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Tours to Slovenia

Ways to explore slovenia, rail journeys, walking and trekking, discover our slovenia tours.

From glistening glacier lakes and steep mountain cliffs to the vibrant city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is a fantastic destination that's often under the radar.   Slovenia is renowned for its picturesque alpine lakes. Row along the glassy waters of Lake Bled on a  small group  tour to Slovenia and visit a gothic church marooned on a small island in this vast lagoon. Or, head further south to see the azure blue waters and towering verdant mountains of Lake Bohinj. Our  local tour leader  will be with you throughout to show you all the highlights as well as the hidden gems we've discovered.   For an unforgettable  Slovenia walking  trip , trek amongst the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps. Go in search of sky-high waterfalls, emerald green mossy canyons and an abundance of colourful wildflowers. Take a cable car up Mount Vogel and hike along the rugged balcony ridge for far-reaching views of the valley and lakes below. Considering a trip to Slovenia but new to Explore? We've answered some of the most-asked questions   about our small group adventures . 

Our most popular Slovenia tours

Walking in slovenia.

Alpine Lakes of Slovenia

Balkans Rail Adventure

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Slovenia Escorted Tours & Guided Holidays

Escorted tours & guided holidays to slovenia.

Combining natural treasures with harmonious architecture and charming rustic culture, you’ll find Slovenia to be somewhat of a hidden gem in the heart of Europe. Seeming to have more in common with its Alpine neighbours Austria and Italy than those of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia is home to everything from snow-capped peaks to turquoise-greaen rivers and Venetian-style coastline. And the scenery isn't all there is to admire about this country. Genuine, welcoming and accommodating are just some of the ways to describe the locals, guaranteeing a spectacular trip for travellers of all tastes. With Travelsphere, your time in Slovenia promises to be truly special. Our  Slovenia  package holidays promise more excitement than you could possibly imagine. Visiting Slovenia, you’ll discover a world like no other, from enchanting and preserved medieval centres to Lake Bled's abundance of natural beauty. Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, one of Europe's oldest, has plenty of Baroque buildings to be captivated by, and you can even indulge in wine tasting during your trip – an opportunity to sample a range of fine vintages produced in the country's most famous cellars. Whenever you visit, our Slovenia escorted tours will ensure you have a holiday to remember.

We’re delighted to have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. Find out more >

Featured Slovenia Escorted Tour Holiday

Scenic slovenia & lake bled.

• Return flights
• 7 nights in a 4-star hotel
• 14 included meals: 7 breakfast, 7 dinners including a welcome drink

Read all about it.... Slovenia

Postojna Cave

Take a ride on the world’s first railway in an underground cave to depths of the Postojna network. An incredible other-worldly adventure through incredible halls decorated with magnificent displays of stalagmites and stalactites.

What to expect from your holiday in Europe

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to Europe to highlight some of the most interesting features you’ll find on a tour with Travelsphere.

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Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are three countries that beautifully complement each other and collectively come together to be called The Baltics; Lithuania is a magnificent land of lakes, castles and forests. Its landscape consists of vast plains parted by hills and sand dunes along the Baltic shore.

Slovenia Tours & Holidays

Known as ‘Europe in Miniature’, tiny Slovenia has a huge heart and a wealth of diversity

The soaring Julian Alps capture a touch of   Switzerland , the radiating coastline oozes Mediterranean charm and Bled’s sweet island church appears to have come straight out of a fairytale. There is plenty of action for adrenaline junkies, from cycling, hiking and skiing, to canyoning, caving and boating, and for those who prefer a slower pace, just sit back and take in the postcard-perfect views.

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Slovenia at a glance

Capital city.

Ljubljana (295,000)

2.1 million

(GMT+01:00) Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Prague

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Slovenia

Best time to visit slovenia.

Slovenia is a beautiful destination no matter what time of the year it is, and every season has its attractions. While the coast heats up over summer, the Julian Alps continue to experience more moderate temperatures. In winter, snow falls over the mountains and can get very cold, but the lowlands and coastal areas of the south enjoy much milder weather. Spring sees bursts of wildflowers through the alpine meadows and autumn brings gorgeous reds and oranges.

Geography and environment

Squeezed between   Austria ,   Italy ,   Hungary   and   Croatia , Slovenia is covered in snow-dusted peaks, mountain meadows and alpine lakes. The Julian Alps dominate the landscape in the north. Further south the limestone Karst hides intricate networks of caves. Slovenia’s Adriatic coastline leads into Croatia.

Top 5 active adventures in Slovenia

Get the legs pumping with a ride around Lake Bled, past 19th-century villas, grand hotels and the cliff-clinging castle. For some more two-wheeled adventures, head out to Vintgar Gorge.

The Julian Alps beckon to be explored. Hike one of the numerous trails, or take a cable car to Mt Vogel for a bird’s-eye view of the lake below.

3. Canyoning

Slovenia is filled with underground and ‘between’ ground canyoning opportunities. So if you don’t mind small spaces, discover some of Slovenia’s most secret places on a canyoning adventure.

4. River rafting

Try out some of Europe’s best white-water rafting. But be prepared to get wet.

Hire a traditional pletna and enjoy a boat ride across Lake Bled to its fairytale church. Ring the bell to have your wish granted.

Further reading

Slovenia travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Is tipping customary in Slovenia?

Tipping in restaurants is becoming more common in Slovenia - leave around 10 per cent.

What is the internet access like in Slovenia?

Internet access is good in Slovenia. Internet cafes can be found all over the country.

Can I use my mobile phone while in Slovenia?

Slovenia has excellent mobile phone coverage. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.

What are the toilets like in Slovenia?

Slovenia has western-style flushable toilets. Keep loose change handy to pay for public toilets.

What will it cost for a...?

Coffee = 1.50 Euro Can of soft drink = 2 Euro Beer = 2.40 Euro Short taxi ride = 2 Euro Three-course meal = 15 Euro

Can I drink the water in Slovenia?

Yes, tap water is considered safe to drink.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Slovenia?

Credit cards are widely accepted in major towns and cities.

What is ATM access like in Slovenia?

There's good access to ATMs in nearly all towns and cities.

What public holidays are celebrated in Slovenia?

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 8 Feb Culture Day
• Easter Sunday*
• Easter Monday*
• 27 Apr Resistance Day 
• 1 May May Day
• 2 May May Day Holiday
• 25 Jun National Day
• 15 Aug Assumption Day
• 31 Oct Reformation Day
• 1 Nov All Saints' Day
• 25 Dec Christmas Day
• 26 Dec Independence and Unity Day

How do I stay safe and healthy while travelling?

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

WHAT TO SEE IN SLOVENIA

Our itineraries, created by our expert team, boutique hotels for thoughtful travellers.

