Bratislava public transport: trams, buses and tickets

Comparison at a glance

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Main station connections

According to Wikipedia, tram lines 1 and 7 start at Bratislava hlavná stanica and serve the old and new towns. Buses 32 and 93 and trolleybuses 40, 44, 61 and 71 also serve the station, and nearly all night buses use it as a hub. Confirm current line numbers before you plan, as networks change. See Bratislava main train station for the station itself.

Tickets: how it works

1. Choose a time-based or short ticket that fits your plan.
2. Buy before boarding at a machine, kiosk or the official channel.
3. Validate if the vehicle or stop requires it.
4. Keep the ticket until you leave the vehicle; inspectors check.
5. Use a card or a coin as the machine allows.

Check dpb.sk or the Bratislava integrated transport pages for the current price list rather than trusting an old guide.

To and from the airport

The airport is outside the centre; see Bratislava airport to city centre for the current options and Bratislava airport taxi if you prefer a car. For Vienna, use Vienna Airport to Bratislava.

Tips

• Download an offline map before you go.
• Late at night, check whether your line still runs or switches to a night route.
• Do not rely on one vehicle for a flight; leave a buffer.
• For parking and driving, see parking in Bratislava.

Ticket types, as listed on imhd.sk

The city's transport information site lists several kinds of ticket. Check imhd.sk for current prices and conditions, since fares and promotions change.

• Single-trip tickets valid from 30 to 300 minutes, depending on the zones crossed. The 30 and 60 minute tickets cover zones 100 and 101, and you can transfer within the validity time.
• Bank-card tickets for Bratislava city transport of 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 24 hours, with a daily fare cap.
• SMS tickets of 40 minutes, 70 minutes and 24 hours.
• Daily tickets of 24, 72 and 168 hours; the 168 hour ticket is electronic only.
• Weekend family ticket: on weekends and holidays the basic daily ticket covers up to two adults and three children, with at least one adult and one child.
• Luggage, bicycle or animal ticket, valid for 5 hours.

Where to buy and how to pay

According to imhd.sk you can buy tickets at yellow and red machines, at red multifunction machines in railway stations, in the IDS BK and Cyril mobile apps, at some newsstands and at DPB, Arriva and ZSSK sales points. Payment is by cash, card or electronic wallet at machines and by contactless bank card on onboard validators in DPB vehicles. SMS tickets must be confirmed by a reply SMS before you board. Not every machine takes every payment type, so carry a card and a few coins.

Validating, inspectors and fines

Paper tickets are stamped in the vehicle. Electronic tickets are validated on board or activated through the app. Inspectors check tickets, and the imhd.sk page says a dead phone battery does not count as a valid ticket for SMS tickets. At the time of writing the listed fines were 79 euros if paid on the spot, 89 euros within 1 to 15 days and 99 euros later, so it is worth buying before you board.

Night buses and trolleybuses

The city runs 20 night lines marked N plus a number, and most start at Hlavná stanica. Lines N44, N47 and N72 start at Hodžovo námestie. Common departures from Hlavná stanica are around 23:30, 0:00, 0:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30, and night lines use the same fares as daytime lines. All night stops are request stops: stand where the driver can see you and wave, and press the stop button early when getting off. Regular daytime lines usually stop around 23:00 and resume around 4:30 to 5:00.

Airport line 61

Trolleybus 61 runs between the airport and Hlavná stanica, with stops including Račianske mýto, Trnavské mýto, Zimný štadión and Bajkalská, according to imhd.sk. At night, N61 runs between the airport, the Mlynské nivy bus station and Hlavná stanica. Line 61 vehicles have luggage shelves near the second and third doors. imhd.sk says a 60 minute ticket is needed for most trips from the airport, and that a luggage fee applies for larger bags, so read the airport page for the current rule. Wikipedia puts the airport about 9 km northeast of the centre. More in Bratislava airport to city centre.

Tips for tourists

• Walk the Old Town: the centre is compact.
• Trams run through a tunnel under Bratislava Castle that has been reserved for trams since 1983, according to Wikipedia.
• With kids or a group on a weekend, check the family ticket.
• Do not board with an unvalidated ticket.
• Keep a buffer before flights and trains.

Trams, trolleybuses and buses compared

Trams run on metre-gauge track and have served the city since 1895, according to Wikipedia. Tram service to Petržalka across the Old Bridge reopened in 2016, with a second stage opened in July 2025. Trolleybuses cover routes where trams do not, and buses reach outer districts. For visitors, the practical rule is simple: use trams for the main station and central streets, trolleybuses for the airport line and buses for places the others do not serve. Timetables and live maps are on imhd.sk.

Checklist before you go

Quick routine for visitors.

• Decide which ticket fits your day: a short single ticket, a card ticket or a 24 hour ticket.
• Have a contactless bank card, coins or the app ready before you board.
• Know your stop and press the stop button in time, especially at night.
• Validate paper tickets on board and keep every ticket until you leave the vehicle.
• Check the DPB or imhd.sk site for line changes and diversions on your travel day.

Who should skip public transport

• Skip it on arrival if you have several large bags, small children and a late flight. A prebooked ride is calmer.
• Skip it for the Old Town, which is compact enough to walk.
• Skip it at night if your hotel is far from a night line, since night stops are request stops and waits can be long.