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Central Europe

SlovakiaTravel guide

Explore Slovakia visa rulesCommon scams in Slovakia

Slovakia is a small country in Central Europe. It offers mountains, caves, historic towns, castles and relaxing spas. Its capital is Bratislava.

Why go

  1. Explore nine national parks and the mountain scenery of the High Tatras.

  2. Visit castles, medieval towns and traditional wooden churches.

  3. Discover caves, canyons and waterfalls in the Slovak Paradise and Slovak Karst.

  4. Relax at mineral springs, thermal pools and spas.

  5. Enjoy Bratislava's Old Town, riverside cafés and nightlife.

Getting there

By air

  • Vienna Airport is 37 km from Bratislava and has many long-distance flights. Direct buses leave hourly for Bratislava's main bus station, and taxis are another option.
  • Bratislava Airport has a limited choice of regular flights. The source lists Ryanair, Wizz Air and Pegasus.
  • Košice and Poprad–Tatry have smaller international airports.

By land

  • Regular buses connect Vienna, Prague and Budapest with Bratislava.
  • Buses connect Uzhhorod in Ukraine with Michalovce. Other buses run from Kraków through Zakopane to Poprad.
  • Buses from Poland and Ukraine are faster and more frequent than trains.

Customs

  • There are normally no immigration checks between countries in the Schengen travel area. Temporary checks may take place.
  • Transport companies may check your identity before international flights or train journeys, even within the Schengen area.
  • Carry identification, especially near borders.

Getting around

  • Train

    Frequent fast trains connect the main cities. Trains are generally reliable, clean and reasonably priced. InterCity trains connect Bratislava, Žilina, the High Tatras and Košice. You must reserve a seat. Ordinary trains can be crowded on Fridays, Sundays and around holidays. Watch your belongings at major stations and on overnight trains.

  • Bus

    Buses reach places that trains do not. They are often a better choice for local journeys. Arrive early because the timetable shows the departure time from the station. Most tickets are bought from the driver, so carry cash and small notes or coins. A large bag may cost a small extra fee. Buses between Bratislava and Nitra are faster and cheaper than trains.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. The road network is extensive, but smaller roads can be narrow and bumpy. Watch for speeding drivers and cars overtaking towards you, especially in mountain areas. Fuel stops and restaurants are common along major roads and highways.

  • Journey planners

    The CP website and phone app combine train and bus timetables across Slovakia. CP also covers city transport and international journeys, and can show your bus departure lane. The imhd.sk journey planner provides local transport timetables for various towns and cities.

What to see and do

  • Bratislava

    Explore the Old Town, Bratislava Castle and cafés along the Danube.

  • Spiš, Bojnice and Orava castles

    Spiš is one of Europe's largest castle sites. Bojnice is a popular 19th-century castle, while Orava stands on a rock above the Orava river.

  • Banská Štiavnica and Kremnica

    These well-preserved medieval towns grew around silver and gold mining. Kremnica has the world's oldest mint still in operation.

  • Košice, Trnava and Levoča

    These towns have large historic centres worth exploring.

  • High Tatras

    The mountains offer dramatic views, skiing and other outdoor activities.

  • Slovak Paradise National Park

    See canyons, ravines, waterfalls and striking rock formations.

Food and drink

  • Hearty local food

    Common ingredients include smoked meat, cheese, potatoes and flour. Pork and poultry are the most common meats.

  • Soups

    Soups are common starters, and some are filling enough for a main meal.

  • Fried cheese

    Almost every restaurant serves fried cheese with fries. Specify the version without ham if you do not eat meat.

  • Sweet dishes

    Look for pancakes, fruit-filled dumplings and sweet noodles with nuts, poppy seeds or sweet cottage cheese.

  • Vegetarian choices

    Cities generally have more choice than the countryside. Explain your needs clearly, as dishes labelled vegetarian may contain animal fat or small pieces of meat.

  • Restaurant customs

    In most restaurants, choose your own table and wait for staff to bring a menu. Casual clothing is usually acceptable.

Money

Euro (€; currency code EUR). One euro equals 100 cents.

  • Carry cash for bus tickets bought from drivers.
  • Use small notes or coins for short bus journeys.
  • Exchange rates change.
  • Old Slovak koruna can still be exchanged at the National Bank of Slovakia.

Tipping: Tipping is optional. In cafés and restaurants with table service, rounding up or leaving around 10% is common; give the tip directly to the waiter when paying. Tipping is not common at counters, in bars or for other services.

