Ljubljana to Budapest - 12 Best Ways to Travel in 2025

When looking for the best ways to get from Ljubljana to Budapest, the first choice is most often the train. While it’s one of the most popular ways to travel around Europe, it doesn’t work all that well for this particular journey.

Currently, there is only one direct connection, departing from Ljubljana at 5:00 in the morning and arriving in Budapest almost nine hours later, at 13:44. This train goes via Austria, so although it offers the convenience of a journey without transfers, it’s more expensive and takes longer than expected.

The other decent option is the train that leaves Ljubljana at 9:15 and arrives in Budapest at 16:45, with a total travel time of seven and a half hours. This connection, however, includes a replacement bus service on part of the route, which can be inconvenient—especially if you’re traveling with larger luggage.

Other train connections between Ljubljana and Budapest typically involve multiple changes, longer travel times, and higher prices, so they’re generally not worth considering.

Ljubljana to Budapest Train Ticket

The ticket price depends on which connection you choose. The direct train is more expensive, with advance tickets starting at €42 and last-minute purchases costing around €53. The train that includes a replacement bus service is significantly more affordable, with advance tickets available from €16 and around €20 shortly before departure.

The best place to purchase tickets is through the Hungarian Railways website, as Slovenian Railways does not offer international ticket sales online. You can also buy tickets in person at Ljubljana’s main train station—just head to the left side after entering the main hall to find the ticket offices.

If you’re traveling with a railway pass like Interrail or Eurail, you can use it for this trip at no additional cost.

Although seat reservations are not required for international travel, they are mandatory for domestic routes within Hungary. To ensure a hassle-free experience, it’s a good idea to reserve a seat in advance. The reservation costs only €3 and guarantees you won’t need to move if you unknowingly sit in a reserved spot.

Train Stations in Ljubljana and Budapest

Both trains depart from Ljubljana’s main train station, which is conveniently located just outside the Old Town. If you’re staying centrally, you can easily walk to the station. Otherwise, public buses and taxis are available to get you there quickly.

In Budapest, the direct train terminates at Keleti station, while the other arrives at Déli station. Both trains also stop at Kelenföld before reaching their final destination. All three stations are well connected to the rest of the city. Keleti and Déli stations are on the red metro line (M2), while both Keleti and Kelenföld are served by the green metro line (M4).

A more convenient way to travel between the capitals is by taking the Ljubljana to Budapest bus. Each day, there are a few connections to choose from, with departure times spread throughout the day depending on the schedule.

The first bus leaves from Ljubljana at 7:30 in the morning, and the last one departs at 15:35. There is also a night Ljubljana to Budapest bus that departs just after midnight, which can be a good option if you’d like to save time and travel while you sleep.

Depending on the connection, the journey takes anywhere from six to almost eight hours, so it’s worth checking the schedule carefully to pick the bus that fits best with your itinerary.

All buses on the Ljubljana to Budapest route are operated by Flixbus—a well-known company offering comfortable vehicles with complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets next to each seat. Ticket prices vary depending on the connection and how early you book.

Ljubljana to Budapest bus ticket

You can find the cheapest Ljubljana to Budapest bus tickets for around €20 one-way if purchased in advance, and around €30 if bought closer to departure. The price includes carry-on luggage and one larger piece stored in the compartment below the bus.

To check the current schedule and book your seat, visit the Flixbus website and select the option that works best for your travel plans.

Bus stations in Ljubljana and Budapest

The bus station in Ljubljana is conveniently located right in front of the train station in the central part of the city.

In Budapest, you will arrive at the Nepliget bus station, which is well connected to the rest of the city. From here, you can easily take the blue metro line no. 3 to reach your accommodation or continue your journey through the Hungarian capital.

Despite the distance of around 460 km between the capitals and limited alternatives for transportation, there are no direct flights from Ljubljana to Budapest. To make the journey by plane, you’ll need to connect through one of the major European airports—most commonly in Serbia (Belgrade, with Air Serbia) or Germany (Frankfurt or Munich, with Lufthansa). The fastest connections from Ljubljana to Budapest by air take just over three hours. When you factor in getting to and from the airports, it’s still an option worth considering if comfort or timing is a priority.

Ticket prices vary depending on the airline and connection. You can usually find the cheapest one-way fares starting at around €100. These are base fares, so expect to pay extra for additional services like checked luggage. To find available connections and purchase your Ljubljana to Budapest flight, visit the websites of Air Serbia or Lufthansa.

Airports in Ljubljana and Budapest

To reach Ljubljana Airport from the city center, you can take a bus that departs at least once every hour from the main bus station. The travel time is around 50 minutes. If you prefer a quicker and more flexible option, taxis are readily available and will cost approximately €40.

After arriving in Budapest, you have two main public transport options to reach the city center. One is the direct 100E airport bus to Deák Ferenc tér, which is slightly more expensive but very convenient. The other is to take bus no. 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, where you can transfer to metro line 3. This route uses standard public transport tickets and is a good alternative if you're not in a rush.

Since all the typical options for getting from Ljubljana to Budapest come with some drawbacks, driving between the cities might be worth considering. If you're traveling with your own car, your only costs will be for petrol and motorway vignettes (required in Slovenia and Hungary, and also in Croatia or Austria if you take a route through those countries).

If you need to rent a car for the Ljubljana to Budapest trip, you should expect to pay at least €700, as returning a vehicle to a different location adds a significant fee.

