Renting a Car in Slovenia – ULTIMATE Guide

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Slovenia is one of those magic countries that is compact enough to explore in depth on a relatively short trip, but that offers an incredible amount of wildly diverse things to do and see. Plus, a trip to Slovenia feels relatively off the beaten track when it comes to the Alpine region. 

Mountains, lakes, vineyards, caves, coast and cities are all within a few hours’ drive. So whether you want to go hiking, swimming, or exploring quaint old towns, you can easily do it all if you rent a car. 

Whilst Slovenia does have a decent enough network of public transport between major cities, it is lacking when it comes to accessibility of the Alpine region, wine trails, waterfalls, villages and valleys. For those, you’d have to take a bus to Bled and jump on a tour from there. Now, sometimes you’ve got to do a tour, right? But honestly, I have a much better time when I’m not following someone else’s itinerary! 

Plus, driving here is surprisingly peaceful and chilled to say it’s kinda “Eastern” Europe! 

Driving in Slovenia, as I said above, it’s pretty calm, orderly and avoids any of the chaos associated with Eastern and Southern Europe. It’s basically an Alpine country that’s got a coastline! 

However, if you’re coming here to take in its best bits, you’ll no doubt end up in the mountains, and as always, they can have their own dangers, including hairpin bends, wildlife and weather that changes suddenly. 

Driver’s Licence and ID

Most EU licences are accepted as is, as well as those from the UK, NZ, US, Australia and Canada. An International Driver’s Permit (1968) is only required if your licence isn’t an EU/ UK one or isn’t in the Latin alphabet. Your passport and credit card will also be required by most rental companies. 

In Slovenia, the minimum age for renting a car can vary depending on the company and the car you choose. For some, the age limit is 18, but many will enforce it at 21. For larger cars, that is often even extended to 23-25. So make sure to double-check this before making a booking. 

I rented a car through Discover Cars and found them to be a great tool to find the best deal for a rental car in Slovenia. I’ve written a legit Discover Cars review on all the pros and cons of using Discover Cars for your car rental.

Roads and Driving Standards

Slovenia has smooth and well-maintained roads pretty much countrywide. When I recently drove from Slovenia to Montenegro, they were probably some of the best in the region.

Motorways in particular are fitted with modern signage and traffic management systems with an efficient ‘vignette system’ instead of toll booths. However, you will have to buy a digital toll pass before driving on tollways. 

Rural roads are also well maintained, but you can expect many to be single-lane. Mountain passes (like Vrsic Pass) and rural farm lanes can be narrow and/or steep with tight hairpin corners, wildlife to watch out for and rapidly changeable weather conditions.

Driving in the winter is also something that should be taken seriously, and snow tyres or chains are a legal requirement. At this time of year, some passes and mountain roads can also be closed for safety reasons. 

Generally speaking, driving in Slovenia is enjoyable, scenic and calm. But make sure you’re used to roundabouts and also know that they drive on the right-hand side…like wronguns!

Parking

The city centre in Ljubljana is mostly car-free, so you’ll have to take advantage of the many park and ride schemes outside of the CBD. Whilst this might be an inconvenience, it does mean you don’t need to battle city centre traffic and makes Ljubljana one of the most peaceful cities to explore on foot. 

National parks like Triglav National Park have strictly enforced parking zones that must be adhered to in order to avoid fines and generally being a dick! Please respect locals and their properties and driveways and either arrive early to secure a spot or again, park and ride from your accommodation. 

Rural areas and small towns that are less visited are much more relaxed, and often there’s easy street parking or laybys on mountain roads. Some of the bigger hikes also have dedicated carparks, but they do fill up, so get there early. 

Ok, let’s have a look in more detail at the different options available when it comes to renting a car in Slovenia. 

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Slovenia?

Slovenia is no longer the super-cheap destination it once was when I first visited. However, when compared to other Alpine countries such as Switzerland, Austria and Italy, it’s still much more affordable to visit and to rent a car here. One thing to bear in mind is that prices can fluctuate wildly depending on what season you visit and what vehicle you choose. 

Cost Breakdown: 

• Low season (Oct–April): €20 – 30/day for compact.
• Summer (June–Sept): €40 – 70/day.
• SUVs / automatic transmission: €60 – 100+.
• Extras (GPS, child seat, extra driver): €5 – 10/day.
• Security deposit: €200 – 500.

Navigation in Slovenia

Google Maps is reliable here, but be sure to have access to offline maps if you’re headed into the mountains or remote locations. You should also avoid setting the “shortest route” if you plan on going through rural locations, as this can lead to you venturing down some narrow off-road farm tracks or have you spot a bear or two! Not what you want if you’ve got a little city car! 

Get Insured BEFORE you visit Slovenia

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Slovenia

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Pick Up / Drop Off Locations

The most popular pick up and drop off location is by far Ljubljana Airport (LJU). Most visitors, no matter where they plan on visiting, will likely arrive here due to the small size of the country. So it is convenient and will offer you the best prices. There are also some limited options available in Ljubljana city centre, but it’s often not the best place to be driving. 

