Train from Ljubljana to Budapest 2026

... take the direct train at 5 am, or the 09:15, which used to be
direct but apparently now has bus transfers due to ongoing track work.
What is your experience with either of these options? ... how
inconvenient and difficult is the transfer with a carry-on roller bag
and backpack? Is it difficult to find the correct train connection
after bus drop off?

It’s not a transfer in the traditional sense; it’s going from train to bus to train. I have had to do this on a recent route within Hungary, and we were given plenty of time to do it and it was as simple as following all the others on the train to the bus or back to the train. What might happen, as happened to me, is that the carriages on the second train aren’t the same as the carriages on the first train so your seat number no longer exists and you have to go to the conductor to find you a seat. I got bumped into 1st class. But you might lose that window seat.

Is there really much difference between first and second classes,
besides price?

That is subjective. But yes, some, I guess. The seats are larger, further apart and more comfortable. The big deal is that on some runs there are a lot of individuals with no seat assignments in 2nd class, and you end up with people standing over you with backpacks and getting to the head becomes impossible. That doesn’t happen in first class. If it’s 10 more or less, I would buy it but your trip seems to be a 30€ difference … too much for me.

Other considerations are that the 5am train goes to Keleti which is a beautiful old 19th century station https://youtube.com/shorts/5AHQKsnt2Wc?si=puuVX2P_DgYJEhVN . The later train stops at Kelenföld https://youtu.be/OKFFwdsXQ5E?si=XBvwbgsBjnj1g8Q8 and terminates at Deli https://youtu.be/4gw7fkp2XsQ?si=bUZVIxoCiD679mAd both of which are commie post war bus stop looking train stations. But all of them are well connected by metro and tram to wherever you are staying.

Here is the deciding factor for me. The 5am train gets in early enough to have a half day in town. The next train gets in in time for dinner, a short walk and bed. Is that worth getting up early for?

The other option to this is to go to Zagreb and take the direct train out of Zagreb. The departure time is at 16:30 and gets in at 22:30 so for that I would leave a day earlier.

Back to the ease of changing from train to bus to train. Now that I think about it, we had to walk across tracks and through gravel parking lots and had to mount some pretty tall curbs. I have no idea about Devecser where you get off the train. Might be the same as I dealt with, might be a lot better. Getting back on the train is in Székesfehérvár and the train station in Székesfehérvár is nice and I presume you will change right in the station. No problems there. Sad you have so little time as Székesfehérvár is a wonderful little town with a few hours ... or more.

Sorry to bother again.
When I was checking schedules, I noticed that on 3 April (check your date):

• OBB wanted 2nd class 102.70€ / 1st class 165.90€ for the 5 am ticket and said the 9:15 was sold out.
• MAV wants 42€ / 72€ for the 5am and 16€ / (2nd class only) for the 9:15 train.

And Slovenian Railways (which you can only buy locally, e-mail or international phone call), not on the internet) have the same pricing structure as MAV- see the full price chart which shows how fares increase depending on demand and date of purchase- https://potniski.sz.si/en/international-travel/hungary-h/budapest/

This is in the other direction, but notice the difference in the quality and variety of train cars between the two trains- https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Budapest.htm#Budapest-Ljubljana

The 5am being the higher quality train, with entirely 'open' cars (as opposed to some compartment cars on the later train)

At least the issurs with buying MAV tickets "may" be a thing of the past. All they had to do was in that email use the word temporarily. But noooooooooo! 😅

isn31c, you are good with the train stuff. Not really my strength at all. Thank you. For trains I count on you. Vienna on Emily, common sense Threadwear, knowledge base TexasTravelmom and FrankII

Thank you isn31c and Mr E. After reading all of your input, the 5 am direct on the quality train to the 19th century Keleti station is the best choice for me. It's mostly the train ride experience that I am craving, but my date isn't flexible for departing Ljubljana and arriving in Budapest. However, when I select the 42 euro option on the MAV site, and plug in all the info and continue, I'm left with the following error: "351: The seat reservation is not possible, because the reservation period has already closed or has not been opened yet". So is it closed, or not yet open?!! I suspect (hope) that it is to too soon to purchase a tickets for April 26 (Sunday).
-The OBB site on my end also shows the option for 102.70 euros, as you mentioned, with no seat selection on that day. Big price difference from MAV.
-I don't see the 5 am direct option on the potniski.sz.si site.
-On https://www.cd.cz/en/ website, there is the 5 am option that is "not yet available to purchase."

When are tickets typically available to purchase on the MAV site? Do you suggest I wait, and for how long?

On MAV booking opens 60 days out, whereas on OEBB 6 months out.

So you can book expensive fares well before cheap fares, probably because the Hungarians and Slovenians just don't book way ahead of time, and they are the primary traffic for the train.

I looked in the MAV App and the last day I can book a ticket is 6 April. OBB is charging that crazy fare in the 2 month windiw and shows tickets beyond 2 months as fully booked on the direct train to encourage you on to one of their 4 stops trains which you can book further in advance.

Buying train tickets is like living in the stone age compared to airfare. .

We were in Ljubljana during Valentine's Day Weekend (2026) and took the train from Central Station to Innsbruck. There is construction at the train station (Ljubljana) and you have to access the platforms from another location other than the Central Hall. You can still go into the Central Hall to get tickets and look but for train information on the departure/arrival boards but you will enter the platform areas just down the sidewalk from the entrance of the Central Hall. The pathway is well marked at there are rail staff employees to help you get to the proper location. Train sounds like a great option but I also so that FlixBus had service from Central Bus Station (same area as train station) to Budapest. I like Rick's view of second class...good seats that arrive at the same time as first class.

... Rick's view of second class...good seats that arrive at the
same time as first class.

Everyone is entitled to be wrong on occasion. Even "the great one".

NCK, dont know where you are on this, but I checked your 5am train on the 26th of April and they arent taking seat assignments just yet. But in 8 days I suspect everything will be up and running. They just dont want to risk on equipment changing this early is my guess.

Good to know about Central Station in Ljubliana. I have downloaded the MAV app and am checking it regularly. This is on my calendar to try again in 8 days, as I'd really like to check this detail off my list.

The MAV app was problematic outside of Europe so until its certain that it has been fixed i would use their website.