Travel to Slovenia

Flying to Slovenia

The national airline, Adria Airways (www.adria.si), operates direct flights from many surrounding European destinations to Ljubljana. Other airlines offering direct flights from London include easyJet (www.easyjet.com) and Wizz (www.wizzair.com).

The major airport is: Ljublijana Joze Pucnik Airport.

Notes

If you are visiting one of Slovenia’s coastal towns, Trieste in Italy is closer than Ljubljana; if you are going to the east of the country, flying to Zagreb (Croatia) might be a better option. If you are in search of ski slopes, flying to Graz in Austria is an option, with a bare 50-minute drive to Maribor. No UK flights currently fly direct to Graz, but Swiss Airlines offer an indirect transit via Zurich (www.swiss.com).

Airport Guides

Flight times

From London - 2 hours; New York - 10 hours 15 minutes (including stopover); Sydney – 26 hours (including stopover).

Departure tax

None.

Travelling to Slovenia by Rail

Connections and through trains are available from principal eastern and western European cities. International destinations with direct services include Belgrade, Vienna and Zagreb. Some international trains have couchette coaches, as well as bar and dining cars.

Contact Slovenske Železnice (tel: +386 1291 3332; www.slo-zeleznice.si) for more information.

Rail passes

Interrail: Offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 31 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options.

The Global Pass allows for travel in 31 countries, with differing travel options dependent on your itinerary. A popular option is travel for 7 days within one month.

One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, five, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence.

Travellers under 27 years or over 60 years receive a reduction. Youth discounts are available on both first and second-class passes. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult using an Adult Pass. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Interrail (www.interrail.eu).

Eurail: Offers unlimited train travel in up to 31 European countries. Tickets are valid for various travel options including 7 days, 15 days, 22 days in one month.

The Global Pass allows travel across all participating countries.

The One Country Pass offers travel in one country. There are currently no One Country Passes for Bosnia, Montenegro and Switzerland.

Youth discounts (under 27) are available for both first and second-class travel. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult using an Adult Pass. The passes cannot be sold to EU citizens or residents. Available from Eurail (www.eurail.com).

Driving to Slovenia

Motorways link Ljubljana with major cities in neighbouring countries, including Trieste and Venice in Italy, Rijeka and Zagreb in Croatia, Budapest in Hungary, and Villach and Graz in Austria.

Driving note

For motorway driving you must display a weekly, monthly or yearly vignette (road tax sticker) in the windscreen (including motocycles). You can buy these at petrol stations as you approach the border or in shops at the border crossing.

In addition, a small fee of around 7 EUR is charged when passing Karavanke tunnel, which lies between Austria and Slovenia. Prices can be found on www.tolls.eu/slovenia.

Winter tyres (or snow chains and at least 3mm tread depth) are required from 15 November to 15 March. Headlight beam deflectors are required at all times. All motorists are required to carry a European standard first aid kit, a warning triangle, a reflective jacket and spare light bulbs.

Getting to Slovenia by boat

Visitors arriving on private vessels can choose from marinas at Izola, Koper, Piran and Portoroz.

Cruise ships

The port town of Koper is the point of call for most cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean coast. Piran is another popular option.

Ferry operators

Triestelines operates various routes from Piran to Italy and Croatia (www.directferries.co.uk).