Slovenia was shaped in the Roman times and till date follows the same transport routes. The Sava and Drava rivers link Slovenia to the Danube region and the Balkans. Its many mountain passes and valleys enable access to neighbouring Austria, Northern Italy and Central Europe. Its geographical location gives it a distinct place in the integration process of Europe and in the economic reconstruction of Central and Eastern Europe countries.
Slovenia has been at the crossroads for trade routes, linking the East with the West and the North with the South. Travel to Slovenia - one of the most beautiful regions in Europe!
Our Slovenia Transportation Guide will tell you all you need to know about travelling to and getting around Slovenia. A great way to see the historically rich cities and gorgeous countryside of Slovenia is by joining one or more of the great Slovenia tours able to be booked through our local connection. We currently have local connections in Ljubljana, Piran, Maribor and Bled who can assist with all your Slovenia hotels, tours and transportation needs.
Slovenia Transportation Guide
Getting to Slovenia
By Air
Adria Airways, Slovenia's national carrier, has regular flights to most major European countries. Apart from other countries Ljubljana is linked with cities like Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, London, Dublin, Manchester, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Moscow, Split, Skopje, Sarajevo, Ohrid, Tirana, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Podgorica, Prague and Priština.
Ljubljana is the hub of the national carrier Adria Airways, which operates flights to most major European cities and various Balkan destinations. It is the primary international airport of Slovenia. Easy Jet's daily flight from London Stansted is the cheapest way to fly into the city.
There are other options that you can explore. You could fly Ryanair from Dublin to Pula in Croatia. Another way of reaching western Slovenia is via Italy's Trieste airport. Both these airports are very close to the Slovenian border and are well connected by a super highway. In fact Trieste is just an hour away from Ljubljana. You can also enter Slovenia from Klagenfurt in Austria.
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Slovenia.
Flights to Slovenia
By Car
If you want to know a country better you should travel by car. By crossing one of the borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary or Croatia you can reach Slovenia. Or you can rent a car through a car rental agency. The Slovenian highways are well laid and have clear road signs; you will find rest stops, inns and motels that provide overnight accommodation near the highways.
The roads in Slovenia are quite well maintained and have proper sign boards. Because of this, driving or hiring a car is not difficult. You will be able to understand the directions better while travelling by car. Besides, it gives you the freedom and mobility to go anywhere you like! Slovenia is well connected with neighbouring countries because of its excellent highways.
Slovenia has introduced a 'Vignette' system for motorway travel. This system was started on 1 July 2008. Vignette is compulsory if you want to use the motorways in Slovenia. It can be purchased for €35 at the petrol stations and the DARS offices in Slovenia and from the neighbouring countries near the Slovene borders. The fine for not carrying a Vignette is €800.
Winter equipment is compulsory from 15 November to 15 March. The cars must be equipped with winter tyres or snow chains. Radial tyres with treads at least 4 millimetres deep are also mandatory. Not having the equipment can cost you €175; causing a delay on the roads for the same reason can set you back by €417!
By Train
Slovenske zeleznice (SZ), Slovenia's train network, will help you reach most destinations in the country. Buy your tickets before you board the train because the conductors may charge a surcharge on tickets bought on the train. Trains generally run on time so make sure that you know the expected time of arrival at your destination. It would be a good idea to know the names of stations that come before your destination so that you can be sure where to get off. It is difficult to find out the details about trains at the train stations because electronic boards are very rare to find outside Ljubljana. You get printed schedules at the station. Odhod, which means departures, is printed on a yellow sheet, whereas Prihod, meaning arrivals, is printed on a white sheet.
By Sea
Ships coming to Slovenia from foreign countries are allowed to dock at the international border crossings in Koper, Piran and Izola, a seasonal border crossing. Slovenian regulations demand that the ship, its crew and its passengers register with the border authorities with necessary documentation for proof of identity. The documents to be produced include the original documents of ownership and usage of the ship, the captain’s certificate of qualification to operate the vessel and identification documents of the people travelling on the ship.
By Bus
You can reach Slovenia from the neighbouring countries by bus. International bus transport is not only well organised but is relatively inexpensive. The Ljubljana Bus Station (Avtobusna Postaja Ljubljana) provides detailed information about all the international bus services as well as the airport bus services.
Getting Around Slovenia
By Bus
Bus ply at frequent intervals and the wide network of roads link the remotest of places. The Julian Alps, Bohinj, Bled and most coastal regions of Slovenia are accessible only by bus. The students in Ljubljana usually travel out of the city during weekends. In case you plan to travel on weekends, reserve your tickets in advance.
Train
The ICS express train is the fastest way to travel between Maribor and Ljubljana, but if you are interested in sightseeing, hop aboard one of the trains that wind through the picturesque Soca Valley and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.
