Slovenia on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Slovenia can be done on a budget with hostels, buses and free nature. A realistic minimum is about €90 per person per day: bed €35, food €25, sights €15 and transport €15.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €70 | €140 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €60 |
| Local transport | €15 | €30 | €50 |
| Per person, per day | €90 | €180 | €330 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Slovenia day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Prešeren Square, the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana
- Ljubljana Central Market (closed Sundays)
- Walking the 6 km path around Lake Bled
- The Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica viewpoints above Bled
- Swimming in Lake Bohinj in summer
- The Great Soča Gorge and Kozjak waterfall area walks (small fees may apply)
Cheap eats
- Burek from a bakery: about €3-4
- Weekday lunch menu (malica) in a gostilna: about €10-15
- Dishes at Odprta kuhna on Fridays: about €6-12
- Kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage) with bread: about €5-8
- Štruklji (rolled dumplings) in a local restaurant: about €8-12
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and guesthouses in Ljubljana centre and Bohinj, at about €60-100 for a double; dorm beds cost less. Campsites near Bled, Bohinj and the Soča are good value in summer.
Getting around cheaply
Buses link Ljubljana with Bled (1h15), Bohinj and Piran cheaply. Ljubljana Airport is about 25 km away; buses and shuttles take 30-45 minutes. A shared rental car is the cheapest way to do Vršič and the Soča.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bus to Bled and the lake walk (bus fare only)
- Lunch: picnic from a supermarket by the lake (about €8)
- Afternoon: pletna boat to Bled Island (about €20)
- Evening: kremna rezina and a bus back to Ljubljana (about €12)
- Total: about €90 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Travel in June or September for lower prices and fewer crowds at Bled.
- Book timed tickets online for Vintgar to avoid paying more on site.
- Use the free Kavalir electric carts and walk Ljubljana's car-free centre.
- Stay in Bovec or Kobarid campsites for the Soča Valley.
- Fill water bottles at public fountains; the tap water is excellent.
- Combine Postojna Cave with Predjama Castle on a combined ticket if you visit both.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Can I visit Slovenia on a budget?
Yes, at about €90 a day with hostels, buses and lunch menus.
Can I see Slovenia without a car?
Partly: buses reach Bled, Bohinj and Piran. For Vršič and the Soča, a car or tour is easier.
What can I do for free in Slovenia?
Ljubljana's old town and market, the Bled lake walk, viewpoints, and swimming in Lake Bohinj.