Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Population

5.4 million Nationalities: Slovak (86%), Hungarian (9.5%), Roma (1.8% - self-identification in the last census), others (2.7% - Czech, German, Ukraine, Ruthene, Polish) Religions: Roman Catholic (69%), Lutheran and Evangelist (7%), Greek Catholic (4%), Calvinist (2%), others (5%); without religion (13%)

Geography

Area: 49,035 square km
Highest point: Mt Gerlach (Gerlachovský štít; 2,655 m)
Longest river: Váh (403 km)
Towns: 136 (settlements with more than 5,000 inhabitants)
Villages: 2,717 (settlements with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants)
National parks: 9
Caves: 660
Castles and castle ruins: 300
Major cities: Bratislava (capital; population 452,053), Košice (240,915), Prešov (91,621), Banská Bystrica (84,919)

Important phone numbers

Information 1181
General emergency 112
Police 158
Ambulance 155
Fire 150
Emergency Road Service 18124

Climate

Slovakia has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures in summer average over 20ºC, but can rise to the mid-30s. Winter temperatures are around 0ºC, but can plummet to 30 degrees below.

Slovak money

On 1 January 2009 Slovakia adopted the common currency and became the 16th country to use the single currency on the same day that the euro marks  its 10th anniversary. From  New Year's  Day  328.6 million people including 5.4 million Slovaks will now share the same currency.

1 Euro = 30.1260 Slovak Crowns

When changing money, look for signs saying “change” (zmenáreň), and steer clear of strangers offering to exchange money on the street (i.e. crooks who will either stick you with worthless bills or just snatch yours).

You can get cash from international accounts at an automatic teller machine, usually marked Bankomat. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at most banks and some exchange offices. Credit cards are gaining acceptance, especially in tourist areas and bigger towns.

Getting there

M. R. Štefánik International Airport is 8 km from downtown Bratislava. A taxi into town costs from €6 to €13. By bus, take number 61 to the main railway station, not forgetting to buy a Sk18 ticket from the yellow dispenser and mark it in the red punch machine.

Many visitors to Slovakia fly into Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport (60 kilometres away from Bratislava), which is larger than Bratislava’s M. R. Štefánik Airport. Taxis from Vienna (if Slovak) start at €66, but could be three times as expensive if they’re Austrian. Buses are a better way of getting to Bratislava from Vienna Airport. They run several times a day, cost about €14, and the journey lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

Košice International Airport is 6 km from downtown Košice. A taxi into town costs approximately as for Bratislava. By bus, take number 23 to the city centre (the same one goes on to the main railway station and the bus station; do not forget to buy a €6 ticket).

Travelling by car

Driver requirements: All foreign national driving licences are recognized. Visitors driving cars or trucks must be at least 18 years of age. International driving permits are recognized.

Traffic regulations: The current traffic regulations are the same as in other European countries.

Some important differences:

• The use of mobile phones is forbidden while driving
• Speed is limited at railway crossings to 30km/h, while in the city it is 50km/h, on the highway 90km/h, and on the freeway 130km/h
• Trams turning right have the right of way
• There is no right turn on a red light
• No amount of alcohol in the blood is tolerated

Motorway stickers: Vehicles using certain sections of freeway and selected highways must purchase a sticker and place it on the right-hand side of the windscreen. Any sticker not fixed is invalid. Stickers can be bought at most gas stations, and cost around 30 EURO for one year.

Breakdown service: The road assistance service can be reached at 18-124. The service operates 24 hours a day.

Taking the train

Trains in Slovakia are the safest, cheapest and most agreeable way to travel. The most frequented line in the country, the Bratislava-Košice route, costs about €15 and takes roughly 5.5 hours.

Be aware of crowded trains, especially on Friday and Sunday evenings when swarms of university students travel to and from school. On those lines it can be nearly impossible to find a seat in the regular cars. To assure a seat, buy a seat reservation (miestenka) or bypass the crowds altogether and ride first class, where plenty of personal space is a virtual guarantee.

Taxis

Taxi service is still cheap by Western standards. Some drivers may try to rip off foreigners by not turning the meter on and then claiming an outrageous total, so make sure it’s running before he takes off.

In Bratislava, avoid taking cabs from the main railway station and the bus station. For a tip, just call 00421 16 100, much cheaper, but they probably don't speak any English.

Telecommunications

There are several GSM mobile networks in Slovakia, all of which allow roaming. Most pay phones are card operated. Buy phone cards (telefónna karta) at news-stands, gas stations or at the post office. International calling cards also work. To place an international call, dial 00, the country code (44 for the UK), city code and number.

Useful links

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lo.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107967.html
http://www.slovakia.travel.sk