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Country Guide > Europe > Slovak Republic


Travel - Internal

Air
The domestic airlines are Air Slovakia (GM) (e-mail: airslovakia@airslovakia.sk; website: www.airslovakia.sk), SkyEurope Airlines (e-mail: info@skyeurope.com; website: www.skyeurope.com) and Slovak Airlines (9S) (e-mail: slovakairlines@sll.sk; website: www.airslovakia.sk).

River
There are 2372 km of navigable waterways. The Danube is the main artery for transport by ship which is operated by Slovak Shipping & Ports (Pribinova 24, 815 24 Bratislava; tel: (2) 5022 6312; fax: (2) 5022 6355; e-mail: spa@spap.sk or travel@lod.sk; website: www.lod.sk). Cruises covering historic and tourist interests are also operated. There is also regular passenger transport on the Danube.

Rail
The rail network, which has 3662km of track, is operated by Railways of the Slovak Republic (ZSR) (website: 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. For further information, contact ZSR, Klemensová 8, 813 61 Bratislava (tel: (2) 5058 7469).

Road
Traffic drives on the right. The major routes run from Bratislava to Preˇsov and Koˇsice, via Kral’ovany and Poprad. The network of roads and supporting services (garages, petrol stations, restaurants, hotels and motels) is dense and reliable. Roads are standardised as motorways (200km), first- (3000km), second- (3500km) and third-class (11,000km) 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. Car hire: Self-drive cars may be pre-booked through the tourist office in main towns and resorts. Traffic regulations: Seat belts are compulsory and drinking is absolutely prohibited. The speed limit in towns is 60kph (37mph); outside towns, 90kph (56mph); and on motorways, 130kph (81mph). Documentation: Most hire companies require a valid international driving licence.

Urban
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.

TRAVEL TIMES
The following chart gives approximate travel 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
Koaice 1.00 5.30 5.00
B. Bystrica - 2.30 4.10
Pieat’any Spa - 0.50 0.50



   
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