With breathtaking and diverse natural landscapes, smooth and efficient roads, and cultural and cosmopolitan cities, Slovenia is the perfect destination for a road trip.

Driving in Slovenia is one of the best ways to explore the small but adventure-packed country. From the beautiful and charming Ljubljana, the medieval castles and vineyards of Brda, and the breathtaking views of Lake Bled, there’s lots to see and explore. The best part? Slovenia is so compact that you can get from one end of the country in a few hours.

If you’re planning a holiday in Slovenia, make it a road trip! Here’s everything you need to know.

Driving in Slovenia

Requirements for driving in Slovenia
Renting a car
Road rules and driving safety
Navigating in Slovenia
Costs of driving a rental car in Slovenia
Plan your trip – top tips for travel to Slovenia

What do I need to drive in Slovenia?

Age requirements – You must be at least 18 years old to drive and rent a car from most rental car companies in Slovenia. Drivers under 25 may have to pay a “young driver” fee and may be limited to certain car models.

License requirements – To drive in Slovenia, you must have either a driving license issued within the European Union or an International Driving Permit (IDP). Note that the IDP is only valid when used with your local license, so make sure to bring both.

Other documents – Have your passport and a credit card under your name when picking up the rental car. The rental car company might authorize a deposit on your credit card to cover for any damages. When driving, always carry proof of insurance, proof of ownership or rental, and a valid ID (passport).

How do I rent a car in Slovenia?

Reserve a car online – Thanks to smooth roads and diverse natural landscapes, Slovenia is a popular road trip destination. Reserve your rental car online in advance to get the best models at the best rates.

Take note that Europe mainly drives manual transmission cars, so if you require an automatic transmission car, make sure to reserve at least a month in advance.

Get a comprehensive car hire insurance – Collision damage waiver and theft protection are usually included in car rentals in Slovenia, but it’s best to avail of a personal car hire insurance that will cover for the excess. This means you will get reimbursed for any excess fees the rental company may charge for damages.

Add-ons – You can add insurance, a GPS unit, child seats, and winter tires to your reservation as needed.

One-way rentals – Many rental car companies in Slovenia allow domestic one-way rentals for an extra fee. This means you can pick-up your car from one city and drop it off in another.

Here is a list of locations where you can pick and return your rental car in Slovenia. You can also plug in your travel destinations and dates below for a quick quote. RentalCars is our trusted online car rental booking platform and it works with Slovenia’s leading and most reputable car rental companies. Their simple online booking platform also allows you to compare prices, car models, and inclusions easily, plus they give you instant confirmation, free cancellation, and big deals and discounts.

What do I need to know when driving in Slovenia?

Slovenia drives on the right side of the road.

Speed limits – Here are the standard speed limits you need to remember when driving in Slovenia. Always follow posted speed limit signs in motorways and villages.

In built-up / urban areas – 50 km/hr (30 miles/hr), unless otherwise indicated
Motorways –130 km/hr (80 miles/hr)
Country roads – 90 km/hr (55 miles/hr)

Priority/right of way – Priority roads marked with a yellow diamond have the right of way. Vehicles in a roundabout have the right of way. Any emergency vehicle with blue flashing lights has priority, even if there is no siren. Buses have priority when leaving bus stops.

Children – Children less than 1.5 meters in height must use special seat belts or child restraints.

Seatbelts – Must be worn at all times.

In case of car breakdown or accidents – 112 is the general emergency number. 113 connects you to the police, 1987 connects you to roadside assistance and towing.

Tolls – You’ll need a highway toll sticker or vignette to use the motorways. Most rental car companies will include this with the car, but if not, it costs EUR 15 for a vignette with a 1-week validity. You can buy it from gas stations and other points of sale.

Parking – Within cities, you can look for blue zones where parking is free for a short period – you’ll need a parking disc to indicate your time of arrival. You can also find free and paid parking spaces near most tourist attractions.

Don’ts when driving – Don’t drink and drive (maximum legal concentration is 0.05% Blood Alcohol Level), don’t drive during winter without snow chains, don’t use your mobile phone.

How do I get around Slovenia while driving?

Navigational apps like Waze, Google Maps (internet connection required), and maps.me (you should download the offline map in advance) are useful when driving in Slovenia. Some rental cars will also have a built-in GPS navigator, or you can rent it as an add-on.

When navigating with Waze, add “Vignette SLO – Vinjeta” to your Toll and HOV Passes (Settings – Navigation), so the app can give you the best routes.

How much does it cost to drive in Slovenia?

Here’s how much it costs to go on a 5-day road trip in Slovenia based on 2020 prices and estimates.

Rental car – A 5-seat sedan ranges from EUR 90-120 for 5 days. This already includes unlimited mileage, theft protection, and collision damage waiver. Check here for real-time quotes for your travel dates.

Gas – Estimating 1000 kilometers over five days, gasoline could cost you up to EUR 100.

Ready to go on an exciting road trip in Slovenia? Plan your trip!

Getting there – You can fly to Ljubljana from many European cities, and then it’s a 20-minute ride to the city center. Other nearby convenient airports with more international connections are Venice, which is a 2-hour drive to Ljubljana, and Trieste, which is a 1-hour drive to Ljubljana.

Where to stay – For a 5-day road trip, split your time between two bases: stay in Ljubljana while exploring the capital and the coastal cities, then move to Bled to explore the lake region.

Travel essentials and tickets to pre-book – Get a mobile internet to easily find your way around Slovenia. If you’re planning to visit some of the popular sights in the cities, you’d want to get tickets in advance to skip the lines.

Best road trips in Slovenia – Ready to plan your road trip? Check these out for ideas and inspiration:

If it’s your first time in Slovenia, this is the perfect introduction to the country with lots of diverse sights and experiences, all wrapped up in a fun and adventurous road trip. It starts in Ljubljana and ends in Bled, with lots of beautiful cities and natural landscapes in between.