Ljubljana
<map lat='46.051' lng='14.51' zoom='12' view='0' float='right'/> Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, one of the smallest and nicest capitals in Europe.
Hitching Out
Hitchiking out of Ljubljana is relatively easy, in all directions, Standing on the Autostrada on-ramp.
North towards Maribor, Austria
From the main street, West of the Train station (Dunajska Cesta) take buses 6, 8 or 11 in direction of North. Get off in the station "Smelt", 5 minutes later, when you see the "World Trade Center" building. Ahead of you, you will see the highway. On the first turn to the right, go into the motorway entry and stand on the side with your sign.
North-West towards Kranj, Villach (Austria)
Direction north-west there is the motorway E61/A2 towards Kranj (german: Krainburg) through the Karawanken Tunnel (Slovenian: Predor Karavanke) or over the pass over the border to Villach (slov.: Beljak) in Austria and further on on the Tauern-motorway to Salzburg and over to Germany. It is the way that is used by most of those numerous Germans that go to the Croatian coast for holidays.
This motorway E61/A2 starts outside the city of Ljubljana. It goes off from the circle-road/-motorway leaving the city in the direction north-west. Somewhat out of town on a crossroad the motorway starts to the right. You can get there easily by taking bus number 1 from the city centre in direction of Vizmarje. Right before the exit to the motorway there's a busstop called Sentvid. Get out here. The busstop is perfect for hitchhiking since cars can stop here easily. I used this spot three times holding a Kranj sign and all three times I got picked up in less than half an hour. After about 15 kilometers on the highway there's a big gasstation perfect for asking people for rides to Austria.
South towards Koper, Rijeka, Italy
From the city center (Dunajska cesta, Kongresni trg) take bus number 6 in direction south, till the last station (Dolgi most). Get out, and on your left side you will side the entry lane into the autostrada. There will also be an entry to a parking of a small house, stand on the side there with your sign (you will see where everybody else stands...).
South-East towards Novo Mesto, Zagreb
Hitchhiking in this direction seems to be more difficult comparing to other direction. You have three options to follow this route:
1. Take the expensive train to Trebnje (4.2E, direction Novo Mesto), from which you can easily hitchhike to Zagreb since the road passes in the middle of the village, and there is no motorway yet in this part.
2. You can also try your luck at the Resting area Barje, in direction of Zagreb. This service area is on the Ring around Ljubljana. To get there take bus number 1 or 1B in direction Mestni Log from the center. Go off one station before, last, called Koprska. Continue straight on the street Cesta v mestni log, after 2 minutes you will cross a bridge over a small river. Continue straight and cross the motorway over the bridge, and on the other side go down the hill into the motorway itself, turn right and walk for 5 minutes till you get to the resting area.
3. You can go to the on-ramp of the motorway at the edge of the city. Not many cars go in this direction, and the ones that do usually do not enter from the following on-ramp - this on-ramp mostly serves inter-urban traffic, so you might have to wait a lot of time. From the city center (Slovenska Cesta, station "Pošta") Take Bus line 3 in direction of "Rudnik" (South), and get off in the last station. In front of you there will be the High-way entrance, which will be a turn left. Cross the street and on the side of the on-ramp road, on your left, you will see a small asphalt surface where all the cars pass, and there you can stand and hitchhike easily.
Notice - If you are hitchhiking towards Novo Mesto, pay attention that you are hitchhiking on the high-way entrance (the turn left) and not on the old road, which is continuing straight ahead. If you are Hitchiking to Zagreb, pay attention to the "Crossing borders" section in the Slovenia Page.
Sleeping
It is possible to sleep in the upside part of Tivoli park which is half an hour walking from the center of the city. It's not really a flat ground but if you search well you should find nice spots, clean, safe and quiet.
It is possible to sleep in Metelkova mesto www.metelkova.org (Metelkova street - Masarykova street)on the grass between Jalla Jalla club and Tiffany club.
Internet
Internet cafes are quite expensive in Ljubljana (~€4/hr). You can surf for free at KiberPipa, a cyber center located at Kersnikova 6. You can also surf for free using computer at the student info center, located next to Preseren square, on Trubarjeva ulica. There is also a club called KMŠ on Trzaska street that has free internet access and wifi (you just have to order coffe).
FABRKA KLUB Poljanska street 9, close to Dragons bridge - free internet access and wifi (you just have to order coffe). KAMERA KLUB Kolodvorska street 6, close to railway station - free internet access and wifi (you just have to order coffe).
Additionally, At the back of the train station, right before the tracks, there is a tourist information computer which can be used for free internet surfing by clicking in the search tab, typing what your looking for, and finding it in the results (there is no URL bar provided).
External links
