Renting a car in Ljubljana: all you need to know

Are you planning to visit Ljubljana and looking for a reliable car hire service? You’ve come to the right place. We live in Ljubljana, and we have rented cars in the city center and at the airport multiple times.

We have put this article together with all our tips for renting a car in Ljubljana and being fully transparent about our bad experiences (so you don’t have to make the same mistake we did!).

We will discuss all things related to renting a car in Ljubljana – from choosing the right type of vehicle to finding good deals and understanding local driving regulations. Let’s get started!

Where to rent a car in Ljubljana?

You can choose between renting a car at Ljubljana Airport or in the city center. It will depend on where you will be arriving.

If you will be visiting more of Slovenia (not only Ljubljana), we recommend getting the car as soon as you arrive to make things easier for you. If you’ve already gotten out of the airport in the car, you don’t have to worry about finding transport to your accommodation.

Let’s break it down further with the companies we recommend in each case.

Where to rent a car in Ljubljana Airport?

We think that Sixt is the best company to hire a car in Ljubljana – you can get a quote using Discover Cars. 

They have a booth at the arrivals area in the airport, so it is very easy to get your car once you land. Most car rental companies that operate in Ljubljana Airport will be located there, and they store the car in the parking just outside the main building, so it is very practical.

We have also used Alamo to rent a car in Ljubljana Airport and had an ok experience with them, but we prefer the service level and the cars provided by Sixt. You can also get a quote with Alamo through Discover Cars and use the tool to compare their prices with other providers.

Where to rent a car in Ljubljana city center?

The car hire companies in Ljubljana city center are not all located in one place, like at the airport, so it is important to do your research.

Our favorite company for renting a car in the center is Sixt, as they have an office close to the Ljubljana Train Station, which is very central. We have rented cars with them multiple times, and we have always gotten vehicles in really good shape, for very reasonable prices. Another thing we love is that they have a lower deposit fee requirement. You will need to leave €400 blocked on your card (which is not so bad, some other companies require a €1.000 fee, which is crazy).

You can use Discover Cars to get the best deals with Sixt in Ljubljana city center, also!

Warning: Since not everything goes right when traveling, we also think it is fair to say we have had a bad experience renting a car with InterRent. We did it only once because the price was very low and tempting, but we paid for it afterward in a different way. We were given quite an old car, and when we returned, we were charged 1 month later for the extra insurance, which we did not sign up for, and was added to the contract without disclosure. It was overall a shady and stressful experience, so we can’t recommend them.

What to look for when renting a car in Ljubljana?

When browsing Discover Cars, these are the things we look for before we book the deal:

• Pay close attention to the ratings – we advise you to only rent cars from companies that have high ratings (minimum 7 or 8). There is a reason why other companies have lower ratings, and the possible stress you have when a deal is bad does not compensate for a few euros saved.
• Check the rental conditions carefully – this is especially important if you are 25 or younger, as you may fall in a “Young Driver” category, which can be charged an additional fee
• Get car insurance! – If you want to travel stress-free, getting car insurance is a must-do. Discover Cars offers full coverage when booking the vehicle, so it is the simplest way to get this sorted out.
• Pay attention to the vehicle category – All car hire companies rent their vehicles per category, not for a specific model. If you select a Fiat Panda, you will be getting a car within that same category, with the same features (for this case, an economy car, with most likely manual shift, 2 doors, and luggage space). Pay attention to the features you need in your car, such as air conditioning.

If you follow these simple tips, we are confident that you will have a great experience when renting a car in Ljubljana!

Read also: Renting a car in Slovenia, all you need to know

How much is a car rental in Ljubljana?

Renting a car in Ljubljana is quite affordable compared to other European capitals, but the final rate will depend on the season, car category, and rental days. As a general reference, the cost of car hire in Ljubljana can vary from €10-100 per day.

Pro tip: One of the factors that will have the most significant impact on your car rental price is the duration of the rental. Hiring a car for a single day usually results in the most expensive daily rates you can get. If you stay with the car for longer periods (at least 1 week), the daily rate gets lower and lower; proportionally, you pay less per day. In this case, if you will be traveling for longer periods of time, consider keeping the car for a few days in a row.

Do you need a car in Ljubljana?

The answer to this question depends on your needs. 

• If you plan on exploring not only Ljubljana but also other destinations in Slovenia, then renting a car can be very convenient, as it allows you to have more freedom when moving around. 
• If you will be staying in Ljubljana and don’t plan on leaving the city, then a car may not be necessary. Public transportation in Ljubljana is quite comprehensive and efficient, so you can easily get from one place to another without needing a car.

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Where to park your car in Ljubljana?

Parking in the city center can be quite stressful if you are not familiar with the city. But don’t worry, we are here to make it as simple as possible.

First, basic rules:

• Most public street parking in Ljubljana is payable with the parking machines on the street
• You can park in spots marked with a white line, but avoid the ones with other colors, as they are for special conditions
• Parking costs and durations vary depending on the zone you park in
• There are also parking garages located next to Ljubljana Old Town, but they are more expensive. The main one is at Congress Square

Now that you are familiar with the rules, here is another very important tip if you will be renting a car in Ljubljana:

Try to get accommodation that offers parking! This will save you a lot of time and money.

Is it hard to drive in Ljubljana?

Driving in Ljubljana is generally not that hard as the city is relatively small and well-organized. The roads are mostly in good condition, and the Old Town consists mostly of a large pedestrian area, so you can’t really access it with a car. 

For more information, we have put together a full guide about driving in Slovenia as a foreigner.