How to Book Train Travel From Hungary to Slovenia

Slovenia is a small but culturally rich nation. Book a train trip from Hungary to Slovenia, and you'll find the travel time to be a worthwhile investment.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hungarian currency
• Passport
• Internet access to book tickets online

Prepare to Travel From Hungary to Slovenia

1. Keep your passport with you at all times. U.S. citizens can enter Slovenia and stay up to 90 days with a valid passport. A return or onward ticket is not required for entrance into Slovenia.

2. Pick which train you would like to take from Budapest, Hungary, to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Both the Avas and the Venezia Express connect the 2 capitals directly. The Drava connects Budapest to Venice, Italy, via Ljubljana.

3. Carry at least 5,000 forints per train ticket you intend to purchase. 5,000 forints is about what a first-class train ticket to Slovenia will cost, and credits cards and traveler's checks will probably not be accepted.

4. Choose a departure time from a timetable chart at a train station, or consult the official Hungarian railway Web site for schedules and fares, Elvira (see Resources). Trains from Budapest to Ljubljana will run frequently.

Book Your Ticket From Hungary to Slovenia

5. Decide whether your travel group will travel in first class or second class. The cost of first class is often only marginally pricier than second class.

6. Find a train station or the state railway's central ticket office in Budapest. The central ticket office will be better equipped to deal with foreign travelers in English, so go there if you can.

7. Try being as specific as you can when ordering the ticket to avoid miscommunication. Both ample patience and a Hungarian phrase book are recommended.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider the Hungary-Slovenia-Croatia pass offered by Rail Europe if you plan on taking the train more than once between these countries. Check out their Web site for more information.
• Remember to mention if a student, child or senior is traveling with you, because the ticket price is often cheaper for these individuals.
• You might want to bring some food for the 8-hour trip. First-class, overnight trips sometimes provide a breakfast, and day trips will probably have a dining car, but having snacks handy is never a bad idea.
• Book train travel from Hungary to Slovenia through Rail Europe by visiting the Web site (see Resources) or by calling a North American agent at (888) 382-RAIL.
• Note which train station your train departs from so you're in the right place come departure time. Simply asking where the train station is may get you into hot water, as many major European cities have multiple stations.
• Always be wary of inconsistencies with train schedules in this region. Some trains have a habit of arriving late.