Slovenia is a unique green country that many backpackers, campers, and other hitchhikers want to go the length and breadth of. The territory is relatively small, so this is a great country to tour during your holidays. The best part is that you will not even need a car to do so.
It is very common and safe to hitchhike in Slovenia. Overall, Slovenia is an extremely safe country (the 7th in the world actually). Above all, it is an institution in the country, and drivers will always be happy to help you share travel stories. Moreover, Slovenians often speak English, German, and Italian.
Through this article, you will discover that it is easy and really pleasing to hitchhike on highways or small roads of Slovenia. The territory is small but offers gorgeous and breathtaking changing views all along the way, from the beautiful sights on the Alps to the quiet countryside and picturesque Adriatic sea.
Tips to Hitchhike from Ljubljana
The main advantage of hitchhiking in Slovenia is the fact that you can cross the whole country in about 2 hours. If you want to get from the Alps to the Adriatic, it can quickly be done, in about 3 hours. However, the most straightforward hitchhiking point in the country remains the capital, Ljubljana.
From there, you will have no problem arriving in the northeast, in cities like Maribor or Celje, and even to Austria if your place of arrival is Vienna or Graz. You can also join the north-west of the country (Bled) and another part of Austria (Salzburg or Villach, for example), and the east and south from Italy to Croatia.
Wherever you choose to go, make sure to have a sign that indicates your destination. No worries; you will always find a good soul to pick you up even on the smallest rural roads. You will also find good service areas on the highways and motorways, often featuring showers.
Here is a list of your main options if you want to leave the capital city by hitchhiking.
Northeast: Towards Maribor, Hungary, East of Austria
If you are going these ways, you have several possibilities. First, you can take one of several buses at Ljubljana’s train station, between bus six towards Črnuče, the eight direction Brnčičeva, or again the 11 in direction of the north, and stop at “Smelt” to find a right waiting spot.
You also have the option to take the bus numero 27 direction “Letaliska” and stop at “Jarse” to follow the “Smartinska cesta” for 400 meters until you find a traffic light and bust stop, an ideal place to wait with your sign.
Northeast: Towards Kranj, Bled, Munich, Southwestern Austria
To get to these cities, you have to join the motorway E61/A2 from the bus stop Šentvid in the street Celovška cesta.
Towards Koper, Italy, Croatia (Pula)
Your best option is to catch bus number 9 and follow Cesta Dveh Cesarev street after stopping at Pot Na Rakovo Jelso.
Southeast: Towards Novo Mesto, Zagreb
The easiest way to hitchhike to these destinations is to be picked up at the Barje Station, or use the same technique explained in the previous paragraph.
For more detailed information, you can check more on Hitchwiki.
Border Crossing in Slovenia
Another great aspect about hitchhiking in Slovenia is the integration of the country into the Schengen area. It means that you will have the chance to cross the borders with Austria, Italy, and Hungary without having to stop through customs and be asked for an ID or passport. Be prepared; the controls are more common on the Croatian border since the country is not part of the Schengen area for now.
If you are crossing the border to leave Slovenia, remember that you will have to change the currency in Croatia (for Croatian Kunas) and in Hungary (for Hungarian Forint). I also recommend you took a look at one of the many beautiful border towns and villages if you have the time.
Between Slovenia and Austria, the most picturesque ones are Maribor, Jesenice, Kranjska Gora, and Dravograd. Close to Italy, you can visit Koper, Nova Gorica, Bovec, and Vipava. On your way to Croatia, stop at Brežice, Krško, Dobova, Piran, or again Ptuj and Črnomelj. At the Hungarian border, Murska Sobota, Lendava, and Hodoš are also worth the sight.
Slovenia’s Hitchhiking Museum
If you want to learn more about hitchhiking tradition in Slovenia or are yourself a seasoned hitchhiker, Slovenia’s hitchhiking museum is made for you! Miran Ipavec had the idea to open a museum dedicated to hitchhiking when his book about his own hitchhiking tales gathered on European roads was published, in 2014. He chose to expose some of the many items he brought back from his trips and create an excellent living museum.
In this interesting Hitchhiking museum, you will find everything from beer mugs and table tennis balls to dolls dressed in their national outfit, and travel notebooks, museum or concert tickets, and football scarves and mascots. More than an unusual museum, the place offers a great trip all around Europe, for both curious hitchhikers and individuals or families that long for an experience like this.
Admission Fees:
For adults: 3,00 euros
For children (between 7 and 15 years): 1,50 euros
For pre-school children: free
For students: 2,50 euros
For groups (10 or more): 2,50 euros
Opening hours (the museum is only open from May to October):
From Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm.
On Sunday: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Closed on Monday.
Hitchhiking Museum, 4260 Bled, Cesta svobode 1
Contact: miran.ipavec@gmail.com
Tips to Travel Cheap in Slovenia
If you are partly hitchhiking because of financial matters, you will have to remember some rules during your Slovenian trip. Unfortunately, wild camping, for example, is prohibited in the country. This way, you will have to act smart if you want to sleep in Slovenia for free. You can notably ask the locals for a small area of grass in their private property.
Overall, you will be fine camping in Slovenia if you respect the basic rules of common-sense: always be kind and do not light a bonfire, and it will go well. You can also choose to couch surf: it is a particularly pleasant and convivial option, especially if you want to meet Slovenians and stay in the area of Ljubljana for a few days.
Other Ways to Travel Cheap in the Country
If you are quite tired of hitchhiking or looking for various alternative traveling methods, you will find many other cheap options in Slovenia. You can also take the Slovenian railway if you are looking for local or international lines, but it will be a little more expensive. The less expensive ones are the following.
Prevoz.org
Prevoz.org is a website created to help coordinate transportation for individuals in Slovenia. You can register for free and add messages or see existing ones. This excellent website was created by a group of students that whished for an easy way to travel and coordinate the different means of transport in the country.
To explain it as thoroughly as possible, this website can be compared to a Slovenian blablacar, with really low prices and warm Slovenian drivers and users! There are numerous offers for each trip every day, so you will definitely find someone who does the same when it suits you the most.
Contact: info@prevoz.org
Website: https://prevoz.org/intl/
Blablacar
Blablacar is a standard website used all around Europe for young and old car-poolers that want to save money and preserve the environment. This option is particularly developed in Slovenia, so you will easily find a trip to take you wherever you want!
For example, a trip between Ljubljana and Maribor will cost you about 5 euros for a one hour and a half journey.
Website: https://www.blablacar.com/ride-sharing-abroad/si/
Flixbus
Flixbus is a European bus company that provides the cheapest services on the market. Many Slovenian cities are connected to the Flixbus network: you can use their buses from and to Bled, Maribor, Ljubljana, Ptuj, Koper, Portoroz, and Šempeter pri Gorici. Moreover, the main interest of Flixbus is that it can take you quickly to any neighboring country!
The prices on Flixbus are unparalleled, and the comfort as well. You can go anywhere you want, whenever you want. It also proposes many useful night trips, perfect for long journeys.
Website: https://www.flixbus.com/bus/slovenia
Hitchhike Safe in Slovenia!
If you decide to hitchhike in Slovenia, you will not regret it: the country and its warm inhabitants will offer you a fantastic welcome and breathtaking landscapes and experiences. All of your travels can be enjoyed without a care in the world: Slovenia is one of the safest countries on earth, as you can check in this article. It is also one of the most surprising ones, so go for it.
Thumbs up, you are about to discover an amazingly preserved, diverse, and green country that has no parallel in Europe!
