Slovakia has a well-developed railway network. Trains are the basic means of transport in Slovakia. Many social groups can travel for free (this may change in the near future), trains run frequently, but are overcrowded, especially around Bratislava. Train travel in Slovakia is not as comfortable as in Western Europe but trains in Slovakia connects many popular tourist attractions.
Last updated: 19.02.2024
The first railway in Slovakia from Bratislava to Svätý Jur was opened on 21 September 1840. Initially it was horse-drawn railway.
The first steam railway in Slovakia from Bratislava to Vienna was inaugurated on August 20, 1848.
In 1872 the railway line from Bohumin to Kosice was completed.
In 1883 the railway line from Žilina to Bratislava was put into operation.
In 1993 Železnice Slovenskej republiky company was established.
Train travel in Slovakia – domestic trains
Traveling by train in Slovakia allows you to easily travel between the most important cities. The train does not reach everywhere, some tourist attractions can only be reached by bus, for example Čičmany. Main railway junctions are Bratislava, Žilina, Košice, Poprad, Zvolen a Nove Zamky. Trains in Slovakia run very often on main routes, but on some local routes there are a few trains a day.
In recent years, a large part of the rolling stock has been replaced thanks to subsidies from European funds.
Most of passenger trains are operated by state-owned Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko. Czech private carriers RegioJet and Leo Express operate some of the long-distance trains between Czech Republic and Slovakia. Leo Express currently operates the railway line from Bratislava to Komarno.
Most popular routes:
Bratislava – Košice via Žilina, Poprad
Bratislava – Košice via Zvolen
Bratislava – Komarno
Košice – Prešov
Useful websites:
Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko – online shop. Tickets purchased online are cheaper.
Free train transport in Slovakia – conditions, information
Regiojet – private operator (trains and buses)
Leo Express – private operator
Railway map of Slovakia (Wikipedia)
Types of the trains in Slovakia
Trains in Slovakia are divided into the following categories:
osobný vlak (Os) – local or regional train. Trains in this category stop at all stations and stops. Various rolling stock – railbuses, modern diesel or electric multiple units, double-decker push-pull trainsets, on some routes passenger carriages hauled by a locomotive.
regional expres (REX) – regional train. The category probably applies to regional trains between main cities or cross-border regional trains.
zrýchlený vlak (Zr) – semi-fast train, mainly on the Zvolen – Banska Bystrica – Vrutky route. Trains stop at designated stops and are comprised usually of non-refurbished carriages.
rýchlik (R) – fast train. Many routes. It stop at designated stops only.
express (Ex) – trains in this category stop only at the most important stations, but the quality of the carriages is similar to fast trains.
intercity (IC) – prestigious category of trains between Bratislava and Kosice. Fastest trains in Slovakia, the best passenger carriages, mandatory seat reservation, complicated system of supplements and high ticket prices.
eurocity (EC) – international trains with modern carriages
supercity (SC) – Prague to Kosice train served by Czech Pendolino trainsets.
Train travel in Slovakia – night trains
Slovak Railways runs night trains on domestic routes between Bratislava and Kosice and the city of Humenne. Additionally, international trains are available between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and seasonal night train connects Bratislava and Split in Croatia.
Night trains in Slovakia are comprised of seating carriages, couchettes and sleeping cars. Personally, I recommend to travel in a sleeper car – a supplemenys are relatively cheap and the journey is much more comfortable than in a seating carriage or a couchette.
Couchette compartments are mixed gender, but there are separate compartments with 4 berths for women in international transport. Passengers can choose between 4 or 6 berth compartments.
In sleeping cars there are separate compartments for men and women, but pairs or groups may travel together. There are 3-bed compartments, 2-bed comparments and single compartments (1st class).
Couchettes and sleeping cars are operated by Wagon Slovakia Košice (WGS)
Railway in High Tatras
In the Slovak part of the Tatra mountains there is a narrow gauge railway network which consists of two connected lines:
Poprad – Starý Smokovec – Štrbské Pleso (29,1 km)
Starý Smokovec – Tatranská Lomnica (5,9 km)
The railway network is known as the Tatra ElectricRailway (Tatranská elektrická železnica).
At Štrbské Pleso, the railway connects to the Štrbské Pleso – Štrba rack railway.
At Starý Smokovec, the railway connects to the Starý Smokovec – Hrebienok funicular.
