How to travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana

How to Travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana?

The way to travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana is by bus. The journey by bus takes from about 2h to 3h 50h. The duration depends on the provider you travel with as well as if the trip is direct or not. Most of the trips by bus from Zagreb to Ljubljana are operated by the same company that has direct routes that don’t require changing buses along the way. These routes are offered every day of the week.

This is a trip you can take for a nice weekend getaway since it isn’t that far or long, and it’s possible to find quite cheap tickets from Zagreb to Ljubljana. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, known for its architecture, riverside cafes and museums throughout the city.

   

What is the Cheapest Way To Get from Zagreb to Ljubljana?

The cheapest way to get from Zagreb to Ljubljana is by bus. There are buses that are cheaper than others. In this case, the most affordable way to get from Zagreb to Ljubljana is by traveling with FlixBus. The routes with FlixBus are offered multiple times daily and are generally direct journeys. However, there is only one FlixBus route on Saturdays, and it does require one bus change before arriving in Ljubljana.

The Zagreb Ljubljana FlixBus trips depart out of the Autobusni Kolodvor bus station in Zagreb and arrive at the Avtobusna Postaja Ljubljana Station on Trg Osvobodilne Fronte. Normally, the best way to find affordable tickets is to make sure to book them in advance. Prices tend to increase the longer you wait. It also helps to be flexible with your dates when looking for more affordable prices. This way you can pick and choose from the cheaper routes, no matter the day of the week or time of day. In this case, tickets generally depend on the company you travel with, so choose to ride with the low-cost providers like FlixBus.

What is the Fastest Way to Travel from Zagreb to Ljubljana?

The fastest way of getting from Zagreb to Ljubljana is by booking bus tickets with specific providers that offer quicker rides. For instance, in this case, the journeys with GoOpti Shuttle take about 15 to 25min less than with other providers operating this route. The total duration of GoOpti Shuttle buses to Ljubljana only take approximately 2h. The GoOpti Shuttles run 24/7, departing every hour from three different stations in Zagreb. The departure stations in Zagreb with GoOpti Shuttle are either the Hotel Antunovic Bus Stop, the Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb Bus Station or the Zagreb Train Station. All of the GoOpti Shuttle buses arrive at the Avtobusna Postaja station in Ljubljana.

Zagreb Park Path. Source: Shutterstock

Find the best tickets from Zagreb to Ljubljana and book with Omio

Omio is an online booking platform that allows you to see and compare all the different ways of getting from Zagreb to Ljubljana. Through Omio you can easily see the bus options available as well as being able to scan and compare the cheaper or faster options at a glance. The platform is offered in various languages for travelers to book and have customer service in their language.

Some of the routes offer mobile tickets that you can show the bus driver directly off your phone without needing to print it before traveling. Omio also has traveling tips as well as a comfortable booking system. If you want to find valuable advice for your trip, you can consult our magazine Window Seat.

Buses from Zagreb to Ljubljana

Buses from Zagreb to Ljubljana operate daily throughout the whole day and night. Most of the trips are offered by GoOpti Shuttle, however, there are also journeys with FlixBus and Union Ivkoni International. The fastest routes are with the GoOpti Shuttle. The travel time from Zagreb to Ljubljana by bus is generally about 2h and almost all of the trips are direct, no matter the provider. The departure stations in Zagreb depend on the bus company you decide to travel with.

All three bus companies offer departures out of the Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb Bus Station, however, GoOpti Shuttles also leave from the Hotel Antunovic Bus Stop or the Zagreb Train Station. The arrival in Ljubljana, no matter the bus company, is at the Avtobusna Postaja Ljubljana station. This bus station is located just north of the city center, just about 10min away by foot.

Ljubljana Plaza Tourists. Source: Shutterstock

Traveling by bus from Zagreb to Ljubljana with GoOpti Shuttle and FlixBus

The GoOpti Shuttle routes are the most frequent ones traveling from Zagreb to Ljubljana, departing every hour, through the night as well. There are over about 140 GoOpti Shuttle rides per week making the trip between Zagreb and Ljubljana. These journeys are generally the fastest and offer flexibility, departing from three different stations in Zagreb; the Hotel Antunovic Bus Stop, the Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb Bus Station or the Zagreb Train Station. This service is a minivan, so passengers can enjoy a less crowded and more personalized ride and be in Ljubljana in just 2h.

Nonetheless, this provider tends to be the most expensive option for traveling from Zagreb to Ljubljana. FlixBus is a great choice for those passengers traveling on a budget. The FlixBus routes are normally the cheapest option, and they only take about 15 to 25min longer than the other providers. The FlixBus buses depart from the main bus station in Zagreb and arrive at the same bus station as the other providers in Ljubljana.

On board, there is only one fare and type of seats or class. Your ticket to travel on a FlixBus route includes one carry-on bag that must fit either underneath your seat or in the overhead compartment, and one checked bag that cannot exceed 44 lbs (20 kg).

To Ljubljana by bus—travel tips

Catch a bus to Ljubljana to explore the capital city of Slovenia. The city of Ljubljana is known for its picturesque architecture in the historic center, as well as the riverside cafes along the Ljubljanica River. Make your way to the center of the city to walk around and take in the beautiful views. Preseren Square is a vibrant plaza right on the river, next to the Tromostovje bridge. Cross the river and head towards the medieval fortress of the Ljubljana Castle and the baroque Ljubljana Cathedral in the Old Town of the city.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, check out the lively Central Market where you’ll find produce and street food. To enjoy the outdoors, Ljubljana has the Tivoli Park with various trails and a little pond as well as the neighborhood of Koseze, near the city but closer to nature. For those travelers who enjoy going to museums, near the park is the National Gallery of Slovenia. Trnovo is a trendy neighborhood near the center, popular amongst the locals and offers a great nightlife scene.

When visiting a new country or city, it’s always a great idea to taste some of the typical dishes and food of the area. For instance, Slovenia is known for its “kranjska klobasa" carniola sausage or a filled “struklji", a baked dough type dish. For dessert, have a juicy Prekmurian layer cake.

How to get from Zagreb to Ljubljana

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