenia is a small country with huge tourist potential. There are many very beautiful places in Slovenia, and the country is also famous for its stunning nature, mountains, and hiking trails that stretch for kilometers. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is one of my favorite cities. It’s worth booking accommodation in Ljubljana because, thanks to very good rail connections, it is easy to organize day trips by train from Ljubljana to many interesting places. I have prepared two articles that will help you plan your train travel in Slovenia:
Slovenia by train – a basic itinerary
Day trips by train from Ljubljana
Railway museum in Ljublana
Very close to the railway station in Ljubljana is the Railway Museum operated by Slovenian Railways. The museum was established in 1981. Initially small and neglected, it gradually expanded. Currently, the main attraction of the museum is a collection of 9 steam locomotives, several of which are very rare specimens.
Visitors can see how a railway station operated during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, view a collection of railcars, and various railway-related devices.
For railway history enthusiasts, there is a permanent exhibition “Development of the Railway Network” with rich photographic and cartographic documentation, an exhibition of railway uniforms, and a small art gallery dedicated to railway-themed works. Outside the building, a short loop of miniature railway has been constructed.
The Slovenian Railway Enthusiasts Association is also based in the museum.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the address is Parmova ulica 35, 1000 Ljubljana. Admission is charged.
Narrow-gauge railways in Slovenia
There is only one active narrow-gauge railway in Slovenia.
Cave railway in Postojna Cave – the first underground railway in the world, opened in 1872. Initially, the line was 1532 long with a 620 mm gauge. The railway was renovated in 1923 – trains were diesel hauled. In 1956 the electric locomotives were introduced. Between 1964-1967 the circular line was built. 422 meters of the tunnel was excavated out of bedrock and a loop was made. In addition, a 19.4-metre long bridge was also constructed across the side passage inside the Small Caves. Currently, trains carry tourist all-year round. The route is 3.7 km long.
In the past there were another narrow-gauge railways in Slovenia:
Porečanka (Parenzana) – a narrow-gauge railway from Trieste (Italy) to Poreč (Croatia) via Koper and Izola. The railway was closed in 1935. Part of the line was converted into popular bike path.
Poljčane – Slovenske Konjice – Zreče – 21 km long railway with a 760 mm gauge. Closed in 1962.
Čedad – Kobarid – a military railway built in 1915 by Italians, shortly after World War I renovated and extended. In 1921 opened for passenger traffic. 27.8 km long railway line was closed in 1932 due to economical reasons.
Children’s railway in Ljublana – a narrow-gauge railway in the capital of Slovenia opened in 1948. It operated only four years.
Funicular railways in Slovenia
There are two operational funicular railways in Slovenia.
Funicular to Castle Hill in Ljubljana – the funicular railway in Ljubljana was opened in 2006, although the first idea to build a railway connecting the Old Town with Castle Hill emerged as early as 1897. Online, you can find a letter from the then-mayor of Ljubljana to the authorities of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, in which he mentions the advantages of building an funicular. In 1905, the authorities of Ljubljana bought the castle and projects were developed; however, it took a hundred years before they were realized.
The decision to build the funicular railway was made in 2000, and construction began five years later. The construction costs turned out to be significantly higher than planned, yet in December 2006, the railway carried its first passengers.
The ride from the lower station to the upper station lasts one minute, and the glass gondola can carry 33 passengers at a time. The railway operates year-round, and the ride is paid.
Funicular at the Škocjan Caves – a funicular railway also transports tourists at the Škocjan Caves. There are no detailed information about this funicular.
Heritage trains in Slovenia
In recent years, the retro train from Jesenice to Nova Gorica, ran several times during the summer season. The steam hauled train was very popular among locals and tourists. A nostalgic ride through one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe was renowned for its magnificient views of Lake Bled, numerous gorges, the 6.339 metres long Bohinj tunnel and the longest stone arch bridge in the world – The Solkan Bridge with its 85 metre wide arch.
A separate tariff applied. Tickets were significantly more expensive than regular passenger trains. The one-way trip lasted 3 hours.
In 2024, the “Bohinj Steam Train” did not run, and it is unknown whether it will run in the coming years.
Check for updates HERE
Train travel in Slovenia – international trains
Slovenia is well connected by rail to all surrounding countries. Ljubljana is an ideal starting point to one-day train trips to interesting cities in adjacent countries. Slovenian Railways has special offers for most of the international trains.
Austria
There are many trains from Slovenia to Austria. One direct train daily connects Ljubljana and Vienna, but there is a possibility to travel from Maribor or Ljubljana to Graz and change the train at Graz station.
Second option is a travel to Vienna with change in Villach. There are 3 trains daily from Ljubljana to Villach.
Austrian Railways – timetable and online shop
Austrian Railways – trip planner
Austrian Railways offers promotional non-refundable OBB Sparschiene tickets to Maribor and Ljubljana.
In fact, tickets usually are much more expensive, especially if you don’t buy tickets in advance.
Trains between Austria and Slovenia
Croatia
There are Eurocity trains from Ljubljana to Zagreb and Rijeka. One-way ticket costs 9 EUR. It’s a cheap and comfortable way to travel between Slovenia and Croatia. There are local cross-border trains from Karlovac to Bubnjarci and from Ormož to Čakovec. On 11 December 2023 passenger trains from Čakovec to Lendava were reinstated.
Eurocity train from Zagreb to Graz passes through Slovenia and stops in Maribor.
In 2024 a seasonal summer train between Villa Opicina, Italy to Rijeka via Slovenian territory was launched.
Situation with the trains to Pula is too complicated for me. I don’t know if there are connection from Divaca to Buzet all year round. Check the Slovenian Railways’ website.
Ticket prices:
Ljubljana – Zagreb – 9 EUR (special offer)
Maribor – Zagreb – 12 EUR (special offer)
Ljubljana – Rijeka – 9 EUR (special offer)
Maribor – Rijeka – 14 EUR (special offer)
Ljubljana – Pula – 19 EUR (one-way); 29 EUR (return)
Germany, Switzerland
There are overnight trains from Zagreb to Zurich and Stuttgart and Munchen. Trains stop in Ljubljana and you can board the train. Both trains have 2nd class seating carriages with comparments, Croatian couchette cars (I don’t recommend lower berth) and Croatian sleeping car (very comfortable).
Deutsche Bahn – timetable and online shop
Hungary
There is a direct train from Budapest to Ljubljana. During the summer seaso train will be extended to Koper. Ticket prices from Budapest to Ljubljana and Maribor start from 16 EUR.
Hungarian Railways – trip planner and online shop (jegy.mav.hu)
Italy
There are two direct trains from Ljubljana to Trieste in each direction of MV category (one train extended to Udine) and international Eurocity train from Vienna to Trieste passes through Slovenia. Ticket from Ljubljana to Trieste in international regional train costs 8 EUR, ticket for EC train is more expensive (9,90-11,90 EUR).
You can also travel by train from Ljubljana to Nova Gorica and cross the border by foot to Gorizia. Border crossing is about 100 meters from Nova Gorica station.
