Route guide

Budapest → Ljubljana

381 km · Hungary to Slovenia · Fastest: 3h by train · Cheapest: €19+ by bus

How to travel from Budapest to Ljubljana

There are 3 ways to travel between Budapest and Ljubljana — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€38–109

Duration: 3h 10m

via MÁV, Slovenske železnice

~5.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€19–47

Duration: 5h 26m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet

~11 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€46–84

Duration: 4h 14m

~65 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Budapest and Ljubljana highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 381 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Hungary into Slovenia. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Budapest to Ljubljana — every option in detail

Budapest to Ljubljana by train

Trains link Budapest (Hungary) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 3h 10m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include MÁV, Slovenske železnice.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €38 to €109. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Climate footprint: about 5.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 59 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~54 kg on this distance.

Budapest to Ljubljana by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Budapest and Ljubljana with a typical journey of 5h 26m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, RegioJet.

Fares start from around €19 when booked in advance, rising to €47 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Budapest to Ljubljana by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 381 km route.

Budapest to Ljubljana by car

The driving distance from Budapest to Ljubljana is approximately 438 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 4h 14m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €46–84 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Hungary–Slovenia border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 65 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Budapest and Ljubljana is approximately 381 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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