Typical costs

  • Train fares are competitive with bus fares and inexpensive by western European standards.
  • Luxury hotels offer prices similar to those in western countries.
  • Maintained mountain cabins offer cheap accommodation for hikers.
  • Traditional outdoor pools are significantly cheaper than water parks.

Language

  • Slovak is the official and most widely spoken language.
  • Younger adults commonly speak English, while older people rarely do.
  • Some older residents and tourism workers know German or Russian.
  • Hungarian is spoken by a minority, mainly in the south.
  • Rusyn is spoken in the east.
  • Czech and Slovak speakers can generally understand each other.

Staying safe

  • Slovakia is generally very safe, and violent crime is uncommon.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings after dark and keep your belongings in sight.
  • Watch for pickpockets in crowds and at major transport stations.
  • Theft sometimes affects sleeping passengers on overnight trains.
1 common scams in Slovakia, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Try speaking some Slovak; your effort will be appreciated.
  • Be respectful and sensitive when discussing history and other potentially sensitive topics.

Don't

  • Do not assume people will welcome being addressed in Russian. For some Slovaks, it has negative associations with Soviet domination.

Staying healthy

  • No vaccination is required to visit. The source recommends vaccination against tick-borne illness for countryside visits, and against hepatitis A and B.
  • Ticks occur in forests, tall grass and some larger parks. Avoid thick undergrowth and check your whole body after a walk.
  • Healthcare standards are relatively high, but English may be limited among doctors. The language barrier is less of a problem in major towns.
  • Food and drinks are generally safe, and tap water is drinkable.

Phone and internet

  • Slovak Telekom, Orange and O2 offer prepaid mobile cards.
  • Funfón and Tesco Mobile also offer prepaid options.
  • With an unlocked phone, you can buy a prepaid card in a phone shop. Cheap phones with a prepaid card included are also available.
  • Some phones from the United States may not support the mobile frequency bands used in Slovakia.

Where to stay

  • Major cities, the High Tatras and spa towns have luxury hotels. Spa hotel prices often include some treatments.
  • Major towns and tourist areas have hotels, but quality varies. Some older hotels have adequate interiors despite dated buildings.
  • Budget hostels are mainly in larger cities.
  • Private rooms and rental chalets are available outside cities. Look for 'Zimmer Frei' signs; breakfast is usually not included.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Slovakia can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Slovakia before you plan the route.

Outdoor adventures in Slovakia

Slovakia has well-marked hiking trails, mountain ski areas, river rafting and caves open to visitors. The High Tatras and Slovak Paradise are major outdoor draws, while mineral springs and lakes offer gentler days. Mountain weather can change within minutes, even in summer.

  • High Tatras hiking

    HikeEastern Slovakia

    Follow the marked hiking trails in the High Tatras. Tell your hotel where you are going and when you expect to return.

    • Never hike alone. Some trails have steep climbs and rocky ground.
    • Carry suitable gear. Rain or snow can arrive even in summer.

  • Slovak Paradise National Park ravine hiking

    HikeEastern Slovakia

    Explore the national park on its marked hiking trails through canyons and ravines.

    • Use proper hiking gear and take weather warnings seriously.
    • Avoid thick undergrowth and check your body for ticks after walking.

  • High Tatras skiing and snowboarding

    SkiingEastern Slovakianear Poprad

    Winter

    Use Poprad as a starting point for skiing or snowboarding in the High Tatras.

    • Mountain weather can change quickly.
    • Winter mountain temperatures can fall to -20°C.

  • Jasná winter sports

    SkiingCentral Slovakia

    Winter

    Visit the winter sports area at Jasná.

    • Take mountain weather warnings seriously and carry suitable gear.

  • Dunajec river rafting

    Rafting

    Take a raft trip down the Dunajec through its scenic gorges.

  • Váh river rafting

    Rafting

    Travel down the Váh on a raft through scenic gorges.

  • Small Danube rafting

    Rafting

    Take a raft ride down the Small Danube.

  • Dobšinská Ice Cave

    CaveSlovak Paradise

    Visit the publicly accessible cave in Slovak Paradise.

  • Ochtinská Aragonite Cave

    CaveSlovak Karstnear Rožňava

    Visit the cave near Rožňava. It is open to the public.

  • Domica Cave

    CaveSlovak Karst

    Visit Domica as one of the Slovak Karst caves open to the public.

  • Jasovská Cave

    CaveSlovak Karst

    Visit Jasovská Cave, which is open to the public.

  • Gombasecká Cave

    CaveSlovak Karst

    Visit Gombasecká Cave as a publicly accessible cave in the Slovak Karst.

