Taking the Scenic Train in Slovenia Bohinj Railway JetSettingFools.com

Riding The Bohinj Railway: Best Scenic Train in Slovenia

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For most travelers to Slovenia, the purpose of taking a train is to get from Point A to Point B. However, there is a scenic train in Slovenia that navigates through stunning landscapes, which makes the sole reason for riding the Bohinj Railway the spectacular scenery that passes by just outside your window.

The Bohinj Slovenia Railway, which was featured by Lonely Planet as one of “the best train journeys you’ve never heard of,” is just that kind of ride – a trip that proves it can be more about the journey than the destination.

After three days of hiking in Lake Bohinj, we couldn’t think of a better way to give our legs a rest than to hop aboard this scenic train in Slovenia – taking it all the way to the Italian border.

 

Bohinj Railway: Taking The Scenic Train in Slovenia

Train Route Map Scenic Train in Slovenia JetSettingFools.com

The Bohinj Railway extends from Jesenice, Slovenia south to the border town, with the original tracks continuing on from Nova Gorica to Trieste, Italy. The Austro-Hungarians created the train line, which was completed in 1906, to connect Trieste to Central Europe. However, after World War I, the route lost importance and the border between Italy and Slovenia (then Yugoslavia) was closed. It wasn’t until Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004 that the Bohinj Railway was revived.

Train on the platform, Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Building the tracks was no easy feat, as the route traverses through the Soca Valley and follows along the Baca and Soca Rivers. Tunnels had to be blasted through mountains and water crossings had to be created. The Bohinj Tunnel, the longest on the route, runs four miles through Mount Kolba. The Solkan Bridge, a 720-foot-long stone bridge with a 280-foot arch spanning the Soca River, is the longest of its kind.

Avce Train station on Bohinj Railway

Since we were staying in Stara Fuzina near Lake Bohinj, we traveled to Bohinjska Bistrica, the closest train station on the route, to join the train journey to Nova Gorica. The roundtrip ticket for the scenic train in Slovenia – of which each segment takes about an hour and a half – costs about €12 (but is discounted 50% with the Bohinj Guest Card).

Train car seats with a view on Bohinj Railway the Scenic Train in Slovenia

When our two-car train arrived at the station, we walked across the tracks and boarded the second car. We chose seats on the left side of the train (but later switched to the right…and then back again) and put the window down just as the train pulled away from the station. Within moments, we entered into the darkness of the 4-mile-long Bohinj Tunnel.

Mountain Tunnel and River on Scenic Train in Slovenia Bohinj Railway

Once we emerged, we were treated to the spectacular vistas that were promised. We passed small Slovenian towns tucked into the hills, cut through wide, green pastures and crossed bridges straddling translucent teal water. In whichever direction we looked, we saw towering mountains, unless of course we were chugging through the middle of one in a tunnel.

View of Soca Valley from the Scenic Train, Slovenia

Rather than sitting, I stood at the open window. The sun was warm, but the cool breeze – especially chilly when racing through the tunnels – rushed into the cabin. I alternated my time between savoring the passing scenes and taking what I hoped wouldn’t be blurry pictures, careful not to push myself too far outside of the window. When the Bohinj Railway train conductor approached me after already checking my ticket, I was certain he was going to ask me to take a seat, instead his face crinkled into a knowing smile as he asked, “Isn’t it beautiful?” Yes, yes, it is.

Soca Valley Scenic Train Bridge, Slovenia

Along the scenic route, we made stops at 10 stations – some of which looked more like the back yards of private residences than train platforms – before arriving at the final stop, Nova Gorica. In European terms, Nova Gorica is a new city, as it was built in 1947 after World War II when the new border was created between Yugoslavia and Italy. That border divided the metropolis of Italy’s Gorizia and the once imaginary line was made very real with a new wall. What Yugoslavia gained was mostly suburbs and, in order to unify the suburbs into a city, Nova Gorica was built.

 

Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Standing in Italy and Slovenia in Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Our time in Nova Gorica was limited to less than an hour, but there was only one city sight we wanted to see: Trg Evrope – or Europe Square – which happens to be right outside the train station. It’s not a particularly large or decorated square and cars park right alongside it. It could easily be walked through without a second glance. The importance of the square, however, is that it is shared by both Slovenia and Italy; the border between the countries runs right through the center.

Standing in two countries at once on the border marker between Italy and Slovenia Europe Square

Until 2004, the wall separated the two countries; today, the wall has been replaced with just a few potted plants. As Italy and Slovenia are both part of the European Schengen Area, people can now move freely between the two countries…or better yet, stand in both countries at the same time. After snapping our two-countries-at-once photo op, we stretched our legs with a quick walk into Nova Gorica’s city center before hurrying back to the train station to make the picturesque return trip back to Bohinj.

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Before You Go to Slovenia

Slovenian Flag, Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

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12 thoughts on “Riding The Bohinj Railway: Best Scenic Train in Slovenia

  1. Sheila Greer

    The train from Vienna to Maribor/Ljubljana passes through some of the most dramatic and precipitous vistas I’ve ever seen. There are few repeat experiences on my bucket list but that train route is one.

    • You would definitely enjoy it then! Such beautiful scenery. They also run a steam locomotive a few times a year, which would be a unique experience…especially for fans of trains! Hope you make it to Slovenia someday 😉

  2. Beautiful train ride, love that header shot. I find Slovenia a bit pricey but for a 3 hr round trip this seems like its worth it.

    Frank (bbqboy)

  3. I take it several time (i’m living near Tolmin, the cheapest/easier way to go Ljubljana).
    Just before Bled (from Jesenice), ou can see Vintgar gorge … a 1/2 second ;).. the train pass above it 🙂
    If you have a car, can can put it on train between Bohinskja Bistrica to Nova Gorica.. it’s very secure if you have not used mountain roads and children love it 🙂 .. and you can take great photo as here, the railroad are mostly above the road…

    • Thanks for the comment! We saw the tracks over Vintgar Gorge when we hiked there early this week – looking down from the train must be awesome! When we did the train ride, we saw the car train leave…pretty cool ride!

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