Railway connection between Italy and Slovenia: this route is being revived after 100 years

By TravelWiseFeb 8, 2024 19:32 PMNews
Share:
Railway connection between Italy and Slovenia: this route is being revived after 100 years
A new high-speed route between Italy and Slovenia will appear. Source: Archivio FS Italiane

A new high-speed route between Italy and Slovenia has been launched thanks to a recently signed agreement between state-owned operators Trenitalia and SŽ Passenger Transport, or Slovenian Railways. The Frecciarossa train will run east from Milan to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana in seven hours.

It will pass through the historic Italian cities of Venice and Trieste. It will also make stops at some of Slovenia's famous natural attractions, including Postojna and Skočjan Caves, as well as Lipica, where the famous Lipizzaner horses have been bred since 1580, CNN Travel reports.

In fact, the train itself should evoke a feeling of returning centuries ago, to that ancient period. It is believed to be the first train from Milan to Ljubljana after the collapse of the empire in 1918. It also follows the route of the night train from Budapest to Venice, which used to pass through Ljubljana but was discontinued in 2011.

While a Trenitalia spokesperson told CNN that no launch date has been set, Slovenian Railways told the media that it wants to start "as soon as possible" - which could mean as early as April. It is expected that there will be one flight per day at first, followed by two.

Railway connection between Italy and Slovenia: this route is being revived after 100 years
Frecciarossa train to run east from Milan to Slovenia's capital Ljubljana in seven hours. Source: Freepik

In April, Croatian Railways will also launch the Rijeka-Trieste (Villa Opicina) route. It will arrive in Ljubljana in seven hours.

"Trieste and Ljubljana were first connected by rail in 1857, when both cities were part of the Habsburg Empire," says journalist Giovanni Vale, founder of the Vanished Countries project, which publishes travel guides to countries that no longer exist and is currently working on a guide to the Habsburg Empire. - The Southern Railway Company (Südbahn-Gesellschaft), which ran from Vienna to Trieste via Ljubljana, was one of the flagships of the empire's infrastructure. Trieste was one of the most important ports in the world at the time, and its connection to Vienna was very important for the empire. After the end of World War I, Trieste became a city in the extreme northeast of Italy, in an almost peripheral position, and there was often no railroad connection to the east to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, or Budapest. Let's hope this is the beginning of a new season for rail connections between Trieste and the Balkans."

The Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) trains are capable of 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Italian network, although they are unlikely to travel that fast on this route, at least initially, as speeds tend to slow down east of Venice.

In March 2023, the Italian government pledged 1.8 billion euros (almost $2 billion) to upgrade the Venice-Trieste line to fully high-speed. Slovenian lines will be tested to see if they can be modernized as well.

Trenitalia also plans to develop direct rail connections between Italy and Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. In particular, the company has already signed a preliminary agreement with Deutsche Bahn to put the Frecciarossa into operation on the Italy-Germany routes by the end of 2026. The first route will be Milan-Munich with the prospect of extension to other destinations in Germany.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Malaysia Airlines aircraft being loaded at the airport gate

Malaysia Airlines Reinstates Brisbane Route with Expanded Regional Access

Apr 18, 2025 23:21 PM
Aerial view of a beach on Seychelles, with turquoise waves and granite rock formations

Seychelles Launches Marine Programme for Environmentally Minded Travellers

Apr 18, 2025 21:34 PM

Maintenance Work to Impact Summer Departures at Hannover Airport

Apr 18, 2025 19:48 PM

Severe Rail Disruptions Ahead of Marathon and FA Cup

Apr 18, 2025 17:23 PM
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 aircraft in mid-flight against a grey sky

Asia Travel Made Easier with New Airline Partnership

Apr 18, 2025 15:35 PM
Crowne Plaza hotel building under clear sky

Business Travel Gets Personal: New Hotel Perk Encourages Guests to Bring a Companion

Apr 17, 2025 23:31 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off from the runway during daytime

Easter Flights Bring Seasonal Comforts for Travelers

Apr 17, 2025 20:25 PM
Two people walking with an umbrella during heavy rain on a flooded street

Weekend Weather Threatens Travel Across South West England

Apr 17, 2025 18:47 PM
Wizz Air aircraft in flight against cloudy sky

Wizz Air Expands Naples Routes with New Travel Destinations

Apr 17, 2025 16:33 PM

Maui faces water shortage amid tourist comfort

Apr 16, 2025 22:39 PM

New Direct Flight Simplifies Travel Between Munich and Dubai

Apr 16, 2025 20:42 PM
Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 with immigration area and directional signs

Changi Lounges to Expand Space and Comfort Over Two Years

Apr 16, 2025 18:24 PM
Rail workers operating heavy machinery to replace tracks during infrastructure upgrade

Train Delays Expected on Pisa to Rome Line This Summer

Apr 16, 2025 16:37 PM
Traveler with suitcase watching airplane take off at airport terminal

Antalya Airport Upgrade Enhances Travel Experience

Apr 15, 2025 16:46 PM
Dynjandi waterfall cascading down a rocky mountain in Westfjords, Iceland

Iceland’s Expanding Appeal for Nature-Loving Travellers

Apr 15, 2025 14:53 PM

Flexible Antalya Trips Now Easier from Graz

Apr 15, 2025 12:37 PM

UK Rain Warning Triggers Travel Caution for Midweek Journeys

Apr 15, 2025 10:44 AM
Ryanair plane landing at airport

Hidden Fees and Access Problems Reported on eDreams

Apr 15, 2025 08:21 AM
Passengers seated inside a city bus

Electric Buses Make Exploring Exeter Smoother for Visitors

Apr 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Munich Airport's central plaza with glass roof and modern architecture

New Munich Route Eases Access to Canadian Rockies

Apr 14, 2025 23:56 PM
Rail workers conducting track maintenance during daytime engineering works

Easter Rail Closures to Impact UK Holiday Travel

Apr 14, 2025 21:42 PM
Ryanair airplane in mid-flight against a blue sky

Expedia Adds Direct Ryanair Bookings Amid Shift in Airline Strategy

Apr 14, 2025 19:38 PM

Traveler Left Without Wheelchair After Hawaii Flight

Apr 13, 2025 21:41 PM

Winter Closure of Burgas Airport Will Impact Air Travel

Apr 13, 2025 19:34 PM
View of an empty airplane aisle from a low angle, showing rows of seats and overhead bins

Avelo Faces Backlash Over Deportation Flight Deal

Apr 12, 2025 22:49 PM
Airplane at airport gate during sunrise with ground crew preparing for departure

Quick Getaways Changing the Way Europe Travels

Apr 12, 2025 19:51 PM