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Overview: car trip from Budapest to Ljubljana
A road trip from Budapest to Ljubljana is a great option for seeing both the cohesiveness and diversity of the Austro-Hungarian empire. This trip across south-central Europe covers approximately 285 miles (460 km) and takes around 4.5 hours.
Starting in Budapest, you will head southwest and see the rolling landscapes of rural Hungary pass by. It is quite the contrast to Budapest! The route predominantly follows the E71 highway, which will lead you along the length of Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. Getting a panoramic view of the lake at the Sphere Lookout will show you just how vast it is!
Continuing southwest, you'll reach the Slovenian border, but thanks to the EU and Schengen treaties, you won't have to stop for inspections!
Once you’re in Slovenia, it’ll be time for a break to stretch your legs. Visit Maribor, the second-largest city in Slovenia, about 75 miles (130 km) from Ljubljana. Here, you can learn more about Slovenia’s wine culture.
The closer you get to Ljubljana, the more hilly the terrain becomes as you approach the Julian Alps. Ljubljana will greet you with its quaint cobblestoned streets, magnificent centuries-old architecture, and plenty of local wines. Let’s get started!
About Ljubljana
Nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It has a population of around 300,000 and serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Slovenia. It is located in the center of the country, making it a great launching-off point for day trips around the region during your vacation. As you travel from Budapest to Ljubljana, you can stop by towns around Slovenia, like Malibor and Celje, to enrich the experience.
### Ljubljana’s History
Ljubljana's history dates back to Roman times when it was known as Emona. Founded around 50 AD, Emona was an important Roman settlement that played a significant role in the region's development. The city had various influences over the centuries, including those of the Huns, Ostrogoths, and Slavs.
During the Renaissance, Ljubljana was under Habsburg rule for several centuries, which significantly shaped its architectural and cultural landscape in ways we still see today. In the 20th century, Ljubljana emerged as the capital for the Socialist Republic of Slovenia within Yugoslavia, and in 1991, it became the capital of the newly independent Slovenia during the collapse of Yugoslavia. Today, it is part of the EU and has been an independent country for over 30 years.
### The Ljubljana Dragon
The Ljubljana Dragon is depicted around the city on its coat of arms, flag, and many local emblems. The dragon is associated with the legend of Jason and the Argonauts, who supposedly slew a dragon in the marshes where Ljubljana now stands. Another story links it to Saint George, the dragon-slayer.
The Dragon Bridge, or Zmajski Most, was completed in 1901 and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Four dragon statues guard the bridge, which is popular with visitors as a photo spot.
From Budapest to Ljubljana: travel tips
To ensure your trip from Budapest to Ljubljana goes smoothly, follow these easy travel tips.
### Keep your phone charged
Today, our phones do so much more than make phone calls. They are also our excursion tickets, cameras, and maps. Bring a phone battery bank (or car charger) with you for on-the-go charging so you are never without your lifeline! Turn your mobile data and Bluetooth off when not in use to save on battery life while you’re out and about.
### Have some euros in cash
While Hungary has its own currency, Slovenia uses the euro. It is best to have some euros on you in cash for your trip, as you may come across gift shops and restaurants that only accept cash. This applies to the Slovenian countryside and the capital as well.
How to get from Budapest to Ljubljana
The good news about this route being so popular is that you have several options. When choosing how to travel from Budapest to Ljubljana, consider the price, timing of departures, and your level of comfort when traveling with luggage or over long distances.
### Budapest to Ljubljana with Daytrip’s private car transfer
With Daytrip, you can have all the convenience of a rental car without having to worry about an international driver’s license, returning a rental car in a foreign country, or traffic laws. Let Daytrip handle the most tedious aspects of travel so that you can enjoy your time in Hungary and Slovenia.
Your trip will begin with your driver meeting you at your hotel in Budapest. Once the luggage is in and everyone is buckled, you will be on your way to the sightseeing stops you’ve booked. Enjoy visiting the Hungarian and Slovenian countryside, dotted with Habsburg-era castles and UNESCO-recognized landmarks.
