There are a couple of direct trains which take about 2h30m.

Thanks hopscotch
My difficulty is that my flight does not land in Ljubljana until 4.20pm and I have to be in Rijeka early next morning to meet the bike tour. I have not been able to find a train that fits my schedule. I have considered hiring a car or simply catching a taxi. What do you think?

According to my Thomas Cook the last direct train leaves Ljubljana at 1455. You could take a later train halfway to Pivka and then the 0555 (if it runs on the day you are there) which arrives in Rijeka at 0726. There is an 0620 from Pivka which arrives at 0851.

You could also see if there is a bus. If you seek a taxi negotiate and get the price fixed and written.

As for a rental car you will probably have drop off charges going from Slovenia to Croatia. The roads are very winding and hilly. The major traffic problem is the huge slow logging trucks. There are many little restaurants along the road with roast lamb turning on the embers out front. Very good eating.

There is a train from Ljubljana at 0620 to Rijeka, arriving at 0851.
There is also a connection at 1653 from Ljubljana, changing at Pivka and Sapjane, and reaching Rijeka at 1955.
Details are on www.bahn.de.

Thanks for the input.

I can get a flight from UK arriving in Zadar at 20.35. Will I be better off doing that and driving from Zadar to Rijeka bearing in mind I will be driving at night on unfamiliar roads although I dont think this will worry me.

Hi ts:

Have you checked out the bus schedules? Ljubljana is very cosmopolitan and Rijeka a larger city which should have bus service.

Denise