Travel in Ljubljana, Slovenia on a Budget
Of all the former Yugoslav republics, Slovenia is the most stable and well-developed. Declaring independence in 1991, Slovenia joined the European Union just thirteen years later in 2004, a testament to its rapid economic and social progress. Given its unique location in between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. the tiny nation of Slovenia is a place where cultures have merged over the course of history. For anyone backpacking through Europe or otherwise looking to see Slovenia on a budget, its capital of Ljubljana is especially accessible, inexpensive, and safe. This article provides information on travel to Slovenia, budget accommodations and food in Ljubljana, and must-see tourist spots in the Slovene capital.
Getting to Slovenia on a Budget
Because of its generally amicable relationship with the United States, American citizens need only a valid passport to visit Slovenia. No visa is required for tourist stays of up to 90 days, so there is no major cost for entry other than transportation. If you have any questions, check with the United States embassy in Ljubljana (www.slovenia.usembassy.gov). The excellent website will provide all the answers to common questions.
Inexpensive flights to Slovenia are fairly easy to find because so many carriers offer connecting service from the United States. If you begin your journey in New York, Boston, Washington, or Chicago, you’ll be able to fly into Ljubljana with only one connection. Czech Airlines, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines all have reasonable rates, depending on your city of origin. With some advance planning and some luck, you can get a ticket from the east coast for as little as $500, but be prepared and budget somewhere between $600 and $800.
Because Slovenia is well-connected by rail to the rest of Europe, you may save money by taking a train to Ljubljana from a larger city. This can facilitate cheaper airfare as well as a multi-country trip. Flights to Vienna, Munich, and Prague from the east coast are remarkably cheap, sometimes as low as $250. If you want to cut your transportation costs in half, fly into one of these hub cities and take a train to Ljubljana. For example, most train trips between Munich and Ljubljana (6 hours) cost about $180. Combining cheap airfare with a rail ticket can land you in Ljubljana for under $450. The budget-conscious traveler would definitely pursue this option! Of course, if you’re folding Slovenia into a broader trip, the just buy a Eurail pass (www.eurail.com) and save even more.
Transportation in Ljubljana
Slovenia’s capital, a small city with only 300,000 residents, is quite walkable. The city center is rather compact, and many tourist sites are located near one another, just off the main square (Presernov Trg). Because Ljubljana is so charming, strolling around neighborhoods is the best way to explore and stay within your budget. You can also rent a bike from a city-operated stand in Presernov Trg for a nominal deposit and fee.
Of course, you’ll eventually want more mobility than your feet can provide, so you’ll probably need to use the city buses. Anticipating this need, the city tourism office created the Ljubljana card which visitors can buy for 3000 Slovene tolars ($15) at the airport, train station, and countless other locations. In addition to offering discounted admission at many tourist spots, the card is good for three days of unlimited bus fares and discounted taxi rates. By walking, biking, and bussing it, you’ll be able to get around Ljubljana lickety-split and keep your budget slim. Use taxis only late at night, after buses are no longer available.
Accommodations in Ljubljana
Hostels are plentiful in Slovenia, so the budget traveler should almost certainly choose this kind of cheap accommodation. For a highly rated hostel, try the Fluxus, with each bed running about $30. Located in the city center at Tomsiceva ul. 4, Fluxus is within walking distance from nearly everything, including bars and many major tourist sites.
Also close to the city center is Alibi Rooms Hostel at Kolarjeva 30. Brightly painted, notably clean, and even less expensive than Fluxus, Alibi offers beds for under $20 a night. This would be my personal recommendation for a modest but comfortable stay.
If you’re willing to go even a little more austere, you can try the Bit Center Hotel at Litijska 57, which has more conventional hotel rooms but also hostel-style dorm beds, the latter as cheap as $16. Visit www.bit-center.net.
Should you need a little more privacy than just a regular bunk bed setup with eight people in a room, many Ljubljana hostels offer double or triple occupancy rooms for about $30 or $35 per person. Each establishment has a slightly different setup, so it’s best to investigate in advance. Use a website like www.hostels.net or www.hosteleurope.com to check ratings and get rates.
Food in Ljubljana
Traditional Slovene cuisine is a delightful mix of Austrian, Italian, and Slavic dishes. Since Ljubljana is a reasonably sophisticated city, you’ll be able to sample Slovene foods alongside all kinds of continental European cuisine. You can stay on a budget and still dine out nicely.
If you pick up the aforementioned Ljubljana card for free bus rides, you’ll also enjoy a discount at some restaurants. For example, Zlata Ribica at Cankarjevo nabreÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½je 5 will provide you with a free welcome drink to show their Slovene hospitality to foreigners. Try their gnocchi with arugula or any of their soups! You can sample Slovene stews and breads here too. Meals are almost always under $10.
For pizza, pasta, and a salad bar at a cheap, fun restaurant, head to Pizzeria Kavarna Cerin. At Trubarjeva 52, this eatery is located in Old Town Ljubljana by the river. Each diner can eat for about $6.
Vegetarians may want to try Zrno, at Trubarjeva cesta 8. The menu features many cheeses and vegetables. For a hearty yet (reasonably) healthy lunch, you can spend less than $4 here and leave full!
Ljubljana has no shortage of excellent restaurants with prices under $10. You can also look for self-serve cafeteria-style places if you’re in a hurry, or try grabbing a burek (meat-filled pastry) from a street vendor. Since you’ll probably be staying at a hostel to keep your budget tight, be sure to ask your fellow transient types where they’ve eaten. Camaraderie tends to develop among hostel-stayers, and they’ll give you the skinny on the best places to eat.
Things to See in Ljubljana
Once again, if you pick up the Ljubljana card, you’ll have a head start. Just looking through the list of free and discounted admissions will give you plenty of ideas, and most sights are hard to miss in this small city. Be sure to see the following attractions, many of which are free or low-cost:
– Ljubljana Castle
– Old Town with three squares: Mestni trg, Stari trg, Gornji trg
– Central Market
– Town Hall
– Presernov Trg
– Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
– Triple Bridges
– Trnovo Church
– University of Ljubljana
– Church of Our Lady of Mercy
– Tivoli Park
– National Gallery
In summary
If you fly from the east coast into a larger city like Munich and then take the train to Slovenia, you can probably keep your total budget for a week in Ljubljana under $900, with plenty of nights on the town and even some small souvenirs. Slovenia is becoming more and more expensive as tourists from around the around visit the beautiful little country and take advantage of its diverse landscapes and blended cultural heritage.
