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History Economy Language Religions
Bratislava overview, sightseeing, attractions, night clubs, restaurants, public transport, taxis apartment & hotel accommodation and weather information for Bratislava Slovakia
Bratislava Airport & Airline Guide
Listing of low cost airlines flying to and from Bratislava and offering cheap flights to Bratislava plus information on travelling from Bratislava Airport to Central Bratislava
Welcome to the euromost.info Slovakia Directory
The euromost.info's Slovakia Travel Guide. With general info on: the national tourist board & local city tourist boards, EU status, currency & weather, low cost airlines offering bargain or cheap European flights and International Airlines flying to Bratislava airport. Also details of the Slovakian Rail Network and main coach services, sources of Consular advice and Travel Warnings where given. The Slovakia Country Profile includes details of its economy, history, population & religion. The Bratislava City Break Guide includes info on the sightseeing attractions, clubs, accommodation and hotels. Bratislava is one of 39 Euromost cities.
Slovakia Population
The capital city of Slovakia is Bratislava. The national population is 5.6m. 86.% of the population are Slovak, 10% are Hungarian with the remaing 4% being Roma, Czech, Moravian, Ukrainian German and others.
Slovakia Religion
About 61% of the population are Roman Catholics, 9% are Protestant and 9% atheists. The remainder are followers of various religions.
The Slovakia Language
The national language is Slovak with Hungarian widely spoken.
Slovakia Currency
The unit of currency is the Slovak Koruna.
Slovakia Currency Regulation
Visitors entering or leaving Slovakia with cash in any currency which exceeds 10,000€, must declare it to customs officials.
Slovakia Economy Business
The annual rate of growth in the Slovakia economy has increased in recent years and now stands at 5.5%. Inflation has remained stable at around 7.5% as has Unemployment at around 17 -18%. Slovakia has a wide rang of manfacturing industries - metals, paper, machinery, transport, textiles, elecrical, optical and rubber products. Other significant industries are food processing, chemicals, electricity, gas mining and nuclear power. Slovakias major trading partners are the European Union Countries of Germany, The Czech Republic, Italy and Austria. Over 52% of all exports are destined for the EU.
Tourism to Slovakia
The tourist industry in 'Slovakia' in the 'Czechoslovakian Era' was dwarfed by the promotion and popularity of Prague. In the last decade The Slovak Authorities have actively promoted the merits of Slovakia and in particular the capital Bratislava. Bratislava is now quite a popular destination for low cost airlines who have also capitalised on the airports close proximity to Austria and Hungary
Emergency Medical Treatment In Slovakia
Slovakia has a good standard of healthcare though facilties in some places can be limited and English is often not spoken by juinor staff. Slovakia has arrangements with several countries including the UK nationals for the provision of emergency medical treatment. If you are travelling from the UK you will need a European Health Card.
Slovakia Health Note:
If you are going to forested areas take medical advice about innoculations against rabies & tick-borne encephalitis.
Bird Flu - Avian Influenza In Slovakia
An outbreak of Bird flu occured in Febuary 2006 in Bratislava. No humans contracted the disease. Avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and with domestic, caged or wild birds. Thoroughly cook any egg and poultry dishes.
Insurance Cautionary Note:
Skiing and Hiking In Slovakia
Visitors to the Slovak mountains should always take local advice about the conditions before setting out. You should take a mobile phone with you.
Skiers and Hikers who have to be rescued by the HZS - (the Slovakian Mountain Rescue Services) will be charged for their services. The charges range from 3,500 SKK to 300,000 SKK. Depending on the exchange rate the latter is equivalent to 9,330 €. It is there for worth considering insuring your self against this senario.
Slovakia History
In 1918 Slovakia and The Czechs formed the State of Czechoslovakia. At the beginning of WW2 this democratic country was occupied by Nazis Germany. At the end of the war it was occupied by the Soviet Union who installed a communist government.
In August 1966, following a short period of liberalisation by the national government known as 'The Prague Spring', the country was invaded by armies from other communist countries under Soviet Union inspired Warsaw Pact Agreement.
In 1989 the ruling communist goverment was ousted in 'The Velvet Revolution'. Fundemental differences between The Slovaks and The Czech in the following 2-3 years led to the peaceful dissolution of Czechslovakia on January 1st 1993., with The Czechs and Slovakia becoming indepedent states.
Disabled Visitors & Wheelchair Access In Slovakia
In general Slovakian society is not as empathetic to the needs of disabled people in public places even though Bratislava airport has recently become very wheelchair friendly
Motorists have a bad habit of parking over sloping pavements designed for pedestrians and wheelchair users wishing to cross the road. It is impossible to board public transport without having to negoitate steps and few public buildings have wheelchair access. Slovakians can be very supportive to people having difficulties in these situations but the logistics can be very challenging.
Credit Cards
Not all shops and restaurants accept credit cards and Maestro may not be accepted by those that do. Do not let the card out of your sight when paying for services as they may be copied and your account subsequently being debited for items you have not authorised.
ATM's Cash & Travellers Cheques In Slovakia
There are adequate numbers of ATM outlets in the major cities and airports. If you are travelling into Slovakia through land borders there are very few places where you can exchange currency. If you are coming via Vienna airport change your currency at the airport.
Before your visit if you are intending to use Travellers cheques you should confirm that they type you are taking are accepted in Slovakia. Do not take take Scottish and Irish banks notes as these are not acceptable tender for exchange putposes.
The best places to change cash and travellers cheques are bereaux de change's or banks. The small kiosks in general offer poorer exchange rates.
Crime In Slovakia
Serious crime in Slovakia is rare and usually confined to disputes between criminal gangs. Petty crime, picket pocketing and bag snatching ismost prevalent in tourist areas. Parked cars with foreign licence plates and bags etc that are visible are also frequent targets for thieves.
An increasingly popular scam with foreign cars is to damage a tyre whilst it's owner is elsewhere. When the driver returns the a kind passer by will offer to help the driver change the tyre. If given the opportunity he will take anything of value from the car or the driver coat or jacket during the process and then suddenly have to leave.
Pick pocketing and handbag theft can often occur in bars and restaurants. Men who leave their coata and jackets over the backs of chairs should ensure that their cash and passports are not left in them. Women who put their bags under the table might consider put the straps on their leg.
Accepting drinks from strangers of the opposite sex can be dangerous as the drinks can be spiked. Unaccompanied men are particularly vunerable to this approach which can result in them waking up stripped - of their valuables.! The Zlaty Piesky camping area in Bratislava is also a area frequented by opportunist thieves.
Travel In Slovakia
Road Travel In Slovakia
Drivers from EU member states including the UK can usually drive in Slovakia on their own full national licence for 1 year. Long stay drivers from the UK, with right hand drive vehicles should ensure they have insurance covering them for their whole visit as it is not possible to insure and register these vehicles locally.
Roads in Slovakia are generally in good condition but they are narrow and not marked very well. Many main roads are single lane carriageways. It is not uncommon to find yourself driving behind a slow moving commercial vehicle.
Driving standards are only fair. Some drivers will drive fairly aggressively and will speed irrespective of the weather conditions. Beware of cars in oncoming traffic who may suddenly use your side of the road to overtake. These manouvres can occur any where including on bends. The death rate on Slovakian roads is nearly twice as high as that of the UK.
There is zero tolerance of drink driving in Slovakia wilth no alcohol what so ever allowed in the blood whilst driving. Seatbelts should be warn at all times and children under 12 and less than 1.5 metres high are not allowed to travel in the front seats.
In the summer car headlights have to be used when the weather reduces visibility -except when waiting at level train crossings where sidelights have to be on. also Motorcyslists must have their headlights on day or night.
Trams always have the right of way even when turning right across your path. You should only overtake them on their right hand side. In exceptional circumstances (Bratislava excepted) when there is no room on the right to overtake them you can overtake them on the left provide there is no tram stop nearby.
Speed limits in Slovakia are generally 60KPH in towns and cities, 90KPH in rural areas and 130KPH on motorways - where a toll charge is payable. The tolls can be bought at the border on entering Slovakia.
Petrol Stations In Slovakia
Petrol stations are normally fpund outside towns on the main roads. Sometimes in towns, including Bratislava they do not exists. Few stations accept Credit cards. Opening hours vary with some open 24 hours but many close at 18.00.
In Slovakia Winter tryres are not compulsory but all cars must have snow chain available between October 15th and March 15th. During this period car headlights must be switched where you are driving. However in the event of an accident where one vehicle has winter tyres and the other does not - there is a precedent to assume that that vehicle without winter tyres is responsible for it. At times the weather in Slovakia can be very severe with heavy snow and very low temperatures - see the euromost city guide for Bratislava . Motorists travelling in Slovakia during the winter are advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting out. They are also advised to carry mobile phones for use in an emergency along with emergency supplies of food and warm drinks especially when going on a long journey.
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Weather Forecast For & Average Climate Conditions In Bratislava Slovakia |
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National Coach Services In Eastern Europe to and from Slovakia UK & International Coach services to and from Bratislava
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