Slovak Republic Yakovlev 40; OM-BYL@SPU;04.06.2012/655aa by Aero Icarus via Flickr Creative Commons

Bratislava Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport

Just over 1.5 million passengers entered the Slovak Republic’s biggest airport in 2011. In addition to the Slovak Republic, this airport’s catchment area includes parts of Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. A new Terminal A, doubling the airport’s maximum capacity and handling both domestic and international flights, recently replaced the recently demolished original Terminal A. Terminals B and C only handle arriving flights. The building connecting terminals A and B houses a post office and travel agencies.

Budget carrier Ryanair operates a large percentage of this airport’s scheduled flights, but other budget airlines available here include Danube Wings, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and UTair. As there are presently no non-stop flights between Bratislava and North America, North American passengers must either first stop at another major European city or fly into the much larger Vienna International Airport and then take ground transportation to Bratislava. Airport amenities include a restaurant with free wireless internet access, a VIP lounge, first-aid facilities, currency exchange, and several shops.

Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt stand alongside two local car companies at the airport’s car rental section in the Arrivals terminal public area. Public transportation options include taxis, a shuttle service which travels the 5.5 miles between downtown Bratislava and the airport, and city bus 61, which travels between the airport and Bratislava’s main rail station. Buses also frequently travel the 34 miles between the airport and Vienna International Airport.

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