This summer our retro-style night train will run again between Budapest and the popular coastal resorts of the Istrian peninsula. Budapest is connected directly to Koper, Opatija and Rijeka while Pula can be reached with one change only. Bus services are also available to the island of Krk from Rijeka.
Alongside IC Adria to Split [1], the '80s-style Retro Istria Express train offers a great alternative for a beach holiday in Croatia or Slovenia if value-for-money and stress-free travel are the deciding factors when planning your trip. The Express train 'Retro Istria' will run from 28 June to 31 August in 2024 between Budapest and Koper and Rijeka. Although the train runs with older carriages with a lower comfort level than other night trains, it offers an affordable way to the seaside, offering a trip to the Adriatic Sea only from €23.
The train departs from Budapest-Déli station at 21:00. In Hungary you can also board the train in Székesfehérvár, Veszprém and Zalaegerszeg. The Retro Istria Express train arrives to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana in the morning and will also call at Postojna. The main stop on the line to Rijeka is Opatija-Matulji from where the city centre can be reached by bus or taxi. From Rijeka several resorts - Lovran, Krk - can be reached also by bus or boat. From Koper (the bus station next to the railway station) there are frequent bus services to the resorts on the Slovenian coast (Izola, Portorož and Piran) and to Trieste, Italy. Pula can be reached with one transfer (Divača station provides a 10-20 minute connection to the fast train to Pula) and arrival in the late morning.
Timetable and main stops:
|
968/1246 (Koper) |
968/1246 (Rijeka) |
---|---|---|
Budapest-Déli |
21:00 |
21:00 |
Budapest-Kelenföld |
21:07 |
21:07 |
Székesfehérvár |
21:46 |
21:46 |
Veszprém |
22:32 |
22:32 |
Ajka |
23:05 |
23:05 |
Zalaegerszeg |
0:22 |
0:22 |
Ljubljana |
5:42 |
5:42 |
Postojna |
7:07 |
7:27 |
Divača |
7:42 |
|
Koper |
8:35 |
|
Opatija-Matulji |
|
8:49 |
Rijeka |
|
9:05 |
|
1604/1247 (Koper) |
480/1247 (Rijeka) |
---|---|---|
Rijeka |
|
18:57 |
Opatija-Matulji |
|
19:14 |
Koper |
20:03 |
|
Divača |
21:04 |
|
Postojna |
21:38 |
20:40 |
Ljubljana |
22:55 |
22:55 |
Zalaegerszeg |
4:30 |
4:30 |
Ajka |
6:58 |
6:58 |
Veszprém |
7:31 |
7:31 |
Székesfehérvár |
8:11 |
8:11 |
Budapest-Kelenföld |
8:51 |
8:51 |
Budapest-Déli |
8:59 |
8:59 |
Our trains offer a variety of services: in addition to the best-priced seating coaches we also offer couchette coaches and sleeping cars for both destinations. For families and groups of friends the 4 or 6 berth couchette carriages offer affordable and comfortable sleeping accommodation. For couples and small families we recommend the 1-3 berth sleeper cabins which offer private space. Simple snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the carriage attendants.
- Compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds can be booked entirely as a private cabin or booked individually, providing a mixed-sex accommodation.
- Ready-made beds at departure are provided.
- Washbasins with hygiene kits are provided.
- Mineral water in the evening and a hot drink & simple breakfast in the morning are served.
- Passenger comfort and safety is ensured by lockable compartments and a passenger attendant.
- The car has 4 and 6 berth compartments offering mixed-sex acommodation.
- Bed linen (sheets, pillows, pillowcases, blankets) is provided for passengers to make their beds.
- Passengers are welcomed with mineral water in the evening and a hot drink and a simple snack in the morning.
- Passenger comfort and safety is ensured by lockable compartments and a passenger attendant.
- The coaches have compartments for 6-8 people and can also accommodate bicycles.
On the 'Retro Istria Express' train seat reservation is compulsory for all categories of travel! Tickets are available in several price categories, and we advice to buy cheapest tickets as early as possible due to limited avaliability.
Tickets
Passengers can travel at the best prices with START Europa [4] tickets which are available in limited numbers at several price levels from all Hungarian stations. Prices are determined by the distance travelled on the Hungarian section, the date of purchase and the flexibility of the ticket change/return.
|
START Europa |
START Europa Plus |
---|---|---|
Ljubljana |
From €16 |
From €25 |
Koper |
From €20 |
From €31 |
Pula |
From €25 |
From €32 |
Rijeka |
From €25 |
From €32 |
Tickets for children can be purchased at a fixed price of €5 per journey, regardless of destination (up to 3 children aged 6-15 years per adult travelling with a START Europa ticket). START Europa tickets are non-refundable, START Europa Plus tickets are refundable until the day before travel. If START Europa tickets are sold out, Europa Flex tickets are available, which are unlimited in number and entirely refundable.
Reservations
Buying a reservation on the train is obligatory at the following prices per passenger and per direction:
Seating car |
Couchette car |
Sleeping car |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 bed compartment |
4 bed compartment |
3 bed compartment (Triple) |
2 bed compartment (Double) |
1 bed compartment (Single) |
€3 |
€14 |
€20 |
€27 |
€40 |
€70 |
- In the online booking system discounts must be selected at the beginning of the purchase process when adding passengers.
- Enter the number of passengers and their dates of birth. Click on the 'new discount' button to set the discounts for passengers.
- Select desired date and connection.
A limited number of bicycles (3 in each seat car) can be carried to each destination, with a compulsory reservation for €5. Additional bicycle transport to Slovenia (Ljubljana, Koper) is provided by the Citadella InterCity (8 bicycles) which runs during the day.
Animals (e.g. cats, dogs, birds) can be transported free of charge in a closed carrier in the seat car. Dogs may be carried in a seating car without a carrier, in which case a dog ticket must be purchased. Animals are not allowed in couchettes and sleeping carriages.