New Ljubljana–Zagreb rail link planned via Novo Mesto and Karlovac

Slovenia and Croatia are working on plans for a cross-border railway link between their capitals, with a proposed route running from Ljubljana to Zagreb via Novo Mesto and Karlovac. The aim is to revive an existing regional rail corridor, improve passenger services and strengthen economic and tourism ties on both sides of the border. No opening date for the full route has been announced.

Key facts

• Proposed route: Ljubljana – Novo Mesto – Karlovac – Zagreb
• Restoring the Novo Mesto–Karlovac link is envisaged after 2030
• The initiative dates back to 2018; partners formalised cooperation in 2023
• The wider border-region strategy covers 2028–2034
• Backed by Slovenian and Croatian authorities, railway companies and an EGTC

What is being planned?

The main objective is to re-establish the railway connection between Novo Mesto in Slovenia and Karlovac in Croatia. That link would form part of a four-city route connecting Ljubljana and Zagreb.

Croatia's Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure set out the connection as part of wider plans to develop regional railway infrastructure. Croatia is aiming to complete most of its main railway corridors by 2030, while also modernising regional lines linked to the European Union's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

When could it happen?

Re-establishment of the Novo Mesto–Karlovac connection is envisaged after 2030. The source gives no start date, completion date or timetable for passenger services on the wider Ljubljana–Zagreb route.

Who is behind the plan?

The plans were discussed at a meeting in Grosuplje, Slovenia, attended by national and local authorities, railway companies and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) known as Paths of the Future Ljubljana–Novo Mesto–Karlovac–Zagreb. Slovenia's Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development, Monika Kirbiš Rojs, was also present.

The cross-border initiative began in 2018, and in 2023 the partners formalised their cooperation by setting up the first European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation based in Slovenia. Members include the Slovenian municipalities of Škofljica, Grosuplje, Novo Mesto and Metlika, representatives of Croatia's Karlovac region, Slovenian Railways (Slovenske železnice) and Croatian railway infrastructure manager HŽ Infrastruktura.

What else is included?

The railway project forms part of a broader development strategy for the border region covering 2028–2034, focusing on mobility and transport, entrepreneurship and innovation, and sustainable tourism. Plans also cover freight transport, stronger links between industrial areas and better access to multimodal transport.

The cross-border region has been selected by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to take part in a pilot initiative supporting EU border regions. Through it, the partners will prepare joint development strategies for 2028–2034 and identify potential European, national and local funding.

What this means for travellers

There is no change to bookable journeys yet: the Novo Mesto–Karlovac link and the four-city route remain proposals. Travellers interested in rail travel between Slovenia and Croatia can follow whether the project is recognised as a strategic initiative under the future European Interreg Slovenia–Croatia programme, which the partners are seeking.

The partners also want the project to bring communities in southern Slovenia and northern Croatia closer together, with plans to revitalise traditional rural, agricultural and railway sites along the corridor for sustainable tourism.