There are many trains between Austria and Slovenia but due to engineering works on main railway corridors international trains sometimes may be temporarily cancelled or replaced by buses. In recent years, Slovenian Railways have replaced a large part of their regional train fleet, making it possible to launch new trains between countries.
Last updated: 27.05.2024
Railway border crossings between Austria and Slovenia
Spielfeld-Straß ÖBB – Šentilj SŽ
Rosenbach ÖBB – Jesenice SŽ
Bleiburg ÖBB – Holmec SŽ
There were plans to rebuild a railway link between Bad Radkersburg ÖBB and Gornja Radgona SŽ, closed after the bridge over the river Mur was destroyed on April 12 1945. The plans were later abandoned.
The border crossing between Rabenstein ÖBB and Dravograd SŽ was closed on 29 May 1965.
Trains between Austria and Slovenia – useful websites
Austrian Railways – online shop (tickets to Slovenia available)
Slovenian Railways – official website
Train travel in Austria – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Slovenia – a comprehensive guide
Trains between Vienna and Ljubljana via Maribor
There is an only one direct train between Vienna and Ljubljana. EC 150/151 train “Emona” with direct carriages to Trieste, Italy runs daily. The train departs from Vienna in the morning and arrives in Ljubljana in the afternoon. It departs from Ljubljana around 4 PM and reaches Vienna in the evening. Along the way, the train stops at several stations, including Graz, Maribor, and Celje.
Train Vienna – Ljubljana is comprised of modern Slovenian air-conditioned carriages – 2nd class carriage with compartments, 2nd class open-plan carriage and restaurant car. The train consists also direct carriages Vienna – Trieste – comfortable air-conditioned Austrian carriages – 1st class carriage with compartments and 2nd class open-plan carriages. The composition of the train may change in the future.
Slovenian Railways and Austrian Railways offer promotional tickets for Vienna – Ljubljana train. Cheapest Slovenian tickets cost 35,90 EUR (via Maribor). The cheapest tickets can be purchased 3 days before the planned journey at the latest. If you want to buy ticket 1 day before the planned journey, the price is 48,90 EUR. Seat reservation is not included. The ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable. Slovenian tickets are not available online.
There are promotional Sparschiene Tickets for daytime and overnight trains. Promotional tickets are much cheaper than regular-price tickets and can be booked max. 6 months (180 days) before journey. Tickets are bound to a specific time and train. These tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. No other discounts apply when booking a Sparschiene ticket.
There are also train connections between Vienna and Ljubljana with a convenient change at Graz or Maribor station. Check the Slovenian Railways’ website for timetable and prices (only in Slovenian)
Trains between Vienna to Ljubljana via Villach
Currently, you can travel by train from Ljubljana to Vienna with transfer. There is a convenient change at Villach Hbf station.
Step 1) Travel from Vienna to Villach by Railjet train
Step 2) Travel from Villach to Ljubljana by EC, EN or regional train
Promotional offers are the same as between Vienna and Ljubljana via Maribor, but ticket prices differ slightly.
Trains between Salzburg and Ljubljana
Several trains run daily from Salzburg to Ljubljana. In fact, these are international trains from Stuttgart, Munich and Zurich to Croatia, but connect Salzburg and Ljubljana. Personally I don’t like it. Sometimes passengers must change trains at Villach Hbf station.
Cheapest Slovenian tickets from Ljubljana to Salzburg costs 27,5 EUR.
The route between Ljubljana and Salzburg is scenic.
Check the Slovenian Railways’s website (in Slovenian) for details.
Cross-border trains between Austria and Slovenia
There are a few cross-border trains between Austria and Slovenia. In 2024, Slovenian Railways, in collaboration with Austrian Federal Railways, has inaugurated two cross-border passenger services. There are plans to increase number of cross-border passenger trains from Ljubljana to Villach and Graz in the nearest future, thanks to SŽ’s electric multiple units Class 510 Stadler Flirt equipped to handle different voltage requirements across borders.
Austrian Railways and Slovenian Railways plans to introduce hourly trains between Graz and Maribor, and a two-hourly service between Villach and Ljubljana.
There are also cross-border train Bleiburg – Maribor
Seasonal train Bratislava – Split also pass through Slovenia.
