How to Get to Slovenia?

Quick links

Are you planning a trip to Slovenia and wondering how to get there? Look no further!

Slovenia is conveniently located in the very center of Europe, making it easy to arrive from any direction. Whether you’re coming by air, land, or sea, there are plenty of options for getting to this small, yet mighty country.

town of piran
Coastal town of Piran

With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural history, and welcoming locals, Slovenia is the perfect destination for travelers looking to explore this part of Europe.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the ways you can get to Slovenia, so you can easily plan your trip.

Arriving by plane

Getting a flight to Slovenia is the best option to get here, especially if you’re not from one of the bordering countries.

Slovenia has 3 international airports (Ljubljana, Maribor, Portorož). 

Ljubljana (Jože Pučnik Airport) – the main airport in Slovenia 

It is located about 26 km north of the capital city. You can catch a taxi, an airport shuttle, rent a car, or opt for our transfer options, depending on your traveling itinerary. 

The Ljubljana airport is the best option when traveling to Slovenia, particularly for visiting places in the central, north, or north-western part of the country.

Maribor (Edvard Rusjan Airport) – second international airport

It is located about 10 km south of Maribor, the second-largest city in Slovenia. Traveling to and from the airport is done by taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Maribor Airport is mainly used for seasonal and charter flights. 

Portorož Airport – smaller charters, business, and cargo flights

The Airport is located 6 km south of Portorož, and you can reach the following towns within an hour’s drive: Trieste (Italy), Koper, Postojna, Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Croatian towns on the Istrian Peninsula.

Trieste Airport (Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport) – Lots of direct flights, just over the border of Slovenia

Trieste Airport, also known as Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, is located about 33 km northwest of Trieste, Italy. It offers direct flights to a variety of destinations, including major cities and regional hubs, with airlines such as Ryanair and ITA Airways. Even though it is in Italy, you can reach Slovenia in less than 30 minutes, and Ljubljana in 1h20min.

Other alternative airports near Slovenia (less than a 2-hour drive):

The other most convenient airport outside Slovenia is Venice (Marco Polo and Treviso), with numerous international connections. Zagreb and Vienna are also great options, although the latter is a little farther away.

Other options: Pula, Klagenfurt, Graz, Trieste

Arriving by car

Arriving in Slovenia by car is a convenient and practical option, as the country has excellent connections to the rest of Europe via a network of highways. It’s easy to explore the whole country by car, as the distances are small and you can cover the entire country in just a few short drives.

In fact, Slovenia is the perfect destination for a road trip, as you’ll be able to take in all the stunning natural beauty and diverse cultural attractions the country has to offer.

It’s important to note that you’ll need to buy a motorway vignette to use the highways in Slovenia. These can be purchased at petrol stations, post offices, and kiosks — but the best way is to buy online. They are available for various lengths of time, ranging from a week to a year. Once you have your vignette, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth, hassle-free travels as you explore Slovenia by car.

Arriving by train

Taking a train to Slovenia is easy as it gets. There are good rail connections from neighboring and many other countries: Croatia, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, etc. 

Slovenia is included in the Eurail Global Pass system. 

You can also travel by rail from nearby airports, like Trieste, Zagreb, or Vienna.

Arriving by bus

Traveling to Slovenia by bus from numerous European cities is quite straightforward. There are direct coach lines from as far as Sweden and Denmark, with most international coaches stopping in Ljubljana.

Foreign EU bus transport providers registered do not require special permits to travel across Slovenia, with FlixBus coaches and Nomago buses growing in popularity.

Do I need a VISA for Slovenia?

Citizens of the Member States of the European Economic Area (EEA) may enter Slovenia with a valid identity card or a valid passport and do not require a visa or a residence permit.

Third-country nationals must acquire a visa or a residence permit from Slovenia’s diplomatic mission abroad.

* The list of countries that require a visa to Slovenia can be viewed on the official government website here.

user-profile-pic
Jenny Wright
Verified Customer
Our one week tour of Slovenia with these 3 young local guides surpassed all expectations! We travelled from Bled through the Sovenian Alps all the way to to coastal seaside Piran, through villages , on backroads ….it felt like riding through a story book….a delightful surprise around every turn . Our guides took care of our every need: charming accommodations, snacks every day at fantastic off beat locations, mid-ride. We covered 250 km over 5 riding days. The one day we were rained out, they quickly pivoted, and we were able to visit a wonderful historical national museum, which informed us so much in terms of the history in the Soča valley…So the day became not a write off but an educational experience! It was quite special to know the history of the Soča valley as we journeyed through the region, seeing the incredible geographical diversity of this beautiful country on excellent quality e-bikes. Highly recommend! Trip of a lifetime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
user-profile-pic
Chris Pyne
Verified Customer
First class company with a well planned route, great accommodation and simply outstanding support in time of trouble. We did a two week ride from Bled to Pula in September 2023. Fair to say we hit a lot of problems courtesy of BA with rescheduled and diverted flights, lost bags, problems with our own bikes, returning rental bikes and more. Daja was simply amazing in helping us sort all of them out and was so accessible at all hours. She even managed to source and buy a forgotten Thru-axle and deliver it personally to our hotel, which is far and above any service i would reasonably expect. Thank you !! Our accommodation was fantastic and far better than expected in all but one location. The route planning in Slovenia was great but due to our decision to bring road bikes from the UK and the nature of the roads in Croatia, our second week was a bit tricky route wise and it would have been good to have had a discussion about this section beforehand. A Gravel bike is far better suited to Croatia although this was our decision to bring road bikes. Transport arrangement and logistics were flawless. Overall, i would change very little and we will definitely be returning to Slovenia. Daja was fantastic and I absolutely recommend Slovenia Cycling Holidays and will be using their services again.
user-profile-pic
Filip Vercruysse
Verified Customer
Top Company, Top Tour ! We did the 7 days tour (from Alps to Adriatic), from Bled to Piran in august 2024 ! It was the best tour made in years. Amazing landscapes and nature, great accommodations and food and perfectly organised. Daja did really a perfect job ! she was allways available for questions or suggestions ! I would recommend this tour to everyone.
user-profile-pic
Karen
Verified Customer
Had a ball! We rode from Ljubljana to Bled via the mountains - 5 days/4 nights. Daja did a great job communicating with us and ironing out any hitches as soon as they were identified. E-Bikes were great (and v necessary!), accomm was great and the scenery was extraordinary! Being less fit, I wished I had opted for a days’ break at Lake Bohinj. My legs and butt would have appreciated it. Can’t wait to return and do another riding tour with this company!
user-profile-pic
ACP2527
Verified Customer
G’day Klem, Back in Australia and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. You guys did a wonderful job. The whole experience was first class. The bikes were excellent. The route was fun and well mapped using the app. The hotels were excellent. The hotel staff, outstanding. The food and wine truly memorable. I cannot recommend you guy’s highly enough. Our impressions of Slovenia as an outstanding destination, of beautiful scenery and friendly people will be passed onto all our friends. Thank you so much for a great holiday!
user-profile-pic
Diane Flynn
Verified Customer
We had a wonderful cycling trip, starting in Trieste, then onto Slovenia and Croatia. Before the trip, Klemen was extremely patient with our many questions and addressed our concerns very satisfactorily- even changing the original bike route to meet our needs. The bikes we used ( e-bikes) were in great condition, and easy to use. The hotels were very satisfactory- and included big breakfasts to start our days. The towns we visited were charming. All in all- a first class experience!!
Experience the diverse landscapes of Slovenia on a bicycle with Slovenia Cycling Holidays, an up-and-coming incoming travel agency.
Portfolio company of World Discovery.