Hello all, we were trying to find the best way to get from Ljubljana to Budapest.Flying requires a plane change and is 5-6 hrs. The train schedule we could find was also very long with nothing direct{unless i am missing something }. The Flixster bus says 6 -7 hours. Any better options? Private car? Thanks in advance
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7322 posts
There are direct trains, although they are not rivalling TGVs and ICEs when it comes to speed… https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Ljubljana.htm#Ljubljana-Budapest
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
599 posts
My suggestion is to take the train but consider stopping someplace that interests you along the way to break up the trip if you have the time. I traveled in the opposite direction from Budapest to Lake Bled via Ljuljuana and then back to Ljubljana. I spent a full day in Zagreb Croatia along the way. Although not the most exciting destination, spending a day touring Zagreb was interesting enough for me.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
21929 posts
There are two direct trains listed on the MAV site. Check the Slovenia site for the possibility of others.
One direct train is at 5am LOL the other is a sleeper train that leaves at 5pm more or less
https://jegy.mav.hu/jegy/vonat
Yea, kinda sucks.
EDIT: DB shows another option at 9 am (sometimes MAV doesnt show all the options on incomming trains)
https://int.bahn.de/en/buchung/fahrplan/suche#sts=true&so=Ljubljana&zo=BUDAPEST&kl=2&r=13:16:KLASSENLOS:1&soid=A%3D1%40O%3DLjubljana%40X%3D14512940%40Y%3D46058687%40U%3D80%40L%3D7900003%40B%3D1%40p%3D1733178662%40i%3DU%C3%97007942300%40&zoid=A%3D1%40O%3DBUDAPEST%40X%3D19054084%40Y%3D47519551%40U%3D81%40L%3D5596001%40B%3D1%40p%3D1733173731%40i%3DU%C3%97005510009%40&sot=ST&zot=ST&soei=7900003&zoei=5596001&hd=2024-12-27T00:57:55&hza=D&hz=%5B%5D&ar=false&s=true&d=false&vm=00,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09&fm=false&bp=false&dlt=false&dltv=false
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2375 posts
In the opposite direction, we used MyDayTrip.com from Budapest to Ljubljana and couldn't have been more pleased. In our minds, it was worth every penny.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
21929 posts
Janet, Great idea. I would stop in Maribor and Szekesfehervar and the cost is $470. For up to 3 people. If that's out of the price range, then the train.
Posted by
OP
Florida
32 posts
Thank you all for such timely and helpful thoughts. Never knew about the day trip service. Looks like a great option to add to my travel tool box!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
21929 posts
I've used them twice, and both times worked out well. Bratislava to Budapest with a few stops and Hallstatt to Salzburg with a stop.
Posted by
Indiana
992 posts
Another vote for MyDayTrip. Our travel from Ljuljana to Budapest was door to door. We have used them numerous times with excellent service. I believe the price increases, the closer you book to departure. Their cancellation policy is very generous, so you could book now, and then cancel later is you find a different option.
Posted by
OP
Florida
32 posts
Hello All, pursuant to the recommendations here we booked Day Trip from Ljubljana to Budapest departing at 10;00. In May.We wanted to stop along the way for lunch in a small city along route and perhaps a stroll after lunch. Any recommendations for that? Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2375 posts
We just let our driver pick the lunch spot, which was a typical freeway stop but was fine. However, if you'd prefer to stop in a quaint town and have a place for strolling, just tell the driver and I'm sure he/she will accommodate you.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
21929 posts
I would stop for lunch at https://www.bascarsija.si/eng in Maribor about 4 hours down the road from Budapest. Maribor is one of the standard stops on the DayTrip.com route to Ljub. It think its the stops along the way that make DayTrip.com worth while and if it were me I would do at least two.