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Ljubljana
7 days from
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On the Luce: One-week Eastern Europe by train

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45 kg CO2
What's included:
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
  • Journey guide with tickets
  • WhatsApp support
  • Disruption replanning

Journey at a glance

Trip overview
  • Budapest

  • Budapest

    1 night

  • Bratislava

    1 night

  • Vienna

    1 night

  • Ljubljana

    2 nights

  • Zagreb

    1 night


Full itinerary

Journey
0hrs 1mins
Standard class
BudapestBudapest
Stay
1 night
Budapest

Budapest

With hilly, historic Buda on the west of the River Danube, and lively Pest on the east, there's plenty for you to explore in Hungary's buzzing capital. Both sides of the river boast stunning architecture, wonderful eateries and fascinating histories.

Hotel Collect Budapest

Where you could stay1 night

Hotel Collect Budapest

Byway favourite
This is a newly renovated, luxury boutique hotel in  downtown Budapest, located next to Károlyi Park, within a few minutes walking distance from the Hungarian National Museum and 450 yards from Dohany Street Synagogue. 

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Room details
Room: Standard double room
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Experience one of the city's romkocsma, or 'ruin bars', dilapidated old buildings that have been turned into bars featuring upcycled furniture. Szimpla Kert is the oldest and most famous, with live music a few nights a week, and a flea market during Sunday daytime.

  • Soak up the natural minerals at the historic Széchenyi Baths, where you can enjoy an impressive assortment of thermal pools. There are also saunas and steam rooms.

  • Looming over Budapest, the 19th-century lookout tower of Fisherman's Bastion gives the best views of the city. If the walk up to the top of the hill on which it sits is too daunting, just hire an electric scooter to get you there – Budapest has plenty of companies renting them out.

Journey
2hrs 23mins
Standard class
BudapestBratislava
Stay
1 night
Bratislava

Bratislava

Often overshadowed by its neighbours, Prague and Vienna, Bratislava has fought to shake off its Communist-era image. The Slovakian capital has reinvigorated itself to become one of the most striking cities on the Danube. 

Marrol's Boutique Hotel

Where you could stay1 night

Marrol's Boutique Hotel

Byway favourite
Located in the Bratislava city centre, just a short walk from the old town, this hotel provides a luxurious stay with spacious rooms, terrace, fitness centre and spa. The onsite restaurant, HOUDINI, provides buffet breakfast and a lunch and a la carte menu.

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Room details
Room: Classic double room
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Highly photogenic and understandably popular as a wedding venue, the Art Nouveau Modrý kostolík – commonly called the Blue Church – is well worth a quick detour to the east of Bratislava's old town.

  • Standing proud above the old town, Bratislavský hrad (Bratislava Castle) is a huge white building dating back to the 17th century. It's well worth a visit, not only to see the Baroque castle and admire the city views, but to explore the Slovak National Museum which is housed here.

  • Explore the Staré Mesto district, Bratislava's old town, to see some of the city's most picturesque historic buildings including the Medieval Michael's Gate. The main street, Obchodná, is lined with shops and cafés, and there are some great bike routes which will take you past key spots – the Old Market Hall, Ganymede's Fountain and bridges across the Danube.

Journey
1hrs 7mins
Standard class
BratislavaVienna
Stay
1 night
Vienna

Vienna

Once the imperial capital of the Habsburg dynasty, Vienna's Baroque majesty is sure to impress. You'll find art, music and wonderful food at the heart of life in this city. Stroll through parks, lose yourself in museums, or enjoy one of Vienna's renowned coffee houses.

Hotel Am Konzerthaus Vienna - MGallery

Where you could stay1 night

Hotel Am Konzerthaus Vienna - MGallery

Byway favourite
Located in the heart of Vienna and surrounded by the main sights, this hotel offers elegant, spacious rooms, and the restaurant, APRON!, has been awarded a Michelin star. The Karlsplatz and Stadtpark underground stations are a five-minute walk away. 

