From the airport to the city centre Slovenia

Ljubljana is the only major international airport serving mainly intra-European flights. Some seasonal and regional flights as far as Maribor. Most major European capitals are thus connected to Slovenia.

From France, traffic has increased following the surprise bankruptcy of the national carrier Adria Airways in November 2019. Air France has a monopoly and has increased the number of flights from Paris from 6 to 13 every week.

Another interesting option is to fly from France's major cities to Venice, from where it's relatively easy to reach Slovenia - 1h20 drive to the border and 2h30 to Ljubljana by rental car, shared cab like Goopti or Flixbus-type coach.

Getting to downtown Ljubljana from the airport: a number of shuttle bus systems, not always efficient. The best solution is to use Goopti: satisfactory service, costing between €9 and €12 depending on the number of passengers. A traditional cab costs €45.

Getting to Maribor city center from the airport: one train per hour to Orehova Vas (a station close to the airport) and Maribor central station: the journey takes around ten minutes and costs just €1.50. Cabs cost around €20.

Arrival by train Slovenia

An aging, complex and rather slow network. As you can see, Slovenia is not accessible by rail. However, once you're here, it is possible to get around by train, provided you've done your homework beforehand. Areas with little or no service, a great lack of express trains, low prices but long journeys due to incessant stops in many localities. The network is more modern in the east of the country.

Arrival by boat Slovenia

Venezia Lines operates a weekly ferry service between Piran and Venice. You can connect Slovenia with Italy in 2 hours 45 minutes.

Public transport Slovenia

It is possible to reach Slovenia by bus from Italy, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Serbia and Hungary. The journeys are quite long but economical. Once in the country, the bus network is quite good and allows to travel at a lower cost. However, some natural sites are located too far from the main roads and you will only be able to visit them if you have your own vehicle. From city to city, the trips are efficient although there are still many stops and the frequency is a little low during the middle and low season.

By car Slovenia

Paris is 1,250 km from Ljubljana. The quickest way to get to Slovenia from the French capital is via Luxembourg, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg, and finally Ljubljana, after a twelve-hour drive (not including stops!). From Lyon, count 930 km and 8h30, via Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice, Trieste and Ljubljana. To calculate your itinerary, visit www.viamichelin.fr, www.mappy.fr or www.google.fr/maps.

Fuel prices are only slightly lower than in France. Be careful if you run on unleaded 98 or super, as the number of filling stations is more limited.

Freeways. A small country, but a fine network. Slovenia has almost 700 km of freeways and expressways, and the program is almost complete. The first section - Vhrnika-Postojna - dates back to socialist Yugoslavia, and was inaugurated at the end of 1972.

From Ljubljana to the Karawanken tunnel in the northeast, the section between the north of Kranj and the outskirts of Jesenice, for example, has been completed. In the direction of the Slovenian coast, the freeway has been completed, relieving traffic congestion on the national highway in summer. Italy can now be reached via Sežana, Nova Gorica or Jesenice, and Hungary to the northeast via Murska Sobota.

Another section to the southeast, connecting Croatia via Brežice, has been completed. Finally, Ljubljana-Maribor can now be reached in one go via the freeway. Slovenia now has a fine network of freeways. The total length of roads exceeds 6,000 km. The speed limit is 130 km/h. The widespread use of vignettes means that you no longer stop at toll gates, but must pass through them at the speed limit of 40 km/h.

Tolls. On freeways and at the Karawanken tunnel, the border crossing with Austria north of Jesenice. If you travel to Slovenia via Germany and Austria, you won't have to pay tolls on German freeways, which are free of charge, but you will have to pay a toll at Sankt Michaël in Austria (€11) and at the Karawanken tunnel (€8.20). To reach Ljubljana from Jesenice: €3. Don't forget to buy a vignette to drive on Austria's freeways, sold at the entrance to the country and now online. Several formulas: validity for one day (€8.60), 10 days (€11.50), 2 months (€29). The same applies to driving in Slovenia: compulsory vignette (€16 for 7 days, fine of €150 payable on the spot or €300 from the following day...).

To drive a car in Slovenia, you'll need your driving license and (if you haven't already done so) international road insurance.

Driving in Slovenia. On the main highways (Jesenice-Ljubljana), the police are on the lookout, but are less present than in France. On expressways, the speed limit is 100 km/h, on secondary (regional) roads 90 km/h and in built-up areas 50 km/h. The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5%. For professional drivers, this limit is reduced to zero. It's essential to turn on your lights when driving in daylight, otherwise you're liable to a fine. This information is posted on a sign at the entrance to the country, so there's no excuse for driving overland. Slovenian driving is a mixed bag... Like their German neighbors to the north, Slovenians are respectful and virtuous pedestrians, but they sometimes forget the rules of etiquette behind the wheel. Their driving can be undisciplined, sporty and individualistic.

In the event ofa breakdown , call the Slovenian Automobile Federation on 1987. AMZS provides assistance and towing 24 hours a day. www.amzs.si

Traffic info: 1970.

Please note: since 2008, two-wheelers and vehicles weighing less than 3.5 t have been required to have a vignette to drive on Slovenia's freeways and expressways. These can be purchased at toll booths, border service stations, tobacconists and post offices, and must be affixed to the windscreen. Alternatively, you can buy it online. The weekly rate for a car (class 2A) is €16, monthly €32 and annually €117.50. Fines vary from €300 to €800, and checks are frequent. Controllers are authorized to confiscate all documents from offenders until the fine has been paid. For further information, contact DARS locally from 6.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ✆ 080 15 03 or +386 1 518 83 64. Website: www.dars.si

Hitchhiking will teach you patience. Especially as, come summer, many people try their luck on the outskirts of Ljubljana towards the sea.