All you need to know before renting a car in Slovenia

We always say that the best way to explore Slovenia is by renting a car, so you can have the freedom of making your own itinerary. But we know that a lot of people have tons of questions before deciding to rent a car in a foreign country like Slovenia.

This is why we took the time to answer all your questions about car hire in Slovenia. Since we both live in Slovenia, this is a topic we are very confident in sharing with you.

We believe we can bring a very unique perspective to the table – me as a local and Fe as a foreigner, who would have a similar view to a first-time traveler to Slovenia.

Renting a car in Slovenia – General Overview

Driving in Slovenia is quite simple and easy, especially if you are used to traveling internationally.

The roads in Slovenia are in very good condition, and the traffic signs follow standard international conventions, similar to what is used throughout other countries in the EU. This is why, if you come from another European country, you will probably find it very straightforward to drive here.

There are a few things that are important to have in mind when you decide to rent a car in Slovenia:

• Documents: Make sure you have the right documents before hopping behind the wheel. It is very common to see policemen doing random checks on the road, and the fines can be quite expensive (let alone annoying to deal with during a trip).
• Rental agreement: Get yourself familiar with the rental agreement before you pick up the rental car in Slovenia. There are a few things that could incur extra costs, for example, if you are aged below 25 or if you will be driving outside of the country.
• Basic driving rules: Another thing that will help you is to get familiar with the basic driving regulations in Slovenia, especially the speed limitations. You can read all about it here on our Slovenia driving guide.
• Car conditions: This is a very important step in renting a car in Slovenia or anywhere else – make sure you check the car thoroughly and take pictures of its state before you drive off. These pictures, with the time stamp, serve as proof in case you are wrongly claimed for any damage that already exists. Don’t take this step for granted.

Is it worth renting a car in Slovenia?

Yes, hiring your own car in Slovenia is absolutely worth it, and I will tell you why: renting a car is the only way you will get to explore everything at your own pace.

Public transport in Slovenia works well between important cities, but it does not offer good connections for exploring natural sites – and this is what Slovenia is mostly known for.

Some of our favorite regions in Slovenia, such as the Soca Valley, are very poorly served by public transport and it would be a pity to miss such incredible destinations. So when in doubt, yes, you should definitely rent a car for your trip to Slovenia.

Read also:

• Best things to see in the Soca Valley
• Exploring the Triglav National Park

Requirements for renting a car in Slovenia

For renting a car in Slovenia, you are required to have all the documents necessary to drive here as a foreigner. These are:

1. Valid driving license
2. International Driving Permit if your driving license is not issued by an EU member country
3. ID document with a photo, such as a passport
4. A credit card to be used for the deposit, which normally has to be issued under the driver’s name

What documents does the rental car need for driving in Slovenia?

Every vehicle must be equipped with:

• Vehicle documents – the registration document that states the owner, model, and year, and that everything is in check and up-to-date
• Vehicle insurance

When renting a car in Slovenia, make sure the vehicle has both of these documents before leaving the car rental company’s office. This is especially important if you plan on crossing any border during your trip, as the border patrol may ask the vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

Is it easy to rent a car in Slovenia?

Yes, if you have all the required documents, renting a car in Slovenia is quite easy and straightforward.

The car rental company may not ask to see all the above-mentioned documents. For example, it may happen that they don’t ask to see your International Driving Permit, even if you have a US driving license.

This is normal. This doesn’t mean that you should drive without the IDP. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure he/she has all the documents required for driving in Slovenia, not the rental company’s.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Slovenia?

Let’s talk price!

The cost of renting a car in Slovenia can vary a lot based on the time of the year, the type of vehicle you book, and the duration of the rental.

To give you an idea of the current prices, here are a few examples of how much it would cost to rent a car in Slovenia under different circumstances:

Rental city	Vehicle type	Price (2024)	Days
Ljubljana	Economy	€ 110	7 days
Ljubljana	SUV	€ 150	7 days
Bled	Economy	€ 135	3 days
Maribor	Economy	€ 80	3 days

As you can see, the cost of renting a car in Slovenia varies a lot depending on the circumstances. There are three factors that influence the price the most: seasonality, duration of the rental, and how early you book.

Let’s go through each scenario to understand how to get the cheapest car rental prices.

Cost of renting a car in Slovenia during different seasons

The high season in Slovenia is summer, especially during the months of July and August. But, when it comes to prices, the high season can also be considered a broader range, including the shoulder months, which would then go from May to the end of September. 

During this time, the cost of renting a car in Slovenia is the highest as the demand is also at its highest peak.

The cheapest time of the year to rent a car in Slovenia is during the winter, especially in December and January (excluding the Christmas holidays).

Cost of renting a car in Slovenia for longer periods

As a rule of thumb, the longer you stay with the car, the cheaper the daily rates get. You can see this clearly in the price table above.

If you rent a car in Slovenia for only one day, you will pay the highest daily fees available. If you rent a car in Slovenia for a week, you will get much better deals on the daily rate. So, plan your itinerary in such a way that you keep the car for longer periods if possible.

Pro tip: The daily rates are always calculated on 24h period. This means that if you want to pick up the car in the morning and return it on the next afternoon, you will be charged for two days since you will pass the 24-hour threshold. You can use this rule for your own benefit and try to make the most out of your time by always calculating 24-hour periods when renting your car in Slovenia.