At Just Slovenia, we can proudly say that we are true specialists in our field with over 25 years experience in the industry. Since 1999, we have been carefully crafting a collection of unique guest houses, charming farm stays and sustainability-focused resorts that allow us to create tailor-made itineraries to suit every taste.

Our expert team have travelled extensively across this fabulously diverse country to bring you first-hand, up-to-date, and intimate knowledge so that we can truly advise you; from the most scenic driving route to the perfect place to stay during the Wildflower festival, trust our expert knowledge to create a bespoke itinerary tailored entirely to you.

Why choose Slovenia?

Slovenia is a small country of great scenic beauty, with amazingly contrasting regions and these areas bring iconic lakes, rolling hills, blue rivers, snow-covered mountains and even forests with bears! It is modern European in style and atmosphere with friendly, welcoming people – most of whom speak English.

The country has a wide range of differing places to stay, from charming tourist farmhouses and characterful pensions to luxury hotels – we know them all personally. It is a wonderful choice if you like walking, canoeing, rafting, and just exploring its beautiful dramatically scenic countryside.

Ljubljana, the capital, is one of Europe’s most attractive cities with fine architecture, atmospheric cafes and restaurants, stylish shops. In the summer, the streets and squares are alive with festivals, markets, music and food stalls. The food and wine is consistently excellent – even in simple local restaurants and cafes – and it is very affordable.

WHY BOOK WITH JUST SLOVENIA?

We are a true specialist and we like to think that no one offers the same wide range of properties in Slovenia – we have somewhere to suit every person, every budget and every style.

At Just Slovenia we handcraft our itineraries to suit our clients, all of our holidays are tailor-made just for you. Please contact us with your plans and we will happily arrange a personalised holiday for you with any duration and including flights, transfers and accommodation

Our friendly team of local experts have almost 50 years of combined experience in putting together dream trips and thousands of delighted clients who all seem to appreciate our way of doing things. We look forward to helping you plan your next holiday to beautiful Slovenia

• Ekorna EXPERIENCE

Ekorna > Viajes > Escorted Tours > Tour of Slovenia 2024

Tour of Slovenia 2024

Need to know, dates & rates.

• from 1.530,00 €
• 28/4/2024 23/6/2024 21/7/2024

The escorted tour of Slovenia will take you to the most impressive places of this green little country in the heart of Europe. Join our small group exploring Slovenia with a professional English-speaking guide and visit the elegant capital of Ljubljana , Alpine pearl of Bled , natural beauty of Soča River, unforgettable Velika planina and much, much more.

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO LJUBLJANA

Arrival to Ljubljana Airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time to explore the city on your own. Accommodation in Ljubljana.

Day 2: LJUBLJANA

After breakfast, guided tour of Ljubljana . In 2016 this pretty little town was proclaimed the first European Green Capital . Your guide will take you on a stroll through the picturesque city centre which is fully adapted for pedestrians and cyclists. Among other sights you will pass the famous congress building, the elegant national library, the baroque cathedral, the main square called “ Prešernov trg ”, the Triple Bridge and of course the Dragon Bridge – the symbol of the city. Last stop on the tour is the castle of Ljubljana . From there you can enjoy the views over Ljubljana and the mountains that are seen in the distance. At nights the lively streets will invite you to experience the flavours of Ljubljana or enjoy the music that plays on almost every corner. Accommodation in Ljubljana.

Day 3: LJUBLJANA – POSTOJNA CAVE – PIRAN – LJUBLJANA

Breakfast. Transfer to Postojna to visit the Postojna Cave , one of the biggest attractions of Slovenia and the underground world . Postojna cave is famous for being the largest cave in Europe open for sightseeing. The visit is done on foot and by electric train . Later you will make a photo stop by the photogenic Predjama Castle , located under a rock and connected to the caves. Later, transfer to the Slovenian coast and the Venetian town of Piran . With its narrow medieval alleys and high city walls Piran is the best preserved urban cultural monument in the Slovenian Istria also known for its long tradition of salt production. In the afternoon, return to the capital and accommodation in Ljubljana.

The best tour of Slovenia – green heart of Europe

Day 4: ljubljana – bled.

After breakfast, the organized trip to Slovenia continues with a departure to the alpine lake Bled . The day will start with a visit of the Bled Castle which rises on a cliff above the water and offers views of the surrounding Alpine mountains and the island of Bled. Then we will visit the famous island of Bled on the typical boat called “pletna”. On the island, you will find the baroque church of St. Maria. Optionally you can also enter the church and ring the lucky bell. You can also enjoy different kinds of “potica”, a typical Slovenian cake. Time for lunch. Free afternoon in Bled. Dinner and overnight in Bled.

Day 5: BLED – SOČA VALLEY – BLED

After breakfast the route will take us along the panoramic road over the dramatic Vrsic pass among the high peaks of the Julian Alps . On the way we will stop by the Russian chapel – a monument dedicated to the Russian soldiers who built this road during the First World War and died in a snow avalanche. On the other side of Vrsic pass we will enter the valley of the beautiful emerald river Soča and follow the stream all the way to the historical town of Kobarid . During WWI soldiers of different nations were fighting, suffering and dying on the infamous Isonzo Front which was passing through this area. History buffs wills have the optionally to visit the renowned museum dedicated to this era. If you prefer natural attractions, you need to see the gorgeous Kozjak Waterfall . Return to Bled for dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: BLED – VELIKA PLANINA – LJUBLJANA

After breakfast, the tour of Slovenia continues  with the visit of Velika Planina , the largest Alpine pasture population in Europe . We will take a lightly walk through this unique village, appreciate its traditional architecture and learn about lives in mountain pastures. You will have the opportunity to try or even buy typical local cheese called trnič . Legend has it, eating this cheese will make you fall in love. Night in Ljubljana.

Day 7: LJUBLJANA – PTUJ – JERUZALEM – LJUBLJANA

Breakfast. Departure to the eastern part of Slovenia to visit the country’s oldest town – Ptuj , dating all the way back to the roman times. After the stroll through its ancient streets we will move to the countryside. We will drive through the scenic vineyards of Jeruzalem and taste local wines at one of the most renown wine cellars in Slovenia. Return to Ljubljana.

Day 8: LJUBLJANA – END OF TRIP

After breakfast this tour of Slovenia will come to an end. Free time before we transfer you to the airport.

NEED TO KNOW

This is an  escorted tour to Slovenia . You will be traveling in a group with other passengers. Departures are guaranteed, however, Ekorna Travel reserves the right to cancel departures with less than 6 participants. For small groups we will offer supplement of 250,00 EUR per person in order to avoid cancellations.

