The new ZSSK timetable, effective from 15 December 2024, has several new features that benefit not only daily commuters but also for tourists visiting Slovakia.

The Railway Company of Slovakia (ZSSK), has introduced more long distance and regional services, adding more than 70 new daily trains on key routes across Slovakia, bringing the total to approximately 1,800 trains per day.

The most interesting information for tourists visiting Slovakia is given below.

Long-distance trains between Bratislava, the capital city, and Košice, the second largest city, departing every hour:
Regular train connections from Bratislava hl.st. to Košice (443 km) and back every hour, with two types of express trains – TATRAN and KRIVÁŇ. These have differences in travel speed, the number of stops and seat reservation requirements.

• Express TATRAN:
  • Travel time: 5 hours 26 minutes
  • Number of stops: 17
  • Seat reservations required in first class and part of second class

• Express KRIVÁŇ:
  • Travel time: less than 5 hours
  • Number of stops: 10
  • Mandatory seat reservations in all carriages

The hourly express trains running from Bratislava to Košice not only enhance travel quality between the eastern and western parts of the country but also improve tourist access to cities with historical centres such as Trnava, Trenčín, Žilina, and Spišská Nová Ves. Additionally, the High Tatras is now much more easily accessible.

• TATRAN Trains:
  • Stop at Štrba station, where passengers can transfer to the High Tatras via the Štrba–Štrbské Pleso.cog railway.
  • Stop at Poprad-Tatry station, offering connections to the High Tatras via the Tatra Electric Railway.

• KRIVÁŇ Express Trains:
  • Stop at Poprad-Tatry station, providing connections to the High Tatras via the Tatra Electric Railway.

Extended services on the Banská Bystrica–Margecany train route
Passengers planning visiting the southern part of Slovak Paradise and the Low Tatras, will appreciate the addition of six semi-fast (Zr) trains operating on the Banská Bystrica-Margecany (179 km) route. These trains will run daily during the three months of both the winter and summer tourist seasons, and on weekends and bank holidays outside of these periods.

Direct services between Bratislava Nové Mesto to Nitra
The Regional Express (REX) trains depart every 2 hours, with a total of 9 pairs of trains daily.

The 97-kilometer journey from Bratislava Nové Mesto station to Nitra takes 1 hour and 37 minutes, while the return trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

These REX trains allow tourists to travel directly from the capital city Bratislava to Nitra without needing to change trains. Nitra is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful surrounding landscape, including the Zobor hill. As one of the oldest cities in Slovakia, it offers visitors landmarks such as Nitra Castle, the Church of St. Emmeram, and the historical centre. The city is also known for its connection to Great Moravia, the ancient Slavic empire.

Passenger services between Banská Bystrica and Zvolen
Local passenger (Os) trains from Banská Bystrica to Zvolen os.st. (21 km) now run every hour in both directions on a daily basis, including weekends and public holidays (previously, trains ran every hour during peak hours on weekdays and every two hours during off-peak times and on weekends).

Banská Bystrica is popular for its historic city centre and the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), which highlights the city’s crucial role during World War II. Tourist attractions in Zvolen include Zvolen Castle, the ruins of Pustý hrad Castle and the Forestry and Timber Museum. The popular Sliač Spa, known for treating cardiovascular diseases and disorders, is located along the train route between Zvolen os.st. and Banská Bystrica, set in a large park.

GEMERAN Express services between Zvolen and Košice every 2 hours
The new timetable also introduces a two-hour interval for the GEMERAN express trains running from Zvolen to Košice (230 km), allowing tourists to more comfortably visit attractions such as the Číž mineral baths, which treat circulatory, musculoskeletal, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, skin conditions, and gynaecological diseases. You can also explore the medieval Fiľakovo Castle, or transfer at the Rožňava station to a bus in order to see the historic centre of Rožňava, the heart of the Gemer historical region. A key attraction for tourists in the town is also the Mining Museum. The area around Rožňava also boasts caves and historical landmarks, such as Betliar Castle.

The GEMERAN express trains also provide better access to Košice, the second-largest city in Slovakia, (approximately 230,000 inhabitants), to travellers from central Slovakia. It is known as the “metropolis of the East”, offering a variety of landmarks, including St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral – the largest cathedral in Slovakia and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe – museums, galleries, a zoo, a botanical garden, and many other points of interest.

BOJNICE Express services from Bratislava Nové Mesto to Prievidza, every two hours
Travellers from Bratislava now have the opportunity to travel to Prievidza (157 km) and back every two hours. In Prievidza, they can transfer to a bus to visit the small town of Bojnice (6 km), home to a castle, a national zoo, thermal baths, and the Čajka lookout tower above the town.

International transport
In international rail transport, there are attractive summer motorail trains from Bratislava to Split in Croatia, as well as year-round connections between Bratislava and Zurich. A significant new development is the reintroduction of the early morning and late evening services from Bratislava to Prague and back, on the EuroCity 284/285 train with a RailJet set (Siemens Comfort Viaggio).

ZSSK offers
ZSSK offers various discounts for different categories of passengers, such as students, aged 62 and above, to name a few. There is also significant interest in the regional TATRY Card, which includes unlimited eco-friendly transport in the High Tatras during the card’s validity. It covers travel on ZSSK trains on the narrow-gauge routes of the Tatra Electric Railways and the Cog Rail, as well as the standard-gauge Poprad-Tatry to Tatranská Lomnica via Studený Potok route. The TATRY Card also serves as a travel ticket and offers discounts of up to 25% at selected establishments and facilities in the High Tatras Region.

Interrail holders traveling by ZSSK trains in Slovakia are required to pay for a sleeper or couchette ticket when travelling in these carriages, as well as for a seat reservation in trains and carriages with compulsory seat reservations.

For foreign passengers with valid ZSSK International Travel Facilities for Railway Staff (FIP), the rules for domestic transport in the Slovak Republic apply (including age restrictions, surcharges, mandatory seat reservations, etc.). This means that travellers can use ZSSK-operated trains within Slovakia, including the Tatra Electric Railways (TEŽ) and the Cog Rail Štrba – Štrbské Pleso (OŽ).

Currently ZSSK is also working on significant improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity and internet speed on ZSSK trains, as well as upgrading online purchase options for tickets via the “Ideme vlakom“ app and the zssk.sk e-shop for a smoother booking experience.