General information
Slovenia is a member state of the European Union and the Schengen area. As a result, citizens from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada and the United States do not require a visa to enter Slovenia for up to a 90-day stay. Only a valid passport or EU identity card is required for travel to Slovenia. Passports must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave Slovenia. Holding a valid Schengen visa or a residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states also permits you to enter Slovenia. If you have questions about the eligibility of your entrance to Slovenia you can contact us or the Slovenian embassy in your country for more information.
Slovenia has been a euro-area member since 2007. Debit and credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops, while ATMs are widespread. Note that local banks may charge a small commission fee for each cash withdrawal.
Slovenia is a very safe, family-friendly destination. According to the Global Peace Report 2024, Slovenia ranks 9th on the list of the safest countries in the world. The locals are open, kind, and often willing to help travellers. Nevertheless, always act responsibly and ensure your travel safety by taking care of yourself and your belongings in the same way you would do in your country.
No vaccinations are required for travel to Slovenia. Concerning the Covid-19 requirements, if you have any concerns, please contact us before departure.
It is strongly recommended that all travellers take out adequate insurance coverage for medical expenses arising from illness or accident including emergency repatriation. Note that credit cards sometimes provide such insurance but there is commonly a high insurance excess amount. Velstana offers comprehensive travel insurance via its partner Chapka Insurance powered by Europ Assistance. Contact us for further information.
Additionally, public tap water in Slovenia is safe and drinkable. In restaurants and cafés, tap water is often served to you when you order a cup of coffee or tea, wine or food, for instance.
The country’s emergency phone number is 112.
It is strongly recommended that all travellers take out adequate insurance coverage for medical expenses arising from illness or accident including emergency repatriation. Note that credit cards sometimes provide such insurance but there is commonly a high insurance excess amount. Velstana offers comprehensive travel insurance via its partner Chapka Insurance powered by Europ Assistance. Contact us for further information.
Additionally, public tap water in Slovenia is safe and drinkable. In restaurants and cafés, tap water is often served to you when you order a cup of coffee or tea, wine or food, for instance.
The country’s emergency phone number is 112.
Slovenia is a delightful destination all year long. It has something to offer every traveller in each season.
Northwestern Slovenia has an alpine climate with mild temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in the winter. By contrast, Slovenia’s Adriatic coastal region enjoys a mediterranean climate, with warm summers while temperatures are mild in the winter. The climate in Eastern Slovenia is continental with warm summers and cold winters.
From experience, spring and the months of September and October are ideal for exploring the outdoors and Slovenia’s treasures.
Northwestern Slovenia has an alpine climate with mild temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in the winter. By contrast, Slovenia’s Adriatic coastal region enjoys a mediterranean climate, with warm summers while temperatures are mild in the winter. The climate in Eastern Slovenia is continental with warm summers and cold winters.
From experience, spring and the months of September and October are ideal for exploring the outdoors and Slovenia’s treasures.
Slovenia offers a wide range of lodging. Hotels and B&Bs are the most common type of accommodation in the country, from standard to top-end. If you are looking for a more authentic experience, there is also a substantial offer of cosy guesthouses and farmhouses nestled amidst Slovenia’s stunning scenery. They are comfortable and provide an opportunity to spend a night in unique places and taste locally produced food and wine sometimes. Glamping is another one-of-a-kind experience in Slovenia. You can also stay in mountain huts if you go hiking for several days in the beautiful mountains of Slovenia. Velstana handpicks the best accommodation that matches your requirements and tastes.
Slovenian cuisine is delicious and unique, as it lies at the crossroads of four unique culinary worlds. Here you will experience the influence of Mediterranean, Alpine, Balkan, and Pannonian cuisines. It is very green and sustainable, as it uses seasonal ingredients. As the food has always been prepared in harmony with nature, typical dishes are as varied as Slovenian landscapes. You should taste the best from Slovenian beehives, salt-pans, oil mills, and cellars. For example, do not miss the Carniolan sausage, the Slovenian river trout, the Karst prosciutto ham or the Bled cream cake, or kremšnita.
Slovenian cuisine is delicious and unique, as it lies at the crossroads of four unique culinary worlds. Here you will experience the influence of Mediterranean, Alpine, Balkan, and Pannonian cuisines. It is very green and sustainable, as it uses seasonal ingredients. As the food has always been prepared in harmony with nature, typical dishes are as varied as Slovenian landscapes. You should taste the best from Slovenian beehives, salt-pans, oil mills, and cellars. For example, do not miss the Carniolan sausage, the Slovenian river trout, the Karst prosciutto ham or the Bled cream cake, or kremšnita.
Transport
Ljubljana Airport is Slovenia’s main international airport serving. It is conveniently situated to get around the country and well connected by air transport (direct flights) to many European cities, offering many flight options.
Trieste and Venice Airports – both located in Italy – are also are also good options to start exploring the West of Slovenia. For example, you can reach Postojna – a town renowned for its UNESCO-listed cave – within a 45-minute drive from Trieste Airport. From Venice Marco Polo Airport, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes by car to reach the border with Slovenia. Zagreb Airport in Croatia is also a short drive away from Slovenia.
You can also get to Slovenia by train – or night train with sleeping cars. It is an easy and comfortable option for travellers willing to favour green mobility to get to this small Alpine country from Western Europe. For example, you can conveniently get to Ljubljana by train through Zurich, Munich, or Austria with one or two transfers at most. The ride takes about 13 hours from Brussels and Geneva, 14 hours from Paris and Amsterdam, and 16 hours from London. And from Milan, it takes less than 8 hours.
