Slovakia Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Punctuality is appreciated on social occasions.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The Slovak Republic's national airline is Air Slovakia (GM) (www.airslovakia.sk).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Bratislava Airport (BTS) (M R Štefánik) (www.letiskobratislava.sk) is 9km (6 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Buses run to the city (journey time - 30 minutes). Taxis are also available (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shops, bank, post office, restaurant, bar, snack bar, left luggage, tourist information and car hire.

Kosice Airport (KSC) is 10km (6 miles) south of the city (www.airportkosice.sk). To/from the airport: Taxis are available (journey time - 15 minutes). Buses are also available.

Tatry-Poprad Airport (TAT) is 5km (2.5 miles) from the city.

Note: Vienna International Airport (VIE) (www.viennaairport.com) in Austria can also be used as it is only 50km (31 miles) from Bratislava.

Getting There By Water

Main port: Bratislava (www.spap.sk) is the country's main port.

International connections from Austria are possible on the Danube which flows into the Black Sea, and is also linked with the Rhine and the Main. Services run as follows: Bratislava-Vienna-Bratislava; Bratislava-Hainburg-Bratislava; and Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest, both ways. LOD (tel: (2) 5293 2226; www.lod.sk) is one of the main operators. River cruise ships also stop in Bratislava on their journeys along the Danube.

Getting There By Rail

The most convenient route to the Slovak Republic from western Europe is via Prague or Vienna. The Slovak Republic's network also provides direct connections with Berlin, Bucharest, Budapest, Hamburg, Krakow, Kyiv, Lviv, Moscow, St Petersburg, Vilnius and Warsaw.

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travelers 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 (www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Getting There By Road

The Slovak Republic can be entered via Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland or Ukraine. There is a motorway from Bratislava via Brno to Prague.

There are Eurolines bus links from Bratislava and other important towns to major cities such as Cologne, London, Munich, Paris, Venice and Vienna. For further information, contact Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080, in the UK; www.eurolines.com).

Duty Free

Overview

Slovakia is within the European Union. If you are traveling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragances, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Slovakia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes (no limit on other smoking products as long as for personal use).
• 11 liters of spirits and 90 liters of wine.
• 50g of perfume or 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Gifts up to the value of €175.
• Foodstuffs, fruits and flowers for personal use.
• Medicine according to personal use.

Note: (a) All items of value, such as cameras and tents, must be declared at customs on entry in order to facilitate export clearance on departure. (b) Only half the above quantities are permitted if stay is less than two days. (c) Arms and ammunition require a license. (d) House pets can only be transported with veterinary permission. (e) Objects of art and historical value need a license and customs duty.

Prohibited Imports

Explosive and pyrotechnical devices, plus a wide range of used goods are prohibited, unless they are the traveler's personal items.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

The domestic airline is Air Slovakia (GM) (www.airslovakia.sk).

Getting Around By Water

The Danube is the main artery for transport by ship which is operated by Slovak Shipping & Ports (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; 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. Travelers 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 (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 standardized 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 (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 license.

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