MÁV will bring back the Retro Istria Express night train for summer 2026. The Hungarian state operator will run it daily from June 26 through August 30.
The service will connect Budapest with the Slovenian and Croatian coast. It is positioned as an alternative to heavy seasonal road traffic. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
MÁV’s Retró Istria Expressz page lists the evening departure from Budapest’s Keleti Station. Its route will include Székesfehérvár, Veszprém, Ajka, and Zalaegerszeg. It will reach Ljubljana in the early morning. From there, it will continue to Postojna. The town is known for its karst cave. It will then continue toward the Adriatic coast.
Passengers from Budapest will have direct rail access to Koper, Opatija-Matulji, and Rijeka. Other destinations, including Pula and Trieste, will be reachable with one transfer. Also, the island of Krk will be accessible through local bus services.
MÁV offers summer 2026 tickets to the coast from EUR 20
MÁV is presenting the Retró Istria Expressz as a lower-cost seaside option. It is aimed at tourists who do not want to travel by car. For example, the cheapest START Europa fares begin at EUR 20. They cover destinations such as Koper and Postojna. Those tickets do not carry a mandatory seat reservation.
Fares to Rijeka and Pula start at EUR 25. Also, tickets to Ljubljana start at EUR 16. Children can travel for a fixed EUR 5 per trip.
Seat reservations are required in all cases. A seat costs EUR 3, or EUR 2 when bought online. Berths in sleeper cars start at EUR 14. Places in sleeping cars start at EUR 27. Meanwhile, Interrail passengers can reach the coast with a EUR 3 reservation.
Retro Istria Express night train uses 1970s and 1980s coaches
MÁV is marketing the train as a “time-travel journey to the sea”. The coaches are preserved close to their original condition from the 1970s and 1980s.
The lowest-cost travel option is a standard-class seat. Compartments are arranged for six or eight people. For families and groups of friends, the train offers sleeper cars. These have four- or six-person compartments.
Passengers looking for more comfort can use sleeping cars. Compartments are available for one, two, or three people. In addition, they include a prepared bed, a hygiene kit, and evening mineral water. In the morning, passengers receive a hot drink and a simple breakfast.
Direct travel through Slovenia toward Croatia
The Retro Istria Express will operate from Budapest to Koper/Capodistria and Rijeka/Fiume. It will also offer onward links to other destinations on the Slovenian and Croatian coasts. Places reachable with a transfer include Izola/Isola, Portorož/Portorose, Piran/Pirano, Pula/Pola, and Trieste.
MÁV is emphasizing both the affordability of the service and the overnight travel option. The operator says this can help travelers avoid summer road congestion. At the same time, the operator points to the popular Adria IC to Split. It says the Retró Istria Expressz offers a more traditional and affordable Adriatic option.
