Exploring the Beauty of Slovenia by Road – A Guide to Budgeting and Unmissable Experiences
This blog post gives you all the details about our trip to Slovenia, how much it cost us, and what we explored. It contains all the questions you usually ask us on Instagram, and we hope it will help you prepare for your trip. Read on to learn how to plan and prepare and how much money you need.
FAQ about traveling to Slovenia
Why Choose a Road Trip in Slovenia?
Slovenia offers everything from snow-capped mountains to serene lakes, historic castles, and vibrant cities. Whether you’re exploring the charming capital of Ljubljana, admiring the emerald waters of Lake Bled, or venturing into the alpine region of Triglav National Park, driving allows you to see it all at your own pace. It is a great choice for your first road trip in Europe; the roads are safe, and there are many terrains to explore. After all, Slovenia is called Small Switzerland.
How Long Would It Take to Drive Around Slovenia?
Driving in Slovenia is the best way to explore its diverse landscapes and charming cities. As one of Europe’s smaller countries, Slovenia covers just 20,273 square kilometers, meaning you can feasibly drive across the entire country quickly. This compact size lets you experience alpine peaks, scenic lakes, Mediterranean coastlines, and overgrown forests within a few days. We made it from Maribor to Piran, which is roughly 660km (about 410 miles) in 8 days.
How many days is enough for Slovenia?
This depends on your preference and what you want to see. We stayed in Slovenia for 8 days and Made it from its capital, Ljubljana, through Bled to Piran. Generally, 5-7 days in Slovenia is ideal for most. This timeframe allows you to comfortably experience the country’s natural beauty, cultural highlights, and outdoor activities without feeling rushed. However, even a shorter trip can be rewarding, and a longer stay lets you dive deeper into Slovenia’s charm and history.
What is the best month to visit Slovenia?
The best month to visit Slovenia is typically September. The summer crowds have thinned during this time, but the weather remains pleasantly warm, especially in early September, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F). September is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, exploring Lake Bled, or wandering around Ljubljana without the summer heat. The autumn colors start appearing in the forests, adding even more beauty to the landscape, and vineyard harvests in regions like Maribor make it an excellent time for wine lovers. Additionally, September offers a slightly more affordable experience than the peak summer months. Though early summer is also a good choice. We visited in early June, and it was enjoyable, though the weather could have been better. September is a safer choice.
How is parking in Slovenia?
In one word expensive! Although it is easy to manage, clearly signed, and well organized. The parking lots are quickly filling up, especially in urban centers and popular tourist spots like Lake Bled and Ljubljana.
Here’s what you can expect:
-
- City Parking. You’ll find a mix of street parking and designated parking garages in cities like Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper. Paid parking zones are common in central areas and are usually metered, with hourly rates ranging from €0.50 to €1.50, depending on the location. Payment can often be made with coins, credit cards, or mobile apps.
- Free Parking. Smaller towns and rural areas offer more free parking options, and some hotels and guesthouses provide parking for guests. However, in popular tourist destinations like Lake Bled, free parking can be limited, especially during peak season.
- Regulations and Enforcement. Slovenia strictly enforces parking rules, so park in marked spaces and adhere to time limits to avoid fines. Some areas have blue zones, where you’ll need a parking disc to indicate your arrival time, especially in residential and short-term parking zones.
- Parking Near Attractions. For scenic spots and nature areas, such as Triglav National Park or the Soca Valley, parking lots are available but can fill up quickly. Arriving early in the day is recommended, particularly in summer.
For most of the parking, we used the app EasyPark (download for iOS here link and for Google Play here link). In most places, it was possible to use it for parking. Seldomply, we have to have some cash on hand. We highly recommend downloading the app.
We stayed for a couple of days in Ljubljana, but our hotel had parking included in it, and we recommend finding such accommodation in Ljubljana.
