How Much Does Ljubljana Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Ljubljana offers a refreshing balance of accessibility and value, making it more affordable than Central European capitals like Vienna or Munich. Travelers can expect daily costs to range from $71 / €60 for those staying in hostels to $565 / €480 for a high-end experience including five-star lodging and fine dining. The city’s compact, car-free center significantly reduces transport expenses, while the high quality of local ingredients keeps mid-range dining costs reasonable. Whether visiting the medieval castle or exploring the alternative art scene at Metelkova, the financial barrier to entry remains relatively low compared to Western Europe. Visitors find that the city rewards those who prioritize walking and local 'malica' (lunch specials) with a very high quality of life per euro spent.
Is Ljubljana expensive to visit?
Ljubljana is a moderately affordable European capital where travelers should plan for a daily budget of $71–$565 / €60–€480 depending on their travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Ljubljana
$71
per person /day
$253
per person /day
$565
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $212 | $759 | $1,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $353 | $1,265 | $2,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $494 | $1,771 | $3,955 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to factor in a 15% buffer to cover the mandatory tourist tax of $3.68 / €3.13 per person, per night, and the $2.35 / €2 non-refundable Urbana card fee. These small costs, along with occasional $0.59 / €0.5 fees for public facilities, are often not included in initial booking quotes.
How Does It Compare?
See how Ljubljana stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Ljubljana
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range 3-course Dinner Expect to pay ~$41 / €35 per person including a drink in the Old Town. | $41 €35 |
| Local Beer (0.5L Union or Laško) Prices are ~$4.12 / €3.5 in suburbs and ~$5.3 / €4.5 in riverside tourist bars. | $4.94 €4.2 |
| Coffee (White Coffee / Latte) Standard 'bela kava' (white coffee) in the center is usually ~$3.06 / €2.6. | $3.06 €2.6 |
| Street Food (Large Burek) Ljubljana's most famous late-night snack. Filling and cheap. | $4.47 €3.8 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Bus Fare (Urbana Card) Requires a physical Urbana card ($2.35 / €2) or the mobile app. | $1.53 €1.3 |
| Airport Bus (Ljubljana Airport to City) The journey takes approximately 45–50 minutes. | $4.83 €4.1 |
| Airport Taxi (Standard Rate) Pre-booking a private shuttle like GoOpti can reduce this to ~$18–$29 / €15–€25. | $53 €45 |
| Ljubljana Card (24-hour) Includes 20+ museums, castle entry, funicular, boat trip, and unlimited bus travel. | $46 €39 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at Hostel Celica Housed in a former prison; prices vary by season but average ~$38 / €32. | $38 €32 |
| Mid-range Hotel (City Hotel Ljubljana) Prime location near Prešeren Square. Prices include breakfast. | $171 €145 |
| Luxury Hotel (InterContinental Ljubljana) Features a rooftop restaurant and spa. Expect ~$335 / €285 per night for standard luxury. | $335 €285 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ljubljana Castle Ticket (Adult including funicular) Includes return journey on the funicular railway. Full standard walk-up price. | $22 €19 |
| Ljubljanica River Boat Cruise Several operators depart from Cankarjevo Nabrežje; prices are standardized. | $16 €14 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Slovenia eSIM - 1GB (Entry Tier) Smallest data package available for short stays. | $4.12 €3.5 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in the capital ranges from filling street food like a large burek for $4.47 / €3.8 to a more formal 3-course dinner in the Old Town for approximately $41 / €35 per person. Coffee culture is a local staple, with a white coffee ('bela kava') in a central riverside café typically costing $3.06 / €2.6. Drinking a local 0.5L Union or Laško beer is relatively inexpensive at $4.94 / €4.2, though prices drop slightly outside the immediate tourist center.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Burek Olimpija
$4.47–$5.89 / €3.8–€5Center · Bakery
Try the classic cheese burek; it is huge and can easily be a full meal for ~$4.47 / €3.8.
Klobasarna
$5.3–$11 / €4.5–€9Old Town · Local chain
Perfect for a quick local taste; get the half-sausage with mustard and a roll for ~$5.3 / €4.5.
Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen)
$7.06–$18 / €6–€15Pogačarjev Square · Street market
Only open on Fridays from spring to autumn; it's a gourmet heaven where most plates are ~$9.42 / €8.
Falafel
$6.47–$12 / €5.5–€10Trubarjeva cesta · Local chain
Great for vegetarians; the 'Ljubljana plate' offers a huge mix for ~$11 / €9.5.
Fany & Mary
$11–$16 / €9–€14Riverside · Local chain
Surprisingly affordable given its prime location on the river; pizzas are ~$12 / €10.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Ljubljana’s historic center is entirely pedestrianized, making walking the primary and cheapest way to get around. For longer trips, the city bus system requires a physical Urbana card, which costs $2.35 / €2 to purchase before loading credit for the $1.53 / €1.3 single fare. Travelers arriving from the airport can choose between the $4.83 / €4.1 public bus or a $53 / €45 standard taxi, though pre-booked shuttles often offer a significant middle ground in pricing.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options are diverse, from the unique experience of a $38 / €32 dorm bed at Hostel Celica, a converted former prison, to mid-range stays like City Hotel Ljubljana for $171 / €145. For luxury travelers, the InterContinental Ljubljana offers top-tier amenities at approximately $335 / €285 per night. Booking during the shoulder months of May or September, when temperatures average 20°C (68°F), can often secure these rates more easily than the peak summer months.
