Travel to Slovenia

Slovenia: travel information

How do you get to Slovenia?

The quickest way to get to Slovenia from Germany is by plane. International airports are located near Ljubljana and Maribor.

Of course, you can also travel to Slovenia very easily – on good motorways – by car, bus or train.

Karawanken tunnel, A2 motorway

The Karawanken tunnel was opened in 1991 and finally completed in 1992. The single-tube tunnel, around 9.8 km long, connects the European motorway network with the capital Llubljana and on to Zagreb in Croatia via the A11 motorway in Austria and the 175 km long Slovenian A2 motorway via Kranj.

The Karawanken tunnel begins on the Austrian side at Sankt Jakob in Carinthia and on the Slovenian side in Jesenice.

The tunnel is open all year round. The toll is € 6.50 for cars and motorcycles.

The A1 motorway connects Graz in Austria (in Austria A9) with Trieste and the Slovenian port city of Koper. The border town with Austria is Sentilj, from where it leads via Maribor and Ljubljana.

The A3 motorway leads from the A1 near the small Slovenian town of Divaca via Fernetici to Italy.

The A4 motorway leads from Slivnica (airport) near Maribor via Gruskovje to Croatia.

The A5 motorway connects Maribor with the small town of Murska Sobota in the north-east of the country – and above all with the Hungarian city of Nagyka Nisza. It goes off the A1.

Loiblepass

If you have some time and want to enjoy a wonderful landscape, you should enter Slovenia via the Loiblepass. The pass reaches a height of 1,068 m above sea level .

Travel in the country

Air connections

The national airline of Slovenia is Adria Airlines. There are airports in Ljubljana, Maribor and Portoroz.

Bus

The bus system in Slovenia is extensive, so that you can get almost anywhere by bus.

Rail

The rail network covers approx. 1,200 km.

Ferry connections

The only port in the country is in Koper in the Gulf of Trieste (Mediterranean Sea).

Car rental

In Slovenia there are the most common car rental companies such as Hertz, Avis etc. as well as some national companies.

Taxis

Taxis are easy to get in the cities.

Roads, tolls on motorways

The well-developed Slovenian road network covers around 20,350 km, with the motorway network meanwhile also being well developed. The fact that a sticker for using the motorways can only be bought for at least six months and costs € 35 is very unpleasant. However, some motorways have toll booths where – as in Italy – you can pay directly without a sticker. Unfortunately a little confusing.

Traffic rules

Top speeds

  • Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h.
  • Country roads: There is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads.
  • Expressways: There is a speed limit of 100 km/h on expressways.
  • Motorways: The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h.

Special regulations

Since April 1, 2004, trucks and vehicles with a permissible weight of more than 7.5 t as well as agricultural machinery, tractors and horse-drawn carts have been prohibited from driving all year round on Sundays and public holidays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and during the tourist season from June 15 to September 15 on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The following traffic connections are subject to an extended driving ban for the aforementioned vehicles during the tourist season:

from Ljubljana to the Adriatic coast and from there to the Croatian border from Postojna via Ilirska Bistrica to the Jelšane border crossing on Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 a.m. until midnight.

Agricultural machinery, tractors and horse-drawn vehicles are not allowed to drive at night throughout the year. Exceptions require written permission.

During the winter there is a driving ban for trucks with trailers, vehicles with hazardous substances and heavy transports.

In the event of a storm (»Bora«), goods traffic, vehicle combinations with a closed or tarpaulin-covered chassis, articulated and double-decker buses, mobile homes and caravans are prohibited.

From November 15 to March 15, all vehicles are required to have winter tires, and snow chains must also be carried.

Even during the day, Slovenia is obliged to drive with dipped headlights.

Alcohol limits

The official alcohol limit for drivers of motor vehicles is 0.5.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Slovenia is:

SLO

Tourist office

Slovenian Tourist Office in Germany

Maximiliansplatz 12 a

80333 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 29 16 12 02

Fax: 0049 – (0) 89 – 29 16 12 73

Email: info@slovenia.info

Slovenia Info Point

Mainluststrasse 6

60329 Frankfurt

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 23 30 24

Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 23 69 45

Email: info.fra@kompas.de

Slovenian Tourist Office in Austria

Opernring 1/R/4/447

1010 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 7154 010

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 -7138 177

Email: info@slovenia.info

Slovenian Tourist Office in Switzerland

Lerchenstrasse 16

8027 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – 43 – 344 32 32

Fax: 0041 – 43 – 344 32 33

Email: sloenien@uniquetravel.ch

Slovenia Info Point

Alpenstrasse 1

6004 Lucerne

Tel: 0041 – 41 – 418 80 30

Fax: 0041 – 41 – 418 80 36

Email: mail@kompastravel.ch

Slovenia: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

From December 21, 2007, the Schengen Agreement came into force in Slovenia. Together with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Malta, you can now enter all of these countries without border controls. For example, a Spaniard can get to Estonia without any controls and a Finn via Estonia to Portugal. As of December 21, 2007, a total of 24 states belong to the Schengen area.

In the Moselle town of Schengen in Luxembourg, it was decided in 1985 to gradually abolish border controls in the participating countries, but to increase controls at the external borders. Slovenia has been part of the Schengen area since December 21, 2007

Issuing visas in Germany

If you still need a visa, you can obtain one from the embassy. You can also get information about the working and study conditions in the country.