Cost of renting a car in Slovenia when booking early

This is another rule of thumb, but it almost always works: the earlier you reserve a rental car for your Slovenia trip, the cheaper it will be.

The cost of renting a car in Slovenia is typically higher when booking at the last minute (except for a few lucky exceptions). This is because you are left with fewer choices and, in many cases, only the higher-range vehicles are available at this point.

There is an exception to this rule and it is when car rental companies in Slovenia run promotions for last-minute bookings. This usually happens during the low season to try to create demand.

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

Where to rent a car in Slovenia?

The major rental companies are present in all the main tourist cities in Slovenia such as Ljubljana, Bled, and Maribor.

The best place to rent a car in Slovenia is Ljubljana, especially the Airport. The reason for this is availability. The Ljubljana International Airport is the location with the most car rental companies, which means there is more availability of vehicles and you can find better deals.

Since they operate from the airport, these car rental companies have better working hours, and it is more convenient to rent a car from them. You can pick up the vehicle directly when you arrive in Slovenia and return it as you leave.

Check all the cities available at Discover Cars to see where you can rent a car when traveling to Slovenia.

Read also: Renting a car in Ljubljana

The best car rental companies in Slovenia

When looking to rent a car in Slovenia, you will find a mix of local and international providers such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, etc.

We have rented cars multiple times here in Slovenia and used several different companies. By far, our favorite company to rent a car in Slovenia is Sixt.

This is not a sponsored testimonial by any means. We have always rented the car anonymously but always received an incredible service. The cars are new, they have a low deposit requirement when compared to other companies, and we never had to wait long in line to be attended. All in all, we can definitely recommend Sixt for renting a car in Slovenia.

On the other hand, we have had a very unpleasant experience in the past with InterRent. We were given quite an old car, and when returning it, we were charged 1 month later for some extra insurance which we did not sign up for. It was overall a very stressful experience, so we can’t recommend them.

Border crossing with a rental car from Slovenia

It is very common for people to want to rent a car in Slovenia and drive to Croatia or Italy, so I would be remiss not to address this topic.

Slovenia is a small country that shares a border with four other nations: Croatia, Italy, Austria, and Hungary. All four of them are part of the EU, so even if the border crossing is considered an international border, the general rules for driving and documents are very similar between these countries. Nonetheless, it is always worth double-checking for your specific route.

You are allowed to rent a car in Slovenia and drive to Croatia, Italy, or any other bordering country as long as you have all the required documents for yourself and the vehicle, provided if course, that the rental agency allows border crossing.

It is important that you mention to the car rental company that you intend to drive outside of the country during your trip, so they can make sure the vehicle has all the right documents for the border crossing. For example, if the vehicle doesn’t have the appropriate insurance and something happens while you are outside of Slovenia, this could cause significant complications and costs for you.

Some car rental companies in Slovenia may charge an additional fee for travelers who intend to drive abroad with the vehicle.

Read also:

• Driving in Italy as a foreigner
• Renting a car in Italy
• Driving guide for Croatia
• Check other driving guides

FAQ – Popular questions about renting a car in Slovenia

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Slovenia?

You have to be at least 18 years old to rent a car in Slovenia, and you must also have had a driver’s license for at least two years at the moment you rent the car.

If you are under 25 years, car rental companies in Slovenia may charge a “young driver fee”. Make sure you check with the company beforehand if this charge is applicable, as it may vary from company to company.

Can I rent a car in Slovenia with an American driving license?

Yes, you can use an American driving license to rent a car in Slovenia. 

In most cases, car rental companies in Slovenia accept American driving licenses without problems since the information is written in English.

For driving, you are required by law to have an International Driving Permit, but the car rental companies are not obliged to request this from you. As the driver, it is your responsibility to make sure you are complying with the regulations.

What are the main differences when driving in Slovenia as an American?

Here are some of the differences that stood out to Fe as a foreigner the most (and a few of her tips for driving in Slovenia as a foreigner):

• Roundabouts are everywhere; get used to them
• On the highway, the left lane is reserved for speeding
• When there is traffic on the highway, you should leave a space in the middle for emergencies or ambulances – and people really do respect this!
• City roads normally don’t have a lot of lanes (2 max) so drive carefully and be mindful of traffic
• There are almost no motorbikes on the road, except for the summer when it is common to see bikers, especially on mountain roads
• There are A LOT of cyclists, especially in bigger cities, but often on the side of the roads as well. Be very careful on crossings and when overpassing

Is it difficult to drive in Slovenia?

No, driving in Slovenia is very easy. The highways in Slovenia are in great condition, and neither Fe nor I have ever felt unsafe when driving in Slovenia, whether it is with a rental car or our own.

In any case, it is always a good practice to drive defensively and respect traffic signs. Be mindful of the weather conditions, as driving under a thunderstorm or snowfall can be quite dangerous.

In the summer, Slovenia usually has quite a few thunderstorms, but they tend to be strong and pass quickly. So, if you know there is one coming your way, just wait it out.

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We hope this article has helped clear your doubts about renting a car in Slovenia. We truly believe that getting a vehicle and driving around the country is the best way to explore Slovenia, so we are very excited for you to embark on this journey!

Other Slovenia travel guides

• What to see in Ljubljana
• Best Things to Do in Bled
• Winter in Slovenia: Best Things to Do
• Top 7 Things to Do in Lake Bohinj
• Visiting Postojna Cave, the Best Day Trip from Ljubljana
• Visiting Tolmin Gorge