Green ways to get around on the sunny side of the Alps

To discover the beauty of Slovenia, consider cycling along its extensive network of bike paths. Alternatively, you can utilize its efficient public transportation, such as trains, or simply explore on foot. For those driving electric cars, charging stations are readily available throughout the country.

In Slovenia, we love our cars and we love exploring new places with our ‘little steel horses’. This is partly due to the dispersed nature of the population, and partly due to the relatively limited possibilities of traveling by public transport. So we can’t go to every place without our own car. However, it is possible to get around in greener ways on the sunny side of the Alps.

1. Everyone on the bike for a healthy body!

The benefits of cycling are many: it’s not noisy, it doesn’t require large parking areas, and perhaps the biggest benefit of pedaling is the beneficial effect it has on our health and fitness. In addition, we can explore places that are inaccessible by car, such as hills, mountains, and forest paths. The good news is that Slovenia has taken an intensive approach to developing a national cycle network as one of the pillars of sustainable mobility. Slovenia is already a paradise for cyclists, thanks to its rugged terrain and a great variety of landscapes.

Top cyclists on Slovenian cycling routes

Easy scenic cycle route from Rateče to Jesenice (approx. 25km)

The cycle path mostly follows the route of the disused railway line that used to connect Jesenice with Tarvisio, and is part of the Three Countries Cycle Connection (together with neighbouring Italy and Austria). The path is suitable for everyone, as it descends only slightly along the crystal clear Sava Dolinka river. The section is also part of various longer cycling routes, such as the circular route around the Triglav National Park. In winter, parts of the track are converted into cross-country skiing trails.

Some ideas for road and mountain cyclists who want to explore Slovenia:

• Slovenia Green Pannonian Route
• Slovenia Green Wellness Route
• Slovenia Green Solčava Panoramic Route
• Slovenia Green Kočevsko Cycling Loop
• Slovenia Green Gourmet Route
• Slovenia Green Capitals Escape Route

2. Train – for a comfortable journey!

The train is probably one of the most comfortable means of transport, as it travels through the countryside just fast enough to see it in peace. Fortunately, Slovenian Railways is replacing the old trains with new double-decker KISS trains made by Swiss manufacturer Stadler. These are much quieter, faster, more comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with Wi-Fi for everyone, adapted for the physically handicapped, and the passenger information system can also be used by the blind, partially sighted and hard of hearing. There is also a special area on board for bicycles. The combination of train travel and cycling is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel.

The timetable of Slovenian trains is available here. Tickets can be bought online.

Take a train to Slovenian highlights

6 green places to stay near train stations

These are accommodation providers with Slovenia Green certification, accessible on foot from the train station.

• Hostel Celica, Ljubljana / 650 m
• Sunrose7, Bohinjska Bistrica / 400 m
• Hotel Sabotin, Solkan / 700 m
• Apartmaji Tulipan, Lesce / 700 m
• Bearlog Hostel, Kočevje / 900 m
• Hotel Tabor, Maribor / 850 m

3. The innovative Pečjak family running on electricity

There is a family in Slovenia that has been driving on electricity since 2006, when Tesla officially unveiled its prototype electric car for the first time. They started in their garage at home: they converted a Renault with lithium batteries. In 2014, they unveiled the Metron 7, a converted car that was used by Andrej and Jasna Pečjak to drive 736 km from Bled to Dubrovnik, making the Metron 7 the world’s longest-range electric car. The following year, the couple broke a new record: they drove 824 kilometres in Germany at an average speed of 72 km/h. By the way – both the electric motor and the controller are made by the Slovenian company Letrika. Now a family-run company, Metron produces various components for electric vehicles. Solar panels cover the roofs of the Pečjak’s home and production facilities, generating electricity to charge their fleet of electric cars and motorcycles. They generate their own solar power for industrial production and all transport.

Andrej and Jansa Pečjak with their Metron 7

4. Park and ride!

Ljubljana is the largest and most congested city in Slovenia. Because the city’s main roads often turn into traffic jams, the city has introduced a P+R system, so you can park and ride a bus or a bicycle. These are parking lots on the outskirts of the city, well connected by (affordable) public transport and a bike rental system, in the case of Ljubljana called BicikeLJ. Bohinj has successfully tackled the traffic problem in a similar way. Here is an interactive map of the car parks and bus routes that take tourists to Lake Bohinj free of charge: www.bohinj.si

5. Free transport for the elderly

Prostofer, a sustainable nationwide voluntary mobility project for older people, is now available in 97 municipalities across Slovenia. Transport is available to all older people who do not drive themselves, do not have reliable relatives, have low monthly incomes, and are less well connected to public transport. Volunteer drivers are available to take them only for urgent errands and to public facilities, e.g. to a health centre or hospital, pharmacy, bank, post office or administrative unit.

Today, Prostofer is available in 97 municipalities across Slovenia

6. Car sharing with the app

On average, an owner-occupied vehicle sits unused more than 90% of the time. The solution: instead of owning a car, we borrow it only when we need it. In Slovenia, the Avant2Go electric car rental or sharing system has been in operation since 2016. Simply book an electric car using the app and pick it up at a nearby car park – if it’s not available there, it can be delivered to your door. In contrast to rent-a-car, these are cheap short-term rentals, where time is usually measured in minutes or hours. The entire Avant2Go mobility is emission-free and the sustainability aspect of this car sharing model is further emphasised by the use of electricity from renewable sources.

There are more than 250 electric vehicles available for car sharing

A branched network of electric charging points

From Hodoš in the far north-east of the country to Piran in the far south-east, it is exactly 331 kilometres – modern electric cars can cover this distance without stopping. But if you want to get to know Slovenia, such long motorway journeys are unnecessary: explore in shorter, from 50- to 100-kilometre daily stages and spend the rest of the day climbing a nearby hill, walking around a lake or relaxing in a spa. Luckily, there are plenty of electric charging points in Slovenia, so don’t worry about being left with a flat battery. You’ll find them at petrol stations, in city centres, in shopping centre car parks and in parking garages. To find the nearest charging point, we recommend using the PlugShare app (global app), or Let’s Go Electric.

Learn more about electric mobility in Slovenia here.