Slovakia - General Information: Difference between revisions

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==National railway system==
==National railway system==
Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR) was split into two companies (operating and infrastructure) on 1 January 2002:
Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR) was split into two companies (ŽSSK operating and ŽSR infrastructure) on 1 January 2002:
===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
Železničná spoločnosť ([http://www.zssk.sk/ ZSSK]).
Železničná spoločnosť ([https://www.zssk.sk/en ŽSSK]).


==Language==
==Language==
Line 18: Line 18:
==Timetable==
==Timetable==
===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
[http://www.zssk.sk/en www.zssk.sk/en]
[https://www.zssk.sk/en/ - Journey planner]
 
Note that services on the Bratislava hl.st. to Komárno via Dunajská Streda line (Table 131), operated by Leo Express, are not shown in the ŽSSK journey planner or app nor in many other journey planners such as DB or the Interrail app. The intermediate stations do not appear at all in the station search.
 
The ČD journey planner and app do however show Table 131 trains, so using that is recommended in any cases where non-ŽSSK local trains cannot be found (but note that neither ČD nor ŽSSK show competing 'commercial' services such as long-distance services operated by Leo Express or RegioJet).
 
===Actual Train Times===
* [http://mapa.zsr.sk/ Real time map]
 
===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
[http://www.zsr.sk/ www.zsr.sk/]. Click on the ‘Cestovný poriadok’ link under the heading ‘INFORMÁCIE PRE CESTUJÚCU VEREJNOSŤ’ on the left hand side of the page.
* A webpage in English to download a PDF of the complete annual timetable updated as shown is here [https://www.zssk.sk/en/timetables/ ZSSK Timetable]. Accessing individual line timetables is from [https://www.zsr.sk/pre-cestujucich/cestovny-poriadok-2024-2025/ here].


===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
''Cestovný poriadok'', published annually. This includes introductory material in English, French and German, and contains details of the ŽSR-owned funicular railways and cableways. Timetable supplements are issued twice a year, usually in March and June: normally these are obtainable only at major stations and on presentation of the coupon in the timetable book. A fold-out route map shows principal stations. The timetable retains the useful train routing markings in the centre of the train timings column: a straight line indicates that the train runs through the listed stations, whereas a wavy line shows that the train runs via a different route.
''Cestovný poriadok'', published annually is still available for 2024/25, and for 2023/24 cost €6 and includes introductory material in English, French and German. The 2025 PDFs do not contain details of the ŽSR-owned funicular railways and cableways but a section on preserved railways so it is assumed the printed version is the same. Timetable supplements are issued twice a year, usually in March and June: normally these are obtainable only at major stations and on presentation of the coupon in the timetable book. A fold-out route map shows principal stations. See below for route taken indicators.


===<div id="ANRT"></div>Additional Notes on reading the Timetable===
===Additional Notes on reading the Timetable===
*'''Important Note:''' The "crossed hammers" working days symbol means "Mondays to Fridays" and not, as for most other railways, "Mondays to Saturdays".
*'''Important Note:''' The working days symbol means ①-⑤ (Mondays to Fridaysand not, as for most other railways, ①-⑥ (Mondays to Saturdays).
*Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a vertical 'wiggly line' ">" and "<" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route. This must not be confused with a vertical 'wiggly line' to the left of the time, which means that the train runs only on certain days.
*  ◒ a circle with its lower half black indicates a footnote advising a theoretical connection between the services listed will NOT be held.  
*Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, | means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas ⸾ , > or < mean that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route. This must not be confused with to the left of the time, which means that the train runs only on certain days.


===Engineering Information===
===Engineering Information===
[http://www.zsr.sk/slovensky/aktuality/mimoriadne-udalosti.html?page_id=132 www.zsr.sk/slovensky/aktuality/mimoriadne-udalosti.html?page_id=132] in Slovak only. The current week is given at [http://isi.zsr.sk/NADAktualT.htm isi.zsr.sk/NADAktualT.htm] and the following week at [http://isi.zsr.sk/NADBuduciT.htm isi.zsr.sk/NADBuduciT.htm]
[https://www.zsr.sk/pre-cestujucich/vyluky/ Current and one week ahead information here]. It also gives a link to a flow chart summary of planned work for the timetable year.


