Croatia and Slovenia travel guide

Visa and Entry

Whether you need a visa to enter Croatia and Slovenia will depend on which country you’re coming from. In general, US travelers do not require a visa to enter either destination if they’re visiting for tourism or business purposes and for less than 90 days.

Croatia

To enter Croatia, you’ll need to make sure that you have a valid US passport which isn’t due to expire for at least three months. Upon arrival, you should register yourself with the local police within three days. If you’re staying at a hotel, B&B or vacation rental, this will usually be done for you at check in.

Note that Croatia is not part of the Schengen Area. If your European vacation itinerary includes any locations that are part of the Schengen Area, it’s recommended that you have at least six months validity left on your passport to avoid any issues.

Slovenia

As Slovenia is part of the Schengen Area, you’re not required to apply for a visa before you visit if you’re staying for under 90 days and are a US passport holder. You will, however, need to have at least three months left on your passport.

You are also required to have proof of a return flight and to register with the local authorities within three days of your arrival (again, hotels etc. should do this for you when you check in). If you’re planning on vacationing in Slovenia (or any of the other 25 countries within the Schengen zone) for more than 90 days, note that you’ll need to apply for a long term visa or temporary residency.

Currency

Despite both countries being part of Europe, only Slovenia has the Euro (EUR or €) as their recognized currency. In Croatia, the local currency is the Croatian Kuna (HRK or kn), with one kuna equaling 100 lipa.

You should be able to use your credit or debit card in Croatia and Slovenia. If you’re planning to do so, remember to inform your bank that you’re traveling beforehand to avoid any problems or extra fees.

Tipping

Like most countries in Europe, Croatia and Slovenia’s tipping policies are usually at your own discretion and not a requirement.

In Croatia, it’s typical to leave a tip of around 10-15% of your final bill at restaurants if you’ve received good service and are happy with your meal. Tipping is not obligatory in Slovenia, however a 10-20% gratuity will always be welcomed and is a nice way of showing appreciation for particularly great service.

Languages

The national language in Croatia is Croatian and around 95% of the population speak it. In Slovenia, the locals speak Slovene, however, a small minority speak Croatian.

In both countries, you’ll find many people speak English as their second language. This is especially true in the cities and at certain venues such as hotels or tourist attractions.

Health Information

Before you set off on your vacation to Croatia and/or Slovenia, there are a few vaccines which you may want to get. Recommended vaccinations for both countries include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies (particularly if you’re visiting somewhere rural). It’s also a good idea to have your routine vaccinations updated before you visit.

If you’re on any regular medication, make sure you take more than enough with you in case there are any delays with your return travel. In general, the medical care in both countries is of a good standard and you’ll find hospitals and medical centers in all cities and major towns.

Emergency numbers

You can use the European emergency number (112) to contact the authorities in both countries. If you’re involved in an incident and want to contact a specific department, they are as follows:

Croatia
Police – 192
Fire department – 193
Ambulance service – 194

Slovenia
Police – 113
Fire department – 112
Ambulance service – 112

Getting Around

Both Croatia and Slovenia have extensive road systems which make traveling around and between them simple. If you’re not planning on hiring a vehicle though, you may want to clue yourself in on alternative modes of transport.

Getting around Croatia

Buses are the most popular options for getting around Croatia, especially if you’re moving between cities and towns. You could also choose to fly if you’re visiting places at opposite ends of the country or use the national rail network (although note that there is no train station in Dubrovnik).

If you’re visiting one of the Croatian islands, the easiest (and most atmospheric) way to get to them tends to be by ferry or private boat from the mainland. The frequency of boats and ferries increases in the busier summer months, although most services will run all year round.  

Getting around Slovenia

Buses are by far the most popular way to travel around Slovenia if you’re not renting a car. You’ll also have the option of taking a train, although services are infrequent and slow unless you’re traveling on the fast inter-city trains. Cycling is very popular in places like Ljubljana, Bled and Piran, and you will find several bicycle rental shops and dedicated cycle paths.

Get in touch with us for your private and tailor-made tour of Croatia and Slovenia.