Slovenia travel information

Guide:

Regions & Cities:

Ljubljana

Slovenia Map

Directory

Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between March and October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz. Round pin attachment plugs and

Language: The official language of Slovenia is Slovene. Italian and Hungarian are also spoken in some communities.

Getting around: Getting around by bus is relatively inexpensive and is the best way to get around for shorter distances. The well-organised, frequent services connect all major towns and cities. For longer journeys, travel by train is the most popular form of transport. Car rental is available from various major international car hire companies at reasonable rates, and hiring a car is a pleasant way to see the country, as roads are excellent, and the scenery picturesque.

Health: Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended. In forested areas hikers should guard against tick bites, as tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are a risk. Mains water is safe to drink, milk is pasteurised and local meat and produce safe to consume. Free emergency treatment is available from hospitals and private doctors contracted. Slovenia has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing emergency health care on the same terms as Slovenian nationals. EU travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Tipping: A 10% tip is expected in restaurants, hotels and by taxi drivers.

Safety: There are extremely few risks involved in travel to Slovenia. The threat of terrorism is low, as is the crime rate, however sensible precautions are advised with valuables.

Customs: A copy of a passport or other form of identification should be carried at all times.

Business: Business etiquette in Slovenia is similar to the rest of Western Europe. Men and women should dress conservatively in formal business suits. Shaking hands of both men and women is the common form of greeting and it is considered polite to shake the women's hand first. Slovenians are referred to as Mr., Mrs. or Ms. (or other titles) followed by their surnames. Business cards are often exchanged after introductions. Appointments should be made in advance and confirmed. Business hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications: The international dialling code for Slovenia is +386. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relative country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Ljubljana. Public telephones are operated with tokens or magnetic cards, which are available from newsagents, post offices and tobacco kiosks. Two major mobile phone operators provide GSM 900/1800 coverage. Internet cafes are prolific in Ljubljana and the larger towns.

Duty Free: The following goods may be brought in to Slovenia duty-free by travellers from non-EU countries: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a proportional mix of these; 1 litre of spirits over 22% alcohol content or non-denaturated ethyl alcohol of 80% alcohol content and over, or 2 litres spirits, aperitifs or other alcoholic beverages with less than 22% alcohol content, or liqueur wines or sparkling wines, or a proportional mix of these and 2 litres of still wine; 250ml eau de toilette and 50g perfume; medicines for personal use and other goods such as gifts to the value of €175 for adults and €90 for children under 15 years. Prohibited items include meat and meat products.