Ljubljana essentials

Money and cards

Slovenia has used the euro since 2007. Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere in Ljubljana; carry a little cash for market stalls, mountain huts and small village inns.

Tipping is appreciated rather than expected: round up or leave around 10 per cent for good service in restaurants.

Borders and entry rules

Slovenia is in the Schengen area, so there are no routine border checks from Italy, Austria, Hungary or Croatia. Non-EU visitors follow the Schengen rules, including the EU’s Entry/Exit System; check the latest requirements, including ETIAS when it starts, before you travel.

Arriving

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) is at Brnik, about 26 km north of the city. Public buses run to the main bus station in about 45–50 minutes, though departures can be an hour or more apart; shared shuttles such as GoOpti and Nomago can be booked online; a taxi takes about 25–30 minutes. Some visitors fly into Zagreb, Trieste, Venice or Graz and take a shuttle or bus.

By train, Ljubljana is linked directly with Zagreb, Vienna and other cities; the railway and bus stations are next to each other on Trg Osvobodilne fronte, ten minutes’ walk from the centre.

Getting around

The centre is compact and largely car-free: walk, rent a BicikeLJ bike (register online for a weekly or yearly subscription) or wave down a Kavalir electric cart. City buses (LPP) do not take cash: buy a rechargeable Urbana card at kiosks, machines or the tourist office, or use the city’s mobile payment options.

Buses leave the main bus station for Bled, Bohinj, Piran and the rest of the country, and trains run to Postojna, Koper, Maribor and abroad. If you drive, buy an e-vignette online before using the motorways, keep headlights on and leave the car outside the pedestrian zone.

Practical tips

The emergency number is 112. Plugs are types C and F, at 230 V. Slovenian is the official language, and English is very widely spoken. Tap water is excellent.

The Ljubljana Card, sold by the tourist board, bundles city transport, a boat ride, the funicular and many museums; work out whether it suits your plans.

When to go

May, June, September and October are ideal: warm, green and lively without the peak crowds. July and August bring the Ljubljana Festival and the mountain season, but Bled is very busy. December is magical in the city, with Festive December lights and markets, and January to March is ski season in the Alps.

The Vršič pass and the high mountain huts are usually open only from late spring to autumn.

Questions and answers