EUROVELO IN SLOVAKIA

Public transportation

Trains

Trains represent ideal means of transport all along the EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail which is thus accessible from other areas. Bicycle transportation in trains is mainly authorised, but it depends on the capacity of the particular train and some train connections (e.g. some international fast trains) may not provide such service. Bicycles are transported by two methods:

  • Simplified bicycle transportation – the passenger loads and unloads the bicycle on his own and bears full responsibility for his bicycle during the entire journey, the bicycle is loaded in the appropriate space of the first or last wagon, i.e. in the space at the first door of the first wagon or at the last door of the last wagon (not possible in international fast trains), or in the wagon marked by the symbol of a bike in the place reserved for bicycles if the capacity of the space allows(possible in most trains on the trail Bratislva – Kúty).
  • Mobile cycle store – the passenger hands over his bicycle to the personnel, the carrier is therefore responsible for the bicycle during the entire journey, bicycles are transported in service wagon. This method of transport is not relevant for travelling along the Slovak passage of the EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail.

Bicycle transport by train is a paid service.

Important traffic lines
Bratislava – Kúty (line no. 110) leads along the Iron Curtain Trail within the acceptable distance and is suitable to be used for transport on or off the Trail. This frequent railway line provides a fast train connection of high frequency (every two hours), the trains stop in the stations of Bratislava and Kúty and are suitable for planning a whole day trip on the Iron Curtain Trail. Slow trains are even more frequent with the interval 1-2 hours depending on the time of the day, they stop in the stations as follows: Bratislava hlavná stanica, Bratislava-Železná studnička, Bratislava-Lamač, Devínska N.Ves, Devínske Jazero, Zohor, Plavecký Štvrtok, Malacky, Veľké Leváre, Závod, Moravský Ján, Sekule and Kúty, all of these stations are suitable for cycling trips of different length on the Iron Curtain Trail.
Iron Curtain Trail is directly accessible also from abroad (direction of Budapest, Berlin, Prague and Brno).

Zohor – Záhorská Ves (line no. 113) is a side line of the above described line no. 110. The frequency of slow trains is lower and the trip timing is more suitable for afternoon when the train connection can be used to return from the cycling trip from Záhorská Ves to Bratislava (changing in Zohor).

Devínska Nová Ves – Marchegg (line no. 100) is a side line of the above described line no.110. In terms of the national railway traffic system, this line has no relevance as there is no stop on the line. However, it provides a good access to/from Vienna to the Iron Curtain Trail north of Bratislava. The trains heading to Vienna stop in Devínska Nová Ves in the interval of approximately 1 hour.

Bratislava-Petržalka – Kittsee (line no. 101) In terms of the national railway traffic system, this line has no relevance as there is no stop on the line in Slovakia. However, it provides a good access to/from Vienna to the Iron Curtain Trail south of Bratislava. The trains from Vienna stop in Kittsee or in Bratislava-Petržalka located directly on EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail
Other lines:
EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail can be reached by railway lines from the directions of ŽIlina, Trenčín, Trnava (line no., Zvolen, Levice(line no.) and Dunajská Streda (line no.), all of them arrive at the Bratislava Railway Station.

 

Buses

Suburban and regional transport
Bus transport is not relevant for cyclotourism on EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail as bicycle transport is not provided by bus carriers. The company Blaguss Slovakia is an exception, as it provides transportation of one bicycle on the line between Vienna – airport Swechatt – Bratislava, if the conditions allow such transportation.

Public transport in Bratislava
Dopravný podnik Bratislava (Public transport company Bratislava) offers public transport to the areas of Devínska Nová Ves, Devín and Petržalka located on the Iron Curtain Trail. Transportation of bicycles in the buses of public transport is possible and free of charge, but depends on the driver´s agreement and therefore is not guaranteed. Moreover, there can be some limitations due to the time of the day, i.e. it is not possible during the rush hour. Only two bicycles can be carried in one bus simultaneously.

Cyclo-buses
Dopravný podnik Bratislava( Public transport company Bratislava) is also authorized to provide bicycle transport by special buses with carriages – cyclo-buses. In the recent years, these have been the buses heading to Devín and Devínska Nová Ves. However, the establishment of such lines has to be approved by the Public transport company prior every season.

Cyclo-taxi
In the areas of Bratislava and the Iron Curtain Train, cyclo-taxi service is not widespread.
Some travel agencies offer transport to passengers with bicycles on the ground of an order submitted in advance(e.g. Luka-tours, Katona...) but none of these companies offer such transportation as a standard and easily available service.

 

Ship transport

The season ship line Bratislava – Devín runs directly on the route of the EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail. The ship providing the transport of bicycles represents a nice option to avoid the frequent Devín road. Bicycle transport is paid.

  • There is also a regular season line from Hainburg to Devín.
  • There is also a regular year-long line from Vienna to Bratislava.