As the day winds down, your driver will ensure you get safely to your accommodation in Slovenia so the next part of your vacation can begin with ease. Secure your seat in a comfortable sedan that seats two other guests for $143 (€132).
### Budapest to Ljubljana by bus
Tickets for buses from Budapest to Ljubljana range between $28.20 and $51 (€26-€47) with Flixbus. Direct trips take between 6 and 9 hours, and you can expect a few stops along the way to stretch your legs. There is usually a bathroom on board and sometimes wifi. Tickets should be bought in advance for these buses, as it is a popular route in the summer.
### Budapest to Ljubljana by train
Hungarian Railways (MAV) has direct trains once per day from Budapest-Kelenfold to Ljubljana’s main train station. They leave at 9:07 AM, and you can be in Ljubljana by 5:00 PM. The trip takes about 7.5 hours, and tickets are between $26 and $35 (€24-€32). Due to the limited number of trains, we advise booking tickets in advance to avoid any disruption to your vacation plans.
If you are traveling in the summer, Interrail has night trains with sleeper cars so you can get a full night’s rest. These trains are not as cheap as the daytime options, but have the option of booking a sleeper cabin so you are fully rested for Ljubljana.
Things to do when you get to Ljubljana
After your trip from Budapest to Ljubljana, be sure to have dinner at one of Ljubljana’s many restaurants serving local cuisine. As you walk around the city after your meal, try to count the number of dragons you come across! Getting around Ljubljana’s compact city center is very easy on foot, as it is entirely closed to car traffic—and these are some fantastic things to do while you’re there.
### Start in Preseren Square
This central square is named after a Slovenian poet, France Preseren. It’s a bustling pedestrian area with beautiful architecture, including the iconic pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Here, you can find a bronze scale model of Ljubljana to help guide your journey around town. From Preseren Square, you can head south and east along the Ljubljanica River or north and west into the old town.
### Walk across the Triple Bridge
Designed by the famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, the Triple Bridge is one of Ljubljana’s most recognizable landmarks and connects Prešeren Square to the old town. Its three converging paths connect the city over the Ljubljanica River.
### Try to escape Ljubljana Castle
Across from Preseren Square, perched on a hill overlooking the city, Ljubljana Castle offers panoramic views, historical exhibits, and a museum. You can reach it by funicular, walking, or cycling. You can even do an escape room with friends!
The grounds surrounding Ljubljana Castle include secluded areas for picnics, statues commemorating famous Slovenes, and viewpoints overlooking the city.
### Relax in Tivoli Park
If the palace grounds weren’t enough greenery for you, the largest park in Ljubljana, Tivoli Park, is perfect for a relaxing stroll, a picnic, or visiting the Tivoli Mansion, which houses the International Centre of Graphic Arts.
### Tour the National Museum of Slovenia
Slovenia’s central location straddling central and southern Europe makes for an interesting trip through history. Visit the National Museum of Slovenia to learn more about the emergence of the Slovene identity outside of Austria-Hungary and Yugoslavia. See artifacts from prehistoric times to the present, including a notable collection of Roman artifacts.
### Cross the Dragon Bridge
One of Ljubljana’s most famous landmarks, the Dragon Bridge, is adorned with four dragon statues as an ode to the city’s emblem. The Dragon Bridge was among Europe’s first reinforced concrete bridges and helped end the use of less-stable wooden bridges. This improvement in technology was especially important as car transportation became more popular.
When is the best time to visit Ljubljana
Ljubljana is most popular during summertime, as it is not overwhelmingly hot in Slovenia like it is in other European countries in the summer. Enjoy the cool breezes rolling off of the Alps as you walk along the Ljubljanica River after your drive from Budapest to Ljubljana.
Even on the hottest days, with temperatures around 81°F (27°C), you’ll find the shade of the trees and buildings to be refreshing. The city center is a car-free zone, so much of the noise and air pollution you expect from a city won’t be present.
If you are visiting during winter, time your trip for right before Christmas so you can get the most out of the winter lights and the Christmas markets on the town squares. You will also find cheaper accommodation during this time.
