Air
Slovakia is not a major European air hub and as such, it may be more convenient to fly into either Prague’s or Vienna’s international airport, both of which are located within close proximity of Bratislava. Vienna’s airport is just 60kms away, with regular connections to Bratislava by bus. You can always fly into the Bratislava International Airport, located nine kilometres from the city centre, but it has a limited number of international flights. Budget carriers such as Sky Europe Airlines and Ryanair have been opening up the route however, and offer service from London, Paris and Rome. Other major cities which have airports include Kosice, Piestany and Poprad.

Slovakia’s main airport is located nine kilometres northwest of the capital, Bratislava. The easiest way to get into the city is to hire a taxi, which is the most popular transport option. If you want to take a bus, public bus number 61 runs between the airport and the Central Station from 05:00 until 23:00 every day. During peak hours, the bus leaves every 10 minutes and during the rest of the day, it departs every 20 minutes. It takes 25 minutes to reach Central Station. Car hire companies have their desks in the Arrivals area if you wish to hire a car during your stay.

Rail
Bratislava is the country’s main international railway hub. The city’s train station, Hlavna Stanica, is located two kilometres from the city centre. Most trains into Slovakia will pass through Vienna or Prague on their way to Bratislava. The journey from Prague takes about 5 hours on a regular train. A faster but more expensive option is to take an InterCity train. From Vienna, there are four trains per day that make the 1-hour journey to Bratislava.

Bus
Bratislava’s main bus terminal, Autobusova Stanica, is located about two kilometres from the city centre. Buses run frequently between Prague and Bratislava, taking about 5 hours. Buses then continue on to Poprad, where you can access the High Tatras and Kosice in the east. From Vienna, there are four buses per day operated by Autobusbahnhof Wien Mitte. The journey takes just 1 hour, 30 minutes. Since there is no direct bus service from the UK to Slovakia, the best you can do is travel to Vienna first, then on to Bratislava.

Car
Slovakia is well-connected by road to its European neighbours. The motorways from Prague to Bratislava pass through Brno via the D1 and D2, taking about 3 hours, 30 minutes. If you are travelling from Vienna, take the A4 and then Route 8, which leads straight to Bratislava, a 60km journey. From Budapest, you can take Route 10 to Komarno and then join Route 63, which heads right to Bratislava. This drive takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes.

River
It is very easy and fun to travel to Bratislava along the mighty Danube River. Hydrofoils run between Vienna and Bratislava and from Budapest to Bratislava from May to September. Boats arrive at the left bank in the Old Town.

Air
Due to its small size and relative lack of development, domestic air travel in Slovakia is limited. Although there are nearly a dozen small airports in towns around the country, most of them are used for charter and cargo flights. Kosice and Poprad handle most of the domestic air traffic, since they are gateways to popular areas of the country. Slovak Airlines has flights from Bratislava to Kosice two times a day on weekends and TLS Air provides charter flights to Poprad and any other airport in Slovakia upon request.

Rail
Slovakia’s state-run railway system, the Zeleznice Slovenskej Republiky, provides the only train service in the country. The service is erratic and only goes to major cities such as Bratislava, Kosice, Poprad, Presov and Banska Bystrica. The fastest trains are the InterCity trains and the ones marked with an ‘R’. Slow but reliable electric trains operate between Poprad and the resort towns in the High Tatras.

Bus
The national bus carrier in Slovakia, SAD, operates an extensive and efficient network of routes which cover all of the country. Buses are quicker than trains and run much more frequently, making them the transport of choice within Slovakia. However, the fares are usually a bit more expensive than a train ticket and the buses don’t have air-conditioning. Tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver or at the ticket window at the station. Long-distance buses are often full, so it’s advisable to book your seat in advance. The country’s national travel agency, Satur, can help you with reservations.

Within Bratislava, the city’s buses and trolleybuses run frequently and are well-connected to the city centre and outlying areas. Each bus stop is easily identified by a sign with a picture of a bus or tram and a list of lines that are served from the stop. Single ride, one-day and three-day tickets are available only at larger hotels, newsagents and tobacconists. You cannot buy your ticket directly on the bus or tram. Once on board, don’t forget to validate your ticket in the machine, or face getting a stiff fine.

Car
Slovakia is a fairly easy country to drive around. The country’s size and relatively quiet roads make travelling a pleasant affair. Roads are well-maintained and often follow old routes through villages and small towns. This creates a slow but visually enjoyable drive. If you plan to tour the hinterlands of Slovakia, a car is essential. However, areas such as the High Tatras are less convenient with a car. Parking is a hassle and the electric trains can take you everywhere you need to go with ease.

Taxi
Most of the taxis in Slovakian cities are inexpensive and easy to hail in the streets. They offer the best way to get home after a night out in the wine bars. In general, Slovakian taxi drivers are considered to be polite and honest. If you hire one for a long journey, then it’s best to decide on the fare before you start off. Tipping is not expected.

River
The Danube River is used primarily to transport people in and out of Slovakia, so there isn’t much of an infrastructure for travelling within the country.