Slovenia
Last checked:
- Capital
- Ljubljana
- Currency
- EUR · Euro
- Languages
- Slovenian
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Lake Bled · Bled
Alpine lake with an island church and a clifftop castle; very busy in summer.
- Postojna Cave · Postojna
Large show cave toured by electric train, near Predjama Castle built into a cliff.
- Ljubljana Old Town · Ljubljana
Car-free riverside centre with the Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge and castle.
- Piran · Piran
Venetian-style old town on a peninsula on the Adriatic coast.
- Triglav National Park and Lake Bohinj · Bohinj / Bovec
Mountain hiking, the clear Soča river and a quieter lake than Bled.
Getting around
Public transport
Urbana card / app (LPP)
Ljubljana city buses cost about 1.50 EUR with free transfers within 90 minutes. Pay with the Urbana card, the Urbana app or a contactless bank card. Cash is not accepted on board.
Trains
Slovenske železnice (SŽ)
National trains; often cheaper than buses, with weekend return discounts. Buy before boarding to avoid a surcharge.
Buses
Arriva / FlixBus
Buses reach places trains do not, such as Bled and Bohinj. Fewer services at weekends.
Taxi
Taxi (phone-booked)
In Ljubljana, phone or app-book a taxi (e.g. Taxi Laguna, Taxi Metro). Street pickups can carry a high flat charge of 25 EUR or more for a short ride.
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Available in Ljubljana but works with licensed taxis at metered rates, so it is not much cheaper (varies).
Bike share
BicikeLJ
Ljubljana bike share: first hour free, then rising hourly fees. Register online or with an Urbana card.
Car rental
Car rental
Useful for the Alps and countryside. Motorways need a DARS e-vignette (from 16 EUR for 7 days for cars); buy only on the official site.
Money and cash
Currency: EUR · Euro
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in towns, including Ljubljana city buses. Carry some cash for mountain huts, small guesthouses and rural places. Use bank ATMs (major banks usually charge no fee for euro withdrawals) and choose to be charged in EUR.
Tipping
Tipping is not seen as obligatory by most Slovenians. Locals usually round up to the nearest euro or so. In tourist areas staff are now used to tips of about 10%.
| Restaurants | Round up or add up to about 10% for good service, given when paying. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up to the next euro. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up (optional). |
| Hotels | Optional: 1-2 EUR per bag or per night. |
| Tours and guides | A few euros per person for a good guide; free walking tours rely on tips. |
| Food delivery | Round up (optional). |
Service charge: what’s true
Not normally added to the bill. (varies)
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure tactics. If a card terminal shows tip options, you can choose none.
Useful phrases
- Račun, prosim. The bill, please.
- Je v redu tako. It's fine like that (keep the change).
Etiquette
- Greet with 'Dober dan' in shops and in small towns; shake hands when introduced.
- Take off shoes when entering a home; hosts usually offer slippers.
- Greet other hikers on mountain trails ('Dober dan') and stay on marked paths.
- Cover shoulders in churches and keep quiet during services.
- Shops are often closed or open short hours on Sundays; plan ahead.
Scams and how to handle them
Street taxi pickup charge
Where: Ljubljana centre and stations
How it works: Taxis waiting on the street can add a high pickup charge, so a short ride costs 25 EUR or more.
How to avoid it: Book a taxi by phone or app, or ask the price before getting in.
Unofficial e-vignette websites
Where: Online, when searching for Slovenian motorway vignettes
How it works: Third-party sites sell the e-vignette with large added fees; DARS warns about unauthorised sellers.
How to avoid it: Buy only at evinjeta.dars.si or at official petrol station sales points.
Dynamic currency conversion
Where: Independent ATMs in tourist areas and card terminals
How it works: The ATM or terminal offers to charge in your home currency at a poor rate.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs and always choose EUR.
Pickpocketing in crowds
Where: Ljubljana Old Town, Bled lakeside and buses in peak season
How it works: Opportunistic theft from bags and back pockets; not widespread but it happens.
How to avoid it: Keep phones and wallets zipped and in front.
Car break-ins at trailheads
Where: Popular trailhead and beach car parks (varies)
How it works: Thieves target cars with bags visible while owners are out hiking.
How to avoid it: Leave nothing visible in the car.
Safety
- Slovenia is one of the safest countries in Europe; petty theft occurs but is not widespread.
- Brown bears live in forests across the country, even near Ljubljana: make noise on trails and keep dogs on a lead.
- Check weather and trail difficulty in the Julian Alps; call 112 for mountain rescue. Off-piste skiing carries avalanche risk.
- Drink-driving limits are strict (0.05%, zero for new drivers and under 21s).
- Watch for bikes and traffic around the Dragon Bridge and pedestrian zones in Ljubljana.
How widely English is spoken
Widely spoken, especially by younger adults; foreign languages are taught from primary school. Italian is common on the coast and German in the north.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Slovenia, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Slovenia
- Wikivoyage: Ljubljana
- DARS: Official e-vignette site
- Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.