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Slovenia's national airline, Adria Airways, has nonstop flights between Ljubljana's Brnik Airport and practically every major city in Europe, as well as from Tel Aviv. There's a departure tax of US$16 for passengers leaving by air, which is usually included in the ticket price.

Buses travel between Slovenia and Italy daily, using Nova Gorica in Slovenia as the easiest exit and entry point. Koper also has good bus connections with Italy: some 17 buses a day go to and from Trieste, 21km (13mi) to the northeast. It's also easy to travel by bus to and from neighbouring Hungary. The main train routes into Slovenia come from Salzburg (4-5 hrs away), Trieste (3 hrs), Vienna (6 hrs) and Zagreb (2-3 hrs) in Croatia. Trains between Amsterdam and Ljubljana take 18 hours. There are dozens of international border crossings if travelling by car, motorcycle, bicycle or even on foot. On weekends between April and mid-October, it's possible to sail between Venice and Portoroz (one of Slovenia's Adriatic coast towns) by catamaran.

Money and Costs

Currency: tolar (SIT)

Meals


• Budget: US$5-10

• Mid-range: US$10-15

• Top-end: US$15 and upwards
  
  Lodging
  

• Budget: US$10-30

• Mid-range: US$30-50

• Top-end: US$50 and upwards

Slovenia's still much cheaper than neighbouring Italy or Austria, though prices are increasing. To travel in comfort and style, expect to spend around US$100 a day; those happy to stay at guesthouses and eat at medium-priced restaurants should get by on US$70 a day. Those putting up at hostels and eating at self-serve restaurants can cut costs to around US$35.

Nearly all prices are in tolars, but some hotels, guesthouses and campgrounds still quote rates in German deutsch marks (DM), to which the tolar is linked. It's simple to change cash and travellers' cheques at banks, post offices, travel agencies and any menjalnica, the ubiquitous private exchange offices. There's no black market, but exchange rates can vary. Banks take a commission of 1%, while tourist offices, travel agencies, exchange bureaus and hotels take up to 5%.

Credit cards are accepted at upscale restaurants, shops and hotels, but elsewhere you must use cash. Only a few of Slovenia's ATMs are accessible to foreign account holders, but more and more are coming online. Credit card holders can get cash advances in tolars from some banks.

A value-added tax (replacing the 'circulation' tax) is now added to the purchase price of most goods and services. Many hotels in Slovenia levy a 'tourist tax' on overnight visitors of about US$2. Don't worry about tipping since most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.