Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Major international roads are preceded by an 'E'. The most important of these are the
E70 to Zagreb via Novo Mesto, the E61 to Villach via Jesenice and the Karavanke Tun-
nel, the E57 from Celje to Graz via Maribor, and the E59 from Graz to Zagreb via Mari-
bor. National highways contain a single digit and link cities. Secondary and tertiary roads
have three digits.
Private-car ownership is high so expect a lot of traffic congestion, especially in summer
and on Friday afternoons when entire cities and towns head for the countryside.
Tolls are no longer paid separately on the motorways. Instead all cars must display a
vinjeta
(road-toll sticker) on the windscreen. They cost €15/30/95 for a week/month/full
year for cars and €7.50/25/47.50 for motorbikes and are available at petrol stations, post
offices and certain newsstands and tourist information centres. These stickers will already
be in place on a rental car; failure to display such a sticker risks a fine of up to €300.
Road Rules
Drive on the right. Speed limits for cars and motorcycles (less for buses) are 50km/h in
towns and villages, 90km/h on secondary and tertiary roads, 100km/h on highways and
130km/h on motorways.
Seat belts are compulsory, and motorcyclists must wear helmets. All motorists must il-
luminate their headlights throughout the day - not just at night. The permitted blood-alco-
hol level for drivers is 0.05%.
Hitching
Hitchhiking remains a popular way to get around for young Slovenes, and it's generally
easy - except on Friday afternoon, before school holidays and on Sunday, when cars are
often full of families. Hitching from bus stops is fairly common, otherwise use motorway
access roads or other areas where the traffic will not be disturbed.
Hitching is never entirely safe in any country in the world, and we don't recommend it.
Travellers who decide to hitch should understand that they are taking a small but poten-
tially serious risk. People who do choose to hitch will be safer if they travel in pairs and
should let someone know where they are planning to go. In particular, it is unwise for fe-
males to hitch alone; women are better off hitching with a male companion.