The tour taking place in late October/early November might have a bit alternated itinerary due to expected weather conditions in autumn.

We invite you to check out other  escorted tours to other Balkan countries  in our offer.

If you prefer a private option, you can also  travel to Slovenia on a tailor-made trip prepared especially for you, we invite you to check out our itinerary Best of Slovenia and other pre-prepared tours that can be further adjusted to your wishes.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• English-speaking escort/driver guide
• Accommodation in a 4-star hotel with breakfast
• Hotel taxes
• 2x dinner at the hotel (Bled)
• 2x lunches as per itinerary in Velika Planina and Postojna
• Entrances: Ljubljana Castle, Bled Castle, Postojna Cave with English audio-guide
• Boat ride on the Lake of Bled
• Cable car to Velika Planina
• Tasting of local wines
• Transfers according to the itinerary
• Arrival/departure transfers (Ljubljana Airport)

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Personal expenses
• Meals not specified in the offer
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Flight tickets

SUPPLEMENTS:

• Individual room (SINGLE occupancy): 400 EUR
• Lake view room in Bled: 20 EUR per person per night

OPTIONAL TRANSFERS:

• Trieste – Ljubljana: 50,00 EUR per person per one way transfer
• Venice – Ljubljana: 55,00 EUR per person per one way transfer
• Zagreb – Ljubljana: 55,00 EUR per person per one way transfer

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dragon bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Postojna Cave, Slovenia

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Piran, Slovenia

Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia

Bohinj, Slovenia

Bled, Slovenia

Julian Alps, Slovenia

Traditional hayrack "kozolec", Slovenia

Soča River, Slovenia

Kozjak Waterfall, Slovenia

Velika planina, Slovenia

Ptuj, Slovenia

Jeruzalem, Slovenia

Name and surname

No. of travellers

Age of travellers (separated with comma)

Airport or meeting point

Date of journey on request 28/4/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.590,00 €) 23/6/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.680,00 €) 21/7/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.680,00 €) 4/8/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.680,00 €) 11/8/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.680,00 €) 8/9/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.680,00 €) 27/10/2024 | Rate per person in a double room (1.530,00 €) -->

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Flight duration, time difference, discover scenery as tempting as ljubljanan honey, from alpine lakes to europe’s greenest capital.

In a country half the size of Switzerland, and a population of 2 million – less than Manchester – Slovenia sure packs a lot into a little space. With spectacularly pristine landscapes from alpine peaks to sparkling lakes, surprisingly underrated food and wine, and people proud of land and country, you will never be bore of exploring this small but mighty destination.

Ready to start planning your next trip?

Climate in Slovenia

Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Slovenia, along with the best time to travel.

Top things to do in Slovenia

Walk Ljubljana’s old town, see Piran and visit the town of Bled.

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Sail on crystal-clear waters of lake bled.

Take a fairytale journey across the turquoise waters of Lake Bled, sailing past the tiny chapel on Bled Island where a temple to the Slavic Goddess of Love once stood. The romantic atmosphere continues to Bled Castle, an ancient fortress with views over Slovenia’s lakes and powdered peaks.

Visit a traditional Slovenian village

We’ll take you deep into Slovenia’s mountains to reveal their beautiful villages. Wander the narrow streets and town squares, lined with stone built houses, terraced gardens and pretty painted murals. Each village has a distinct character with magical customs and ancient traditions.

Relax in Tivoli Park in Ljubljana

Spend a peaceful afternoon strolling through Tivoli Park. A web of footpaths takes you through the manicured gardens that surround two historic mansions. Discover the fish pond, botanical garden and the glasshouse with an exhibition of tropical plants, or explore the maze of walking trails leading into Rožnik Hill.

See the Gingerbread Museum

Discover the traditional Slovenian art of lectarstvo in an extra sweet workshop where even the signs are made from gingerbread. The museum is housed in a centuries-old inn, where you’ll learn the history and watch a making and decorating demonstration, before getting a taste of the freshly-baked gingerbread.

Visit Ljubljana Castle

Exploring Ljubljana Castle is one of the most impressive things to do In Ljubljana. You’ll find a number of ancient rooms dating back to the 12th century and several museums (including the playful Museum of Puppetry). We’ll also take you up the 19th century watchtower, complete with panoramic views over the city.

Our top 5 things to do in Slovenia

From sailing Lake Bled and exploring medieval castles, to discovering traditional villages in evergreen forests, our trips to Slovenia easily take you from the iconic to the unexpected.

National Museum of Slovenia

Housed in a neo-Renaissance palace dating back to 1885, the National Museum of Slovenia features an impressive collection of cultural treasures. Among their prehistoric exhibition, you’ll find a 60,000 year old Neanderthal flute, thought to be the world's oldest musical instrument, while their Roman collection includes thousands of statues, paintings and stone monuments.

Slovenian Museum of Natural History

The Slovenian Museum of Natural History houses global collections showcasing the world’s biodiversity, including one of Europe’s best-preserved woolly mammoth skeletons. Set in the same building as the National Museum of Slovenia, the Museum of Natural History is the oldest cultural and scientific institution in Slovenia.

Slovenian Ethnographic Museum

With ethnographic collections dating back to 1821, the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum was established to showcase the traditional culture of Slovenia. It’s located in a former barracks complex in Ljubljana, and presents Slovenia’s heritage including traditional handicrafts, wisdom and skills such as weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, beekeeping and glass-painting.

Best museums in Slovenia

Slovenia’s museums are a highlight of all our Slovenia travel experiences. Discover the world’s oldest musical instrument, or see one of Europe’s best preserved woolly mammoth skeletons.

Kranjska Klobasa (Carniolan sausage)

Also known as the Carniolan sausage, Kranjska Klobasa is one of Slovenia’s most popular culinary specialties. A smoked and cured sausage, made from a blend of pork and bacon cooked inside pig’s intestine, Slovenians have been eating this delicacy since the 19th century, and there’s a Kranjska sausage festival held each year.

A festive pastry made with rolled paper-thin dough, Potica is Slovenia’s most famous dessert. It’s baked in a special potica baking mould called potičnik, and most often filled with walnut, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, tarragon or hazelnut. There are more than 80 known fillings including salted ones with bacon.

Prekmurska gibanica (Prekmurian Layer Cake)

A delicious combination of cake and pastry, Prekmurska gibanica is a national specialty of Slovenia and one of the country’s most loved desserts. The pastry layers are filled with apples, walnuts, poppy seeds and cottage cheese, and are often topped with a dollop of sour cream.

Best food in Slovenia

From delicious preserved meats like the Kranjska sausage to tasty Nanos and Tolminc cheeses and divine desserts like Potica, we'll introduce you a hearty blend of Slovenian food.

What to pack for Slovenia

Waterproof coat

Come prepared for the rain - Ljubljana is one of the wettest cities in Europe, with showers throughout the year.

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re wandering around Ljubljana Old Town or hiking through Slovenia’s scenic mountains, a comfortable pair of shoes or boots is essential.

From the emerald waters of Lake Bled to the enchanting forests of Triglav National Park, Slovenia will inspire your lens.

An adaptor plug

Voltage in Slovenia is 230V and the sockets are of Type C or F, with standard European 2-pin plugs.

Sunglasses are necessary in every season, whether you’re strolling through Tivoli Park in summer, or exploring the gleaming snowy alps in winter.

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train from

London to slovenia.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to ljubljana by train.

It's easy, safe & comfortable to travel from the UK to Slovenia by train.  Take a morning Eurostar to Paris & TGV to Stuttgart or Zurich, then snooze your way to Ljubljana by overnight sleeper train - waking up to some great scenery!  Or travel from London to Munich by Eurostar & high-speed TGV, stay overnight in a hotel, then take a scenic ride through the mountains of Austria next morning, arriving in Ljubljana after lunch.  This page explains the routes, train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

On other pages

Route map:  uk to slovenia by train.

Useful country information

London to lake bled & ljubljana, option 1 , london to ljubljana by sleeper from stuttgart.

This is the fastest & most time-effective option, London to Ljubljana in comfort in less than 24 hours.  You'll experience two of Europe's best high-speed trains, Eurostar and France's famous TGV, then an excellent Croatian sleeper train either in an economical couchette or a cosy private sleeper.

London ► Bled & Ljubljana

Ljubljana & bled ► london, how much does it cost.

Each train is ticketed separately, so add up the price for each leg of the journey.

Berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed.  The other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper or 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper or 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book from London to Stuttgart at www.thetrainline.com .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Using www.thetrainline.com allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in €, £ or $, international cards no problem, small booking fee.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for Paris-Stuttgart, but usually 90 days ahead for Stuttgart-Ljubljana, see more about when train bookings open .  I recommend waiting until onward trains have opened for booking and times are confirmed before buying a non-refundable Eurostar ticket, unless you're prepared to take a calculated risk.

Tip:   Click via/avoid and enter Paris as a via station to limit the search to routes via Paris. 

Tip:   You can book from London to Stuttgart all in one go if you like, but for more control over the connection in Paris, I'd book London-Paris first, add to basket, then book Paris-Stuttgart and add to basket, ensuring at least an hour between trains.  That way you can allow a more robust connection than the system would give you, and you can see if earlier Eurostars have cheaper prices.

Tip:   If you are making a round trip, London-Paris return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways so it's cheaper to book this as a return.  All other trains are one-way ticketed so it makes no difference how you book, and it can be easier to book one way at a time!

Tip:   After booking you can use the Manage booking facility at www.eurostar.com to choose an exact seat from a seating plan, see tips on choosing a seat on Eurostar .

Alternatively, you can book each train direct with the operator, more work but no booking fee:  Book London to Paris at www.eurostar.com , Paris to Stuttgart at the German Railways website int.bahn.de , and the Stuttgart-Ljubljana sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .

How to buy tickets by phone

Or use an interrail pass.

Pass or point to point?

Let's be clear, a pass will not save money over the cheapest point-to-point advance-purchase fares you might see if you book a few months ahead.  But when point-to-point fares are expensive (for example, at short notice) OR you want flexibility, for example the ability to change your mind, re-route or reschedule as necessary, a pass might be what you need.

If flexibility is what you want, buy the pass.  If it's about saving money, you'll have to check point-to-point prices and do the maths.

It's worth doing the maths if you are under 28, if you have kids (kids get a free pass when accompanying an adult but still need to pay reservation fees) or if you live a long way from London (as a pass covers you from your home station to London).  Passes are available in 1st & 2nd class.

How to use a pass for a trip to Croatia

Step 1, buy a 4-days in 1-month Interrail pass from www.myinterrail.co.uk (if you live in the UK) or www.interrail.eu (any country) for €283 adult, €212 youth or €255 senior.  You load the pass into the Railplanner app on your phone.  See pass prices on the Interrail page .

A 4-day pass is enough to get from the UK to anywhere in Slovenia & back again.  Inverness to Koper might need a longer pass!

A 4-day pass gives you unlimited train travel on any 4 dates you choose in an overall 1 month period.  The first travel day can be any date you select in the 11 months after buying the pass, the overall 1 month period starts from that date.  Learn about how Interrail passes work here .

Step 2, make a Eurostar passholder reservation from London to Paris & back, €30 each way.  See prices & how to make Eurostar passholder reservations online .  Tip:  Eurostar passholder availability is limited, so check availability before buying a pass .

Step 3, make a passholder reservation on the Paris-Stuttgart TGV for around €18 each way using the official Interrail reservation service .

Step 4, make a couchette or sleeper reservation on the sleeper at www.oebb.at following the instructions here, method 1 .  Prices can be found on the Interrail reservations page .

By all means go out one way, back another, with an Interrail pass you can use almost any of the trains & routes to/from Slovenia shown on this page, find out how to reserve the relevant trains using the Interrail reservations guide .

Have your trip arranged as a package

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a UK-Slovenia trip for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  You'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays on their website which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

Byway ( Byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, book a one-way or return UK-Slovenia train trip through Byway as a package, including hotels and starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption and re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.  They can build a trip to your requirements if you email them or use this contact form .  When you book, please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Stuttgart by TGV Duplex   See the video

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .

3. Stuttgart to Ljubljana on the sleeper train Lisinski    Watch the video

This modern Croatian sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The air-conditioned sleeping-car has 10 compartments with washbasin, each of which can be used as 1, 2 or 3 berth, with toilets at the end of the corridor.  Compartments convert to a private sitting room for evening or morning use.  A light breakfast with tea or coffee is included in the sleeper fare.  The couchette car is also modern & air-conditioned with 4 & 6 bunk compartments, ideal for families.  Couchettes convert from bunks to seats for evening or morning use.  Ljubljana station guide .

The sleeper from Zurich & Stuttgart to Ljubljana & Zagreb, arrived at Lesce Bled.  There's a small cafe at the station for breakfast, it has a few outside tables on the platform, visible under the Lesce-Bled station sign.  Photo courtesy of @AscotPhill .

Back to top

Option 2, London to Ljubljana by sleeper from Zurich

This is also fast and time-effective.  It's very similar to option 1, but instead of TGV Paris-Stuttgart and Croatian sleeper train Stuttgart-Ljubljana, you taka a TGV-Lyria to Zurich and Croatian sleeper train Zurich-Ljubljana.  There are two minor disadvantages compared to option 1:  First, departure from London is a little earlier in the morning with an identical arrival time in Ljubljana.  Second, you need to cross Paris by taxi or metro from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon, whereas in option 1 it's just a 7 minute walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est next door. 