==Maps==
==Maps==
===Printed Maps===
===Printed Maps===
*European Railway Atlas: Scandinavia and Eastern Europe by M.G. Ball (1993) (ISBN 0-7110-2072-4)
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[http://www.europeanrailwayatlas.com/index.html European Railway Atlas] by M.G. Ball (2008 onwards)
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-3 | European Railway Atlas (Regional Series - Book 3)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ES-HU-SK | Mapa Kolejowa Węgier i Słowacji]] (Hungary and Slovakia) by W. Kolondra.
 
===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_slovakia.php Slovakia Map] and an enlargement of [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_bratislava.php Bratislava].
*A map of the Slovak Republic giving junction names and enlargements is linked from the ŽSR website, also showing line and PDF table numbers [https://www.zssk.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/%C5%BDelezni%C4%8Dn%C3%A1-mapa-Slovenskej-republiky.pdf here].
*Route diagram of [[Bratislava]] with historical notes.
*A zoomable map with a lot of detail on the www.atlaskolejowy.net website [https://www.atlaskolejowy.net/e-mapa/sk/ network map].
*[[Maps and Plans#Slovakia|Maps and Plans - Slovakia]]
*Route diagram of [[Bratislava]] with historical notes.
*[https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps/slovakia.html Map of Slovakia] plus an enlargement of [https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps/vienna_bratislava.html Wien and Bratislava] both dated December 2022 - on the [https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps Railroad Maps site].
*[[Maps and Plans#Slovakia|Maps and Plans - Slovakia]].


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==
ŽSR discontinued its network ticket several years ago.
Due to recent changes please do not rely on this paragraph but check [https://www.zssk.sk/en/prices-and-discounts/seniors/ Prices & Discounts - Seniors] as British Citizens eligibility for free travel if over 62 did not end with Brexit, but did cease during 2023. It was then restricted to Slovak citizens or permanent residents in Slovakia over 62 years old, or Students under 26 and Pensioners who are citizens or permanent residents of EU member states. Note Free travel is not allowed on IC services, and some trains still require paying a compulsory Seat Reservation fee. 
 
Seat reservations are compulsory on IC trains, and casual travellers (even those with One Country pass tickets) may be asked to pay a seat reservation charge.
For all other travellers, Seat reservations are compulsory on express services plus any marked R in the PDFs. Casual travellers (even those with Interrail) also need to pay a seat reservation charge.


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
===Infrastructure Authority===
===Infrastructure Authority===
Železnice Slovenskej republiky ([http://www.zsr.sk/ ŽSR])
Železnice Slovenskej republiky ([https://www.zsr.sk/en/ ŽSR])


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===
[http://www.zsr.sk/anglicky/railways-infrastructure/marketing/network-statement.html?page_id=1047 Railways infrastructure  - Marketing - Network statement] ''> Network Statement > Network Statement 2014''
The Network Statement for 2025 and previous years to 2023 can be found [https://www.zsr.sk/en/dopravcovia/infrastruktura/podmienky-pouzivania-zel-infrastruktury/ here]


===Gauge===
===Gauge===
The main line network is Standard. The tramway between Trenčianská Teplá and Trenčianske Teplice is 760mm gauge. The Tatranské Elektrické Železnice (Tatras Electric Railways) system is 1000mm gauge.
The main line network is Standard. There is a proposal that future Bratislava suburban light rail services will use dual gauge 1435/1000 mm track shared with the tram network.
 
The tramway between Trenčianská Teplá and Trenčianske Teplice is 760 mm gauge.
 
The Tatranské Elektrické Železnice (Tatras Electric Railways) system and Bratislava Tramways are 1000 mm gauge.


There are two 1520mm gauge freight-only routes into Ukraine:
There are two 1520mm gauge freight-only routes into Ukraine:
* between the East Slovakia Steelworks (VSŽ), south west of Košice, via Trebišov to Uzhgorod (note: the route of this is shown completely wrongly on some maps). A joint venture has been set up to assess the merits of extending this line westwards to Wien.  
* between the East Slovakia Steelworks (VSŽ), south west of Košice, via Trebišov to Uzhgorod (note: the route of this is shown completely wrongly on some maps). From time to time there is talk of extending this westwards to Wien in Austria, but there are no firm plans.  
* between Čierna nad Tisou and Chop.
* between Čierna nad Tisou and Chop.


===Electrification===
===Electrification===
Main line electrification is 3 kV dc except for the south west of the country which is 25 kV 50 Hz; the changeover point is just south of Púchov. The Trenčianske Teplice tramway is 600 V dc. The Tatra system is 1500 V dc. The cross-border line from Kittsee ÖBB to Bratislava-Petržalka is electrified at the Austrian standard 15 kV 16.7 Hz.
Main line electrification is 3 kV dc except for the south west of the country which is 25 kV 50 Hz. The plan is 25kv throughout but slow progress is being made as so far the changeover point was relocated from just south of Púchov to Bytča from 26 June 2024. Onwards to yards in the Žilina area is planned for 2025.
The Trenčianske Teplice, Bratislava and Kosice tramways are 600 V dc. The Tatra system is 1500 V dc. The cross-border line from Kittsee ÖBB to Bratislava-Petržalka is electrified at the Austrian standard 15 kV 16.7 Hz.


===Rule of the road===
===Rule of the road===
Line 67: Line 85:


===Distances===
===Distances===
The Network Statement Appendix F gives detailed overall distances for lines, but no distance information for each station or junction has yet been identified.
* On the [https://www.atlaskolejowy.net/infra/ Atlaskolejowy] website, select the line from the drop down list labelled '' 'Wykaz linii kolejowych na Słowacji' ''.
* Beneath the map at [https://www.zsr.sk/dopravcovia/infrastruktura/tabulky-tratovych-pomerov/ Tabuľky traťových pomerov] is a table with line sections (''Číslo trate'') and a column ''Názov'' with links ''TTP... zmena'' to PDFs showing distances in metres for that line section


==Other railways==
==Other railways==
There are several freight operators: BRKS Bratislava, U. S. Steel Košice, Slovenská železničná dopravná spoločňosť, LTE Slovakia.
* Regiojet, owned by the Student Agency company, operates limited Praha - Žilina - Košice and Praha - Kouty - Bratislava services as a commercial operations.
* The Czech company LEO Express also operates Praha - Žilina - Košice services, and their Slovakian subsidiary has recently taken over operating table 130 from Bratislava Hl s to Komárno
*  DB subsidiary ARRIVA TRANSPORT ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA a.s.operates Praha - Nitra daily service from 01 September 2018, via Prerov, Uhersky Brod, Trencin and Leopoldov.
There are several freight operators: BRKS Bratislava, U. S. Steel Košice, Slovenská železničná dopravná spoločňosť, LTE Slovakia.


