How to Get from Italy to Ljubljana by Train and Bus (2026):A Guide for Solo Female Traveler’s

If you’re asking yourself “How do I get from Venice, Italy to Ljubljana without renting a car?, then you’re in the right spot!

As someone who used to live in Northern Italy, Slovenia was just an easy day trip away. One of the best methods for solo female travelers is going by train and bus.

I went by train and bus because I didn’t want to drive in winter, didn’t want to deal with a rental car, and honestly wanted to read a book and watch the Venetian and Friulian landscape roll by instead of staring at a GPS. Taking the bus to Ljubljana is also easy on the wallet! So this blog is perfect for solo female travelers looking for a budget friendly way to get to Ljubljana from Venice!

This is the exact route I took, the costs, the timing, and every logistical detail nobody warned me about. I’ve written it so that if you’re coming from Vicenza, Venice, Verona, Udine, or anywhere in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia / Veneto regions, you can adapt it for your situation.

Let’s get into it.

This Post Pairs Well With:

• How to Travel by Train in Italy as a Solo Female Traveler
• The perfect 2.5 Day Ljubljana Itinerary For Solo Female Travelers
• Is this Lake Bled Day Trip Worth it for Solo Female Travelers? My Honest Review
• Where to Eat in Ljubljana, Slovenia: My top three choices I loved!

How to Get to Ljubljana Without a Car: Your Three Options

If you’re trying to get to Ljubljana without renting a car, you have three real options from northern Italy:

1. Train + Bus (what I did) — Train from your city to Udine, then Flixbus from Udine to Ljubljana. Best for travelers in Vicenza, Verona, or the Veneto region. Total time: 5-6 hours. Total cost: €25-40.

2. Direct Flixbus via Busbud — Available from Venice, Trieste, and a few other Italian cities. Best for travelers near those departure points. Total time: 2-5 hours depending on origin. Total cost: €10-30.

3. Train all the way (Trieste only) — Direct train from Trieste to Ljubljana exists but is slow and infrequent. Most travelers skip it.

The walkthrough below covers Option 1 in detail (the route I took) and Option 2 for travelers coming from Venice or Trieste. Skip to your starting city using the navigation above, or read in order if you’re still planning your route.

Curious what this route looks like on Social Media?

The Route I Took, Step by Step

Step 1: Vicenza to Udine by Train

I caught a regional train from Vicenza to Udine. The Trenitalia route is straightforward — there are multiple connections per day, and you can book through the Trenitalia app or buy a ticket at the station.

Quick tips for this leg:

• Book in advance for the cheapest fare, but regional trains usually don’t sell out
• Purchase through the Treinitalia App, the tap tap go method allows instant validation
• The journey is around 2 hours, depending on the connection
• Bring a snack and water — the regional cafés on board are hit or miss
• Validate your paper ticket before boarding if you didn’t buy through the app

When you arrive at Udine, you’re already most of the way to Ljubljana.

Step 2: Walking from Udine Train Station to the Autostazione (Bus Station)

Here’s the part other blogs don’t tell you: the Udine bus station is literally across the street from the train station.

I’m not exaggerating. You exit the train station, cross the street, and you’re at the autostazione. It took me less than five minutes to get through with a large rolling suitcase. There was clear signage and zero stress.

If you have a tight connection between the train and the bus, you’ll make it. Just don’t dawdle.

Step 3: The Flixbus from Udine to Ljubljana

I booked my Flixbus through Busbud, they aggregate Flixbus and other bus operators in one place, making comparing options easy. You can also book directly through Flixbus. But I found no problems with actually booking through Busbud, as you can still track your Flix bus!

I want to give a word of caution, pay attention to where your bus is docking at, if that makes sense because they switched the arrival point in Udine to another docking bay.

My actual booking:

• Departure: Udine autostazione, 13:00
• Arrival: Ljubljana bus station, 15:30
• Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Return: Ljubljana 12:10 → Udine 14:50 (2hr 40min — slightly longer on the way back)

What the journey was actually like:

The bus was modern, clean, and had wifi and outlets. I had no trouble finding my seat that i reserved through the busbud app, even with luggage. The route goes through some beautiful countryside as you approach the Slovenian border — keep your window seat for that part.

Border crossing: Smooth and easy. Slovenia is in the Schengen area, so officially there’s no border control, but bring your passport anyway. Border checks have been reinstated on some routes since 2023 due to migration concerns, and you don’t want to be the one passenger holding up the bus because you forgot your ID. My passport wasn’t checked on this particular trip, but the booking confirmation specifically said one was required.

Step 4: Arriving at Ljubljana Bus Station

The Ljubljana bus station (Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana) is right next to the train station and very central. You’re essentially within walking distance to most of Old Town.

Honest moment: I got turned around. After 4.5 hours of travel I was tired, the signs were in Slovenian, and I didn’t want to figure it out. I took a taxi to Allegro Hotel for about €15. No regrets.

If you’d rather walk, it’s about 10 minutes to most central hotels in old town. By Day 3, when I left, I walked back to the station with my suitcase and it was completely manageable — even in cold January weather.

Tip for finding your bus on departure day: When you get to the Ljubljana bus station for your return, look for the bus number/destination posted on paper at the front of each bus. Slot assignments are clearly listed on physical signs. Don’t rely on the screens alone.

If You’re Coming from Trieste or Friuli-Venezia Giulia

If you’re already in northeastern Italy, you have multiple Flixbus and train options. Trieste in particular has direct bus connections to Ljubljana that are even shorter than the Udine route — around 1.5-2 hours.

Check Busbud (affiliate link) for the routes that match your departure city.

What to Know Before You Book

A few things I wish someone had told me:

1. Bring your passport even though Slovenia is Schengen. The booking confirmation specifically required it, and random checks can happen.

2. Book a few weeks ahead for the best price. Same-day or last-minute bookings can be double the cost. Booking 2-3 weeks ahead, I got my round trip for under €40.

3. Pack light if you can. Flixbus allows one carry-on and one checked bag. I had a rolling suitcase and a backpack and it was fine, but anything bigger and you’d struggle.

4. The bathroom situation on the bus is functional but not luxurious. The bus has a bathroom on board, but use the station bathrooms before boarding if you can. You’ll thank me.

5. Bring a snack and water. The bus doesn’t stop for food on this short route. Buy something at the Udine station before you board.

6. Wifi exists but is patchy. Download whatever you want to read/watch before boarding. The wifi works in Italy and Slovenia, but the connection drops during the border crossing.