Travel

• Bratislava airport
• Kosice airport
• Travel from Prague, Czech Republic
• Travel from Vienna, Austria
• Travel from Budapest, Hungary
• International bus travel

• Train travel
• Buses and other alternatives
• Car rental in Slovakia
• Driving in Slovakia

There are numerous easy ways to get here in the midst of Europe, and it gets easier every year.

Recently, air transport links have nearly quadrupled practically every year. International flights to Bratislava airport now operate year-round from locations throughout Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East, with additional summer service to Croatia. Regular connections are also available to the Tatras, Kosice, and central Slovakia. Although the budget airline Sky Europe has the most connections, other airlines such as the Czech national carrier CSA, the Slovak national carrier Slovak Airlines, and others have increased service.

Fly to Vienna, one of Europe’s busiest airports, and then take a one-hour shuttle bus to Bratislava. From early dawn to late evening, buses run every two to four hours.

Most Slovak cities have adequate train links to all major European cities. Most European national carriers have searchable databases that cover Slovakia train stops. The German national railway is one of the best, with excellent connections to the rest of Europe: www.bahn.de

There are also bus and coach lines, but unless the tourist has a strong predilection for bus travel, it is probably easier to locate a connection, more comfortable, and maybe less expensive to take a railway into the country. If you want to travel by bus from another country, go to www.eurolines.sk, which is the official website (in English) for international bus travel to Bratislava (only the important connections are given).

Due to high rates of automobile theft, international car rental businesses occasionally restrict travel into Slovakia by car. There are no legal restrictions on driving a car into Slovakia, and with an international driver’s license, you can stay in the country for up to several weeks. (Some visitors prefer to arrive in Slovakia by another means and rent a car within the nation; the automobile will so have Slovak license plates and will be less of a target for possible car thieves and burglars.)

Train travel remains quite good and frequent, particularly to tourism and other international visitor hotspots. It has some limitations, such as slightly older trains, but it is highly well maintained, with a safety record considerably above that of most Western countries.

Even towns and villages that are not on train lines have intercity bus or coach connections. Buses make necessary rest stops every two hours or so.

Air travel may be the most convenient way to travel between Slovakia’s regions. Flights from Bratislava to Kosice take an hour, whereas driving takes four to five hours, trains take five or six hours, and buses (not recommended for such a lengthy journey) take even longer.

If you plan to travel by car, visiting drivers must have an international driver’s license. There are several automobile rental businesses in various places, but Bratislava has the most options for short-term rentals. Some companies will bring the car to your location in Slovakia.