Other popular locations, such as Maribor, Bled and Koper do also have a smaller selection of rental options available, but these will usually be much more limited and more expensive. 

It is also possible to take one-way rentals either northwards into Italy or southwards into Croatia, but they will incur a surcharge. 

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Petrol

Fuel and petrol stations can be found everywhere except on the high mountain roads. Cards are widely accepted, but in the smaller villages, they will prefer cash if you have it. 

Be prepared for prices to vary quite a lot between cities and rural areas, and if you do plan on spending extended periods up in the mountains, you might need to take some jerry cans with you. 

Prices of fuel in Slovenia are slightly above the global average, but compared to the rest of Europe, they’re pretty down the middle. 

Average fuel prices (approximate)

• Unleaded 95: €1.46 per litre
• Diesel: €1.49 per litre

Insurance Coverage

Most rental agreements come with a standard collision damage waiver (CDW) and a high excess (€800–1500). It’s recommended that if you go down this path, you take out a separate insurance policy to protect your excess. 

However, if you do plan on going over mountain passes and over gravel tracks, then upgrading to full coverage is advised. Whilst driving here is pretty chill, the mountains do come with significantly more risk. 

Some people buy insurance online before their trip, but make sure your rental company accepts it. Read the rules carefully – things like flat tyres, broken glass, or off-road driving might not be covered. They can be cheeky like that sometimes, so read the fine print before handing over your cash.

Checking Damage

As with any car rental, when in Slovenia, be sure to always inspect the rental car carefully for any existing damage. Take a short video or photos of any scratches, dents and other damage or issues before driving away. 

Most car rental companies will also do this themselves, but it’s important to cover yourself. Documenting everything protects you from being unfairly charged when returning the vehicle.

Yes, you can, for the most part! 

It depends on where you want to take the car, and you should always have express permission from your rental company before doing so. 

When it comes to places like Croatia, Italy, Austria and Hungary, it’s commonly allowed and usually isn’t an issue. However, taking a rental into Serbia, Bosnia, and Montenegro can often be more restricted. If this is a key part of your trip, you’d be best to contact the rental company ahead of planning your itinerary and double-check. 

Another thing to be aware of is that crossing borders will usually incur a fee of around €30 – 60. Plus, you’ll need to request “Green Card” insurance in advance. Make sure when crossing borders that you have all your documentation in order and check that any licences, IDPs and insurance policies cover you for the country you’ll be entering. 

Some companies also allow one-way drop-offs starting in Slovenia and ending in another country, which is a great idea if you plan on doing a longer road trip. But make sure to check if this is a possibility and how much extra it might cost you. 

Most of the big names are available in Slovenia, including Sixt, Europcar, Hertz and Enterprise. There are some other local companies, such as AvantCar and Atet, that also have good reputations. 

However, it can be a nightmare trawling through all the different websites comparing prices, deals, vehicle classes, and insurance options. In fact, it can make the whole process stressful that you feel like giving up! But there is a better way. 

Instead, I always use Discover Cars, and I’ve found their website to be super easy when it comes to checking prices and figuring out what is and isn’t included in my rental. They basically do all the hard work for you and search through all the different companies available to bring you the best deal. 

If you’re still not quite sure if a car is right for you, then let’s have a look at how you get around Slovenia without one. It’s entirely possible to do, but in rural areas, buses often don’t come very often, and some remote places are not accessible on public transport, so you’ll have to take a tour. 

• Trains – A reliable network connects major cities, including Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper, offering comfortable and scenic travel. This, plus the epic hostels in Ljubljana, makes it a dream for backpackers looking to explore on a budget.
• Intercity and Regional Buses – Extensive coverage to towns, villages, and national parks, often reaching areas not served by rail.
• Boats and Ferries – Seasonal routes operate along the Adriatic coast, especially around Koper and Piran.
• Bicycles and E-Bikes – Excellent for exploring Ljubljana and smaller towns due to dedicated cycling infrastructure and chilled-out traffic. 
• Guided Tours and Day Trips – Convenient for accessing highlights such as Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Postojna Cave, and the Škocjan Caves without managing logistics yourself, as public transport will only get you so far in remote locations. 
• Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking is common across the region and relatively safe here, but the usual precautions must be taken, and it can be unpredictable.

Hopefully, I’ve pretty much covered all there is to know about renting a car in Slovenia, but I’ve put together this section with a few frequently asked questions just in case. 

Right then, we’ve reached the end of another exciting adventure on The Broke Backpacker. I don’t know about you, but I’m pumped to get back over to Slovenia for another road trip along the coastal roads, through tiny villages and into the mountains after writing this! 

Hopefully, you’re now armed with all the information you’ll need to figure out if renting a car in Slovenia is the right thing for your trip. If you can drive at home, then I have no doubts you’ll find it a cruisy place to get a hire car, and honestly, it’s a country where you’ll be particularly well rewarded for it if you do. 

See you out there!

Oh, and don’t forget to jump onto Discover Cars to search through the best car rental options