Travel TipsSlovakia

OVERVIEW

The Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, sharing frontiers with the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of Slovakia's year-round natural beauty. Every historical period and century has left behind monuments in the Slovak Republic that are admired by the world. The capital, Bratislava, is the political, economic and cultural center of the country. Its history is inextricably linked with the Celtic and Roman periods but the city contains palaces bearing the architectural style of almost every age: Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, classical. Devín Castle, recently renovated, is situated 10km from the city. Other sights include the 13th-century Old Town Hall. The Tatra National Park is the oldest national park in the country, with an abundance of wildlife (including chamois and marmot) and alpine plants (13,000 species). The park caters for all recreation needs with a good selection of accommodation and sporting facilities (mountaineering and hiking). Local dishes include bryndzové halušky (small potato dumplings with sheep's cheese).

Geography
The Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, sharing frontiers with the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of the Slovak Republic’s year-round natural beauty. The Slovak Republic is a small country but its terrain varies impressively from lowlands to mountain ranges. Almost half of the country is taken up by the Carpathian Arc, a range of mountains stretching across the north. The smaller ranges include the Lesser Carpathians, White Carpathians, Malá (Lesser) Fatra, Vel’ká (Greater) Fatra, High and Low Tatras and the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovak Ore Mountains).

Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Punctuality is appreciated on social occasions. The minimum drinking age is 18.

International Travel:

Air
The Slovak Republic is served by Aeroflot, Aeromist-Kharkiv, Austrian, Air France, Air Slovakia (GM), British Airways, Czech Airlines, Delta, Hemus Air, Israir, LOT, Lufthansa, Maersk Air, SkyEurope Airlines and Slovak Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From Bratislava to London is one hour 45 minutes.

International airports
Bratislava Airport (BTS), (M R ¡Stefánik) , is 9km (6 miles) from the city. Buses run to the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxis are also available (travel time – 20 minutes). Airport facilities include duty free shops, bank, post office, restaurant, bar, snack bar, flight information, left luggage, tourist information, first aid, disabled facilities and car hire (Avis and Hertz).
Ko¡sice Airport (KSC) is 6km (4 miles) south of the city. Taxis are available (travel time – 10 minutes). Buses are also available.
Tatry-Poprad Airport (TAT) is 5km (3 miles) from the city.
Vienna International Airport (VIE) (Schwechat) is 50km (31 miles) from Bratislava and can be used as a gateway for intercontinental travelers.

Departure tax
None.

River
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.

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.

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, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1, UK (tel: (08705) 143 219;.

The following goods may be imported into the Slovak Republic by visitors 18 years of age or older without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco products; 1l of spirits and 2l of wine; 50g of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette; gifts up to the value of SK3,000; foodstuffs, fruits and flowers for 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.

Abolition of duty free goods within the EU
On June 30 1999, the sale of duty free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on May 1 2004, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another (with the exceptions of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, where limits are imposed). Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.

Internal Travel:

Air
The domestic airlines are Air Slovakia (GM), SkyEurope Airlines and Slovak Airlines (9S)

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;. 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). 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 Pre¡sov and Ko¡sice, 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 standardized 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 license.

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.