Budapest launches night train service to the Adriatic coast

Hungary’s state railway, MÁV, has introduced two overnight train services linking Budapest with popular Adriatic destinations in Slovenia and Croatia. The Retró Istria Express runs daily from June 26 to August 30, departing Budapest‑Keleti, stopping in Székesfehérvár, Veszprém, Ajka and Zalaegerszeg before reaching Ljubljana and then the coastal resorts of Koper, Opatija, Rijeka and Pula. Ticket prices start at €16 for Ljubljana and €20‑€25 for other ports; children travel for €5. The train offers sleeper, couchette and sleeper‑carriage options, with meals provided in a dining car.

The Adria InterCity connects Budapest and Split, with ticket sales beginning in early July. Operating from July 3 to October 2, the service runs two to four times weekly, arriving in Split each morning after an overnight journey. Seats include standard, sleeper and bed‑car options, and a dining car offers dinner and breakfast. Initial rollout faced a shortage of functional rolling‑stock, which was resolved by leasing Western‑European coaches. Both services aim to provide an affordable, environmentally friendly alternative to road and air travel for summer tourists.