==Tourist lines==
==Tourist lines==
* [http://www.zelpo.sk/region/cerzel/cerzel.html Čiernohronská Železnica Čierny Balog] is a 760mm gauge former forestry railway. It operates over 14 km of track from Chvatimech ČHŽ station (on the opposite side of the river to Chvatimech ZSR) to Vydrovo skanzen between May and September. A short branch from Čierny Balog to Dobruč opened on 30  April 2012 and there are plans to reopen Vydrovo skanzen to Vydrovo dolina at a future date. The [http://www.chz.sk/ Čiernohronská Železnica website] is in Slovak and has further information and photographs. The [[Slovakia - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services#CHZ|standard gauge connecting line between Chvatimech and Hronec]] has a return journey between Banská Bystrica and Hronec zlieváreň advertised for early May each year.  
* The former ŽSR 8 km branch from Spišské Vlachy to Spišské Podhradie [line 187] reopened May 2018 for the summer. It is privately operated by Logistik a Transport Slovakia [LTE]. See [https://www.spisskepodhradie.sk/udalosti-v-meste/navrat-hanicky-pod-spissky-hrad/2024/ Spišský hrad] for May 25 - September 1 2024 service details.
* The [http://www.kruzok.sk/oldkruz/E_IND.HTM Kysuce-Orava Museum railway] is a 7km 760mm gauge line about 20km east of Čadca. Further information is also available at the railway's "romantic" enthusiasts club [http://www.kruzok.sk/oldkruz/KOLZ/E_KOLZ.HTM website].
* The former ŽSR 760mm gauge 600v DC electrified route from Trencianska Teplá to Trencianske Teplice is now operated by the non-profit organisation [https://trez.sk/trez/cestovny-poriadok-a-tarifa/ Trencianska elektrická železnica]. In 2024 a summer weekend service runs between 1 May - 1 September, with services on other single days  approximately monthly. The service is shown in Table 122 of the national timetable with a footnote referring the reader to the operator's website for operating dates.
* At Čermel, north-west of Košice, there is the 4.2km long 1000mm gauge [http://www.detskazeleznica.sk/ Čermel Valley Pioneer Railway].
* [https://www.chz.sk/en/ Čiernohronská Železnica Čierny Balog] is a 760mm gauge former forestry railway. It operated daily in 2024 between 29 June - 1 September over 13km of track, on three separate branches: All services since 2022 start from Čierny Balog as the northern section from Chvatimech ČHŽ station (on the opposite side of the river to Chvatimech ZSR) to Šánske is "out of regular operation due to the already significant wear and tear of the line and its repairs. Only working and special trains run here for a special tariff. In addition, the track is passable for bicycle tracks, which can be ordered in advance". Services were Šánske - Čierny Balog [5km]; Čierny Balog - Dobroč (4km including the famous section through the football stadium); Čierny Balog - Vydrovo Koncecna [4km], extended from Vydrovo skanzen in 2014. There are plans to reopen to Vydrovo dolina at a future date, plus to electrify part or all lines and introduce a regular service using stock [and a electrical substation!] acquired from the Waldenburgbahn in Switzerland, but any prospective traveller is advised to check their website as a long standing dispute with local businesses has been known to disrupt operations. The standard gauge connecting line between Chvatimech and Hronec was back in use by the annual return journey between Banská Bystrica and Hronec zlieváreň in [https://www.chz.sk/sk/novinky/majove-jazdy/ early May 2025], the first known since 2013.  
* Near Smolenice is the Lesná železnica Katarínka, a short narrow gauge  tourist line in the grounds on an old monastery [https://sites.google.com/site/lzkatarinka/]
* The [https://www.oravskemuzeum.sk/en/exhibition/orava-forest-railway/# Kysuce-Orava Museum railway] is a 7km 760mm gauge ex Forestry line about 20km east of Čadca. Details are included in pages towards the rear of the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book.
* The 1km long 760mm Považská forest railway is shown as Table 903 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book
* At Čermel, north-west of Košice, there is the 4.2km long 1000mm gauge [https://www.detskazeleznica.sk/ Čermel Valley Pioneer Railway]. Details and timings are shown as Table 905 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book
* Details of two purpose built 760mm gauge lines within the Slovak Agricultural Museum in Nitra are shown as Table 930 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book. One is a circuit around the open-air museum (1.6 km), the other connecting the open-air museum with the Exhibition Grounds (1 km).


==Metro==
==Metro==
None.
None.


==Trams==
== Trams/LRT-Systems ==
Bratislava and  Košice.  The ŽS operated Trenčianska Teplá - Trenčianske Teplice tramway was closed 10 December 2011
Bratislava and  Košice.  The ŽSR operated Trenčianska Teplá - Trenčianske Teplice tramway was closed 10 December 2011 but is still operational and runs on odd dates, [see Tourist Lines above].
 
Track plans for the tram networks are available on the [http://www.doprava.unas.cz/schemata/kolejova/sk.html Doprava] website, with basic line diagrams on the [http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/euromet.htm UrbanRailNet] site with links to the local operators.
 
See also [[Slovakia_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Slovakia - Tram services over obscure routes]]


==Recent and future changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==
The following lines closed from 9 December 2012:
* 144 Prievidza - Nitrianske Pravno
* 154 Hronská Dúbrava - Banská Štiavnica
* 185 (part) Stará Ľubovňa - Plaveč
* 195 Bánovce nad Ondavou - Veľké Kapušany
In table 188, the Lipany - Plaveč section will have only one train each way FSuO.


