Slovenia with Italy and Austria on the same trip

Italy to Slovenia, via Trieste and Gorizia

The border with Italy runs for 232 km, according to the government, and has two very practical gateways. The first is Trieste. The Tourist Board lists trains from Trieste to Ljubljana on the old Southern Railway, which carry on to Celje and Maribor, a train from Ljubljana to Villa Opicina and Arriva’s bus from Koper to Trieste, Monday to Saturday. If you’re flying in, Nomago links Ljubljana with Trieste airport, and FlixBus and Nomago with Venice airport. The full journey is covered in Trieste to Ljubljana.

The second gateway is Gorizia. In front of Nova Gorica station lies Europe Square, Trg Evrope, which Slovenia shares with Italian Gorizia. I find it a lovely way in, because the Soča Valley and the vineyards of Brda are right there. The town itself is in Nova Gorica.

Austria to Slovenia, over the Alps or via Graz

The Austrian border is longer, at 318 km. The Tourist Board lists trains from Villach to Ljubljana via Jesenice several times a day, the natural approach to Kranjska Gora and Bled, and a direct train from Graz to Maribor and Ljubljana, which brings you into the east. From Vienna airport, FlixBus and Nomago run coaches to Ljubljana. On the Carinthian side the two countries also share the Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark. Coming from the Austrian capital is covered in Vienna to Ljubljana.

By car, one vignette per country

If you’re driving down from the UK, you’re dealing with several systems. Spain’s foreign ministry reminds travellers that Austria also has a vignette, as does Hungary, and Slovenian motorways require the DARS e-vignette, which is linked to your registration. Slovenia’s only works in Slovenia, as I explain in the Slovenia vignette. And if you’d rather not go independently, see Slovenia holidays. From 15 November to 15 March Slovenia also requires winter equipment.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Nova Gorica for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

How I’d combine the three

My rule is to come in one side and leave by another. Arriving from Venice or Trieste, I’d start with the Karst and the coast, head up the Soča Valley and over the Vršič Pass into the Julian Alps and leave via Villach for Austria. Coming from Vienna or Graz, I’d do the same in reverse, entering via Maribor or Jesenice. That way you don’t lose half a day backtracking, and the scenery changes every day.

A word on out-of-date services

The Tourist Board mentions a direct weekend and holiday train between Venice and Nova Gorica, but ties it to the 2025 European Capital of Culture. I don’t know if it’s still running, so check the operator’s timetable before you rely on it.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Nova Gorica on GetYourGuide.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Nova Gorica for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.