Accommodation Budget in Ljubljana
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Order the 'malica' (lunch special) at local restaurants like Klobasarna or Fany & Mary between 11:00–14:00 for significant discounts on daily menus.
- 2 Use the BicikeLJ bike-sharing system; after a small registration fee, the first hour of every ride is free, which covers most trips within the city.
- 3 Avoid the $53 / €45 taxi fare from the airport by booking a shared GoOpti shuttle in advance, which can cost as little as $18–$29 / €15–€25.
- 4 Carry a reusable bottle and fill it at any of the 30+ public drinking fountains across the city for $0.
- 5 Purchase a Ljubljana Card for $46 / €39 if planning to visit the Castle and multiple museums, as it covers the $22 / €19 castle entry, funicular, and unlimited bus travel.
- 6 Visit the Odprta Kuhna (Open Kitchen) food market on Fridays at Pogačarjev Square for high-quality gourmet samples at lower prices than full sit-down restaurants.
- 7 Walk up the hill to Ljubljana Castle instead of taking the funicular to save on the transport portion of the $22 / €19 ticket.
- 8 Look for supermarkets like Mercator or Spar in the Tabor or Vodmat areas for affordable snacks and drinks away from Old Town prices.
- 9 Stick to local beer brands like Union or Laško, which are consistently cheaper at $4.94 / €4.2 compared to imported craft labels.
- 10 Use the 'Urbana' mobile app instead of buying the physical card to save the $2.35 / €2 issuance fee.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+25–40%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20–30%
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
December is peak for festive markets but offers high value if booked early. Summer (July–August) is very crowded; visit in May or September for 20°C (68°F) weather and ~$24–$47 / €20–€40 cheaper hotel rates.
Events to Watch
- ● Ljubljana Festival (July–August): Hotels ~+30%
- ● Dragon Carnival (Late Feb): Accommodation spikes
- ● Ljubljana Marathon (October): Heavy traffic/hotel demand
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the Metelkova Mesto Autonomous Cultural Zone to see world-class street art and sculptures in a former military barracks.
- 2 Walk through Tivoli Park, the city's largest green space, and visit the Jakopič Promenade for its rotating outdoor photo exhibitions.
- 3 Cross the iconic Dragon Bridge and take photos with the four famous copper dragon statues.
- 4 Stroll across the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) to admire the architecture of Jože Plečnik at the heart of the city.
- 5 Hike the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship, a 35km circular trail that marks where the city was surrounded by barbed wire during WWII.
- 6 Visit the Roman City Walls in the Mirje district to see the remains of the ancient city of Emona.
- 7 Walk through the central Pogačarjev Square market to soak in the atmosphere of the local fruit and vegetable stalls.
- 8 Admire the pink facade of the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation on Prešeren Square.
- 9 Relax on the Trnovo Pier, a popular local hangout spot made of stone steps leading down to the Ljubljanica River.
- 10 View the exterior of the National and University Library, considered one of Plečnik’s greatest architectural masterpieces.
- 11 Follow the 'Bee Path' through the city to learn about Ljubljana’s urban beekeeping culture at various public points.
- 12 Wander through the Cathedral of St. Nicholas to view the impressive bronze doors and baroque interior (outside of scheduled mass times).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Tasting Menu at Restavracija Strelec
Located in the Archer's Tower of Ljubljana Castle with Michelin-guide recognized cuisine and city views. A 5-course menu is ~$124 / €105.
Ljubljana Food Tour (Ljubljananjam)
A 4-hour guided walk through local culinary secrets, including multiple tastings and wine. Costs ~$112 / €95.
Private Pletna Boat to Bled Island
The traditional wooden boats are the only way to reach the island. It costs ~$24 / €20 per person round-trip.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Ljubljana
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Ljubljana and what they cost
Lake Bled
$14 / €12 by bus
$22 / €19
$77 / €65
Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle
$18 / €15 by bus
$53 / €45
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
High. Accepted in almost all shops and restaurants. Cash is only needed for small market stalls (Central Market) or very small bars.
Not mandatory. Rounding up to the nearest euro is common. For good service in restaurants, 5–10% is appreciated but not expected.
Avoid Euronet ATMs due to high conversion fees. Use 'Nova KBM', 'NLB', or 'SKB' bank ATMs for standard rates. Always choose 'Decline Conversion' if offered.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$14 (1GB–5GB for 7–30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 for 20GB-100GB (Telemach/A1 tourist SIM)
WiFi: Excellent. 'WiFree Ljubljana' offers 60 minutes of free internet daily in the city center.
Use an Airalo eSIM for immediate data upon arrival, or buy a local Telemach/A1 SIM ($12 / €10) for high-volume data needs.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Ljubljana.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Ljubljana?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ljubljana expensive to visit?
How much does Ljubljana cost per day?
How much does a trip to Ljubljana cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Ljubljana?
What are the hidden costs in Ljubljana?
How can I save money in Ljubljana?
More Ljubljana Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown