Train from Pula to Ljubljana?

I traveled from Ljubljana to Rovinj, Istria, by bus last summer and don't have any experience with trains in that area. Most buses take a more coastal route, whereas the train goes through the Istrian interior.

It appears that there's just one train connection a day, and you may need to change at Divaca as well as at Buzet. I have no reason to think the train would be unreliable, but be aware that bus service also seems very infrequent along that route. I'd check with the tourist office in Pula upon arrival to see how it suggests traveling to Ljubljana. Bus and/or train service may be more frequent if you're traveling during the peak period. If you decide on the bus, it might be prudent to get the ticket in advance since border-crossing runs are pretty uncommon.

Yeah I learned rather quickly that there's not much use trying to travel by train for this path... I'm likely going back to Trieste and depart from there. Thanks!

Don't go to Trieste to get to Ljubljana, either. The train crossing at that border is not direct and you'd be going out of your way.

The German rail schedule link at How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online reflects a direct bus from Pula to Ljubljana at 10:45, which they operate. Other bus companies are likely to require a connection.

Aha - thanks, I didn't know about this service. However I think after all, we will visit Rovijn instead of Pula as a day trip from Trieste. Or an overnight from Trieste returning to Trieste. The train service from Trieste (Villa Opicina) is reliable to get to Ljubljana and beats a bus any day.