London ► Lake Bled & Ljubljana

This train has an excellent modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Croatian sleeper video here , and an air-conditioned Croatian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.  There's no catering car, so take a picnic and a bottle of wine with you!

Ljubljana & Lake Bled ► London

It has a Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth) and an excellent modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the Croatian sleeper video here .  There's no restaurant car, so have dinner before boarding your sleeper.

London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £168 return standard premier (1st class).

You can book each of these trains in one place in plain English using www.thetrainline.com .

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for TGV-Lyria, up to 6 months ahead for the sleeper.  However, I'd wait until all 3 trains are open for booking before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket. More about when booking opens .

If you're returning you should book Eurostar as a round trip, because Eurostar return fares are significantly cheaper than two one-ways.

The other trains are one-way-ticketed so a return is simply two one ways.  So I'd book London to Paris & back, add to basket, Paris to Zurich one-way, add to basket, Zurich to Ljubljana one-way add to basket, then do Ljubljana to Zurich, Zurich to Paris, and check out.

If you have any problems booking the Zurich-Ljubljana sleeper, you can also book it at www.oebb.at .

You print your own tickets.

Alternatively, you can book each train direct with the operator, more work but no booking fee:  Book London-Paris at www.eurostar.com , Paris-Zurich at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com and the Zurich-Ljubljana sleeper at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .

2. Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria

All TGV-Lyria trains are now 320km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex like the one shown below.  TGV-Lyria trains have 3 classes:  Standard class (2nd), standard premiere (1st class) and business premiere (1st class with hot meal & drinks included in the fare).  There's a cafe-bar car selling drinks & snacks.  There are power points for mobiles & laptops at all seats in all classes.  Lyria is a consortium of the French and Swiss national railways.  More about TGV-Lyria .  Paris Gare de Lyon station guide .  Zurich HB station guide .

3. Zurich to Ljubljana by Croatian sleeper train

Option 3, London to Ljubljana with overnight stop in Munich

If you prefer daytime trains with an overnight hotel stop to sleepers, this is the option for you.  Travel from London to Munich by train on day 1, stay overnight in a comfortable hotel near Munich Hbf, then take a lovely scenic ride from Munich through the mountains of Austria into rural Slovenia next day.

Ljubljana & Lake Bled  ► London

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, sometimes more, but I recommend waiting until onward trains are open for booking so their times can be confirmed before committing to a non-refundable Eurostar ticket.  More about when bookings open .

If you're returning, London to Paris should be booked as a round trip because Eurostar return fares are significantly less than two one-ways.  All onward trains beyond Paris are one-way ticketed so a return is simply two one ways and you might find it easier to book one way at a time. 

It's better to book online, as you avoid phone booking fees and can see for yourself which departures have the cheapest fares.  But if you want to book by phone, call Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings).  Other agencies selling European tickets by phone .

Let Railbookers arrange it for you

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including train travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your requirements.  As you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.

2. Paris to Munich by TGV Duplex   See the video

In Paris it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Germany.  Sit back with a glass of red and enjoy the ride - book an upper deck seat for the best views.  The train is equipped with power sockets for laptops & mobiles at all seats in both classes, and a cafe-bar serves drinks, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.  The train soon leaves the Paris suburbs behind and speeds across a vast wide open plateau of woods & farmland at up to 320 km/h (199 mph), past picturesque French villages of the Champagne region.  An hour or two later, the train leaves the high-speed line and slowly meanders through pretty wooded hills, the countryside eventually flattening out towards Strasbourg.  On leaving Strasbourg, look out for Strasbourg cathedral on the left with its famously missing second tower.  Minutes afterwards you rumble across the river Rhine into Germany, before heading on to Stuttgart & Munich.  Paris Gare de l'Est station guide .  Munich Hbf station guide .

3. Munich to Ljubljana by train

This is actually two trains, a smart modern Austrian railjet train with restaurant car from Munich to Villach on the Austrian/Slovenian border, then a comfortable air-conditioned Slovenian & Croatian train from Villach to Ljubljana and Zagreb.  The scenery along this route is superb, taking you from the Bavaria through the Austrian Alps, into Slovenia and along the Sava river to Croatia.  Sit back with a glass of red, catch up on your reading and enjoy the views.  Ljubljana station guide .

Option 4 , London to Ljubljana using Nightjet to Salzburg

London ► ljubljana.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.  Wonderful!

Tip:   If you have a sleeper ticket, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Salzburg Hbf for an hour after arrival, with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.  If you have a 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use it for an hour or two before departure, too.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee, served in your compartment.

You've time to enjoy Salzburg.  Left luggage lockers are available .

Ljubljana ► London

The Austrian EuroCity train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch on the beautifully scenic Tauern route through the mountains.  You've an afternoon to explore Salzburg, left luggage lockers are available .

Tip:   If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Salzburg Hbf with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks & free WiFi.

Tip:   For dinner in Salzburg before the sleeper, consider the brewpub Die Weisse ( www.dieweisse.at ) which also serves food, a 1.1 km  15-minute walk from the station, see walking map .  Feedback appreciated !

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The train has a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and an ordinary seats car.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

There's no restaurant car, but in sleepers or couchettes you can order drinks, snacks and hot dishes from a room service menu, served in your compartment.  The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee.

On the sleeper train, berths are sold individually, so one ticket means one bed, the other beds in your compartment will be sold to other passengers.  For sole occupancy, simply book 1 ticket in a 1-berth sleeper, 2 tickets in a 2-berth sleeper, 4 tickets in a 4-berth couchette & so on.

If you buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com you can buy all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, international credit cards accepted and fares shown in multiple currencies. There's a small booking fee.  Anyone from any country can use www.thetrainline.com .

Do a dry run first to check prices and availability for each stage before booking for real.

Step 1, go to www.thetrainline.com and book the Eurostar from London to Paris or Brussels (and back, if returning) using the train times on this page as a guide.  Add this to your basket.  Never allow less than an hour in Brussels when connecting with a sleeper train.

Step 2, now book the Nightjet sleeper train from Paris to Salzburg or Brussels to Vienna (and back, if returning) at www.thetrainline.com , looking for the direct train with 0 changes.  Add to basket and check out.

Step 3, now book from Salzburg or Vienna to Ljubljana (and back, if returning) at www.thetrainline.com , add to basket & check out.

Booking usually opens up to 6 months ahead, but often less than this, read more about when bookings open .  Fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.

