Transport in Slovakia

Transport in Slovakia can be done in many ways, such as trains, roads, planes, or rivers. Slovakia is a developed country in Central European with a good train network. The biggest airport for international travel is M. R. Štefánik Airport located in the capital city, Bratislava. One of the most important rivers for transport is the Danube, which carries passengers and goods. The two main ports along the river in Slovakia are Komarno harbour and Bratislava harbour.

Railways

Main article: Rail transport in Slovakia

Further information: Železnice Slovenskej republiky

Slovakia has many train lines that connect different parts of the country and link to other European countries. The main train company is ZSSK. It operates many types of trains, including fast trains called Rychlik. These fast trains run between Bratislava and Kosice. Other trains, like regional express trains, travel at speeds between 140 and 160 km/h (87 and 99 mph).

Train operators

Passenger

• ZSSK Rychlik - High-speed rail passenger trains
• ZSSK REX - Regional express trains
• Leo Express - Intercity railway
• Regio jet - Intercity trains
• Railjet - High-speed rail passenger trains operated by the OBB

Cargo

The main cargo train operator for the cargo freight rail in Slovakia is ZSSK cargo.

Roads

See also: List of first class roads in Slovakia

Slovakia has many roads for cars and buses. Most of these roads are paved, and some have special fast lanes called express-ways.

Highways

Main article: Highways in Slovakia

There are special highways in Slovakia for faster travel. Some important motorways connect big cities like Bratislava, Košice, and Prešov. There are also expressways that help connect other towns and cities.

Airports

Main article: List of airports in Slovakia

Slovakia has three main airports for travel from other countries. Bratislava Airport is the biggest and most used, and it is close to the city center. It has many flights for people to use.

The other two airports are Košice International Airport, which serves the city of Košice, and Poprad–Tatry Airport, which is very high up and close to the town of Poprad.

Ports and harbours

• Port of Bratislava
• Port of Komárno

Waterways

The Danube waterway is 172 kilometers long. Many ships use it, carrying passengers, cargo, and freight.

Pipelines

Slovakia has pipelines that move petroleum products, natural gas, and crude oil. In 2010, there were 416 km of pipelines for petroleum products and 6,769 km for natural gas. There is a gas pipeline connector between Poland and Slovakia that is 162 km long, and a crude oil pipeline called Druzhba that is 19 km long.

Public transport

Most towns and cities in Slovakia have good bus services. These buses are usually run by the local government, but some are run by private companies with permission. There are also special buses called trolleybuses that only run in big cities. These are eco-friendly and operated by the city government.

Trams can only be found in Bratislava and Košice. The first tram in Slovakia started in Bratislava in 1895, and later, in 1913, trams came to Košice. Today, the tram networks in both cities are growing quickly.