Slovakia Travel Tips

Banks in Slovakia are open Monday through Friday from 08:00 until 18:00.

In general, Slovakia is a very safe country in which to travel. The political situation is currently stable and the country is rarely home to terrorist attacks. Pickpockets, theft and muggings occasionally occur but are mostly a problem in the larger cities. Bratislava is the place you’ll most likely be robbed, but compared to other Eastern European cities, it is very safe. Still, be extra cautious at night and during the busy and crowded rush hours. Wearing a concealed money belt and keeping your valuables out of sight will decrease the risk of theft. Rented cars are also a major target for thieves, especially if they have foreign number plates, so don’t leave anything of value in your car. 

Police: 158 or 112
Ambulance: 16 155

The currency in Slovakia is called the crown, or koruna. There are 100 halierov in one crown. Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 korunas. Coins come in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 halierov and 1, 2, 5 and 10 korunas.

For the best rates in Slovakia, you should simply withdraw money using your ATM card. The next best rates can be found at the banks. Exchange booths in the airports, train and bus stations as well as those in your hotel or restaurant will give you the worst rate.

The import and export of both local and foreign currency is limited to a maximum of 150,000 korunas, and must be declared.

Visitors can import up to 250 cigarettes or the equivalent in tobacco, 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, a half litre of perfume and up to 1,000 korunas worth of gifts and souvenirs. Visitors can take as much non-commercial goods out as they want when they leave the country, but you should keep your receipts just to be safe. The one exception is antiques, which can only be exported with approval from the National Relic and Landscape Centre in Bratislava.

Electricity: 220V/50Hz

Social conventions in Slovakia are much the same as in the rest of Europe. Shaking hands is the customary way to greet someone and punctuality is always appreciated. Slovaks are generally quite friendly people, so you should be able to find a helping hand wherever you go. They may take a little time to warm up, but underneath Slovakians are generally very interested in foreign visitors.

Slovakia poses few health risks to visitors. No special vaccinations are required, but tick-borne encephalitis is present in heavily forested areas as well as Lyme disease, so be careful with the ticks. It’s also a good idea to get a hepatitis and tetanus booster before you go to an unfamiliar part of the world, while rabies is also present in Slovakia.

The worst health problem visitors are likely to experience is a case of traveller’s upset stomach from exposure to new microorganisms in the food and water. The tap water is safe to drink in Slovakia, though heavily chlorinated. It’s better to use bottled water, which is readily available all over the country.

If you do get really sick, Slovakia’s private hospitals and clinics are up to international standards, but there probably won’t be any medical service in the smaller towns and villages. Most doctors in Slovakia speak English, but the cost of medical care is expensive. Visitors should ensure they have comprehensive medical insurance before leaving home. 

Hospital Bratislava Ruzinov: +421 2 4333 6741

The official language in Slovakia is Slovak; however, English is also widely spoken. Many of the country’s ethnic minorities speak Hungarian, Ruthenian, Ukrainian or German.

In restaurants and bars, it is customary to tip 5 to 10 per cent. In hotels, tipping is up to the guest, while taxi drivers are never tipped. Small family restaurants rarely expect tips, but since waiters in Slovakia receive such low wages, a little something is always appreciated.

The country code for Slovakia is: +421. There are public telephone booths including special kiosks for making international calls in larger towns across the country. Surcharges on international calls made from hotels can be rather large, so check first before making that call.

GMT +2 (GMT +1 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).

Most Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK and all EU countries, do not need a visa to enter Slovakia for up to 90 days for tourism or transit purposes. Passports, of course, are required by everyone.