Hungarian holidaymakers heading to the Adriatic coast received welcome news after Slovenia announced that a key section of motorway near the Italian border became toll-free from 1 January 2026, potentially saving travellers money during the summer getaway season.
The decision affects the H5 expressway between the Italian border near Trieste and Izola on Slovenia’s coast, a route heavily used by tourists travelling towards Croatia, Slovenia’s seaside resorts and northern Italy. Until now, even motorists crossing only a few kilometres of the Slovenian motorway had to purchase a weekly vignette costing EUR 16.
According to reports cited by German motoring organisation ADAC, the Slovenian government decided to reclassify the H5 expressway as a main road at the end of 2025. As a result, passenger cars and motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes no longer need a motorway vignette to use the route from the start of 2026.
The measure is expected to significantly benefit Hungarian travellers driving towards popular Adriatic destinations during the busy summer season, particularly those travelling through Slovenia for only a short stretch before entering Croatia or Italy.
Entire Slovenian coastal transit route now effectively toll-free
The move also means that almost the entire Slovenian coastal transit corridor can now be used without a vignette. The neighbouring H6 section between Koper and Izola had already been toll-free before the latest change.
Slovenian authorities hope the measure will also reduce congestion and improve safety in smaller coastal settlements. For years, local residents complained that many drivers avoided buying a vignette by diverting onto local roads passing through villages and residential areas.
Locals said the increasing traffic overloaded municipal roads, worsened accident risks and negatively affected quality of life along the coast. By removing the vignette requirement, the government expects drivers to return to the main transport routes instead of using narrow local roads as shortcuts.
However, the exemption does not apply to all vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles and motorhomes above 3.5 tonnes will still have to pay road tolls.
The vignette change forms part of a Slovenian transport policy package aimed at improving traffic flow and easing pressure on the motorway network, which has faced growing congestion and roadworks in recent years. Authorities are also reportedly considering extending the validity period of annual electronic vignettes.
Retro Istria Express offers cheap alternative to summer motorway traffic
Those looking to avoid motorway queues altogether may also benefit from MÁV’s returning “Retro Istria Express” night train service in summer 2026.
The nostalgic overnight train, recreating the atmosphere of 1980s rail travel, will run daily between 26 June and 30 August 2026 between Budapest and the Adriatic coast. The service offers direct connections to Koper, Opatija and Rijeka, while destinations such as Pula and Trieste can be reached with a single transfer.
Passengers can choose between seated, couchette and sleeper carriages, with the cheapest tickets starting from EUR 20 plus a mandatory seat reservation.
MÁV is promoting the train as a stress-free and budget-friendly alternative for travellers heading to the Croatian or Slovenian seaside, especially during peak holiday traffic periods.
Key destinations reachable via the Retro Istria Express
Direct destinations from Hungary include:
- Koper/Capodistria
- Opatija-Matulji (Abbázia)
- Rijeka (Fiume)
- Postojna
- Ljubljana
With transfers, passengers can also reach:
- Pula
- Trieste
- Izola
- Portorož
- Piran
Tickets are available through international ticket offices and online via MÁV’s ticketing platform.
If you missed it: Schengen country extends border checks on Hungarian frontiers