Another way to buy tickets

1. London to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, London & Brussels in 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .   Paris Gare du Nord station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide .  In Brussels, I recommend the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room .

2. Paris to Salzburg or Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet

3. Salzburg or Vienna to Ljubljana

The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian cars, some with classic 6-seat compartments, some with open-plan saloons, and an Austrian restaurant car serving snacks, drinks and meals.  Salzburg-Ljubljana is direct, Vienna-Ljubljana involves a change at Maribor.  Ljubljana station guide .

Option 5 :  Via the Harwich-Hoek ferry

The ferry alternative!  It's a great option if you live in East Anglia, if Eurostar fares are expensive or if you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel, for example if you suffer from claustrophobia.  I don't recommend the Dover-Calais route because of poor train/ferry connections, the Stena Line rail & sail service via Harwich & Hoek van Holland is the one to use as it has co-ordinated timetables and integrated ticketing, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page & watch the video .

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Ljubljana

You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica to Hoek van Holland.

All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower & satellite TV.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi in the lounges, restaurants & bars on 9 deck.  You can get on board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin.

The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 Dutch time next morning. 

Ljubljana ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

Day 2, travel from Stuttgart to Amsterdam on ICE trains , leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 09:23, changing at Cologne Hbf & arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:29.  The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica and sail overnight to Harwich in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV.

The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.

In the morning (day 3), Take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:56 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays).  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details .

Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

Buy the onward metro & train ticket to Amsterdam as shown on that page.

Alternatively, stay in Munich & take a daytime train next day

Step 1, London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  All passengers travel in private cabins with shower, toilet & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 deck.  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video .

The Stena Britannica at boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo .   360º photo .  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

Step 2, Amsterdam to Stuttgart by ICE

ICEs are German Railways' premier trains, with 1st & 2nd class, a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Step 3, Stuttgart to Ljubljana by sleeper train    Watch the video

This modern Croatian sleeper train is a pleasure to travel on, whether in the privacy of your own sleeper or in economical couchettes.  The sleeper used to run Munich to Ljubljana & Zagreb, but is extended to run Stuttgart-Munich-Ljubljana-Zagreb from 11 December 2022.

London to Koper

London ► koper.

Travel from London to Ljubljana as shown above .

Trains link Ljubljana with Koper five or six times daily, journey time 2½ hours, fare €9.  No reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  If you arrive in Ljubljana off the EuroCity from Munich, a train leaves Ljubljana at 15:42 arriving Koper at 18:13, 2nd class only.  For other options, see int.bahn.de or potniski.sz.si .

Koper ► London

Trains link Koper with Ljubljana five or six times daily, journey time 2½ hours, fare €9.  No reservation is necessary, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  You can check times at either int.bahn.de or potniski.sz.si .  Allow plenty of time for connections at Ljubljana, at least an hour.

Fares & how to buy tickets

Buy tickets and check fares from London to Ljubljana as shown above .  then simply buy a Ljubljana to Koper ticket at the station when you reach Ljubljana.

Ljubljana - Trieste & Venice

You can travel between Venice, Trieste & Ljubljana by train, it's cheap, historically interesting and scenic.  For details, see the Venice to Ljubljana page .

Lake Bled - Trieste & Venice

There's also a cheap and scenic way to travel from Venice or Trieste to Lake Bled in northern Slovenia, via Gorizia and Nova Gorica, where Italian and Slovenian railway stations are just a few kilometres apart.  For details, see this page .

Click the images to buy at Amazon

My own book, an essential handbook for train travel to Europe based on this website called " The Man in Seat 61 ", was published in June 2008, and is available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Ljubljana & Slovenia

There are relatively few places near the station, so try somewhere towards (or in) Ljubljana's lovely old town.

I've stayed at the Best Western Premier Hotel Slon myself, it's 13 minutes walk from the station, see walking map .  The City Hotel (is just 8 minutes walk, see walking map .  Both are great choices.

The excellent Hotel Slamic is 11 minutes walk from the station with great reviews, but a little further from the old town than the other two, see walking map .

For something relatively inexpensive in the old town, try the Hotel Emonec , excellently located in the pedestrianised area, 13 minutes from the station, see walking map .

For something luxurious, the 5-star art nouveau-style Grand Hotel Union is in the old town and comes complete with swimming pool.  It's 10 minutes walk from the station, see walking map .

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Holidays to Slovenia by train

Railbookers can custom-make a flight-free holiday to Ljubljana & Zagreb, or indeed a train-based tour of Eastern Europe, with train travel, transfers & hotels all arranged for you, for however long you like, leaving on any date you like.  If you tell them what you want, they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get a lot of repeat business and a lot of recommendation by word of mouth!

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Slovenia Discovery

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Party in Ljubljana

What can you expect from Slovenia Discovery?

At Slovenia Discovery, we are your gateway to exploring this enchanting country in ways you’ve never imagined. From the serene waters of Lake Bled to the historic streets of Ljubljana , our expertly curated tours promise an unforgettable journey. Discover what makes us your ideal partner, and how we bring the magic of Slovenia to life for each client.

1. Comprehensive Ground Services

With us, you can relax knowing that every aspect of your journey is in expert hands. Our seamless logistics management includes efficient transportation arrangements, timely transfers, and coordination of all travel details . We ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience , leaving your clients to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of your journey.

2. Diverse Accommodation Options

From quaint, budget-friendly inns nestled in the heart of the mountains to opulent luxury retreats set against breathtaking natural backdrops, we offer a spectrum of choices to suit every preference. Our team selects accommodations that provide comfort, quality, and a true sense of place, ensuring your stay is a memorable part of your travel experience.

3. Exclusive Tour Bookings

Explore Slovenia’s hidden gems and celebrated landmarks through our exclusive tours, each crafted to deliver unique and captivating experiences. Our itineraries are thoughtfully designed to showcase the best of Slovenia . Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, our tours promise to provide unforgettable moments and deep connections with the destination.

4. Multilingual Guide Expertise

Our team of knowledgeable guides brings each destination to life with their expertise and passion. Fluent in multiple languages , they provide rich insights into Slovenia’s history, culture, and traditions, ensuring a deeper and more meaningful travel experience . Their local expertise and friendly demeanor make them travel companions who enhance your journey with each story and shared experience.

Join our team

We’re hiring. A lot of open positions for awesome people.

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Everything you need to know before you come to Slovenia

Mar 5, 2022 • 7 min read

Slovenia blends Italy's romance with the country calm of the Balkans © AzmanL / Getty Images

Slovenia is a borderland, marking the transition between Mediterranean Europe, Alpine Europe and the Balkans. It's a complex synapse between cultures and topographies, perched where the Adriatic and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, drawing traditions from both sides of the divide.