A separate tariff applies. Tickets must be validated. Seasonal railway passes are available, there are very cheap one-day, three-day, seven-day or monthly tickets.
All lines are single-track and electrified. Rolling stock is modern but electric multiple units have no toilet on board. In July and August, heritage trains run on selected weekends.
Slovak Railways – more information, prices.
Summer network ticket Slovak
Not all passengers are entitled to free train travel in Slovakia. The best offer for this group of passengers is Slovak network ticket valid in July and August. This network ticket allow to travel as much as you want throughout Slovakia in 2nd class of the trains operated by Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko. The pass includes Tatra Electric Railways. Travel in Intercity trains is complicated. If you want to travel in Supercity trains, you must pay a supplement.
There are two types of the Slovak pass:
– valid for 31 consecutive days
– valid for 7 consecutive days
In my opinion Slovak Tyzden (a ticket valid for seven consecutive days or until the last day of August.) is enough to visit the most important places in Slovakia that can be reached by train. Ticket is non-transferable, and it can be used only by the person to whom it was issued.
In recent years, a weekly ticket cost 49 euros.
Train travel in Slovakia – international trains
There are numerous long-distance and regional trains running between Slovakia and neighboring countries. International trains are operated by many railway operators from various countries.
Czech Republic
There are long-distance trains between most important cities in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Passengers can choose between daytime and overnight trains or between Ceske Drahy, Regiojet and Leo Express trains.
There are many discounts and promotional offers.
Slovak Railways – online shop.
Czech Railways – online shop
Regiojet – private operator, online shop
Leo Express – private operator, online shop
Hungary
There are many trains between Slovakia and Hungary. International trains between both countries run on the following routes:
Bratislava – Budapest
Kosice – Miskolc
Bratislava – Rajka (you can continue your journey to Gyor)
Tickets are not cheap anymore. The price is dynamic, depending on the train. It is worth buying tickets in advance.
Slovak Railways – online shop.
Hungarian Railways – online shop
It is also possible to travel from Kosice to Slovenske Nove Mesto, cross the border there on foot (3 km), and from Satoraljaujhely continue by train, e.g. to Miskolc or with a transfer to Tokaj.
There is a bus between Sturovo and Esztergom stations every two hours Taxi drivers charge many more for a ride between cities, which is worth it if 3-4 people take a taxi.
Austria
Trains from Bratislava to Vienna run every hour. Most trains depart from Bratislava Central Station, but some depart from Petržalka Station, which is located in a different part of the city.
There is a special tariff for Bratislava – Vienna trains – return tickets are relatively cheap. However, this does not apply to Railjet, Intercity and the Bratislava – Split night train.
Train from Bratislava to Zurich run once a day. The train provides direct access to Salzburg, Innsbruck and Feldkirch.
Croatia
There is a sesonal train from Bratislava via Vienna to Split. The train run twice a week in summer season. The night train is comprised of seating carriages, couchette cars, sleeping carriages and motorail – you may board the sleeping car after loading your car or motorcycle on the platform. Tickets are expensive, unless you buy a promotional tickets.
Austrian Railways – online shop
Slovak Railways – online shop
Poland
Train transport between Poland and Slovakia leaves much to be desired. Direct long-distance trains run from Warsaw and Krakow to Bratislava and continue their journey to Budapest. If you want to travel to Zilina or Kosice, you need to get out in Bohumin, Czech Republic and change train. Long-distance train in Poland are operated by PKP Intercity
There are regional trains from Cadca or Skalite to Zwardon, Poland, operated by Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko. Regional trains from Zwardon to Katowice are operated by Polish regional railway operator Koleje Śląskie. You need to buy separate tickets for Slovak and Polish section.
Seasonal trains between Poland and Slovakia run on the following routes:
Poprad – Muszyna (weekends in winter and summer holidays) in cooperation with Koleje Małopolskie
Sanok – Medzilaborce (weekends in mid-June to end of August) in cooperation with Polregio
Slovak Railways – online shop.
PKP Intercity – long-distance trains, online shop
Koleje Śląskie – official website and online shop
Polregio – online shop
Koleje Małopolskie – official website and online shop
Ukraine
There is a daily train from Kosice to Mukatschevo. Passengers are carried by refurbished Slovak diesel railbus. There are plans to reinstate direct carriages to Lviv and Kyiv.
Related articles:
Railways in Europe by country
Narrow-gauge railways in Europe