The following lines have no services in the  2011-12 timetable
===Future Changes===
* 122 Trenčianska Teplá - Trenčianske Teplice ( Closed 10 December 2011). There are reports that a summer tourist operation may run.
* 134 Šaľa - Neded ( Removed from timetable 10 December 2011. In practice bus substituted since 12 December 2010)
* 191 Medzilaborce mesto - Łupków (Poland) ( The one return journey FSSuO, summer only does not appear in the timetable, and the service was suspended for the summer period of 2011 and 2012
These two lines lost their service from 1 May 2011
* 164 Fiľakovo - Somoskőújfalu (Hungary)
* 165 Plešivec - Muráň


The following lines lost their passenger services with effect from 12 December 2010:
===Changes in 2025===
* 132 Bratislava-Petržalka – Rajka (Hungary). The sole remaining service was the overnight train between Praha and Budapest.
The major realignment to the west of Žilina station involving the route to/from Bratislava being moved south of, and further away from the locomotive Depot, then cutting across the old formation at 45 degrees onto a new line built some way north of the now lifted old freight yard was in use by all services by 15 May 2025. Surprisingly it has not been possible to track down any internet articles giving a date for opening so '''details would be appreciated by the Compilers'''. Additionally, despite the platforms nearer the station building being allegedly out of use until the end of 2025, there are not believed to be any diversions via the goods line flyovers to the east of Žilina [see Unusual services page], as the new platforms to the north of the existing ones were brought into use on 1 October 2024.
* 133 Sered' – Leopoldov


The cross-border route from Lenartovce to Bánréve in Hungary closed to passenger services on 12 December 2009.
===Changes in 2024===


In May 2009 the Russian, Austrian, Slovak and Ukrainian railways agreed a joint venture to examine the case for extending from Košice to Vienna the 1520 mm gauge railway from the Ukraine, to connect central Europe to the Trans-Siberian.
From the December timetable change (or perhaps earlier), services between Bánovce nad Ondavou, Humenné and Medzilaborce (T191) and between Humenné and Stakčín (T196) were replaced by buses. The line between Bánovce nad Ondavou and Humenné is under electrification so will not reopen until works are complete but the two branch lines reopened to regular services in late March 2025.


Line 167 - Roznava to Roznava mesto (one early morning train each way) closed with effect from 14 June 2009
Also from the December timetable change Regional services resumed across the Horní Lideč ČD - Strelenka ŽSR (- Púchov) border crossing (T125), operated by ZSSK, to augment the existing EC ones. There are five regional train pairs.


Line 135 - Komárno to Komárom (Hungary) - has closed and reopened several times in recent years: closed by June 2001; reopened by 2 February 2003; closed 11 December 2004; reopened 9 December 2007; closed 13 December 2008.
From an unknown date, but at least by 21 October 2024 there are no direct services between Bratislava Nove-Mesto and the Galanta line, meaning nothing is scheduled via curve 127E from Bratislava predmestie to Odbočka Močiar.


Owing to severe financial difficulties the following lines closed as from '''2 February 2003 inclusive''' (timetable numbers shown):
===Changes in 2023===
* 112 Zohor - Plavecký Mikuláš
A c3km re-alignment to the west of Poprad-Tatry involving a repositioned Lučivná station opened on 22 July 2023.
* 117 Jablonica - Brezová pod Bradlom
* 124 Nemšová - Lednické Rovne
* 136 Komárno - Kolárovo
* 141 Kozárovce - Zlaté Moravce - Lužianky
* 142 Zbehy - Radošina
* 144 Prievidza - Nitrianske Pravno
* 153 Zvolen - Šahy
* 161 Lučenec - Kalonda
* 163 Breznička - Katarínska Huta
* 166 Plešivec - Slavošovce
* 167 Rožňava - Dobšiná
* 168 Moldava nad Bodvou - Medzev
* 186 Spišská Nová Ves - Levoča
* 192 Trebišov - Vranov nad Topľou
* 175 Poltár - Rimavská Sobota [already replaced by buses]


