Travel by train
Trains in the
Os Passenger train (“osobný” vlak in Slovak)
Zr Accelerated train (“zrýchlený vlak” in Slovak)
R Fast train (“rýchlik” in Slovak)
Ex Express
IC Intercity
EC Eurocity
The map of railways in
How to find a connection and buy a ticket
The web sites of the Slovak Railways www.slovakrail.sk or www.zsr.sk provide information on time schedule, prices, duration and whether you have to switch the trains at any point. The web sites www.cp.sk, www.vlak-bus.cz provide a complex travel itinerary. Here you can choose the means of public transport (bus, train, airplane, town public transport) but also search for optimal combination of them to find the shortest journey.
Tickets can be bought at the train station ticket office reading KVC (“Komplexné vybavenie cestujúcich” in Slovak). If applicable, the teller may ask what type of train you would prefer: EC – Eurocity train (international), IC – Intercity train, fast train or passenger train. To guarantee a seat, it is possible to buy a seat reservation (“miestenka” in Slovak), since the trains may be crowded especi
International trains run several times a day from several train stations in the country and international tickets can be bought at the KVC window or at the international ticket office (“medzinárodná pokladňa” in Slovak).
It is also possible to buy tickets on-line at the website www.slovakrail.sk.
Travel by coach
While the trains are more comfortable, coaches are sometimes more direct, they connect most of the towns and villages, and are reliable and satisfactory. The first thing is to check out the web site at www.cp.sk or www.vlak-bus.cz.
How to buy a ticket
When travelling by coach within
For international bus travel you can buy tickets at the ticket office, travel agency or from Eurolines (www.eurolines.sk) which provide passage to 21 European cities (operate 8 regular international lines, act as a partner in 6 regular international lines). For the lines operated by Eurolines (or its domestic branch Slovaklines) it is possible to buy/book a ticket on-line at www.eurolines.sk.
Travel by plane
Travel by plane within the country is also rather comfortable. There are airlines that provide connections within
There are 6 airports in
Transportation between
M. R. Štefánik International Aiport is located
Thanks to the short distance of
For the bus schedule browse www.cp.sk or www.vlak-bus.cz. (The ticket from the
Moreover, there is a special bus connection between Bratislava M.R. Štefánik International Airport, Bratislava city centre (Nový Most) and Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport, Vienna city operated by Blaguss Slovakia. For the time schedule and prices see the web site www.blaguss.sk/ba_wien.php.
There is the possibility to call a Slovak taxi company. The fare is about 53 EUR plus the price for waiting at the airport.
International airport Ferihegy (
From
The ticket from
From the Main bus station “Florenc” and from railway station there are direct buses and trains nearly to
Local Transport
The public transport system in towns is quite reliable. A network of public transport – usually buses (in
Every town is responsible for running its own public transport (“mestská hromadná doprava” in Slovak, abbr. MHD).
Common features
· Public transport is the most widely used means of transportation in towns.
· Schedules can be found at every stop and in Public transport stands.
· Tickets are usually not sold on buses. In such cases they can be bought at newsstands, automatic ticket dispensers, some bus stations or public transport kiosks. However, it is dependent on the particular town, check it upon arrival.
· Tickets vary from town to town. There are time-tickets (you can change means of transport within a given period) or single-use tickets (every time you change means of transport, you use a new ticket). Fare depends also on tariff zones given by the town area. There are usually also tickets valid for several days upon validation after entering the vehicle. You must also have a ticket for large pieces of luggage and animals.
· If you stay longer in a certain town and you are sure to use public transport more often than once a day, it is advisable to buy travel pass, for example 1, 3, 6 or 12-month passes.
· To get a pass (1, 3, 6 or 12-month passes) you need a recent photograph (ca 3 x
· Children and students travel for reduced fares (ask for details as conditions may vary from town to town).
Useful glossary
Autobus - bus
Električka - tram
Trolejbus - Trolleybus
Zastávka - stop
Cestovný poriadok - schedule
Cestovný lístok - single (one-time) ticket
Mesačník, predplatný cestovný lístok, električenka - a monthly travel pass
Zastávka na znamenie – request stop
Information on the routes and schedules in
Travel by car
All foreign national driving licences are recognised in
Seat belts are compulsory.