Trieste and Venice Airports – both located in Italy – are also are also good options to start exploring the West of Slovenia. For example, you can reach Postojna – a town renowned for its UNESCO-listed cave – within a 45-minute drive from Trieste Airport. From Venice Marco Polo Airport, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes by car to reach the border with Slovenia. Zagreb Airport in Croatia is also a short drive away from Slovenia.
You can also get to Slovenia by train – or night train with sleeping cars. It is an easy and comfortable option for travellers willing to favour green mobility to get to this small Alpine country from Western Europe. For example, you can conveniently get to Ljubljana by train through Zurich, Munich, or Austria with one or two transfers at most. The ride takes about 13 hours from Brussels and Geneva, 14 hours from Paris and Amsterdam, and 16 hours from London. And from Milan, it takes less than 8 hours.
Hiring a car – or driving your own car – remains the most convenient way to explore Slovenia, as it offers you flexibility throughout your journey.
To minimise your carbon footprint and promote green mobility, Velstana recommends that you hire an electric car, as the network of charging stations has been expanding rapidly. Given the short travel distances between sights, driving an e-car is excellent for both your wallet and preserving the environment.
Note that if you travel with your own car or hire a car in a neighbouring country, purchasing an e-vignette is mandatory to drive on Slovenian motorways.
You can also take the train although it may not be as convenient to reach directly secret spots and off-the-beaten-path places suggested by Velstana. Nonetheless, there are plenty of sights and starting points for hiking that you can easily reach by train for a day trip or more.
If you are looking for active holidays, Slovenia boasts an extensive network of cycling routes and hiking trails. There is indeed nothing better than discovering at your own pace its stunning landscapes by (pedal-assist) e-bike or on foot.
In order to make your tailor-made journey as smooth as possible, Velstana always arranges for you the best ways to get around the country, including hiking, cycling, car rental, private transfers, or car rental with a driver via its partner companies.
To minimise your carbon footprint and promote green mobility, Velstana recommends that you hire an electric car, as the network of charging stations has been expanding rapidly. Given the short travel distances between sights, driving an e-car is excellent for both your wallet and preserving the environment.
Note that if you travel with your own car or hire a car in a neighbouring country, purchasing an e-vignette is mandatory to drive on Slovenian motorways.
You can also take the train although it may not be as convenient to reach directly secret spots and off-the-beaten-path places suggested by Velstana. Nonetheless, there are plenty of sights and starting points for hiking that you can easily reach by train for a day trip or more.
If you are looking for active holidays, Slovenia boasts an extensive network of cycling routes and hiking trails. There is indeed nothing better than discovering at your own pace its stunning landscapes by (pedal-assist) e-bike or on foot.
In order to make your tailor-made journey as smooth as possible, Velstana always arranges for you the best ways to get around the country, including hiking, cycling, car rental, private transfers, or car rental with a driver via its partner companies.
Driving in Slovenia is safe and easy. The roads are in excellent condition. The road signs are clear and consistent with those used throughout Europe.
Speed limits for cars are 50 km/h in urban areas; 90 km/h in rural areas, and 130 km/h on motorways.
Everyone must wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone is forbidden while driving unless operating from a hands-free set.
If you don’t rent a car in Slovenia, the purchase of an e-vignette is mandatory to drive on Slovenian motorways. The use of dipped (low-beam) headlights even during daytime driving is also mandatory.
Slovenian laws are very strict concerning drinking and driving: drunk driving is prohibited and the blood alcohol content limit is 0.5g/l.
Everyone must wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone is forbidden while driving unless operating from a hands-free set.
If you don’t rent a car in Slovenia, the purchase of an e-vignette is mandatory to drive on Slovenian motorways. The use of dipped (low-beam) headlights even during daytime driving is also mandatory.
Slovenian laws are very strict concerning drinking and driving: drunk driving is prohibited and the blood alcohol content limit is 0.5g/l.
Communication
Slovene is the official language. It is written in the Latin alphabet. Hungarian and Italian are also official languages in their respective ethnically mixed areas.
Most of the locals speak one foreign language, usually English, German or Italian, in tourist areas.
Most of the locals speak one foreign language, usually English, German or Italian, in tourist areas.
Travellers from the EU can fully enjoy their home tariff without roaming surcharges. In other words, calls (to mobile and fixed phones), text messages, and data services are charged at domestic rates, that is, the same price as calls, texts, and data within your home country. The same rule also applies to any calls or text messages you receive. However, we always recommend double-checking your provider’s roaming rates.
For travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries, Velstana includes an eSim – easy to install on your device before departure – in your travel package.
Slovenia’s phone code is +386.
There are three major service providers in the country, namely Telekom Slovenija, Telemach, and Simobil.
For travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries, Velstana includes an eSim – easy to install on your device before departure – in your travel package.
Slovenia’s phone code is +386.
There are three major service providers in the country, namely Telekom Slovenija, Telemach, and Simobil.
Most hotels and accommodations in Slovenia offer free internet access to guests. Restaurants, bars, and cafes may also share their wireless access to the internet for free.
Other practical information
Slovenia is a predominantly Christian country with Roman Catholicism as the dominant religion.
In Slovenia, the power plugs and sockets are European-type with a standard voltage and frequency of 230V / 50 Hz, respectively.
Slovenia is located in the Central European Time Zone (UTC +1), meaning it is the same time as in Paris, Brussels or Rome and one hour ahead of London.