A vintage train line linking Croatia, Slovenia and Italy is being given a renaissance this summer. Slovenian Railways are running a service from Trieste in northern Italy through four stations in Slovenia and heading to Croatia and a final destination stop in the Adriatic port of Rijeka. And what’s more – the whole journey is a bargain.
Two hours, three countries
With a goal to “improve the connectivity of the two regions” Slovenian Railways says it wants “to test the feasibility of using public transport for tourism purposes on this route.” So more services could be to come in the future.
For now, the proposition is the first time the 150-year-old Austro-Hungarian empire route will have seen traffic in more than 30 years. Today’s new service takes just two hours to hit southeast from Trieste and visit three countries and eight stops. This means you could wake up and smell Trieste’s famous coffee, and still be on time for a mid-morning breakfast in Croatia.
Create a bespoke itinerary
Departures will be daily in both directions until the end of September 2024, leaving Villa Opicina station in Trieste at 7:50 am, arriving at Slovenia’s outdoor recreation hub, Ilirska Bistrica at 8:54 am and reaching Rijeka at 9:54 am.
But rather than treat the route as a highway, it is anticipated passengers will want to “hop on” and “hop off” the trains, creating their own bespoke itineraries. Attractions along the way will appeal to a wide variety of visitors, from lovers of the great outdoors to history buffs and flaneurs.
Treats include Trieste’s medieval and neo-classical architectural gems, moving war memorials in quiet towns, and opportunities to explore how conflict has marked the history of the territory, as well as witness the splendour of Croatia’s Opatija riviera. There are cycling and hiking trails galore in the stunning Carnolian karstic region, and bikes are welcome on board the train for just €5.
And the price? Single adult tickets for the entire trip start at only €8. If breaking the journey into legs, it is possible to buy separate tickets for different stretches, some of which, like Ilirska Bistrica to Šapjane, start from as little as €1.20. Children under six go free, while those under 12 can hop aboard for just €4.
The trains have a modern information system, sockets for charging electronic devices and Wi-Fi is available onboard, for sharing news of your rail adventure.
