Bratislava Bus
Using the Tram and Trolleybus system in Bratislava is an excellent way of getting around the capital quickly and at a very reasonable cost. If you are on a budget and cannot afford to explore Bratislava by taxi, then using the trams and buses is your best bet.
Bratislava’s public transport system can seem a little daunting to the tourist at first glance, but it need not be. There are some excellent information resources out there, where you can download timetables and routes. There are even some cool maps at your disposal:
The bus/tram tickets are remarkably inexpensive – a half hour ticket (45 minutes on the weekend or public holidays) will only set you back 50 cents. Tickets are available from newsagents, cigarette kiosks, hotels (not always) and from ticket machines at the tram/bus stops. In my experience, it is always a good idea to buy up a load of tickets in advance, in case you don’t have any coins to feed into one of the machines, or in case that the newsagent/kiosk you thought you would get the ticket from is shut.
In general, Bratislava boasts an excellent Public Transport system, which usually runs on time and, as previously said, at a very reasonable cost. However, a word of warning, please make sure you always stamp your ticket as soon as you get on the bus/tram. The ‘Tram Inspectors’ are always only a stop a way and are ruthless to say the least – even with the poor unsuspecting tourist.
I know, from my personal experience, that civilly explaining that the stamp machine was not working, is no excuse. And while the ticket prices are cheap, the fines are horrendous!!! So, if when you get on the tram or bus, the stamping machine you try is not working, go and try another (there is usually at least three of them depending on the size of the vehicle). In the very unlikely event that none of the stamping machines work, my advice would be to go and inform the driver (please wait of course until the tram or bus is stationary). This way you can avoid any hefty fines, while enjoying a great way of getting around Bratislava.
Useful Resources:
- List of stops on each route (in Slovak, but still a great way of seeing how many stops before yours!!!)
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