The major benefit of driving is the flexibility it gives you. You can easily turn the journey into a well-paced Ljubljana to Budapest road trip, tailored to your interests. The shortest route between the cities is around 460 km, which takes under five hours to drive. However, it's worth taking more time to enjoy the region and make a few stops along the way.

Some of the highlights on this route include Celje, with its impressive hilltop castle; Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city; Lake Balaton, a favorite summer destination in Hungary; and Szekesfehervar, the first capital of Hungary. These are just a few suggestions—this stretch of Central Europe is full of fascinating places to explore as you drive between the two capitals.

If you prefer to go from Ljubljana to Budapest by car but don't want to drive yourself, a private transfer might be a good option for you. It's a smooth and comfortable journey with an English-speaking driver who will take you from one city to another.

The prices start at €400 for a door-to-door Ljubljana to Budapest private transfer. You can customize the trip by adding, for a fee, some sightseeing stops along the way. Some of the most popular places to visit between Ljubljana and Budapest are Ptuj, Celje, Maribor, and Szekesfehervar.

A good option for a fast trip from Ljubljana to Budapest is carpooling. We don't recommend relying on it too much, though, as this is unfortunately not the most popular route, and available offers can be quite limited. It’s best to treat it as a backup plan if other options fall through.

The most popular website to search for car-sharing trips is BlaBlaCar. You don’t need to register to browse available rides, but you will need an account to contact the driver once you find an option that suits your schedule. Be sure to read the details carefully, as pick-up and drop-off points are sometimes located outside the city center, which can make them a bit inconvenient to reach.

The final price for the Ljubljana to Budapest carpool trip is set by the driver, but you can usually expect to find offers ranging between €25 and €30.

Carpooling is especially useful for last-minute plans, as most ride offers are posted just a few days before departure. If you’re set on trying this option, don’t get discouraged if nothing is available at first—just keep checking the BlaBlaCar site closer to your intended travel date.

Travelers who value an adventurous journey as much as sightseeing can try hitchhiking from Ljubljana to Budapest. With a distance of around 500 km between the capitals, you should expect an unpredictable and possibly long trip.

It’s unlikely that you’ll find a single ride all the way to Budapest, but you can aim for smaller towns along the route and take the opportunity to explore them as you go. If you’re having trouble finding a driver heading directly to Hungary, consider hitchhiking via Austria instead. The roads through Austria tend to be busier, which may increase your chances of finding a ride.

The best place to start your Ljubljana to Budapest hitchhiking trip is near the World Trade Center building. To get there, take bus no. 6, 8, or 11 from the city center to the stop "Smelt," then walk a short distance to the motorway entrance. This is considered the top hitchhiking spot in Ljubljana for catching rides toward Maribor and onward to Hungary or Austria.

Fans of traveling on two wheels can go on a cycling trip from Ljubljana to Budapest. It’s a fantastic way to explore some of the underrated yet fascinating parts of Central Europe and gain deeper insight into the region’s culture, customs, and history. You can cycle directly between the capitals or add a detour to include Croatia and/or Austria in your route.

The shortest way from Ljubljana to Budapest by bike is around 450 km, so you’ll need about ten days to complete the trip, including time for sightseeing stops. Fortunately, this region of Europe is mostly flat, so you don’t need to be highly experienced to take on the journey. Still, good endurance is important if you want to enjoy the ride from start to finish.

We’ve already highlighted some of the most interesting stops between Ljubljana and Budapest in this article. But since you’ll be cycling, we especially recommend taking time to visit the thermal spas Hungary is known for. They’re perfect for relaxing and recharging before continuing on with your cycling adventure.

Another way—definitely a much crazier one—to truly get to know the region in depth is by going from Ljubljana to Budapest on foot. If you enjoy the outdoors and prefer active holidays, this could be an exciting and rewarding option for you. To cover the 440 km between the capitals, you’ll need at least two to three weeks.

When planning your walking route from Ljubljana to Budapest, make sure to include stops at all the great places we’ve mentioned in this article. And don’t skip the thermal baths in Hungary—they’re perfect for recharging your body during this long trek.

Luckily, this part of Europe is relatively flat, with the highest point along the way just under 600 meters above sea level. All you really need is solid endurance, a positive mindset, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes to make this memorable journey happen.

If you’re traveling with your motorhome, you can turn the journey from Ljubljana to Budapest into a scenic RV road trip. With so many great places to explore along the way, this is a fantastic opportunity to discover Central Europe at your own pace and enjoy everything the region has to offer.

Just keep in mind that wild camping is not allowed in Slovenia and Hungary—as well as in Croatia and Austria, should you decide to take a detour through those countries. That said, there’s no need to worry. You’ll find plenty of well-equipped campsites along the route from Ljubljana to Budapest where you can park your RV and spend the night comfortably.

Fans of independent and thrilling adventures can travel from Ljubljana to Budapest by motorcycle. It’s a smooth ride between the cities, and you can enjoy a fast-paced journey—within the speed limit, of course, which is 130 km/h on motorways in both countries.

If you’re not in a rush, consider skipping the highways and taking the scenic backroads instead. Winding through the countryside, you’ll get to explore an often-overlooked corner of Europe filled with charm and character. It’s an incredible and freeing way to experience the region—and a perfect way to spend your holidays.