Bratislava’s M R Štefánika Airport is served by airlines from all over Europe, including an increasing number of low-cost carriers. A further option for visitors to southern Slovakia is to fly to Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport, less than 50 km (30 miles) from the border. Vienna may also be the most convenient gateway for travellers from North America and Australasia.

Visitors heading for the mountain region of northern Slovakia might consider taking a flight to Krakow in Poland, which is nearer than Bratislava, and heading south from there.

Bratislava’s airport is 12 km (7 miles) from the city centre; the bus journey (on bus no. 61) takes 30 minutes and a taxi takes 15 minutes. Vienna’s airport, 50 km (31 miles) from Bratislava, operates a regular bus service to the Slovak capital.

Slovakia’s internal airports are in Košice, Piešt’any, Sliač and Tatra-Poprad (5 km/3 miles from Poprad). Both Czech Airlines and Air Slovakia serve these airports.

Prices of air tickets vary tremendously: they depend on the airline, the time of year, the type of ticket (“open” or with a fixed return date), the validity period, and many other factors, as well as where you purchase the ticket. Most airlines offer special concessions for children; some also offer reductions to families and group travellers. It is also worth looking for special promotions that are, from time to time, offered by various airlines, for selected routes. Usually, it is worth booking the ticket well in advance. The Internet is a good starting point for shopping around for a good deal.

Low-cost airlines offer a good range of deals on flights to Prague, Brno, Bratislava and Krakow in Poland, and the number of routes is increasing all the time. For the lowest fares you should book via the Internet as far in advance as possible. Flights generally do not include in-flight meals, although refreshments are usually sold on board. A useful website for checking the latest low-cost routes is www.flycheapo.com.

You can get to the Slovak Republic by coach operated by one of the international carriers who run scheduled services between main European cities. Travelling by coach is generally less expensive than by air, but it may sometimes be less comfortable, and – above all – takes much longer. The coaches on international routes are generally well equipped with air conditioning and have reclining seats. Further details are available from the operator before you book. It is worth taking a blanket or a sleeping bag with you and, for a cold night, a flask filled with a hot drink.

Train travel offers more comfortable conditions than travel by coach (particularly if you pay for a couchette), but it should be stressed that standard fares on international train routes are usually very high – the cost of such a journey may not be much lower than travelling by air, for example. It could, however, be considerably reduced if you buy discounted international tickets in advance, or passes for travellers under 26 or over 60. Details and application forms can be obtained from ticket offices at international railway stations.