Trying to book train from Salzburg to Ljubljana on April 29 for RS Adriatic tour starting April 30. Earlier in the month I see 2 daily choices, a direct Euro City #213 departing Salzburg at 14:12 and arriving Ljubljana at 18:32 and a one change Railjet #111 departing Salzburg at 10:12 connecting in Villach to Schnellzug #211 arriving Ljubljana at 14:31. Neither of these trains appear when I try to book for April 29 using OBB website or a third party site like Rail Europe. I don’t think these trains can sell out and I can’t find any track construction that would impact these trains. Can someone explain why these trains are not showing up on April 29? Also, what are alternative transportation options from Salzburg to Ljubljana? I see Flixbus operates on this route. Is that a decent option? Thanks for any info and advice.
Posted by
Green Bay
20238 posts
I just see a note on the DB website regarding EC #213: runs daily, not 29. Apr until 1. May 2023
You can still get there with a single connection at Graz departing at 6:16 am. A little bit of a round about way, which indicates to me that there is a weekend construction project closing the direct line.
Posted by
OP
Winter Park, Florida
236 posts
Sam, thanks for info. I see the Graz connection but would rather avoid a 6am departure and an 8 hour train ride. Any thoughts on Flixbus?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16385 posts
Bahn.de shows an earlier departure (6:16 am on IC 719) with a change at Graz to EC 151. All trains after that involve a detour and a bus substitute, so there must be track work or something going on.
According to bahn,de, if you go one day earlier, on 28:April, you can take the S-Bahn from Salzburg to Freilassing, changing there to EC 213, departing 13:52 directly to Ljubljana. That journey is 4h 40 m.
If you depart Salzburg at 13:28 you arrive at Freilassing with 10 minutes to connect to the EC train. I would probably take an earlier S-Bahn just to be safe.
You can buy that EC ticket now on bahn.de.
This connection does not show up on 29 April as you already found. But an extra day in Ljubljana is good; we really enjoyed that city.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
402 posts
I wouldn't hesitate to use Flixbus if there is a departure time that works for you the day you need to go. We used them from Trieste to Ljubljana and then Ljubljana to Zagreb. Nice new coach buses. Luggage stored below. We booked on line and it was easy and ride comfortable.
Posted by
Munich
189 posts
According to OeBB Website the there is a complete closure of Tauern-tunnel (Tunnel between Bad Gastein and Mallnitz) from 12.04. to 17.05.2023.
There will be a bus connection between Bischofshofen and “Spittal an der Drau instead, resulting in multiple changes and longer travel time.
See attached link, I could not find an English version.
https://www.oebb.at/de/fahrplan/baustelleninformation/bauarbeiten-tauerntunnel
I would recommend to use Flixbus. Salzburg – Ljubljana is 4 hours drive time via well maintained autobahn including some nice views. But you may expect some delays. It’s a long weekend (May 1st is public holiday), thus Saturday will be a busy day on the roads.
Posted by
OP
Winter Park, Florida
236 posts
Thank you all for the helpful information. I will book the Flixbus.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
I used Flixbus once. I am not crazy about buses, but I would use them again, even if I would first opt for a train if it were convenient.
I recommend getting the Flixbus app if you will have a working smart phone and have a Flixbus reservation. If your bus is delayed they can at least let you know. I was taking a bus from Ljubljana to Trieste, and if not for the app, there was no other indication at the tiny station whether the bus was coming or not or when. But I got updates from the app, so I knew it was coming eventually.