Getting There
Although Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport, Brnik 130a (tel. 04/206-1000; www.lju-airport.si), 23km (14 miles) from the city, isn't the busiest place in Europe, there are regular flights arriving from Paris, London, Prague, Zurich, Frankfurt, Budapest, Warsaw, and Munich, as well as an increasing number of other Europe cities. You can rent a car at the airport from Avis (tel. 01/583-8780; www.avis.si) and return it when you fly home. Taxis into the city will cost 35€ to 45€ ($44-$57). Prearrange a shuttle bus through your hotel (it should cost 8€/$10 one-way) for a direct drop at your accommodations. Public buses also operate; these run from early until midnight; the bus trip (4.10€/$5.20) to the city lasts 45 minutes, and terminates at the city bus station, Avtobusna postaja, trg Osvobodilne fronte 4 (tel. 01/234-4600; www.ap-ljubljana.si), which is also the main point of arrival and departure for other Slovene and European destinations. Ljubljana's train station, Zelezniska postaja, is next to the bus station, and has a currency exchange facility as well as tourist information office (tel. 01/433-9475). The stations are a 10-minute walk from the center.
City Layout
Most of the tourist action is within a small, compact area centered on Ljubljana's Old Town, which straddles a bend in the Ljubljaniker River.
Getting Around
This is a city for walking, and you'll be irritated and frustrated if you try to explore it by car; finding parking -- even on quiet days -- is hellish. Hotels beyond walking distance of the center usually provide shuttle services, and taxis are very reliable.
Buses -- Decent, comfortable public buses will get you wherever you need to go; the network is extensive and route maps clearly indicate when and where buses are going. Purchase bus tickets from newspaper kiosks and some shops (.80€/$1), or purchase a ticket on the bus using exact fare (1€/$1.25). A day-long bus pass costs 4€ ($5.10).
Taxis -- Call tel. 080-1190 to have a Metro Taxi cab pick you up; Rumeni Taxi (tel. 041-731-831) is another option. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi on the street (more expensive than calling); you'll always find taxis at the station and smarter hotels.
Other -- To really get your bearings, consider a 90-minute hot-air balloon ride organized by the tourist information center. For a more down-to-earth sightseeing option, rent a bicycle (also from tourist information), or set out on foot. There are also barge trips up and down the Ljubljanica.
Visitor Information
Ljubljana knows that tourism is where it's at, and there's a great deal of literature and assistance for visitors. Right in the heart of the Old Town, at one end of the Triple Bridge, is Ljubljana Tourist Information Center (tel. 01/306-1215; www.ljubljana.si), an excellent source for sightseeing advice; it's also where you can buy the Ljubljana Card (13€/$16), a 72-hour discount passport that is most useful if you are able to use it for reductions on accommodations or car rentals, in which case you'll score major savings; otherwise, it'll mostly get you into museums and galleries for free, and give you unlimited bus travel. The Slovenian Tourist Information Center, Krekov trg 10 (tel. 01/306-4575/6; daily 8am-9pm), provides assistance on the entire country. The train station hosts a Tourist Office (tel. 01/433-9475), and there's an Airport Center (tel. 051-606-172). Look out for information-packed Ljubljana in Your Pocket (www.inyourpocket.com), which carries capsule write-ups of just about every hotel, restaurant, club, bar, and attraction in town; it also carries contact details for just about anything you could imagine, and has maps.
City Tours & Guided Walks
You can join one of the city tours provided by Ljubljana Tourist Information Center, Adamic-Lundrovo nabrezje 2 (tel. 01/306-1215; www.ljubljana.si); guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. If you prefer your independence (or don't want to tour with a group), you can hire a personal audio guide instead.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