Daytrip é a maneira mais conveniente de conhecer 14.800+ cidades ao redor do mundo.
Todo viajante merece uma visão real das culturas dos países que está visitando. E todo lugar incrível na Terra merece ser visitado e apreciado. Acreditamos que o conhecimento local único e a conexão humana real são insubstituíveis quando se trata de compreender verdadeiramente outra cultura.
Perguntas e Respostas sobre Viagens de Budapeste para Ljubljana
Two days is plenty of time to see Ljubljana’s major points of interest; however, it makes for a great launching point for day trips around Slovenia. Make a day trip to Maribor or Lake Bled to see more of beautiful Slovenia. Stay for a week to see the entire country.
Driving is the most direct way to reach Ljubljana from most of Europe. Ljubljana is well-connected to other European capitals by train and bus; however,, a flight might be necessary if you are coming from further away cities.
Getting to Slovenia from Hungary is possible by bus, train, or car. During summer, there are many direct bus or train options. However, there are no direct flights from Ljubljana to Budapest, so it is best to stick to ground transportation for this trip.
The fastest and most direct way to get to Ljubljana from Budapest is by car. You can be in Ljubljana in 4.5 hours. It is also possible to travel by bus or train, but expect the trip to take a minimum of 6.5 hours.
Tickets are priced between $26 and $35 (€24-€32) with Hungarian Railways (MAV). Their direct trains leave once per day at 9:07 AM from Budapest-Kelenfold and take 7.5 hours to reach Ljubljana. Tickets can be bought online or at the station in Budapest.
Yes, Ljubljana is a very bikeable city! Its 140 miles (230 km) of well-maintained cycling paths are great for exploring the city. If you are into long-distance cycling, ride the longer trails to smaller towns and points of interest around Slovenia.
Visite estes pontos turísticos no caminho
Szekesfehervar
Founded by the crown prince, Hungary’s medieval capital has retained its noble heritage. Seat of the White Castle
Castelo Brunszvik
Beethoven composed "Für Elise" in this lavish castle, which now has a museum dedicated to him. Exquisitely Composed
Miradouro da Esfera
Enjoy panoramic natural vistas from inside the 1950s vision of futuristic architecture. A Visionary View
Maribor
Maribor is the perfect destination for those searching for the perfect mix of city life and a relaxed countryside ambience. A charming little Slovenian city
Celje
Home to 50,000 inhabitants, Celje is a quaint city that celebrates its long history and rich cultural heritage. The third largest city in Slovenia
Kamnik
A flourishing trading town in the Middle Ages, Kamnik was first mentioned in the 11th century. Today, the preserved suburb of Ljubljana is home to a little over 10,000 habitants. Medieval town surrounded by mountains
Avaliações verificadas de 2.575 viajantes que reservaram esta rota
30 de set. de 2025
"Informative, polite, thoughtful driver Patrik K. He participated in conversation and told us about the area when we were curious. Made great recommendations for food and wine during our stop in Maribor. Was quiet and just drove when we were tired. Wonderful driver and young man."
Mary Ellen W.
United States
31 de dez. de 2024
"Hi Marketa, Mr. Tihomir was an excellent driver. Good communicator, pontual and smooth driver. 5*! kind regards poc
"
Pedro C.
Portugal
19 de out. de 2024
"Nenad was a great driver who kept us interested in our surroundings with his descriptions. We also talked a lot about things in general, like differences in Europe and the US. It was a long drive, but he talked a good amount of time, not too much or too little. We’d definitely recommend him to others.
Thanks, Nenad, for making our drive so enjoyable!"
Jan J.
United States
2 de out. de 2024
"The trip was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Csaba our driver was friendly polite courteous and very accommodating.
"
tina C.
Australia
26 de set. de 2024
"I am pleased to tell you that our trip far exceeded my expectations, and I can’t imagine a better experience than the one we had with Andras! He was an exceptional driver, arrived to meet us on time, and recommended wonderful restaurants and stops along our journey that went far beyond anything I could have expected from a driver. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with him, he made us feel so comfortable. I would not hesitate to recommend Daytrip to friends and family!
