Slovakia – ZSSK

COMPANY INFORMATION

Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), the national carrier, is the largest passenger railway operator in the Slovak Republic. ZSSK provides a wide variety of services: regional, suburban, long-distance and night trains.

Railways connect people and their goals and interests. We also strive to connect different organisations, businesses, and government agencies to collectively improve the travel experience, not only in Slovakia.
We are continuously improving our services. Travel by train – effectively, comfortably and ecologically, because mobility is valuable, and it is our freedom.

ZSSK has been a member of the UIC TOPRAIL project since 2019.

ZSSK has become the main transportation partner for the Trenčín – European Capital of Culture 2026 project.

ATTRACTIVE TRAIN ROUTES

Tunnels and viaducts are typical for Central Slovakia due to its mountainous terrain. 22 of the 76 Slovakian railway tunnels are on the route from Vrútky to Banská Bystrica, with the longest called „Čremošniansky,“ measuring 4.7 km. The stunning views are very attractive in both the summer and winter periods.

One of the greatest train rides is from Margecany to Banská Bystrica, passing through the valley of the Hnilec River and Horehronie Valley, offering wonderful views of the Slovak Paradise protected nature reservation and the Low Tatras.

Scenic railway routes passing through nature are also very popular, offering stunning views. Examples include the Nové Mesto nad Váhom – Vrbovce line (Kopanice region in western Slovakia), the Kraľovany – Trstená line (Orava region in northern Slovakia), and the Košice – Rožňava – Zvolen line, where part of the route goes through the Slovak Karst.

For travellers crossing Europe who wish to see Slovakia from the west to the east side in a single day, we recommend the route Bratislava hl.st. (accessible by international services from Prague, Budapest, Wien, or Warsaw) – Trenčín – Žilina – Poprad-Tatry – Košice (which can be reached by international trains from Budapest, Prague, or Mukachevo). Ex trains (Express “TATRAN”) run on this route every hour during the day.
The route from Bratislava hl.st. to Košice, passing through Trenčín, Žilina, and Poprad-Tatry, covers 443 kilometres. Ex services (Express “TATRAN”) operate this route hourly during the day, with each train ride taking about 5 hours and 30 minutes. These trains typically include a restaurant car as well as a carriage for children and PRM passengers.

ZSSK & TOURISM

TRANSPORT IN THE HIGH TATRAS

The most popular tourist destination in Slovakia is the High Tatras, also known as the Smallest Alps in the World. The railway transport in the High Tatras includes:

  • 5 km long cog-railway (OŽ) Štrba-Štrbské Pleso with a 1,000 mm gauge
  • 35 km long Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) with a 1,000 mm gauge connects the most popular spots Štrbské Pleso, Starý Smokovec, and Tatranská Lomnica with Poprad-Tatry.
  • 17 km long standard-gauge railway Poprad-Tatry – Studený Potok – Tatranská Lomnica

SUMMER TOURIST TRAINS

ZSSK also offers a wide range of special tourist trains that operate seasonally, mostly during summer, in cooperation with its stakeholder, the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic.
During the summer tourist season. Each year, ZSSK offers several summer tourist trains.

You can find detailed information about the days of operation, departures, and stops of summer tourist trains at zssk.sk (standard transportation conditions apply, including the relevant tariffs).

In 2025, ZSSK ranked among the top three best transportation operators in the world in a competition focused on tourism-friendly services, in the category “Tourist-friendly short-distance (up to 2.5-hour journeys) rolling stock,” where it competed with the electric track unit 495 used on the Tatra Electric Railway and on the track railway line Štrba – Štrbské Pleso. This competition has been organised by the International Union of Railways (UIC) with jury participants from the railway and tourism sectors.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

Travellers can use Interrail and Eurail Passes at no extra cost, along with many other special offers and discounts from ZSSK.

The “Slovak ticket” is our special seasonal offer during the summer season.

Travellers visiting the High Tatras can buy the Tatry Card and enjoy many discounts and unlimited travel on the Tatra Electric Railway, Cog-rail Štrba – Štrbské Pleso, and trains Poprad-Tatry – Studený Potok – Tatranská Lomnica.

