“Desire for Empire”, Trieste-Vienna train confirmed!
The Micotra is confirmed, the train organized by Ferrovie Udine Cividale in collaboration with Obb which runs twice a day from Udine to Villach and vice versa. The service, active since 2012, is related to the possibilities offered by the Alpe Adria Cycle Route between Salzburg and Grado and at the weekend it can also be used with departure (or arrival) from Trieste. With 140 seats and the possibility of carrying the bike in tow, the train has seen a steady increase in popularity, marking a significant increase up to 100,000 or more passengers in 2019. 2021 has already registered a good attendance of the vehicle with 76,000 people and nearly 18,000 bikes. From Udine to Villach the ticket costs 13 euros, the transport of the bicycle always costs 3 euros and 50.
Another confirmation concerns the connection between Trieste, Ljubljana, Maribor, Graz with final arrival in Vienna, on the ancient route of the “kuk privileierte Südbahn”. The Fvg Region participates in the experimental service with the assignment of the Trieste Centrale-Villa Opicina section. In the first six months of service (June-December 2021) the passengers carried were 6,233 mostly from Vienna, Graz and Ljubljana.
Active since 2018 but interrupted several times, the railway connection between Udine, Trieste and Ljubljana will be relaunched next summer thanks to the collaboration between the Region and Slovenia with the carriers of Trenitalia and SZ. Two trains a day, one departing from Udine and passing through Trieste and one departing from Trieste. At the moment there is a change at Villa Opicina but without effect on the timetable. Thirty bikes that can be brought along. The service was very welcome given that in the first year of service there were almost 25,000 cross-border passengers. From Trieste to Ljubljana the ticket is 8 euros, from Udine 15 and 60.