Country Guides
Slovak Republic
Getting Around
Getting Around
Slovak Republic
Getting Around by Air
The domestic airlines are Air Slovakia (GM) (website: www.airslovakia.sk) and SkyEurope Airlines (NE) (website: www.skyeurope.com).
Getting Around by Water
The Danube is the main artery for transport by ship which is operated by Slovak Shipping & Ports (website: www.lod.sk). Cruises covering historic and tourist interests are also operated. There is also regular passenger transport on the Danube.
Getting Around by Rail
The rail network is operated by Railways of the Slovak Republic (ZSR) (tel: (2) 2029 1111; website: www.zsr.sk). There are several daily express trains between Bratislava and main cities and resorts. Reservations should be made in advance on major routes. Fares are low, but supplements are charged for travel by express trains.
Rail Passes
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within the Slovak Republic. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. The major routes run from Bratislava to Presov and Kosice, via Kralovany and Poprad. The network of roads and supporting services is dense and reliable. Roads are standardised as motorways, first-, second- and third-class metalled roads, and are generally in good condition, particularly on the main arteries. Motorways are equipped with emergency telephones every half a mile or less. The Slovakia emergency system provides a fast and reliable network of garages, tow trucks and medical services. Road signs comply with European standards.
Bus: The extensive network covers all areas and is efficient and comfortable. BBDS (website: www.sadbb.sk) is one of the main domestic bus operators.
Car hire: Self-drive cars may be pre-booked through the tourist office in main towns and resorts.
Regulations: Seat belts are compulsory. The speed limit in towns is 60kph (37mph); outside towns 90kph (56mph); and on motorways 130kph (81mph).
Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 18123.
Documentation: Most hire companies require a valid international driving licence.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Buses, trolleybuses and trams exist in Bratislava and several other towns. All the cities operate flat-fare systems, and pre-purchase passes are available. Tickets should be punched in the appropriate machine on entering the tram or bus. A separate ticket is usually required when changing routes. There is a fine for fare evasion. Blue badges on tram and bus stops indicate an all-night service.
Taxi: These are available in all the main towns and are metered and cheap; higher fares are charged at night.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Bratislava (in hours and minutes) to other major towns in the Slovak Republic.
Air Road Rail Poprad 0.45 4.00 4.30 Košice 1.00 5.30 5.00 B. Bystrica - 2.30 4.10 Piešt’any Spa - 0.50 0.50
Getting Around by Air
The domestic airlines are Air Slovakia (GM) (website: www.airslovakia.sk) and SkyEurope Airlines (NE) (website: www.skyeurope.com).
Getting Around by Water
The Danube is the main artery for transport by ship which is operated by Slovak Shipping & Ports (website: www.lod.sk). Cruises covering historic and tourist interests are also operated. There is also regular passenger transport on the Danube.
Getting Around by Rail
The rail network is operated by Railways of the Slovak Republic (ZSR) (tel: (2) 2029 1111; website: www.zsr.sk). There are several daily express trains between Bratislava and main cities and resorts. Reservations should be made in advance on major routes. Fares are low, but supplements are charged for travel by express trains.
Rail Passes
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within the Slovak Republic. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. The major routes run from Bratislava to Presov and Kosice, via Kralovany and Poprad. The network of roads and supporting services is dense and reliable. Roads are standardised as motorways, first-, second- and third-class metalled roads, and are generally in good condition, particularly on the main arteries. Motorways are equipped with emergency telephones every half a mile or less. The Slovakia emergency system provides a fast and reliable network of garages, tow trucks and medical services. Road signs comply with European standards.
Bus: The extensive network covers all areas and is efficient and comfortable. BBDS (website: www.sadbb.sk) is one of the main domestic bus operators.
Car hire: Self-drive cars may be pre-booked through the tourist office in main towns and resorts.
Regulations: Seat belts are compulsory. The speed limit in towns is 60kph (37mph); outside towns 90kph (56mph); and on motorways 130kph (81mph).
Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 18123.
Documentation: Most hire companies require a valid international driving licence.
Bus: The extensive network covers all areas and is efficient and comfortable. BBDS (website: www.sadbb.sk) is one of the main domestic bus operators.
Car hire: Self-drive cars may be pre-booked through the tourist office in main towns and resorts.
Regulations: Seat belts are compulsory. The speed limit in towns is 60kph (37mph); outside towns 90kph (56mph); and on motorways 130kph (81mph).
Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 18123.
Documentation: Most hire companies require a valid international driving licence.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Buses, trolleybuses and trams exist in Bratislava and several other towns. All the cities operate flat-fare systems, and pre-purchase passes are available. Tickets should be punched in the appropriate machine on entering the tram or bus. A separate ticket is usually required when changing routes. There is a fine for fare evasion. Blue badges on tram and bus stops indicate an all-night service.
Taxi: These are available in all the main towns and are metered and cheap; higher fares are charged at night.
Taxi: These are available in all the main towns and are metered and cheap; higher fares are charged at night.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Bratislava (in hours and minutes) to other major towns in the Slovak Republic.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Poprad | 0.45 | 4.00 | 4.30 |
| Košice | 1.00 | 5.30 | 5.00 |
| B. Bystrica | - | 2.30 | 4.10 |
| Piešt’any Spa | - | 0.50 | 0.50 |
Travel Partners
Travel Centre
©Copyright: Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved 2009
Columbus Travel Media Ltd. Registered in England & Wales . Company no. 2970942 . Vat no. 853914212 . Regd Office: 17 Dunsfold Park, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB
