Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
Brits now need visas for Slovakia. A single entry one bought at the embassy in Vienna (Austria) is 210 Sch, valid for three months; a three month multiple entry one costs 490 Sch and six month multiple entry is 870 Sch. Prices at the border are about three times that. However, it seems likely that the new government will scrap them.
Caroline Newhouse, UK (Nov 98)
When crossing back into Austria from Bratislava we were pulled over by the border police and told that we had committed an "infringement" as we hadn't got stamps from where we had stayed on the back of our two pages of visa issued to us. We were aware that this was a requirement of Czech but didn't know that this was a requirement of Slovakia. We were only let go when we found some receipts from the camping sites and hostels that we had stayed in. We thought we should let you know this as they may be tightening up on their requirements at the border.
When we entered Slovakia from Austria we purchased the visas at the border and it cost 2000sk each for a single entry 30 day visa (plus an extra 40sk which is paid to the bank for the visa).
Kerrie Warbuton & Ashley Cadogan-Cowper, Australia (Nov 98)
The office hours of the Slovakia embassy in Prague is from 8.30 - 12 pm, telephone number 320 507. Try to get there early as they work really slowly. They tend to let in four people at a time, approximately 35 minutes for each turn. Even if you arrive before 12 pm you won't be admitted in. Better bring water as there are no food stores or stall nearby. We wasted two mornings queuing up there without getting a visa.
Cheung Ching Lok & Sandy So, Hong Kong (July 98)
The correct number for the Embassy of Slovakia in Canada is (613) 749-4442.
(Apr 98)
Canadians don't need a visa to enter Slovakia. The phone number for the Slovak Embassy in Canada is (613) 749 4442.
Anne Magusin (Sept 97)
We found more than once that bus and train information provided by tourist information offices was out of date. Checking can save a lot of time.
Before hiking in the High Tatras (out of season), it pays to check the track conditions first. When we went in late April we found out the track we intended to take was waist deep in snow and at high avalanche risk.
Roger Firth & Kathryn Grose (June 1998)
If you're taking the hydrofoil to Vienna (which we did and was a nice experience, especially when navigating the docks on the Danube near Vienna) only a Euro 26 card will get you a discount. ISIC cards don't impress them.
Toi Chia Tan & Nicole Quek - England (Nov 97)
We found Bratislava in Summer 1998 to be an absolute nightmare to drive into and around as there were virtually no signboards for any roads (major) and none at crossroads either. It was literally guesswork.
Highway tolls are now in use - a windscreen sticker for cars up to 1,600cc is 200SK and cars over 1,600cc is 400SK. You can buy the sticker at petrol stations.
Helen & Paul Garrett, UK (Aug 98)
There is a direct train from Bratislava to Krakow (Poland) that does not pass through the Czech Republic. It passes through a "new" crossing point in the Skalite-Zwardon north-east town of Cadca. It is a daily train service and the fare is about US$10. Departure is 2.50 pm from Bratislava hl. St. and arrival is 11.07 pm at Krakow Glowny.
Ing. Michal Vallo (July 98)
