PaoloCast2

My wife and I are planning to go from Ljubljana to Zagreb by bus on Sunday, May 14. A search shows what appear to be two bus companies: FLIX BUS and BUS CROATIA with slightly different schedules for a morning departure. Does anyone have any experience with either of these companies? Both show on-line ticketing/reservation, so how long ahead should I purchase the tickets? (I looked at the train, but the departures are early or late, and the price is substantially more than the bus.)

It looks as though only BUS CROATIA goes from Split to Dubrovnik with two decent departures at 8:00 and 10:00. Any experience on this route. Also buy ahead?

Thanks in advance. You all have made every trip much easier.

rtt0921

There are more companies operating the Ljubljana-Zagreb route than just Bus Croatia and Flixbus. There's also Arriva and Crnja Tours. All four companies should be reliable.

Train tickets to Zagreb are not expensive at all, a one-way regular ticket costs €9. It's a reduced fare that applies to all 2nd class tickets so it does not run out.

Andrew

Can't help you with the bus from Ljubljana to Zagreb - I've only taken the train. It seems you can go for as cheap as 9 euros by train. I guess the train at 8:25 is a bit too early?

http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/passe...croatia/zagreb

Haven't taken the bus from Split to Dubrovnik. I'd guess it's not necessary to buy ahead in May.

kja

Personally, I'd go with whichever transportation works best for your schedule.

I don't think you need to buy in advance, but if you are in the area a day or so beforehand, and know which bus you want, no reason not to go ahead and buy your tickets.

For the bus from Split to Dubrovnik, sit on the RIGHT. The views along most of that route are awesome!

Man_in_seat_61

You can easily avoid having to slum it in a long-distance bus, just take the train between Ljubljana and Zagreb for around €18, bought at the station.

You can check times using the German railways all-Europe timetable at www.bahn.de/en

PaoloCast2

Thanks to you all so far. Man in Seat 61, why do you say "slum it in a long-distance bus?" Have you had bad experiences? The photos on the bus company websites show modern motor coaches. We've taken trains all over Europe, but the departure times work better with the bus. Interested in your experience.

Andrew

Some of us dislike buses for long trips or just love trains - or both. I get motion sick on buses so can't do read, but on trains I'm usually just fine. I also find train travel fun and relaxing and always try to work in at least one train trip on every visit to Europe.

And I like getting up and walking around on a long trip, which I always do on trains. Hard to do on buses. Last year, I did a Baltics trip that included several long bus rides. They were OK - tolerable at best, and I was lucky to have more space because had empty seats next to me, but I couldn't wait to get off of them. Sometimes, when a five hour train ride ends, I'm surprised the time has gone by so quickly.

But if you've taken long bus rides before and find no real difference between a modern bus and a train, take whichever mode of transportation suits you. To some people, it doesn't matter.

kja

I'll be interested in hearing Man_in_seat_61's response.

PaoloCast2

Thanks, Andrew. We love to take trains too, but if I'm reading the schedule correctly, the only two trains from Ljubljana to Zagreb on Sunday, May 14 are at 8:25 AM (earlier than we'd like) or 12:45 (too late). Two and a half hours (leaving at 9:00 or 10:30)) on a decent bus doesn't sound bad. The difference between the bus and train tickets folks here suggest (a few E's) doesn't seem to come up on the train site (where I get prices around 45E pp which don't seem correct.)

yorkshire

Not sure about the price discrepancy, but based on my experience on Croatian buses, for a 2.5 hour ride, I would not sweat it at all and would enjoy that extra hour of sleep.

rtt0921

Which train site are you looking at? The only relevant source is SZ, the Slovenian Railways, since that is the starting point of the journey. Their website clearly states that a single ticket is €9.

In any case, take whichever option is more convenient for you. Both take the same time, two hours, so it's not like you'll be stuck on a bus all day.

ivson

Just take the bus, its an hour and a half drive and the road is nice. Trains are usually late, dirty and slow especially in Croatia.

kja

The train I took from Zagreb to Ljubljana was not late, not dirty, and not slow - it was perfectly fine.

As already noted, I'd go with whichever works best for your schedule.