If this is your first visit to Slovenia, you’ll find landscapes born of the Alps and the Adriatic , and a culture that’s an amalgam of all of its neighbors – Italy to the west, Austria in the north, Croatia and the Western Balkans to the south and Hungary to the east.

It's no surprise that travelers are attracted to this famously outdoorsy Central European country. Travelers are often drawn to the edges – to points where coastlines meet the sea, where mountain ranges greet the sky, and where heritages intertwine. Slovenia’s complexities and contours all contribute to its allure.

Navigating this country – small in size but a heavyweight when it comes to adventure and discovery – isn’t difficult, but understanding how to do it better will only increase the pleasure of traveling here.

Planning your trip to Slovenia

Here are some things to prepare for before you reach Slovenia.

Start with “Good Day”

Slovenes speak Slovenian, and as this is a Slavic language, it can be a little challenging for English speakers. Monoglots need not worry, however. Since Slovenian is rarely spoken outside Slovenia, locals often speak English well, and German and Italian are also widely spoken. It still doesn’t hurt to have a few local words on hand. Dober dan is “good day,”  pro sim is “please,” and hvala is” thank you.”

Take advantage of tourism cards

Travelers are often reluctant to invest in city tourism cards out of skepticism about the savings possible from free or reduced prices. In Slovenia, that's a mistake, as these cards are good value when you consider the discount provided at most of the spots you’ve come to see. They also serve as a list of the area’s top sights to tick off your list. In most cases, the card will pay back your investment after only a few sights have been visited.

Many spots around Slovenia have discount-filled tourist card schemes, including Ljubljana , Maribor , and Bled , and prices are very reasonable. The 48-hour Ljubljana Card costs €39, for example, but that price allows free entry to many of the main attractions and even includes a free bus ride to and from the airport.

Plan to visit all areas of the country

It's easy to get swept up in the beauty, proximity, romance, and popularity of Slovenia’s western half. Attractions stuffed into this area include the capital, the Julian Alps , the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Soča Valley , Lake Bled , Lake Bohinj , the country’s Goriška Brda wine communities, the hilly Karst Region , and the Adriatic Coast .

But for those who want to really experience Slovenia, it would be a travesty to miss the nation’s eastern side. Culturally leaning towards the Balkans, this half of the country is just as interesting and beautiful, and because of the buzz surrounding western Slovenia, it's also less crowded.

Start exploring in Maribor and Ptuj , connected by the Drava River in the northeast corner of the country. You'll find a slew of spa and wellness resorts peppering the country’s central-eastern region that are well worth unwinding in. And for history buffs, no trip to Slovenia would be complete without a trip to the Sava River in the southeast, where dramatic castles punctuate the landscape.

Etiquette in Slovenia

Break the ice by speaking to locals.

Slovenians won’t immediately say hello to strangers like Americans often do. That doesn’t mean they aren’t friendly, just a little reserved. However, one of the chief joys of being in Slovenia, especially in mountain villages, is speaking to the locals for tips on things to see and do.

Making contact is not just about saying hi, it’s also a great way to learn experientially about the country. Travelers with a penchant for trekking in particular will benefit from directions and tips from locals, and sharing a cup of coffee or a glass of schnapps, is part of the camaraderie of hiking in Slovenia. Slovenes are, by nature, dedicated to their homeland, so every encounter is an opportunity to learn the lie of the land.

Walk or cycle when you can

Slovenes are an active and practical bunch. Where possible, citizens often prefer to get around on foot or by bicycle, rather than always jumping behind the wheel. Using your own power to move around isn't just a good way to keep fit, it's often faster and more convenient than waiting for public transport.

Travelers unused to a place that makes full use of its bike lanes will probably get an etiquette lesson soon after arriving. Walking accidentally into the designated cycle lanes will earn you a bell ring and potentially a stiff word or two.

Conveniently, there are bike rentals in many spots around the country if you want to join the throng. In the Slovenian capital, the public BicikeLJ bicycle-sharing system makes it easy and cheap to explore without ever putting a key into a car’s ignition. Tourist information offices, hotels and outdoor activity operators rent out decent quality mountain bikes for highland exploring. 

Mix it up in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is rightly one of Slovenia's top destinations, with incredible sights all over the city but don’t leave without taking in Ljubljana’s alternative side. From the well-touristed city center, leave the scenic square of Prešernov Trg and head east along Trubarjeva cesta, passing busy street food establishments, cafes, and bars.

Continue on to the Metelkova area of town, which has become Ljubljana's de facto art district. What were once military barracks have today been reinvented as studios and hedonistic nightclubs. You'll also find two of the most interesting museums in the country – the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova and the National Museum of Slovenia – Metelkova .

Take advantage of Slovenia's free itineraries

Slovenia's tourism authorities have created a number of free routes for independent travelers, with the goal of equipping DIY explorers with the tools needed to visit less touristy spots around the country in a responsible and sustainable way, often by hiking or cycling .

The advantages for travelers are obvious. These routes come with abundant free and easy-to-use information that will get you off the beaten track, providing a chance to see rural Slovenia up close with minimum impact. The country benefits too – visitors moving at human speed are naturally dispersed, alleviating traffic and over-tourism problems in more popular locales.

Perhaps the top itinerary is the Juliana Trail , an easy-to-follow hiking path that circumnavigates Triglav National Park . The Bike Slovenia Green: Alps to Adriatic cycling route rolls from Kranjska Gora to the Adriatic, while the Walk of Peace trail treks along the Soča River – one of Slovenia's most beautiful spots for hiking and kayaking.  

Cyclists with strong calves should try the newly launched Slovenia Road Cycling Loop , which takes road warriors around the country to the best climbs and descents. And for multi-discipline types, the Slovenia Green Solčava Panoramic Route combines both cycling and hiking in the mountains north of Ljubljana.

Health and safety in Slovenia

If you plan to trek off the beaten track, there are a few things to know.

Sort out your gear before you hit the trails

If you are planning to hike in Slovenia – especially in mountainous areas above 2000m (6500ft) – it's important to carry the right equipment. Regardless of your normal outdoor practices back home, if you want to challenge yourself with some mountain summit attempts, pack and use a mountaineering helmet. Rockfalls are a risk, whether you are climbing or trekking.

If you have more ambitious plans to tackle multiple via ferrata routes while you’re here, invest in your health and safety by renting or buying a harness for clipping in. Gear is usually available for rent in areas with via ferrata cables, but you can get onto the routes more quickly with your own harness, lanyards, gloves and helmet.

