Arrival

By train
From the direct neighboring countries of Slovakia you can easily enter by train. Some of them offer direct train connections to Bratislava.
From Vienna you can take the train to Bratislava in about 30 minutes. For this purpose, for example, the ÖBB offers a Bratislava ticket.

By bus
There are regular long-distance bus connections from Vienna, Prague and Budapest to Brastilva.
The Tatra Mountains, for example, can be easily reached by bus from Krakow in Poland.
From the Ukraine there is a bus connection to Eastern Slovakia.

By bike
The Danube cycle path Vienna-Budapest runs through Slovakia.
There are numerous signposted regional cycle paths from the Czech Republic and Austria.

By boat
The TwinCityLiner runs regularly between Vienna and Bratislava.

By car
The freeway network in Slovakia is still under construction. Since 2016 an electronic vignette is required for the use of freeways The network of highways is well developed. You can enter the country by car from all neighboring countries.

By plane
There is a larger airport in Bratislava, which, for example, has regular flights from Prague. There are also connections to other Eastern European cities.
Flights are also available from Germany.
Alternatively you can fly to Vienna and then take the bus to Brastislava.
From Prague and Vienna there are also flights to other destinations in Slovakia.

Entry requirements and visas

Entry requirements for EU citizens

Free entry and residence:
EU citizens have the right to free entry, free residence and free choice of domicile within the EU, including Slovakia. This means that they can enter and stay in Slovakia without a visa.

Valid travel documents:
EU citizens require a valid passport or identity card to enter Slovakia. Temporary documents such as a temporary passport or identity card and a child’s passport are also accepted.

Obligation to register:
EU citizens must register with the local police authorities if they are staying for more than ten days. This registration obligation is usually assumed by the accommodation provider (e.g. hotel or guesthouse).

Border controls:
Although Slovakia is part of the Schengen area and there are no systematic border controls, random checks may be carried out. Therefore, travelers should always carry a valid passport or identity card with them.

Entry requirements for non-EU citizens

Visa requirement:
Non-EU citizens generally require a visa to enter Slovakia. However, there are exceptions for certain nationals who are allowed to enter without a visa or can obtain a visa on arrival.

Valid travel documents:
Non-EU citizens must have a valid passport that is valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the EU. Minors also require their own passport and, if necessary, their own visa.

Schengen visa:
Common visa regulations apply for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and for transit through international transit zones at airports in the Schengen area. A Schengen visa may be required depending on your nationality.

Long-term residence permit:
Third-country nationals who wish to stay longer in Slovakia can apply for a temporary residence permit at the Slovakian embassy or consulate in their home country. A long-term residence permit is possible if a person has lived in Slovakia or another EU member state for five consecutive years.

Entry conditions:
Entry may be refused if the conditions set out in the Schengen Borders Code are not met. It is recommended that you inform yourself about the specific entry requirements before traveling.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

On the way in...

by train
The ZSSK is the Slovak state railroad company. It is the largest provider of public transport. The trains are often uncleaned and made of old wagon material. The comfort is acceptable. On some lines, refurbished trains run with wagons from former GDR stocks. These have been rebuilt and modernized.
Additionally, the Czech provider RegioJet offers train connections from the Czech Republic. The tickets are available at only a few stations at their own counters. The trains are modern and well maintained. The prices are slightly lower than those of the ZSSK.
There are also some smaller regional trains.

ZSSK and RegioJet tickets are not mutually recognized.

by bus
The train service offered in the country is supplemented by a regional bus service.

by car
The freeway network will be further expanded. Since 2016, an electronic vignette has been required to use the freeways. They can be bought online, at almost all gas stations and self-service machines, and the highways are very busy.

It applies:
in towns: 50 km/h
Country road: 90 km/h
Freeways: 130 km/h
Driving with dipped headlights is also possible during the day.

Per mille limit is 0,0 ! Especially in the evening it is strongly controlled and there are high penalties.

by bicycle and on foot
In many regions there are well signposted hiking trails and cycle paths.

by plane
Air traffic within the country plays hardly any role.

Best time to visit

Slovakia has a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. The average annual temperature is between 8 and 10°C in the lowlands and between 5 and 8.5°C in the basins.
The Nitriansky region has the warmest temperatures and the most hours of sunshine, while the Žilinský region is the coldest and has the most rainy days and precipitation.

Spring (March to May)

In spring, temperatures in Slovakia are still quite cool and can be rainy. However, temperatures gradually rise from May onwards and nature begins to blossom. Average daily temperatures in spring are around 21°C.

Summer (June to August)

The summer months are warm to hot, with average daily temperatures of around 22°C. Temperatures often reach their peak in June and July, although it can be a little cooler at higher altitudes in the Carpathians. August is the hottest month of the year and temperatures can reach up to 26°C in the Danube valleys.
In summer there is an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day. Most rainfall occurs in June and the number of rainy days varies between 5 and 12 days per month.

Fall (September to November)

In autumn, the temperatures cool down again and nature changes into a beautiful play of colors. In October, daytime temperatures in Bratislava are between 8°C and 15°C.
In October there are about 10 rainy days in Bratislava and an average of 5 hours of sunshine per day.

Winter (December to February)

Winters in Slovakia are very cold, with average temperatures of around -2°C. In the mountain regions there can be snow for up to 130 days a year. The coldest recorded temperature was -29.0°C in February 2012.
In winter, there is an average of 2 to 3 hours of sunshine per day.

Language

In Slovakia, the main languages spoken are Slovak and Hungarian. In Eastern Slovakia also Romanes in Eastern Slovakia,
Younger people often also speak English or German.

Curreny

Slovakia is one of the countries that use the euro as their currency.

Tip

In Slovakia, the invoice amount to be paid is rounded up by 10%. The exact amount you want to pay is stated at the time of payment.

Travel Adapter

German vacationers need a travel adapter in Slovakia. Plugs of type C and E are used in the country. The plugs of type E are not compatible with the German plugs.