official site for visitors to Bratislava  

If you want to fly to Bratislava, you can choose between the city's own international airport and Schwechat airport in Vienna, which is about 45 km from Bratislava and connected by regular shuttle buses. Bratislava's airport is the biggest in Slovakia and one of the fastest expanding in Europe. Regular flights link it to other Slovak cities and with many major European destinations.

Trains in Slovakia are the safest and most agreeable way to travel throughout the country. International trains to Bratislava's main railway station run from Vienna (1 hour), Budapest (3 hours), and Prague (4-5 hours) several times a day.

Bratislava is connected to neighbouring capitals by international multi-lane highways. Within Slovakia, the D1 motorway connects Bratislava to the east of the country and the D2 motorway connects Bratislava with Hungary to the south and and the Czech Republic to the north. These roads also form part of international routes E58 (to Austria) and E65 (to Hungary and the Czech Republic).

Perhaps the nicest way to arrive in Bratislava is by riverboat, via the Danube. The Rhine–Main–Danube Canal links Bratislava with the North Sea; the Danube River connects it to the Black Sea.

Most sights and places of interest to tourists can be found in the city centre, or within walking distance of the pedestrianised old town. If you need to travel further afield within the city, the best way to do so is by public transport.

Taxi service is still cheap by Western standards. There are more than 20 licensed taxi companies in Bratislava. Make sure the meter is running before he takes off. For a tip, just round up to the nearest €0.50 figure. It is cheaper to order a taxi by phone than to hail one on the street.

Cycling is a great way to see some of Bratislava's best features. You will notice that the residents of the city, with one or two intrepid exceptions, don't use bicycles as a means of transport. So if you rent one, or bring your own, you will probably find yourself battling alone with the cars and buses (it's wisest not to battle with the trams).

If you arrive in Bratislava by car you will find many underground and open-air car parks in the city centre. Street parking is also available, but be aware that unlawfully parked vehicles can be clamped or towed: using a car park is generally recommended for visitors. For parking on many streets in the city centre during the day (until 4pm), you must buy a 1-hour parking card costing 0,70 €. These scratch cards are on sale from sellers in yellow reflective vests who patrol the parking areas. The card can also be purchased at newsstands.

Though Bratislava still has some way to go before the city can be considered fully accessible to disabled visitors, conditions are improving steadily. Most of the major hotels have wheelchair access and rooms with disabled facilities, though facilities in older establishments can be rudimentary.