Trekking safely

While some Slovenian trekking routes are well-trodden, the country has more than 9000km (5590 miles) of trails, and it's easy to get off the beaten path, particularly at higher elevations. Always tell somebody where you are going, trek in a group (or a pair) and check the weather conditions and the latest information about the route before you set off. In an emergency on the trails, contact the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia (GRZS) by dialing 112.

You may also like: 6 incredible places to swim in Slovenia: From beaches and sand bars to Lake Bled Get to know Chef Ana Roš in 22 questions The best things to do in Slovenia from the mountains to the sea

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Stunning Slovenia

• In-depth Cultural
• Partially Guided
• Christmas & New Year

• Introduction
• Day 1 Arrival in Ljubljana
• Day 2 Ljubljana
• Day 3 Maribor and Ptuj
• Day 4 Predjama Castle - Postojna Cave - Slovenian Seaside
• Day 5 Piran and Koper
• Day 6 Lipica Stud Farm - Kobarid - Soca Valley - Julian Alps
• Day 7 Bled and Bohinj
• Day 8 Departure from Ljubljana

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What's Included

• Accommodation
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Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by PALMA DMC & TO

We are a DMC partner with various travel agencies through Europe and beyond. Slovenia’s excellent position allows us to make various combinations and variety of different tours. Therefore our product portfolio consists of incoming services in Slovenia and nearby countries such as: Croatia, Italy, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and others. Our mission is to have individual approach with every single traveler and to overcome their expectations. We are 100% costumer focused and are especially known for excellent quality service and customer trust. We are assuring you our close and continued cooperation at all times.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.8
• Itinerary Excellent 4.8
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 4.7
• Accommodation Excellent 4.5
• Food Excellent 4.5
• Tour Operator PALMA DMC & TO 4.8
• Most Recent
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• EG Eric · 25th September 2023 You get to see all of Slovenia Trip date: September 2023
• MP Margaret · 23rd June 2023 Our trip to Slovenia was amazing! Our guide Primoz was friendly and very knowledgeable! Our hotels in Ljubljana and Bohinj were spectacular! However the hotel Mirna in Portoroz was not up to par. Our service from Palma was superb and Anja our contact... Show more Trip date: June 2023

Dates & Availability

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• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
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• Thursday 11 Apr, 2024 Thursday 18 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,760 Confirm Dates
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

• Currency € Euro

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Slovenia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Slovenia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Slovenia. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 3rd June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 3rd June 2024, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with PALMA DMC & TO . The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and PALMA DMC & TO will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "PALMA DMC & TO " tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Slovenia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Slovenia’s embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Slovenia.

Passport validity requirements

To travel to Slovenia, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.

To enter Slovenia (and all Schengen countries) your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. Passports issued after 1 October 2018 are now valid for only 10 years, but for passports issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added if you renewed a passport early
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave

Contact Slovenia’s embassy in the UK if your passport does not meet both these requirements.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

Border checks have been introduced at Slovenia’s borders with Italy, Croatia and Hungary and will be in place for 6 months. Austrian border checks will continue. If travelling from Croatia or Hungary you should only attempt to enter Slovenia at the specific border crossings that are open to all passengers.  See the list on the Slovene government webpage . You should allow extra time for crossing land borders from and into Slovenia, and be ready to show your passport or residency card if you are asked to do so by the border police. Checks may also involve vehicle inspections.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

If you’re a visitor, your passport must be stamped when you enter or leave the Schengen area (which includes Slovenia). Border guards will use passport stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for stays in the Schengen area. If your passport was not stamped, border guards will presume you have overstayed the visa-free limit.

If your passport was not stamped, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

Read about passport stamping if you live in Slovenia .

At Slovenian border control, you may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay

Visa requirements

You can travel to the Schengen area (including Slovenia) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Slovenia and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Applying for a visa

To stay longer than 90 days - to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons - you will need to meet the Slovenian government’s entry requirements. Check what you need to do to work in Slovenia . If you need a visa, you can apply online using Slovenian visa application forms .

Registration with the police

You must register with the police within 3 days of your arrival, but any registered hotel or guest house will do this for you. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation, or with friends or family, check registration arrangements with your booking agent or your host. If you do not register your presence in Slovenia, you could get a fine.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Slovenia guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Slovenia. For more information see Slovenia’s customs webpage on import of goods . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Slovenia

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

If you’re travelling through Slovenia

Border control may ask you for proof that you have the means to leave Slovenia and enter a neighbouring country.

You can find further details on the Slovenian Police website .

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The world's most powerful passports in 2024, ranked

Posted: March 27, 2024 | Last updated: March 27, 2024

• The Henley Passport Index ranks the most powerful passports in the world for visa-free travel.
• Japan tied for No. 1, with access to 194 countries. The US passport can access 189 countries.
• Passports from 23 other countries provide more global access than a US passport.

Thinking of visiting China, India, or Venezuela this year with a US passport? Not so fast — or at least not before securing a visa. Some of the best wonders of the world require US citizens to obtain a visa before take-off, an inconvenience in planning that long-awaited international getaway.

US passport holders can access 189 countries globally without a visa, putting it in sixth place among world passports on the global mobility spectrum, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index .

The index is an annual ranking of passports based on how many countries their holders can access without a visa and is based on data from the International Air Transport Authority. 

For the seventh year in a row, Japan came in the top spot with its passport, which allows holders to travel to 194 countries without first securing a visa, though it's tied this year with five other countries. Finland, Sweden, South Korea, and the Netherlands tied for second, allowing access to 193 countries.

Passports from 23 other countries provide more global mobility than a US passport, seven more countries than 2023's ranking. The US shared its sixth place ranking with Canada, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Below are the countries with the most powerful passports, ranked by ascending number of visa-free travel options, based on the 2024 Henley Passport Index.

10. Travelers can visit 185 countries without a visa in 2024 if they have a passport from Iceland.

9. Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia passport holders can visit 186 countries without visas in 2024.

8. Holders of Estonia passports can visit 187 countries without a visa in 2024.

7. Travelers can visit 188 countries without visas in 2024 with a passport from Hungary or Lithuania.

6. US, Poland, Canada, and Czech Republic passport holders can visit 189 countries without visas in 2024.

5. Holders of Australia, Greece, Malta, New Zealand, and Switzerland passports can visit 190 countries without a visa.

4. Travelers can visit 191 countries without a visa in 2024 if they have a passport from Norway, Belgium, or Portugal.

3. Austria, Denmark, the UK, Luxembourg, and Ireland passport holders can visit 192 countries without a visa in 2024.

2. Holders of Sweden, South Korea, Finland, and Netherlands passports can visit 193 countries without a visa in 2024.

1. Travelers can visit 194 countries without a visa in 2024 if they have a passport from Japan, Spain, Singapore, France, Germany, or Italy.

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