How to get to the Tatras and move around them
The High Tatras are well accessible by transport from all of Slovakia and abroad
Distance: approximately 320 km
Time: 3.5-4 hours
Route: D1 motorway towards Žilina, then I/18 via Liptovský Mikuláš
and continue to Poprad and further to the Tatras. The last 20 km is already in the Sub-Tatra area.
Distance: approximately 100 km
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Route: R4 expressway towards Prešov, then I/18 via Spišská
Nová Ves and continue to Poprad. From Poprad it's just a short distance to the Tatras.
From Krakow: approximately 100 km (1.5 h)
Via Zakopane and mountain pass Lysá Poľana / Tatranská Javorina. In winter the pass may be
closed or require winter equipment.
From Prague: approximately 570 km (6-7 h)
Via Brno, Trenčín and Žilina, then same as from Bratislava. Alternatively via
Olomouc and Žilina.
Main railway station: Poprad-Tatry is the main transfer station. From there you continue by Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) directly to the Tatras.
Connections to Poprad:
Advantages of train: Comfortable, ecological, without parking worries, possibility to work/rest during journey. Poprad-Tatry station is directly connected to TEŽ.
The most important means of transport in the Tatras! TEŽ connects all important places from Štrbské Lake to Tatranská Javorina.
Main stations: Štrbské Lake - Štrba - Nový Smokovec - Starý Smokovec - Tatranská Lomnica - Tatranská Kotlina - Tatranská Lesná - Tatranská Polianka - Tatranská Lomnica - Poprad
Travel time: The entire route takes approximately 1.5 hours. Between individual stations 5-15 minutes.
Frequency: Trains run every 30-60 minutes depending on season and time. In high season more frequently, in winter fewer connections.
Tickets: Single tickets, day tickets, weekend tickets. Prices from 1€ for short route to 10€ for entire route. Children, students and seniors get discounts.
From most Slovak towns run direct or transfer bus connections to the Tatras. Main boarding points are Poprad, Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica.
Bratislava - Tatras: ~4.5 hours
Košice - Tatras: ~2 hours
Žilina - Tatras: ~2.5 hours
Local bus lines complement train transport and connect smaller villages and starting points of hiking trails. Timetables can be found at cp.sk or imhd.sk.
Comfortable access to high-mountain environment
Base station: Tatranská Lomnica (900 m)
Transfer: Štart (1,751 m) - Skalnaté Lake (1,751 m)
Final: Lomnický Peak (2,634 m)
Entire ascent takes approximately 30 minutes. Advance reservation is mandatory! Price: ~30-40€ adult, ~20-25€ child. Limited capacity, in season sold out weeks in advance.
Base station: Starý Smokovec (1,000 m)
Final: Hrebienok (1,285 m)
Journey time: 8 minutes
Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
Price: ~8€ return. Hrebienok is starting point for many hiking trails. Cable car operates year-round.
Base station: Tatranská Lomnica
Final: Skalnaté Lake (1,751 m)
Journey time: 7 minutes
Price: ~15€ return. Skalnaté Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with a chalet and excellent starting point for hiking.
Base station: Štrbské Lake (1,355 m)
Final: Predné Solisko (2,093 m)
Journey time: 15 minutes
Price: ~10€ return. From the top beautiful views of Štrbské Lake and surrounding peaks. In summer and winter in operation.
Best way to move between Tatra towns. Connects all important places, runs regularly and is ecological. We recommend buying a day ticket if you plan multiple trips.
Many hiking trails start directly in Tatra towns. Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Lake are excellent starting points. Between towns it is 1-3 hours walk.
Taxi services are available, but more expensive than public transport. Use them only when necessary. Uber and Bolt don't operate in the Tatras. Prices are high, especially in season.
On some roads and marked cycling paths you can ride a bicycle. In some towns there are bicycle and e-bike rentals. Not all hiking trails are accessible for cyclists!
Oldest Tatra resort (1793). Center of the Tatras with good infrastructure. Cable car to Hrebienok, starting point to Studená Valleys. Many hotels, restaurants, shops, information center.
Starting point of cable car to Lomnický Peak. Modern resort with excellent facilities. Access to Symbolic Valley and Zelené Lake. Wide range of accommodation and services.
Highest Tatra resort (1,355 m) at beautiful lake. Starting point to western Tatras. Cable car to Solisko. Popular winter and summer resort with many activities.
Quieter resort ideal for families. Starting point to Symbolic Valley and Symbolic Cemetery. Fewer tourists, more preserved nature, cozy atmosphere.
Smaller village below Štrbské Lake. More affordable accommodation, quieter environment. From there cable car to Štrbské Lake or 30 minutes walk.
Eastern resort at entrance to Belianska Valley. Preserved folk architecture, quieter hiking, less known trails. Excellent for exploring eastern Tatras.
| Service | Phone | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Call | 112 | Universal emergency number (works even without signal) |
| Mountain Rescue Service | 18300 | Direct HZS number, use in mountain emergency |
| Police | 158 | State Police |
| Firefighters | 150 | Fire Brigade |
| Emergency Medical Service | 155 | Ambulance |
| TANAP Administration | +421 52 478 0000 | Information about national park, closures |
| Information Center | +421 52 446 8119 | Starý Smokovec, info about Tatras |