Car Rental in Slovenia

Slovenia is a great place to explore. From its cozy capital, Ljubljana which is quickly becoming one of Europe’s favorite city getaways to majestic mountains and from lakeside towns like Bled to its own stretch of the Adriatic sea, this small country punches way above its weight when it comes to tourist attractions.

• From Slovenia to Italy - 129 offers from NZ$ 61.40 per day
• From Slovenia to Croatia - 98 offers from NZ$ 82.30 per day
• From Slovenia to Austria - 62 offers from NZ$ 82.30 per day
• From Slovenia to Germany - 9 offers from NZ$ 128.92 per day
• From Slovenia to Albania - 42 offers from NZ$ 140.61 per day

• Ljubljana Airport: By far the largest Slovenia’s airport, it hosts flights to and from many destinations in Europe and beyond.
• Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport: As of January 2019, Maribor Airport is currently defunct, but it might host flights again in the near future.
• By land: If your rental car provider permits it, it’s possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and then drive to Slovenia. Some large international airports near Slovenia are Vienna Airport in Austria, Venice Airport in Italy, and Zagreb Airport in Croatia.

• Ljubljana. The Slovenian capital might be quite small if compared to nearby Vienna or Budapest, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. A place with plenty of culture and creativity, Ljubljana is also known for its well-preserved Old Town, Ljubljana Castle, and the Dragon Bridge.
• Bled. Probably the smallest town ever to make the Lonely Planet’s list of the world’s top 200 cities, Bled is on the shore of a lake of the same name (there’s an island in the lake that is also considered a part of the town). Attracting visitors with its fairytale look and stunning natural surroundings, Bled is known for its hilltop castle and for providing access to many outdoor activities like paragliding, mountain climbing, and canyoning.
• Coast. Although only 46km (29 miles) long, the Slovenian coast is one of the most interesting parts of the country. Strongly influenced by the neighboring Venetians who ruled the area for some 500 years, the region is known not just for its beaches and scenic coastal towns, but also lakes, caves, and karst formations.

The most popular rental car in Slovenia is the Opel Corsa, but the VW Golf and the Volkswagen Up are also frequently picked by travelers.

• Slovenia recognizes foreign driver’s licenses if they are written in a Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than six months. If you’re visiting on a longer trip or if you’re a permanent resident of the country, you need to acquire a local driver’s license.
• If your driver’s license is in another alphabet (e.g., Cyrillic or Arabic), you need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Even if you have an IDP, you still need to also provide your valid driver’s license from your country
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Slovenia is bordered by Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Italy. Just like Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy are members of the Schengen Area, so if you’ve entered Slovenia with a Schengen Visa, you can also visit any of these three other countries with it. Although Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU), it is not a member of the Schengen Area and has its entry requirements. Depending on your citizenship, you may or may not need a visa to visit Croatia. We strongly advise you getting in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out whether you need a visa to visit Croatia.

Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our FAQ section.

The most popular rental car type in Slovenia is Intermediate, followed by Compact and Economy.

• Triglav National Park. Slovenia’s only national park, the impressive Triglav welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors every year. Best known for the three snow-capped peaks that lie at its heart giving the park its name and which are the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, Triglav is also made up of waterfalls, valleys, and gorges crisscrossed by hiking trails. It takes 50 minutes to drive from Ljubljana and only 15 minutes from Bled.
• Eastern Slovenia. Bordering Austria and Hungary, the off-the-beaten-track northeast of the country has its fair share of delights for a curious traveler to explore. These include Maribor, the capital of the region and the second-largest city in the country, but also Slovenia’s best vineyards, Goričko landscape park, and landmarks like Ptuj Castle.
• Bovec. Located just outside the Triglav National Park, little Bovec might only have a permanent population of about 1,600 people, but every year many times more visitors arrive here to enjoy the excellent white water rafting and kayaking opportunities down the swift Soča River which flows through the city. Bovec is located very close to Italy and it’s possible to pop over the border for a visit if your rental car supplier permits it. 

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Slovenia:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest.
• According to our data, visiting Slovenia is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 46% cheaper than the yearly average and a whopping 69% cheaper than in November.