Embassy of Slovenia Hausvogteiplatz 3-410117 BerlinTel: +49 – (0) 30 – 2 06 14 50Fax: +49 – (0) 30 – 20 61 45 70Email: vbn@mzz-dkp.gov.si

Import and export of foreign currency

  • Localcurrency Since January 1, 2007, the national currency has been the euro.The export of the local currency must be declared for a sum of over € 15,000.
  • Foreign currenciesThe import and export of foreign currency is not subject to any restrictions.

Import and export of goods

The import and transit of so-called “cold weapons” (objects that are suitable for attacking people, such as brass knuckles, knives with sharp blades on both sides, bayonets, rubber truncheons etc.) is strictly prohibited. All other types of weapons carried must be registered when crossing the border and in some cases require a special permit issued by the border police.

An EU pet passport must be carried when traveling with certain pets.

Shop

Shop opening times

Some shops are open until 9 p.m., some on Sundays and public holidays. Smaller shops usually take a lunch break between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sunday: closed

Country-

specific goods, souvenirs In Slovenia, natural products, including honey, oil, fruit juices and schnapps, of high quality can be purchased at very reasonable prices. The bobbin lace from the Idrija region, which is still made by hand, is famous. The wrought iron work from Kropa and lead crystal from Trzisce are also ideal souvenirs.

Casinos

There is a large casino in the town of Šentilj on the border with Austria in northeastern Slovenia. The casino has 400 slot machines on an area of 8,000 m².

Another huge casino is due to open in Novo Gorica on the border with Italy in 2009. The world’s largest casino operator, “Harrah’s Entertainment” from Las Vegas, is involved in the € 750 million project. The project will include 3,000 slot machines, 120 gaming tables and 1,500 (luxury) hotel beds and is expected to attract around 4.5 million visitors annually.

Slovenia: travel medicine, risks

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases that do not occur in Germany, Austria or Switzerland are not to be expected in Slovenia.

Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Slovenia, the same vaccinations are recommended as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Compulsory vaccination There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in Slovenia.

Slovenia: embassies, consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Slovenia embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Slovenia in Germany

The Slovenian embassy is located at Hausvogteiplatz in the Mitte district of Berlin. The station of the same name on underground line 2, which runs between Pankow and Rudow, is located at Hausvogteiplatz. The embassy is only a few hundred meters from the Gendarmenmarkt with the German Cathedral, the French Cathedral and the Schinkel Concert Hall. The Foreign Office is also close to the square and the embassy.

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Berlin

Hausvogteiplatz 3-4

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 20 61 45 0

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 20 61 45 70

Email: vbn@gov.si

Consulates

Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia

Lindwurmstrasse 14

80045 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89-5 43 98 19

Fax: 0049 – (0) 89-5 43 94 83

Email: kmu@gov.si

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Ballindamm 8

20095 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40-44 80 95 95

Fax: 0049 – (0) 40-41 32 90 20

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Gerlachstrasse 14

14480 Potsdam

Tel: 0049 – (0) 170 319 3418

Fax: 0049 – (0) 331-88 80 01 30

Email: behncke.ice@t-online.de

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Limpespark, Otto-Vogler-Straße 3c

65843 Sulzbach

Tel: 0049 – (0) 6196-77 60 400

Email: honorarkonsul@slowenien-hessen.de

German representations in Slovenia

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ljubljana

Presernova 27

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: 00386 – (0) 1 – 479 03 00

Fax: 00386 – (0) 1 – 425 08 99

Email: info@laibach.diplo.de

Web: www.ljubljana.diplo.de

Austrian representations in Slovenia

Austrian Embassy in Ljubljana

Presernova cesta 23

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: 00386 – (0) 1 – 47 90 700

Fax: 00386 – (0) 1 – 25 21 717

E-Mail: laibach-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Web: www. aussenministerium.at/laibach

Consulate General

Ulica Vita Kraigherja 4

2000 Maribor

Tel: 00386 – (0) 2 – 22 92 030

Fax: 00386 – (0) 2 – 22 92 030

E-Mail: bekerl@nkbm.si

Representations of Slovenia in Austria

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia

Nibelungengasse 13/III

City: 1010 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 586 13 09

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 586 12 65

E-Mail: vdu@gov.si

Consulates

Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia

Radetzkystraße 26

9020 Klagenfurt

Tel: 0043 – (0) 463 – 54 6 05

Fax: 0043 – (0) 463 – 50 95 62

E-Mail: KCE@gov.si

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Town Hall, Schmiedgasse 1

8010 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 821 962

Fax: 0043 – (0) 50 – 100 935 640

E-Mail: kurt.oktabetz@steiermaerkische.at

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Südtirolerstrasse 4-6

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 77 08 15-0

Fax: 0043 – (0) 732 – 77 08 16

E-Mail: lawfirm@gltp.at

Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia

Zeughausgasse 7

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 588 361

Fax: 0043 – (0) 512 – 588 362

Swiss representations in Slovenia

Swiss Embassy in Ljubljana

Trg republike 3/VI

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: 00386 – (0) 1 – 200 86 40

Fax: 00386 – (0) 1 – 200 86 69

E-Mail: lju.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/ljubljana

Representations of Slovenia in Switzerland

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Bern

Schwanengasse 9

3011 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 310 90 00

Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 312 44 14

Email: vbe@gov.si

Web: http: //bern.embassy.si

Travel to Slovenia