Travelling by Train Around Slovakia and Europe
At first glance Slovakia may look like a small country you could drive across in a single day. That is a misconception. There are plenty of places here that are easiest to reach by train, and the rail network covers the country fairly densely. Here is how to buy tickets, which discounts are available and how to travel abroad.
Where you can get by train in Slovakia
The train is a convenient way to reach the larger cities — Bratislava, Trnava, Žilina, Košice and Prešov. Each has its own sights and museums that introduce the country’s history and culture.
The mountain routes are a story of their own. The railway will take you to Poprad, from where a local train climbs into the Vysoké Tatry, while a rack railway connects Štrbské Pleso with the valley. These are some of the most scenic routes in the country, especially in autumn and winter.
Ideas for day trips are collected in the article A one-day tour: travelling out of Bratislava.
How to buy a ticket
At the station ticket office
Go up to the ticket office (pokladňa), say where you are going and when you want to leave, then pay for the ticket. Always carry an identity document with you — you will need it when a discounted ticket is issued.
Through the app
The official app of the Slovak railways is IDeme vlakom (ZSSK). We recommend it for travel within Slovakia: it has the best prices and a clear interface. In the app you can check the timetable for the train you need, so you know in advance which ticket to get, even if you then buy it at the ticket office.
For bus travel, the FlixBus and RegioJet apps are useful — both companies run domestic and international routes. Note that RegioJet operates buses and trains, not flights.
Discounts and free travel
This is the most useful part for anyone living in Slovakia permanently: a considerable share of passengers can travel by train free of charge.
Who is entitled to free travel
A 100% discount with ZSSK is available to children and pupils, full-time students up to the age of 26, and pensioners — people receiving a pension and anyone over 62. Free travel applies in second class.
How to arrange it
To travel you need a personal ZSSK card with a photograph granting the right to free transport — it is issued in advance, after you register.
The good news: on Os (osobný), REX and Zr category trains you no longer need to take a separate “zero ticket” — the card itself is enough. On long-distance trains (rýchlik, Ex, IC) a zero ticket is still issued, because the carrier monitors how full the seats are.
From 1 July 2026 a single document was introduced, replacing the separate paper cards for the various types of discount. Check the current application procedure on the zssk.sk website.
Student discounts on buses
Holders of an ISIC student card can activate a transport discount — it also covers bus travel. Activation is done through the relevant apps for a small fee, the amount of which changes from time to time.
Travelling outside Slovakia
If you are heading to Vienna, for example, you can also buy the ticket at the ticket office or in the IDeme vlakom app. The Bratislava — Vienna route is one of the busiest: trains run frequently and the journey takes about an hour.
For international bus travel FlixBus is convenient: fares on foreign routes are usually lower, there are student discounts, and new users of the app are periodically offered a discount on their first trip. Promotion terms change, so check them in the app.
A detailed overview of the carriers is collected in the article Passenger transport companies in Slovakia, and the route to Ukraine is covered in the piece From Slovakia to Ukraine and back.
Useful tips before you travel
Check the timetable on the day of your journey: engineering works are carried out regularly on the Slovak railways, and some routes are replaced by buses as a result.
On long-distance trains at weekends and on public holidays it is better to reserve a seat in advance — carriages can be full. If you are travelling with a bicycle or bulky luggage, check the conditions for carrying it: some trains have special carriages set aside for this.
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that students travel by train for free?
Yes, full-time students up to the age of 26 are entitled to a 100% discount with ZSSK in second class. You need to obtain a personal card with a photograph.
Do I need a “zero ticket”?
On Os, REX and Zr category trains, no — the card is enough. On long-distance trains (rýchlik, Ex, IC) a zero ticket is still needed so that seats can be monitored.
From what age do pensioners travel free?
People receiving a pension are entitled, as is anyone over 62. Check the exact conditions and how to apply for the card on the ZSSK website.
Which app is best for travelling around Slovakia?
IDeme vlakom — the official ZSSK app with timetables and ticket purchase. For buses, use FlixBus or RegioJet.
Can you get to the Tatras by train?
Yes. The main route runs to Poprad, from where a local train goes into the Vysoké Tatry. There is also a rack railway to Štrbské Pleso.
Important. The information in this article has been gathered from publicly available sources online and is current as at the date of publication. Conditions and rules change. Before making any decisions, check the latest information and consult a relevant specialist.