I absolutely love travelling by train, especially in Europe. There’s something about it, getting to see more, it’s usually relaxing, definitely more spacious than a bus and almost seems like an adventure in itself. That’s why, when we realised it was possible to get the train from Ljubljana to Venice, it was an easy choice. It’s not quite as straightforward as one train, but it’s definitely doable. Here’s everything you need to know about getting the train from Ljubljana to Venice…
Train From Ljubljana To Venice Overview
After exploring beautiful Slovenia, it was time to leave for our next stop… Venice. This involved a train from Ljubljana to Villa Opicina, what we thought would be a tram (but ended up being a bus for us) from Villa Opicina to Trieste, and then a train from Trieste to Venice. The actual travel time is 4.5 hours, but the time it takes from start to finish will be longer depending on how long you wait for connections etc. Get your printable Ljubljana to Venice map at the end of the post…
Ljubljana To Villa Opicina
The train from Ljubljana to Villa Opicina was a nice local train. It was comfortable and had some beautiful scenery. We were travelling in late October and it was quite chilly outside, but there was definitely enough heating on the train. Once you arrive at Villa Opicina, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the tram station. Make sure to have a google map of the area downloaded and you can get directions. It’s really lovely getting off in Italy, you can smell the espresso in the air!
Travel: Local train
Time Taken: 2 hours
Tickets: 8.70 Euro each (purchased from Ljubljana train station). Check the timetable here.
Villa Opicina To Trieste
Once you reach the tram station, they should ordinarily run frequently. When we were there the tram was out of service, but they had a replacement bus running the same route. There is a little cafe where you can buy tickets and the bus will stop just ahead of the tram station. The bus journey was still lovely, with beautiful views as you come up over the hill. I’m not sure where the tram stops in Trieste, but from the bus stop, we had a 5 minute walk to the train station. For further information, you can check the Tram Website.
Travel: Bus (but usually a tram when it’s working)
Time Taken: 25 minutes
Tickets: 1.35 Euro each (purchased at shop near tram station)
Trieste To Venice
The trains from Trieste to Venice run every hour and you can purchase your tickets once you get there. This train was particularly packed. It probably didn’t help that we sat in the wrong class carriage when we first arrived and had to move carriages mid journey when there were no seats left. That being said, board the train as soon as you can so you can get a seat, or get a first class ticket. We did eventually get a seat but it was full. The train ride was quite picturesque with ocean views and views of the Italian countryside, without being the most stunning train scenery. For further information and timetables, you can check Trenitalia.
Travel: Regional train
Time Taken: 2 hours
Tickets: 13.40 Euro each (purchased at Trieste train station but you can also purchase online at Trainline)
Would We Recommend The Train From Ljubljana To Venice?
Getting the train from Ljubljana to Venice was such a fun experience, I would definitely recommend doing it. It was great to get off in a small town right on the border of Italy and Slovenia and see the differences. I’m sure it would have been amazing to get the tram too. It was great to see some of Trieste, although I almost wish we could have spent a night there, simply because it always feels like a shame to have been somewhere without actually seeing much of it. But as often is the way on holidays, you don’t always have time and need to make choices. And despite how busy the train from Trieste to Venice was, it was still great to see the scenery.
Printable Ljubljana To Venice Map
Get your free printable Ljubljana to Venice map here.
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Hi Mandy and Chris, where can I take the bus from Villa Opicina to Viestre? Just opposite the Villa Opicina Train Station (Address: Via della Ferrovia, 14, 34151 Trieste) ? Is it the same train Station as when you get there from Ljubljana?
Hi Nilo, not sure if you meant Trieste rather than Viestre? I’ll answer as if you meant Trieste, as Viestre is quite far from Villa Opicina and would require a few modes of transport. The bus we got from Villa Opicina to Trieste was just near the tram station (about a 10-minute walk from the train station), as it was a replacement for the tram which was out of service at the time. I believe the tram is up and running again, but either way, you buy your ticket from the tram station and go from there. The tram station is located on Via Nazionale, corner of Via Della Vena. Let us know if we can help with anything else, Have a great trip :)
Ok, Thanks for your message.
Hello. May you help me about then train from Ljubliana to Villa Opiciona, do you buy the tickets online?
Do you know if I can buy the tickets online?
Hi Nilo, We purchased our train ticket for Ljubljana to Villa Opicina at the Ljubljana train station a few days before. It is only a regional train so there’s no need to buy it in advance. The train was almost empty when we were on it ;) It’s a beautiful journey! Hope you have a great trip :)