Car Rental in Slovenia: A Comprehensive Guide

Slovenia is a beautiful, small country in Central Europe, located between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. Road trips in Slovenia offer stunning scenery, combining mountains, lakes and charming villages, as well as astonishing coastal routes by the sea and the lush greenery.

As the country is small, with car rental in Slovenia you can easily and on a budget explore its natural wonders, cultural sites and historic towns by car.

Driving from Slovenia to Croatia is a popular option for travelers due to the proximity of two countries. However, there are some requirements to consider when crossing the border between Slovenia and Croatia.

Before deciding to do a road trip to Croatia with car rental, ensure you have informed Abbycar about your desire to travel with the rented car outside Slovenia, because there are certain legal requirements regarding the insurance.

Required Documents for Cross-Border Travel

For cross-border car rental from Slovenia to Croatia, you need the following documents:

• Valid Passport or ID: Croatia is part of the EU and the Schengen Area, so there are no border checks. However, it is recommended to have with you your passport or ID, which after all is necessary to rent a car in Slovenia.
• Driving license: If you're from an EU country, your national driver’s license is sufficient. Non-EU travelers should carry an international driving permit along with their national license.
• Insurance: The Green card is proof of international insurance and it is advisable to have it, as it shows that your car is insured in the countries you're traveling through.

Insurance and Legal Considerations

Please inform us about your desire to drive to Croatia in order to provide you with car rental insurance in Slovenia that also covers you in Croatia. Most EU insurances automatically include coverage, but it is always best to confirm. Plus, there may exist additional cost for cross-border car rental.

Moreover, we recommend you familiarize with Croatian driving laws, such as speed limits (usually 130 km/h on highways and 50 km/h in urban areas) and the requirement for seatbelts. Croatia has strict regulations on drinking and driving, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05%.

There are many car hire options in Slovenia, especially in Ljubljana and Brnik, the two most popular tourist attractions.

When you make car rental comparison in Slovenia, please remember the following advice:

• Price comparisons and deals: Check the offers and discounts for the car category you want. Cheap car hire in Slovenia is often offered, but take into account also the deals for specific periods.
• Hidden fees: Read thoroughly the rental agreement to avoid hidden charges.
• Car fleet: Choose a rental company with new and safe vehicles and great variety to find the perfect car for you.
• Customer service and reliability: A worldwide reliable company with local partners is your safe option.

Abbycar is one of the top car rental companies in Slovenia, with worldwide reputation and great variety in new and modern vehicles, 24/7 road assistance and excellent customer service. It has many car rental stations in Ljubljana (including car rental at Slovenia airport) as well as in Brnik to pick up your car in the location that best suits you.

Of course, you can also book online the car you need. The easy and straightforward process of booking online in a user-friendly platform, such as Abbycar’s, is the best choice to perfectly organize your trip and find the best car rental deals in Slovenia.

Car hire in Slovenia is a simple procedure. The step-by-step guide consists of the following:

1. Choose from Abbycar’s easy platform or in person in one of our rental locations the car type that meets your criteria according to your needs, travel plan and budget.
2. Provide a valid driving license, passport or ID and credit card.
3. A deposit amount will be blocked in your credit card, but not charged. This deposit will be charged only in case of damage.
4. You take the car after inspecting its situation and take photos to prove the existence of any pre-existing damage. You should also check the mileage and gas mileage.
5. You return the car at the drop-off point.

The required documents you need to rent a car in Slovenia are:

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for foreign non-EU drivers)
• Passport or ID
• Credit card under the main driver’s name.

The best time to rent a car in Slovenia for best rates is during the off-season, which runs from October till March (except Christmas). During these months, fewer tourists visit Slovenia, so demand for rental cars is lower and so are prices.

Although Slovenia has a good network of public transportation, such as buses and trains, the necessity of having a car is high. Public transportation is cheaper than car rental, but its routes and schedules are limited. Plus, Slovenia thanks to its small size is the perfect destination for road trips.

The benefits of renting a car in Slovenia are:

• Flexibility to travel at your own pace and see as many points of interest as you want.
• Convenience and avoidance of overcrowded public transportation, especially in the high season.
• Opportunity to travel easily and conveniently with kids, pets etc. as well as carry equipment for outdoor activities.
• Exploration of off-the-track-path places that are not accessible by public transportation. Slovenia road trips rentals are the best way to discover this beautiful country.

The areas that are accessible only by car are:

• Triglav National Park: The stunning Julian Alps and Triglav National Park are best explored by car, as public transportation is limited. Spots like Lake Bohinj, the Soča Valley and the Vršič Pass are easier to reach by car.
• Logarska Dolina: This alpine valley in northern Slovenia is remote and not easily accessible by public transport.
• Karst Region: The Karst region, famous for its caves like the Škocjan Caves and Postojna Cave, as well as the unique Predjama Castle, is more convenient to explore by car, as public transportation is limited in these rural areas.
• Goriška Brda: Slovenia’s Tuscany, this wine region is difficult to reach without a car. With its rolling hills, vineyards, and charming villages, driving is the best way to explore this beautiful area at your own pace.

The legal driving age in Slovenia is 18 years old, but there are additional rental requirements. That means you are not allowed to rent a car in Slovenia before the age of 21 years old. Please inform us about your age, because in certain car categories there are additional costs for young drivers.

The maximum age is 60 years, but you can be as old as 70 years if you pay an additional senior driver fee.

Road safety and conditions

Slovenia has a well-maintained road network, including highways, regional roads and tunnels in mountainous areas. Some key points to consider:

• Speed limits: The speed limit on highways is 110 km/h, 90 km/h on regional roads and 50 km/h in urban areas, unless otherwise stated via local signs.
• Vignette requirement: To drive on Slovenian highways, you must purchase a vignette (toll sticker). This can be obtained at gas stations, border crossings or online. It is mandatory and non-compliance results in heavy fines.
• Seatbelts and mobile use: Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless you have a hands-free device.
• Alcohol limits: The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. However, for young drivers (less than 3 years of experience), it is 0.00%.

Navigational tips

Driving in Slovenia is safe, but keep in mind following tips:

• Mountain Roads: In the Alpine areas, roads can be narrow and winding. Always drive cautiously, especially in remote regions, and watch for cyclists or wildlife crossing.
• GPS and offline maps: As the cost to use your mobile phone for internet data may be high, you can ask for GPS from Abbycar. This features also offline maps in case the signal is low in mountainous areas.
• Tunnels and bridges: Slovenia has several long tunnels and high-altitude bridges, especially in mountainous areas. These are safe and modern, but may have tolls or require specific attention to speed limits.

Seasonal driving advice

During summer, you should expect high traffic in the capital as well as in major tourist attractions. The weather is mild and not very hot, but in mountainous passes the visibility may be low. This is even more true in fall, winter and spring.

Especially during winter, winter tires are mandatory between November 15 and March 15 or whenever snow conditions apply. In mountainous regions, carrying snow chains is also recommended.

Explore the sights of Slovenia with Abbycar easily, safely and on a budget!