Also, see below the table where we parked and how much it cost us.
| Date | Place | Price | Comemnt |
| 24.6.2024 | Krajn | €1.00 | 1 hours parking in Kranj |
| 25.6.2024 | Mostrnice Hike | €12.00 | Parking to waddle Mostnice Valley, 3€ per hour |
| 25.6.2024 | Lake Bohinj | €3.00 | Parking at Lake Bohinj |
| 27.6.2024 | Vintgar | €10.00 | Waddling the Vintgar Gorge, flat rate |
| 29.6.2026 | Postojna Cave | €6.00 | Flat rate for parking |
| 29.6.2026 | Predjama Castle | €6.00 | Flat rate for parking |
| 30.6.2024 | Piran | €14.50 | Parking at the dedicated parking house |
| TOTAL | €52.50 |
As you see, the parking was either a flat rate for the day or around 3€ per hour, which is a lot, especially considering the entry prices of some attractions. Overall, we left 52.50€ for parking in Slovenia.
Where to stay when in Slovenia?
Finding accommodation in Slovenia is easy, with options ranging from cozy family-owned B&Bs to spacious apartments and historic hotels, all offering unique local experiences.
- In Ljubljana, we stayed at B&B Mozaik for two nights (22.6.-24.6.) for €282. This small, family-owned guest house felt welcoming and had beautiful, well-decorated rooms. The central location made exploring the city a breeze, and the added perks of parking and breakfast included made it both convenient and budget-friendly. The rooms are small but newly renovated, and breakfast is served underground by the family running the place. It was very welcoming.
- Moving on to Lake Bled, we spent four nights (24.6.-28.6.) at Apartment Ledrar for €516. This large, spacious apartment offered a comfortable stay with easy access to the lake area, though it lacked a view of the lake and didn’t provide breakfast or dining options, which may be a consideration for travelers wanting more amenities. It was a shame that although the premises were big and beautiful, there was no official reception to check in, although the room was there. When we arrived, we had to find the owners and wait for a bit before we could check in.
- Finally, for our time in Postojna, we chose the ECO Hotel Center for two nights (28.6.-30.6.) at €216. This historic, older hotel had a charming atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. Located just a short walk from both the city center and the famous Postojna Cave, it was a convenient choice with ample parking, perfect for travelers eager to explore the area. The room we stayed in was older but big. We even got an extra bed for our penguins. The breakfast was in a vast room and offered everything from veggies to meat to cereals, etc. Overall, the hotel also seems to have been busy with cyclists and travel groups.
Overall, Slovenia offers a range of accommodations that cater to different needs and budgets, with unique charms in each destination. Overall, together, we paid 1058€.
|
Item |
Date From – To |
Nr. of Nights |
Total Price |
Price/Person |
|
22.6.-24.6. |
2 nights |
€282 |
€141 |
|
|
24.6.-28.6. |
4 nights |
€516 |
€258 |
|
|
28.6.-30.6. |
2 nights |
€216 |
€108 |
Is it expensive in Slovenia?
Slovenian attractions are pretty expensive in terms of tickets. Some attractions in Triglav National Park even have an entry fee. We went to several ones. See the breakdown below. Overall we spend 1000€.
|
Item |
Total Price |
Price/Person |
|
Food (eating out & drinks, pastries, snacks) |
€470.00 |
€235.00 |
|
Food: Buying groceries |
€103.48 |
€51.74 |
|
Attractions (Castles, Gorges, Hiking Trails) |
€221.00 |
€110.50 |
|
Souvenirs |
€206.00 |
€103.00 |
How much was your trip to Slovenia?
Let’s calculate our expenses for two people and one penguin. For gas, we paid 99€, 52.50€ for parking, and 1058€ for accommodation in three different cities. For food (including restaurants and groceries) we spent 573.48€, for accessories we spent 221€, and for souvenirs we spent 206€.
So, for two people, we spend eight days in Slovenia by car at around 2209.98€, which is around 1104.9964€ per person.
Of course, depending on your travel lifestyle, you can always make it more or less.
Below is an overview:
-
- Parking costs: 52.50€
- Gas: 99€
- Accommodation: 1058€
- Attractions and entry tickets: 221€
- Food (eating out&groceries): 573.48€
- Souvenirs: 206€
- Total cost: 2209.98€
We hope this helped out with your planning and that you will enjoy Slovenia as much as we did. It can get a little bit more expensive, but still worth the visit. And you can always cut some expenses, like attractions or souvenirs, though never compromise on food! 😅
Enjoy Slovenia and waddle on!