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Room details
Room: Double superior
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by watching the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) perform at the Vienna Operahouse. The stunning building hosts 40-minute tours, and of course you can take a look at the schedule and book tickets to a show while you’re in the city. 

  • A popular and historic café frequented by Freud and Trotsky, Café Central is the embodiment of Vienna's coffee house culture. Enjoy an Apfelstrudel while admiring the majestic interiors and listening to the strains of piano music.

  • Pay a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace. The Habsburg’s residence’s huge size has to be seen to be believed; the building contains over 1440 rooms! The adjoining classical gardens are just as impressive.

Journey
6hrs 2mins
Standard class
ViennaLjubljana
Stay
2 nights
Ljubljana

Ljubljana

Slovenia's capital is a city of two halves, divided by the cafe-lined Ljubljanica River, with the old town on one side and the lively commercial district on the other. Green, picturesque and compact, Ljubljana has a remarkably intimate old-world charm, with all the theatres, museums and galleries you'd expect from a capital city (it's also home to one of the world's oldest philharmonic orchestras). 

City Hotel

Where you could stay2 nights

City Hotel

Byway favourite
Located in the heart of Ljubljana, just 350 yards from the central Prešeren Square, City Hotel Ljubljana offers spacious, modern rooms, as well as an à la carte restaurant and a lobby bar. There is a lounge area and a library corner, alongside the summer terrace with a cafe bar. The old town is nearby and the train station is a seven-minute walk from the hotel.

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Room details
Room: Standard room
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • The City Museum of Ljubljana tells the story of the city from prehistory to the modern day, while the National Gallery of Slovenia showcases Slovenian and European art, including works by the Slovenian Impressionists. 

  • A medieval fortress, Ljubljana Castle sits atop a hill overlooking the city and offering stunning views from the towers or ramparts. The castle hosts events and has two restaurants to enjoy, and offers a fun, escape room tour, where each room becomes a game. You can reach the castle on foot, or by funicular railway. 

  • See Ljubljana from the Ljubljanica River on stand-up paddle-boarding tour. You can choose from a tour that will take you through the city to admire the castle and all the sights of the town, or if you'd like to immerse yourself in nature, you can do a tour of the Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park.

Journey
2hrs 8mins
Standard class

LjubljanaZagreb

Take the train from Ljubljana to Zagreb. Enjoy the stunning scenery as the train winds along the Sava river.
Stay
1 night
Zagreb
Photo by FlorianThiery/CC BY 2.0/Flickr

Zagreb

Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is a walkable city, shrouded in leafy trees and dotted with green city parks. The charming red-roofed upper town, with its conical turrets and church spires, splays out into an urban sprawl of glassy skyscrapers and brutalist architecture, against the backdrop of the verdant Sljeme and Medvednica mountains.

Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre

Where you could stay1 night

Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre

Byway favourite
Just a few steps from the Main Train Station, Canopy By Hilton Zagreb City Centre is set in the Branimir Centre complex and the decor of the hotel was inspired by the industrial past of Zagreb. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and there's an on-site restaurant serving Croation cuisine, as well as a lounge bar and a fitness centre.

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Room details
Room: Run of the house
Board: Breakfast included

Recommendations

  • Take a stroll through the Gornji Grad (Upper Town) for delightful medieval buildings. Make sure to stop by St. Mark's Square, the Church of St. Mark, and the Museum of Naïve Art (Muzej Naivne Umjetnosti). Another highlight is the traditional lamplighter, who takes to the streets at dusk to light the authentic gas lamps. 

  • Visit Jarun Lake, a recreational area located southwest of Zagreb's city centre, also known as the 'Zagreb Sea'. The lake offers numerous activities, including swimming, paddle boating, and cycling, and at night turns into a nightlife hotspot. There are also artistic and educational exhibits, alongside sports facilities, and picnic spots where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

  • Head to the Tkalฤiฤ‡eva district of the city: you'll find numerous wonderful cafรฉs, restaurants and bars to while away your time.

Before you book

Please make sure that you're happy with your trip before booking, as fees apply to changes made after booking. Check our FAQs for more information. To make changes to this trip before you book, please email hello@byway.travel