First Time in Slovenia – What You Need to Know

Visas and entry

Slovenia is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU and many other countries can enter visa-free for short stays; others may need a Schengen visa. Always check the latest rules on the official government site before you travel.

• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave Slovenia (and the Schengen Area), and must have been issued within the last 10 years. Some airlines recommend having 6 months of remaining validity, but this is a precaution, not a legal requirement.
• Schengen rules apply to length of stay across multiple countries combined.
• Make sure your travel insurance covers the entire trip.

Official information: Government of Slovenia – entry and residence

Arriving in Slovenia

Most visitors arrive by air, but Slovenia is also easy to reach by train, bus and car from neighbouring countries.

• Ljubljana Airport (LJU) – main international airport, about 25–30 minutes from Ljubljana.
• Nearby airports – Trieste, Venice and Zagreb can be useful for combined trips.
• Trains and buses – regular connections from Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary.

For current timetables see: Slovenian Railways – passenger trains and Ljubljana bus station.

Getting around

Distances in Slovenia are short and most routes are under two hours.

• Trains – good for main corridors (Ljubljana–Maribor, Ljubljana–Koper).
• Buses – reach smaller towns, valleys and coastal areas.
• Car rental – best option for flexible trips and remote places.
• Taxis and transfers – useful for airport–city and point-to-point travel.

Driving and vignette

To use Slovenian motorways you need a digital vignette. It is linked to your licence plate and can be bought online or at fuel stations.

• Buy before driving onto the motorway network.
• Respect speed limits and local parking rules in cities and towns.
• Mountain roads and passes may be closed or limited in winter.

Official info: DARS – e-vignette for Slovenia.

Money and everyday costs

Slovenia uses the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but it is still useful to carry some cash for small mountain huts and rural places.

• Currency: euro (EUR).
• Cards: widely accepted in cities, towns and most accommodation.
• ATMs: easy to find in all urban areas.
• Costs: generally lower than in many Western European countries, higher than in some neighbours.

Safety and basics

Slovenia is one of the safest countries in Europe. Crime rates are low and tap water is drinkable almost everywhere.

• Use normal city awareness in busy tourist spots and transport hubs.
• On hikes, follow marked trails and check weather conditions.
• In protected areas, respect local rules for lakes, rivers and forests.

When to visit

There is no single “best” month, but the feel of the country changes with the seasons.

• Spring (April–May) – mild temperatures, fresh greenery, good for cities and light hiking.
• Summer (June–August) – warm and busiest; best for lakes, mountains and the coast.
• Autumn (September–October) – stable weather, wine harvest, strong colours in the hills.
• Winter (December–March) – ski season in the Alps, quieter cities, short days.

How many days do you need?

• 3 days: Ljubljana plus one key area (Bled, Postojna or the coast).
• 5 days: Ljubljana, Bled or Bohinj, and a day for Postojna or Škofja Loka.
• 7 days and more: time for regions – Alps, coast, karst and eastern Slovenia.

Where to base yourself

Use a small number of bases and make day trips from there.

• Ljubljana: best central base for first visits, good public transport links.
• Bled or Bohinj: for lake and mountain trips in the Julian Alps.
• Piran or Koper: for the Adriatic coast and hinterland.
• Maribor or Ptuj: for wine country and eastern Slovenia.