The “IDeme vlakom” app allows users to search for train connections, purchase tickets, and return tickets. It also supports buying tickets for multiple passengers at once, as well as for a dog or a bicycle. The app provides information on the current train composition and notifies about unexpected conditions on the railway line. Additionally, it can be easily linked with a ZSSK customer account.

Passengers may also use the FAIRTIQ mobile app, which allows easy travel on public transport with a check-in/check-out system. This means you start your trip when boarding the train and end it when getting off. The app automatically calculates the fare based on the distance travelled, according to the current price list of ZSSK.

ZSSK assists passengers with reduced mobility to ensure comfortable and safe travel. For details, passengers are advised to request assistance in advance via the ZSSK website or customer service.

ZSSK also offers luggage storage at selected stations, and at some other train stations, luggage storage may be provided by other companies. Other ZSSK services are available here.

ZSSK SPECIAL TRANSPORT

ZSSK offers a variety of special transport services, including charter trains for events, transportation of large groups (up to 800 passengers), and special routes for cultural, sports, or teambuilding events. Although it is a special train or the attachment a seating carriage to a regular train, these services reflect the company’s ability to adapt to diverse customer needs.

One of the most popular services is the open-plan party carriage WGmeer, which can be part of a special train or coupled to regular trains. This carriage has a maximum capacity of 80 standing passengers or 20 sitting passengers and is often used on the main train route from Bratislava to Košice. The carriage is always provided with technical staff to ensure smooth operation.

 

 

HISTORICAL TRAINS

The railway in Slovakia has a history of over 170 years. Historical trains in Slovakia provide a unique way to experience railway heritage by combining authentic rolling stock with scenic routes across the country. Many of these trains operate on weekends or during special events, giving passengers the chance to travel back in time and enjoy the atmosphere of past railway eras. Steam and vintage diesel locomotives, along with historic carriages, are often carefully restored and maintained to keep their original character.

HISTORICAL TRAIN CLUBS (NOT OPERATED BY ZSSK)

ALBATROS klub Bratislava
Historic Rack Railway Tisovec
KDHZ Košice
KHKV Haniska pri Košiciach
KHT Zvolen
KPHZD Bratislava východ
KZKV Poprad
KZM Vrútky
PŽS Humenné
SPDZ Žilina
Spolok Výhrevne Vrútky
ŽK TATRAN Liptovský Mikuláš

An armoured train from World War II can be seen in Zvolen and at the outdoor exhibit of the Slovak National Uprising Museum in Banská Bystrica. Several historical clubs in Slovakia also feature historic locomotives and cars.

During the summer season, popular attractions include the standard-gauge „Korýtko“cyklotrain from Ružomberok to Ružomberok-Zápalkáreň in the Liptov region and the “Hanička” train from Spišské Vlachy to Spišské Podhradie. The Castle of Spiš, the largest medieval castle complex in central Europe, is a 30-minute walk from Spišské Podhradie.

There are also very popular nostalgic rides with unit EMU 89.0 „Trojča“ and Kometa on the Tatra Electric Railway. Historical trains can be admired at the Museum of Transport and the Railway Museum, both located in Bratislava.

NARROW-GAUGE RAILWAYS (NOT OPERATED BY ZSSK)

Slovakia is also known for its narrow-gauge historical railways (not operated by ZSSK):

 

 

ZSSK COMMERCIAL CONTACT

Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, a.s.
Address: Rožňavská 1, 832 72 Bratislava, Slovakia
Tel: (from Slovakia) 18 111, (from abroad) +421 24 48 58 188 
Email: info@slovakrail.sk, mimoriadneprepravy@slovakrail.sk 
Website: https://www.zssk.sk

PHOTOS

ZSSK – Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, a.s. Address: Rožňavská 1, 832 72 Bratislava, Slovakia Tel: 18 111, +421 24 48 58 188 Email: info@slovakrail.sk mimoriadneprepravy@slovakrail.sk Website: https://www.zssk.sk

Attached document

ZSSK Brochure

 

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