"
Helen L.
United States
16 de set. de 2024
""Our daytrip was back in June, and I have been meaning to send you a review and of course when you get home from your vacation, you get busy and forget and dive back into work. I am finally taking the time today to inform you that our driver Zolton S. was fabulous! He picked us up on time Sunday June 16th at Stories Boutique Hotel in Budapest Hungary. He helped us with our luggage and made sure we were comfortable. On our way to Ljubljana, Slovenia we made plans to stop in the city of Maribor, which Zoltan was a great tour guide and had lunch. The rest of the ride was so interesting sharing stories and family. He dropped us off safe and sound and if we are ever in Hungary again, we will most definitely request Zoltan. Such a nice gentleman. Thank you!
""
Dominick S.
United States
15 de set. de 2024
"We had an excellent ride with Levente from Budapest to Ljubljana. We are 3 middle-aged couples on a month long discovery of Central Europe in history, ancestry, and œno-gastronomy. Despite the rainy weather and bad traffic, we felt safe during our ride with him.
"
Angeline E.
United States
11 de set. de 2024
"Attila was very pleasant, though quiet ☺️ He was very accommodating and flexible. We enjoyed the ride with him.
"
Huan Z.
Canada
22 de jul. de 2024
"We were very impressed by the service. Our driver, Zoltan, was very polite, friendly and a great driver. He was on time, had prepared the route and got us directly to our destination. I would throughly recommend your service to others and have no criticism at all."
Jennifer M.
Australia
31 de mai. de 2024
"So far, Daytrip is batting 1000!
From Budapest to Ljubljana, Andy was great! He suggested a perfect place for lunch, and we had a great time together.
You are meeting and exceeding expectations. Thanks."
Bruce H.
United States
30 de mai. de 2024
"This was our first DayTrip ride. Richard sets a high bar. He was on time, offered a beverage, and carefully loaded our luggage. His vehicle was ultra clean. He seemed to gauge how much conversation we wanted and as time went on, all three of us were easily conversing about many topics. "
Kris L.
United States
25 de mai. de 2024
" Eye good experience. Ors was very friendly and knowledgeable.
He told us a lot about the history and pointed us to other tourist destinations
not well advertised but were memorable. "
Adil A.
Oman
11 de mai. de 2024
"Our Daytrip with Attila T was fantastic. He was kind, professional and shared a lot of information with us during the drive. We would highly recommend him."
Leisa K.
United States
9 de mai. de 2024
"Our trip was very smooth and enjoyable. Oliver was a very friendly driver and helped us with our luggages. Highly recommend.
"
Zhao H.
Singapore
9 de abr. de 2024
"Tamas was very friendly and knowledgeable. He made the 4hr drive very pleasant. He also took the trouble of helping us with our luggage to the hotel.
"
Jamie K.
Singapore
1 de jan. de 2024
"Zoltan was just amazing! He was friendly, attentive and pleasant to talk to. He made sure we were comfortable, stopping for breaks, coffee and restroom usage due to the long drive. He is an asset to your company!"
Amy B.
United States
31 de out. de 2023
"Our drive with Dusan, from Budapest to Ljubljana, was excellent in all ways. Dusan's vehicle was immaculate and very comfortable. He had water for us, picked good rest stops for coffee and a break and pointed out areas of interest along the way.
The weather was rainy and at times a torrential downpour, and Dusan expertly navigated the road conditions safely.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Dusan and highly recommend him and the DayTrip service."
Liz R.
Canada
14 de out. de 2023
"Your driver Gyorgy was great. He is an excellent driver and very cordial. We appreciated his attention to our comfort and safety. This was an excellent trip. Thank you!"
Janis T.
United States
27 de set. de 2023
"
This was our first time using your service and everything went as planned. So easy to book online, confirm info of our driver, and our driver arrived early and was so kind and professional.
Thank you!"
Sharon W.
United States
8 de ago. de 2023
"You did great. Tamás was very kind and extremely well mannered. His car was impecable. He even have water for us.
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