Travel TipsSlovenia

OVERVIEW

This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north–south and east–west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. One of the smallest countries in Europe, it lies in an enviable geographical position between the majestic Alps and the Mediterranean. The capital, Ljubljana, is situated in the heart of the country, along the banks of the Ljubljanca River, within a two-hour drive of all the state borders. The old part of the town is particularly delightful. Towering over the city are the twin towers of Ljubljana Cathedral (1708), which house some impressive frescoes. In the east, Slovenia’s second-largest city, Maribor, is only 10km (6 miles) from the Austrian border. The fashionable mountain resort of Bled is set on the idyllic Lake Bled, where skating and curling take place in winter, and swimming and rowing in summer. Slovenia's national cuisine shows an Austro-German influence with sauerkraut, grilled sausage and apple strudel often appearing on menus. Ljubljana has a good opera house and the symphony orchestra plays regularly in the Big Hall of the Culture and Congress Center.

Geography
This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north–south and east–west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km- (30 mile-) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.

Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal dress is widely acceptable. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas, theaters, public offices and in waiting rooms.

Tipping
10 per cent is generally expected in hotels, restaurants and for taxis.

International Travel:

Air
The national airline, Adria Airways , operates direct flights from London to Ljubljana. Other airlines serving Slovenia include Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Malev Hungarian Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From Ljubljana to London is two hour 30 minutes.

International airports
Ljubljana (LJU) (Brnik) is 26km (16 miles) northwest of the city. Airport facilities include bank, post office, duty free shop, restaurant, snack bar, shops and car hire (includes Avis, Budget and Hertz). Buses are available to Kranj (travel time – 15 minutes) and to Ljubljana (travel time – 45 minutes) every 60 minutes, and every 120 minutes Sat-Sun. Taxis are also available (travel time – 20 minutes).
Maribor (MBX) and Portoroz (POW) also have some international connections.
Departure tax: None.

Sea
There are regularly scheduled trips across the Adriatic on the Prince of Venice catamaran, which runs between Venice and Izola. There are three marinas (Izola, Koper and Portoroz) to choose from for visitors arriving on private vessels.

Rail
Connections and through coaches are available from principal Eastern and Western European cities. The Eurocity Mimara train connects Ljubljana, Munich, Salzburg and Zagreb. There are direct trains to Slovenia from Austria (Vienna and Villach), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia (Zagreb), Hungary (Budapest), Italy (Rome, Milan, Trieste and Venice) and Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of). International trains have couchette coaches as well as bar and dining cars. On some lines transport for cars is provided.

Road
The following are among the frontier posts open for road traffic:
From Italy: San Bartolomeo–Lazaret; Albaro Veskova– Skofije; Pesse–Kozina; Fernetti–Fernetici (Sezana); Gorizia– Nova Gorica; Stupizza–Robic; Uccea–Uceja; Passo del Predil–Predel; and Fusine Laghi–Ratece.
From Austria: Wurzenpass (Villach)–Korensko Sedlo; Loibltunnel–Ljubelj; Seebergsattel–Jezersko; Grablach– Holmec; Rabenstein–Vic; Eibiswald–Radlji od Dravi; Langegg–Jurij; Spielfeld–Sentilj; Mureck– Trate; Sicheldorf– Gederovci; Radkersburg–Gornja Radgona; and Bonisdorf– Kuzma.
From Hungary: Bajansenye–Hodos.
From Croatia: Jelsane–Rupa. Nearly all the border crossings mentioned above are open 24 hours a day and are served by buses.
For information regarding documentation and traffic regulations, see the Travel – Internal section.

The following goods can be imported into Slovenia by passengers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco; 2l of wine and 1l of spirits; 50g perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; listed items to not exceed &Euro;80 in value.

Note
An export license is required for articles of archaeological, ethnographic, artistic, scientific or cultural value; or for articles over 100 years old.

Abolition of duty free goods within the EU
On June 30 1999, the sale of duty free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on May 1 2004, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another (with the exceptions of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, where limits are imposed). Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.

Internal Travel:

Air
There are domestic airports at Maribor (MBX) in the east of the country and on the Adriatic Coast at Portoroz (POW).

Sea
Slovenia has ports at Izola, Koper, Piran and Portoroz.

Rail
There are efficient Intercity and stopping services. Train travel is generally inexpensive.

Road
Traffic drives on the right. There is a good network of high-quality roads in Slovenia. For further information, contact the national automobile club Auto-Moto Zveza Slovenjie (AMZS), Dunajska 128a, 1000 Ljubljana (tel: (1) 530 5300; fax: (1) 530 5402; e-mail: info@center.si; There is a good bus network. The emergency roadside help and information service of AMZS is well organized and can be reached by dialing 1 987. Traffic regulations: Speed limits are 130kph (80mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on roads reserved to motor traffic and 90kph (56mph) on roads outside residential areas. In cities it is 50kph (31mph). School buses cannot be overtaken. The alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent. Safety belts are compulsory (even in the back, if provided). Dimmed headlights must be turned on at all times while driving (even during the day). Documentation: Full national driving licenses with a photograph are accepted. An International Green Card for non-EU members can be purchased at the border. International car insurance is mandatory.

Urban
Ljubljana has bus services and taxis are widely available.

TRAVEL TIMES
The following chart gives approximate travel times from Ljubljana (in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Slovenia.