  • Piešťany spa

    Hot springnear Piešťany

    Visit the spa in Piešťany for mineral spring relaxation and mud treatments.

  • SPA Aphrodite

    Hot springnear Rajecké Teplice

    Visit SPA Aphrodite on Rajecká cesta in Rajecké Teplice for thermal pools and baths.

  • Banská Bystrica countryside cycling

    CyclingCentral Slovakianear Banská Bystrica

    Ride from Banská Bystrica on village roads or paved and gravel forest roads. During summer weekends and holidays, buses carry cyclists and bikes to Malý Šturec, Harmanecká jaskyňa and Donovaly.

    • Cycle routes are not very well marked.

  • Poprad–Svit bike paths

    Cyclingnear Poprad

    Cycle along the bike paths connecting Poprad and Svit.

  • Zobor Mountain forest walk

    Hikenear Nitra

    About 50 minutes from Zobor monastery

    Start at Zobor monastery, which is used as a hospital, and follow the forest walk uphill.

    • Check your body for ticks after walking through the forest.

  • Kamzík hill walk

    HikeBratislava surroundingsnear Bratislava

    About 30 minutes uphill from Koliba

    Take bus 203 or 213 to Koliba, then walk uphill to Kamzík. A chairlift also connects the summit with the grass fields at Snežienka.

    • Cost: Approximately €3 for one chairlift ride

  • Partizánska lúka and Snežienka forest walks

    HikeBratislava surroundingsnear Bratislava

    Walk from the bus 212 terminus at Vojenská nemocnica. Alternatively, take a bus to Patrónka and change to bus 43, which runs through the area.

    • Permit: Cars need permission to enter the area. Parking is available at the entrance.
    • Check your body for ticks after walking in the forest.

  • Zlaté piesky lake swimming

    More to donear Bratislava

    Summer

    Visit Zlaté piesky, also called Golden Lakes, for lake bathing in Bratislava.

    • Unless clearly stated otherwise, natural swimming areas have no lifeguard.

  • Vajnorské jazerá swimming

    More to donear Bratislava

    Summer

    Visit Vajnorské jazerá, also known as Bager lake, in Bratislava.

    • Bathing here is unofficial.
    • Unless clearly stated otherwise, natural swimming areas have no lifeguard.

  • Kavečany skiing

    Skiingnear Košice

    Winter

    Take bus 29 towards Kavečany, Zoo, to its terminus. Ski equipment rental is available at the resort.

  • Jahodná skiing

    Skiingnear Košice

    Winter

    Reach the forest ski area by bus 14. Ski equipment rental is available.

  • Svorad's Cave

    Cavenear Nitra

    Reach the small cave via an 18th-century calvary, a religious route.

  • Aqua City Poprad swimming

    More to donear Poprad

    Visit Aqua City at Športová 1397/1 in Poprad.

Airports, metros and trains in Slovakia

Airports with scheduled flights

  • BTSM. R. Štefánik AirportBratislavaMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
3,626 km
Electrified
1,587 km

People and safety in Slovakia

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian69%
  • No religion24%
  • Jewish7%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #46 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

58% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Slovakia easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required82
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required105

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

What money should I bring?

Slovakia uses the euro. Carry cash and small notes or coins for bus tickets bought from drivers.

Which airport can I use for Bratislava?

Vienna Airport is 37 km away and has direct buses to Bratislava's main bus station every hour. Bratislava also has an airport with a more limited choice of flights.

Can I travel around without a car?

Yes. Fast trains connect the main cities, and buses reach many places without trains. The CP website and app combine train and bus timetables.

Will people understand English?

English is widely spoken by younger adults, but rarely by older people. The official language is Slovak.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes. Tap water is drinkable throughout Slovakia.

Do I need to tip in restaurants?

Tipping is optional, but rounding up or leaving around 10% is common with table service. Give the tip directly to the waiter when you pay.

Is vegetarian food easy to find?

Cities generally offer a decent choice, but rural options can be limited. Explain your needs because some dishes labelled vegetarian may contain animal fat or meat.

What should I know before hiking?

Trails are well marked, but mountain routes can be steep and rocky. Bring suitable equipment because weather can change quickly, even in summer.

Do I need to book a mountain cabin ahead?

Booking ahead is recommended for popular cabins during busy periods because space is limited. Bring your own sleeping bag.

Where can I buy basic medicine?

Go to a pharmacy marked with a green cross. Supermarkets and ordinary shops do not sell medicines, even aspirin.

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