Traffic regulations
The current traffic regulations are the same as in other European countries. The use of a mobile phone is forbidden while driving. All accidents must be reported to the police. It is prohibited to drink any amount of alcohol before or while driving. No level of alcohol in the blood is tolerated. The car must have the appropriate lights on under decreased visibility (at night and and during inclement weather) and in the period from October 15 to March 15 all day.
Speed limits
On a motorway:
On a motorway in built-up area:
On an open road:
In built-up area:
Motorway stickers
For the motorways, your automobile must have a motorway sticker valid in the given calendar year. They are available at border crossings, petrol stations and post offices. The sticker must be placed on the right-hand side of windscreen and you must always have the second part of the sticker with you and show it to a police officer upon request. Any sticker not fixed is not valid. Motor-bikers don’t need toll stickers on motorways.
Prices of toll stickers as of January 1, 2005 for motor vehicles up to 3.5 t of weight
7-day motorway sticker costs 1100 Sk (4 EUR)
1-month motorway sticker costs 300 Sk (8 EUR)
1-year motorway sticker costs 150 Sk (29 EUR
Images of toll stickers
Map of roads subjected to toll payments
Petrol stations
Petrol stations are located throughout the whole territory of Slovakia. They are usually open 24 hours daily, and easy to find except in the most remote areas. Most of these are operated by Europe’s largest petroleum companies and are well-stocked. They sell diesel and non-leaded petrol, Super Plus 98, Super 95-Natural, Normal 21, Tempo Plus 98, Tempo Plus 95, V-Power, V-power Racing, EVO Benzin, etc. For older vehicles the non-leaded petrol with special additives replacing lead are available, Super 98 VS, Super 95 VS, Normal 91 VS, Tempo Plus 95 UNI are of this type. Almost all petrol stations also sell drinks and snacks. Toilet facilities tend to be quite acceptable, and larger stations offer showers. In all big petrol stations you can pay with credit cards.
They sell leaded petrol, Uni 91-Special, Uni 95-Super and diesel, as well as non-leaded petrol, Super 95-Natural and Super 98-Natural Plus.
Garages, car-serves
Manufacturer-endorsed services of domestic as well as foreign companies are located throughout the whole territory of Slovakia and information about them is available at all petrol stations. See also yellow pages (www.zlatestranky.sk, category Automotive; Automobiles)
Parking
Parking in cities is well marked by international traffic signs. Parking in forbidden places can result in being fined, towed or wheel-clamped. In bigger cities, some parking places are specified for parking with a parking card, which can be bought from newspaper kiosks. Other parking places require the use of automatic parking meters.
Breakdown service
ASA - Autoklub Slovakia Assistance, s. r. o. - 18 120, 18 112
NAMK (National automotive club of the SR) – section of road services 18 123, 18 154
SATC – (Slovak automotive tourist club) - 18 124
It is necessary to use an appropriate area code in front of the phone number. The services are commercial and operate 24 hours a day.
Police procedure when a foreigner is involved in a traffic accident
The procedure followed when a foreigner or foreign vehicle is involved is stipulated by internal regulations. The police officer has to act as follows:
· During each traffic accident involving a foreign national or vehicle, the police officer will ask for the insurance document. The driver is obliged to have such a document with him/her. If the foreigner shows an international insurance card, the police officer will verify its validity in the
· If the foreign vehicle is damaged and it proves necessary to interfere with the load due to the traffic accident, the relevant customs office will be informed.
· If the foreign vehicle is damaged, the police officer always issues the driver with confirmation that the Police Force was informed of the traffic accident and that the traffic accident was verified by the Police Force.
Confirmation would include:
· Date and place of issuance of confirmation,
· Date, time and place of traffic accident,
· Make and registration number of vehicle, name and address of owner of vehicle, name and address of driver of vehicle at the time of the traffic accident,
· Detailed description of the damaged parts of the vehicle,
· Stamp of the Police Force unit, which verified the accident and signature of the police officer who issued the confirmation and his/her identification number.
For planning your car route try:
Taxi
There are many taxi companies, although cruising taxis are seldom available. Taxi stands are located throughout the towns. Taxis ordered by phone have cheaper fares (usu
To find out contact numbers on taxi services in the particular town search Yellow pages at www.zlatestranky.sk (it is possible to enter free text, or select Yellow pages categories; Industry, Transport & Agriculture; Transportation).