Overview
Slovakia is a country in Europe according to constructmaterials. With its beautiful mountain landscapes and rock fortresses and well-preserved architecture, the Slovak Republic offers visitors an inviting mix of outdoor adventure and medieval charm. That the country is somewhat overshadowed by its neighbor and former compatriot, the Czech Republic, is largely because the pretty capital city of Bratislava doesn’t quite compare to Prague. Nevertheless, this is also an advantage, because most of Bratislava’s attractions do not involve queuing. In the course of the “Velvet Revolution” in 1993, what was then Czechoslovakia was peacefully divided into two nations. The Slovak Republic has now been independent for over 25 years. Today, the humble, creative nature of Slovaks attracts a wide range of visitor groups, from skiers and backpackers to business travelers and history buffs. The main attractions of the country are the capital Bratislava and the High Tatras, but there are other regions that are absolutely worth visiting. Kosice, the second largest city in the Slovak Republic in the east of the country, was the European Capital of Culture in 2013.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Eurowings (EW) offers non-stop flights from Düsseldorf to Košice and also flies from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Zurich via Düsseldorf to Košice.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Košice: 3 hours 15 minutes; Munich – Košice: 2 hours 45 minutes; Dusseldorf – Košice: 2 hours 5 minutes (non-stop); Vienna – Košice: 55 min (non-stop); Zurich – Košice: 3 hours 25 minutes
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
Arrival by land is possible from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and Austria (Mountain-Bratislava and Vienna-Bratislava). Motorways lead from Prague and Vienna to Bratislava. Long-distance bus: Flixbus and Eurolines travel to the Slovak Republic from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Toll: Motorways and expressways are subject to tolls; Sections marked “BEZ UHRADY” are free of charge. Vignettes can be paid for by credit card or cash. Electronic vignettes are available online through Eznamka, from vending machines at borders and at most petrol stations. Documents: The national driving license is sufficient.
Arrival by train
Trains run from southern Germany and Switzerland via Vienna to Bratislava. The Vienna-Bratislava route is served every 30 minutes. From northern Germany there is a connection via Prague. There are also connections between Bratislava and Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest and Kyiv. Nightjet night trains connect Berlin with Bratislava.
rail passes
Interrail also offers an Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass for the Slovak Republic.
Arrival by ship
The Danube connects Bratislava, Vienna (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary) and via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, the North Sea with the Black Sea. Many river cruises call at Bratislava. Important ship connections on the Danube are routes such as Passau-Vienna-Bratislava, Hainburg-Bratislava and Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest.
Cruise ships
Phoenix, Nicko Cruises, 1AVista Reisen and VIVA Cruises, among others, also have Bratislava in their program on their Danube cruises departing from Passau.
Ferry provider
Twin City Liner ferries commute between Vienna and Bratislava several times a week.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
There are no domestic scheduled flights in the Slovak Republic.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network has a total length of approx. 47,000 km. The most important connecting road leads from Bratislava via Trencin, Banská Bystrica, Zilina, Kralovany and Poprad to Presov and Kosice. Toll: Motorways and expressways are subject to tolls; Sections marked “BEZ UHRADY” are free of charge. Vignettes can be paid for by credit card or cash. Electronic vignettes are available online through Eznamka, from vending machines at borders and at most petrol stations. Gas stations are sufficiently available; generally they are open from Monday to Friday from 6 am to 8 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm; in larger cities and on main travel routes mostly all day.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
The roads are generally in very good condition. Potholes are to be expected on secondary roads.
Road classification
The Slovak road network includes motorways, expressways, first-order, second-order and third-order roads, as well as European roads; all streets are marked with a letter and a number. Motorways begin with the letter D, expressways with R, first-class roads with I, second-class roads with II, third-class roads with III and European roads with E.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at the airports and in larger cities. The minimum age for drivers is 18 years. Drivers under the age of 21 often pay a young driver surcharge.
Taxi
Taxis are available in all major cities; they are cheap and metered. Night surcharges are common.
Bicycle
Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented in all major cities. Mountain bike tours are also offered.
Coach
The Slovakian bus network is operated by various regional providers and connects most towns. The buses are usually in good condition and the fares are cheap. Buses operated by Slovak Lines, the country’s largest bus company, serve numerous national and international destinations.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – seat belts are compulsory; – absolute ban on alcohol at the wheel; – Telephoning at the wheel is only permitted with a hands-free system or headset; – Motorized vehicles must also use dipped headlights during the day; – Children under the age of 12 and people shorter than 150 cm must be transported in the back seat; – Drivers must wear safety vests when leaving their vehicles outside of built-up areas and staying on the road; – Winter tires are compulsory in snow and ice. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – on rural roads: 90 km/h; – on motorways: 130 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should be contacted first.
Documentation
The national driving license is sufficient. For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number is valid as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take their international motor insurance card with them in order to be able to enjoy full insurance cover in the event of damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. In addition, the international motor insurance card can make it easier to record accidents.
Traveling in the city
In Bratislava and other larger cities there are buses, trolleybuses and trams. Tickets can be bought at newspaper kiosks, at machines at the bus stops or directly on the bus. Buses and trams marked with blue stickers run throughout the night. Taxis are also available in all cities.
Locally on the way by train
The rail network is operated by the State Railway Company of Slovakia (ZSSK). Several daily express trains run between Bratislava and most cities and resorts. On the main routes it is advisable to reserve in advance. Fares are cheap; a surcharge applies for express trains. The EuroCity (EC) connects the country’s major cities and these with international destinations, the InterCity (IC) serves the cities inland, express trains (Ex) run both domestically and internationally. Regional trains (Zr) and connecting trains (Os) also operate.
rail passes
Interrail also offers an Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass for the Slovak Republic.
Traveling by ship
In the Slovak Republic there are several navigable waterways totaling 279 km. The main river is the Danube. The main ports are in Bratislava and Komarno.