The following lines closed as from 2 February 2003 but re-opened on 15 June 2003 with financial support from the local region:
===Changes in 2022===
* 134 Šaľa - Neded
Table 160: From the 2022/23 timetable commencement date the station avoiding line at Fiľakovo is in use by all services between Fiľakovo zastávka to/from Jesenské/Košice. Some local services from Zvolen still reach Filakovo but the section of line beyond between Fiľakovo station and Výhybna Urbánka [115A] closed to passenger services.
* 143 Trenčín - Chynorany
* 151 Zlaté Moravce - Úľany nad Žitavou
* 152 Levice - Čata - Štúrovo
* 153 Šahy - Cata
* 154 Hronská Dúbrava - Banská Štiavnica
* 165 Plešivec - Muráň
* 195 Bánovce nad Ondavou - Veľké Kapušany


Line 175 (Rimavská Sobota - Poltár) was replaced by buses in 2001 because very poor track condition but these have now been withdrawn.
The metre gauge electric rack railway between Štrba and Štrbské Pleso reopened after refurbishment on 16 February 2022 using new Stadler units, which can also operate on the High Tatras line.


The short branch from Komárno to Komárno zastávka closed sometime in 2001.
Table 169 Košice - Hidasnémeti (Hungary) now has a 2-hourly service.


The cross-border route from Parndorf via Kittsee to Bratislava-Petržalka opened in May 1999 and now carries the principal Wien - Bratislava services in preference to the Marchegg route.
===Older Changes===
For details of older changes see [[Slovakia - Older General Information]].


==Special notes==
==Special notes==
Line 151: Line 146:
==See also==
==See also==
{{Navbox Slovakia}}
{{Navbox Slovakia}}
[[Category:General Information]]

Latest revision as of 22:10, 17 August 2025

Country Name

Slovakia (Slovenska Republika)

National railway system

Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR) was split into two companies (ŽSSK operating and ŽSR infrastructure) on 1 January 2002:

National Railway Operator

Železničná spoločnosť (ŽSSK).

Language

Slovak (Slovenský)

Currency

Euro

UIC code

Numeric 56; alpha SK

Timetable

Journey Planner

- Journey planner

Note that services on the Bratislava hl.st. to Komárno via Dunajská Streda line (Table 131), operated by Leo Express, are not shown in the ŽSSK journey planner or app nor in many other journey planners such as DB or the Interrail app. The intermediate stations do not appear at all in the station search.

The ČD journey planner and app do however show Table 131 trains, so using that is recommended in any cases where non-ŽSSK local trains cannot be found (but note that neither ČD nor ŽSSK show competing 'commercial' services such as long-distance services operated by Leo Express or RegioJet).

Actual Train Times

Downloadable Timetable

  • A webpage in English to download a PDF of the complete annual timetable updated as shown is here ZSSK Timetable. Accessing individual line timetables is from here.

Printed Timetable

Cestovný poriadok, published annually is still available for 2024/25, and for 2023/24 cost €6 and includes introductory material in English, French and German. The 2025 PDFs do not contain details of the ŽSR-owned funicular railways and cableways but a section on preserved railways so it is assumed the printed version is the same. Timetable supplements are issued twice a year, usually in March and June: normally these are obtainable only at major stations and on presentation of the coupon in the timetable book. A fold-out route map shows principal stations. See below for route taken indicators.

Additional Notes on reading the Timetable

  • Important Note: The ⚒ working days symbol means ①-⑤ (Mondays to Fridays) and not, as for most other railways, ①-⑥ (Mondays to Saturdays).
  •  ◒ a circle with its lower half black indicates a footnote advising a theoretical connection between the services listed will NOT be held.
  • Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, | means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas ⸾ , > or < mean that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route. This must not be confused with ⸾ to the left of the time, which means that the train runs only on certain days.

Engineering Information

Current and one week ahead information here. It also gives a link to a flow chart summary of planned work for the timetable year.

Maps

Printed Maps

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

Due to recent changes please do not rely on this paragraph but check Prices & Discounts - Seniors as British Citizens eligibility for free travel if over 62 did not end with Brexit, but did cease during 2023. It was then restricted to Slovak citizens or permanent residents in Slovakia over 62 years old, or Students under 26 and Pensioners who are citizens or permanent residents of EU member states. Note Free travel is not allowed on IC services, and some trains still require paying a compulsory Seat Reservation fee.

For all other travellers, Seat reservations are compulsory on express services plus any marked R in the PDFs. Casual travellers (even those with Interrail) also need to pay a seat reservation charge.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR)

Network Statement

The Network Statement for 2025 and previous years to 2023 can be found here

Gauge

The main line network is Standard. There is a proposal that future Bratislava suburban light rail services will use dual gauge 1435/1000 mm track shared with the tram network.

The tramway between Trenčianská Teplá and Trenčianske Teplice is 760 mm gauge.

The Tatranské Elektrické Železnice (Tatras Electric Railways) system and Bratislava Tramways are 1000 mm gauge.

There are two 1520mm gauge freight-only routes into Ukraine:

  • between the East Slovakia Steelworks (VSŽ), south west of Košice, via Trebišov to Uzhgorod (note: the route of this is shown completely wrongly on some maps). From time to time there is talk of extending this westwards to Wien in Austria, but there are no firm plans.
  • between Čierna nad Tisou and Chop.

Electrification

Main line electrification is 3 kV dc except for the south west of the country which is 25 kV 50 Hz. The plan is 25kv throughout but slow progress is being made as so far the changeover point was relocated from just south of Púchov to Bytča from 26 June 2024. Onwards to yards in the Žilina area is planned for 2025. The Trenčianske Teplice, Bratislava and Kosice tramways are 600 V dc. The Tatra system is 1500 V dc. The cross-border line from Kittsee ÖBB to Bratislava-Petržalka is electrified at the Austrian standard 15 kV 16.7 Hz.

Rule of the road

Right.

Distances

  • On the Atlaskolejowy website, select the line from the drop down list labelled 'Wykaz linii kolejowych na Słowacji' .
  • Beneath the map at Tabuľky traťových pomerov is a table with line sections (Číslo trate) and a column Názov with links TTP... zmena to PDFs showing distances in metres for that line section

Other railways

  • Regiojet, owned by the Student Agency company, operates limited Praha - Žilina - Košice and Praha - Kouty - Bratislava services as a commercial operations.
  • The Czech company LEO Express also operates Praha - Žilina - Košice services, and their Slovakian subsidiary has recently taken over operating table 130 from Bratislava Hl s to Komárno
  • DB subsidiary ARRIVA TRANSPORT ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA a.s.operates Praha - Nitra daily service from 01 September 2018, via Prerov, Uhersky Brod, Trencin and Leopoldov.
  • There are several freight operators: BRKS Bratislava, U. S. Steel Košice, Slovenská železničná dopravná spoločňosť, LTE Slovakia.

Tourist lines

  • The former ŽSR 8 km branch from Spišské Vlachy to Spišské Podhradie [line 187] reopened May 2018 for the summer. It is privately operated by Logistik a Transport Slovakia [LTE]. See Spišský hrad for May 25 - September 1 2024 service details.
  • The former ŽSR 760mm gauge 600v DC electrified route from Trencianska Teplá to Trencianske Teplice is now operated by the non-profit organisation Trencianska elektrická železnica. In 2024 a summer weekend service runs between 1 May - 1 September, with services on other single days approximately monthly. The service is shown in Table 122 of the national timetable with a footnote referring the reader to the operator's website for operating dates.
  • Čiernohronská Železnica Čierny Balog is a 760mm gauge former forestry railway. It operated daily in 2024 between 29 June - 1 September over 13km of track, on three separate branches: All services since 2022 start from Čierny Balog as the northern section from Chvatimech ČHŽ station (on the opposite side of the river to Chvatimech ZSR) to Šánske is "out of regular operation due to the already significant wear and tear of the line and its repairs. Only working and special trains run here for a special tariff. In addition, the track is passable for bicycle tracks, which can be ordered in advance". Services were Šánske - Čierny Balog [5km]; Čierny Balog - Dobroč (4km including the famous section through the football stadium); Čierny Balog - Vydrovo Koncecna [4km], extended from Vydrovo skanzen in 2014. There are plans to reopen to Vydrovo dolina at a future date, plus to electrify part or all lines and introduce a regular service using stock [and a electrical substation!] acquired from the Waldenburgbahn in Switzerland, but any prospective traveller is advised to check their website as a long standing dispute with local businesses has been known to disrupt operations. The standard gauge connecting line between Chvatimech and Hronec was back in use by the annual return journey between Banská Bystrica and Hronec zlieváreň in early May 2025, the first known since 2013.
  • The Kysuce-Orava Museum railway is a 7km 760mm gauge ex Forestry line about 20km east of Čadca. Details are included in pages towards the rear of the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book.
  • The 1km long 760mm Považská forest railway is shown as Table 903 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book
  • At Čermel, north-west of Košice, there is the 4.2km long 1000mm gauge Čermel Valley Pioneer Railway. Details and timings are shown as Table 905 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book
  • Details of two purpose built 760mm gauge lines within the Slovak Agricultural Museum in Nitra are shown as Table 930 in the printed Slovakian National Rail timetable book. One is a circuit around the open-air museum (1.6 km), the other connecting the open-air museum with the Exhibition Grounds (1 km).

Metro

None.

Trams/LRT-Systems

Bratislava and Košice. The ŽSR operated Trenčianska Teplá - Trenčianske Teplice tramway was closed 10 December 2011 but is still operational and runs on odd dates, [see Tourist Lines above].

Track plans for the tram networks are available on the Doprava website, with basic line diagrams on the UrbanRailNet site with links to the local operators.

See also Slovakia - Tram services over obscure routes

Recent and Future Changes

Future Changes

Changes in 2025

The major realignment to the west of Žilina station involving the route to/from Bratislava being moved south of, and further away from the locomotive Depot, then cutting across the old formation at 45 degrees onto a new line built some way north of the now lifted old freight yard was in use by all services by 15 May 2025. Surprisingly it has not been possible to track down any internet articles giving a date for opening so details would be appreciated by the Compilers. Additionally, despite the platforms nearer the station building being allegedly out of use until the end of 2025, there are not believed to be any diversions via the goods line flyovers to the east of Žilina [see Unusual services page], as the new platforms to the north of the existing ones were brought into use on 1 October 2024.

Changes in 2024

From the December timetable change (or perhaps earlier), services between Bánovce nad Ondavou, Humenné and Medzilaborce (T191) and between Humenné and Stakčín (T196) were replaced by buses. The line between Bánovce nad Ondavou and Humenné is under electrification so will not reopen until works are complete but the two branch lines reopened to regular services in late March 2025.

Also from the December timetable change Regional services resumed across the Horní Lideč ČD - Strelenka ŽSR (- Púchov) border crossing (T125), operated by ZSSK, to augment the existing EC ones. There are five regional train pairs.

From an unknown date, but at least by 21 October 2024 there are no direct services between Bratislava Nove-Mesto and the Galanta line, meaning nothing is scheduled via curve 127E from Bratislava predmestie to Odbočka Močiar.

Changes in 2023

A c3km re-alignment to the west of Poprad-Tatry involving a repositioned Lučivná station opened on 22 July 2023.

Changes in 2022

Table 160: From the 2022/23 timetable commencement date the station avoiding line at Fiľakovo is in use by all services between Fiľakovo zastávka to/from Jesenské/Košice. Some local services from Zvolen still reach Filakovo but the section of line beyond between Fiľakovo station and Výhybna Urbánka [115A] closed to passenger services.

The metre gauge electric rack railway between Štrba and Štrbské Pleso reopened after refurbishment on 16 February 2022 using new Stadler units, which can also operate on the High Tatras line.

Table 169 Košice - Hidasnémeti (Hungary) now has a 2-hourly service.

Older Changes

For details of older changes see Slovakia - Older General Information.

Special notes

The electric railway between Štrba and Štrbské Pleso is rack worked. The steeply graded line between Pohronská Polhora and Tisovec-Bánovo is rack fitted but not worked as such.

See also