# High Tatras Travel Guide

Source: https://taply.sk/high-tatras/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-15)

The easiest way to visit the High Tatras is to base yourself in one of the three main resort areas (Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica) and arrange a private transfer from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice. Taply ranks a pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer first for most visitors, because the mountains are a long way from the capital and public connections need planning.
The High Tatras are often described as the smallest high mountain range in the world, yet they pack in more than twenty peaks above 2,500 metres, glacial lakes, waterfalls and a dense network of marked trails. Most of the range sits inside the Tatra National Park (TANAP), which sets the rules for hiking.
This guide covers where to stay, how to get there and around, when to go, and what to book before you arrive.

## Key points
- Base yourself in Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica. All three are linked by the Tatra Electric Railway.
- The nearest airport is Poprad-Tatry. Košice is the main alternative, about 1.5 hours away by road.
- Many high trails above the treeline are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check TANAP before planning a route.
- Summer is best for hiking, winter for skiing. Spring and autumn can be quiet but the weather changes fast.
- Buy travel insurance that covers mountain hiking, since rescue is not always free.

## Best ways to get to and around the High Tatras, ranked
1. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Families and groups arriving by air): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports, so you can book a car from Poprad-Tatry airport, Košice or other hubs to your resort. You get a fixed arrival plan and no changes with luggage or ski gear.
2. **Tatra Electric Railway and ZSSK trains** (best for Budget travellers staying in the resorts): Trains run from Poprad to the main resorts, and a narrow-gauge electric railway links Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica. It is the standard way to move between resorts without a car.
3. **Rental car with Auto Europe** (best for Road trips and multi-stop itineraries): A car lets you reach trailheads, nearby villages and the Spiš region on your own schedule. Auto Europe is a comparison-style booking site where you can look at rental options in Slovakia.
4. **Shared-offer transfers with GetTransfer** (best for Longer or unusual routes): GetTransfer is a marketplace where drivers bid on your route. It is useful if you want to compare a few quotes for a longer ride, such as Bratislava to the Tatras.
5. **Guided activities on Klook** (best for Visitors without a car): Klook lists day tours and activities across Europe. Check there for guided trips in the Tatras area when you do not want to plan a route yourself.

## Which resort should you choose?

The three main resort areas sit along the southern edge of the range at different heights, and each has a different character.

- Starý Smokovec is the central base. It has hotels, shops and the funicular up to Hrebienok, which opens a good family walk to the Studenovodské waterfalls.
- Štrbské Pleso is a lake resort at around 1,350 metres, with ski jumps, a ski area and trails into the Mlynická and Furkotská valleys. See Štrbské Pleso.
- Tatranská Lomnica is the starting point for the cable car to Lomnický štít and is the quietest of the three in the evening.
Poprad, the nearby town, is cheaper and has an airport, a pleasant old square and good rail links, but you need a short train ride to reach the trails.

## How to get there

The closest airport is Poprad-Tatry, followed by Košice. From Bratislava, the trip is long: expect around 4 to 5 hours by car or a long day by train. Read our guides for Bratislava to the High Tatras, Košice to the High Tatras, Vienna to the High Tatras and Kraków to the High Tatras.
If you fly in and out of different cities, check cheap options on cheap flights to Slovakia. Once you arrive, trains and local buses handle most movement between resorts.

## When to go

Summer (July to early September) is the main hiking season. Mountain huts are open and high trails are usually clear of snow by then, though thunderstorms in the afternoon are common.
Autumn brings clearer air and fewer people. Days are shorter, and snow can arrive early at altitude.
Winter is for skiing, snowshoeing and the cable cars. See High Tatras in winter.
Spring is the least predictable season. Lower valleys are lovely, but snow and ice linger high up and many trails stay closed until mid-June.

## Trail closures and mountain rules

Many high mountain trails in the Tatra National Park are closed from 1 November to 15 June. This is a well-known seasonal closure that applies to marked trails above the mountain huts. Many huts stay open in winter, but check each one. Exact trails, dates and exceptions can change, so always check the official TANAP website before you set out.
Stay on marked trails. Wild camping is not allowed in the park. Start early, bring layers and a headlamp, and turn back if clouds build. For route ideas, see best hikes in the High Tatras.

## Insurance and safety

Mountain rescue in Slovakia can be charged to the person rescued, and a helicopter call-out is expensive. Policies that cover hiking at altitude or skiing are worth having, and many standard policies exclude them. EKTA is one provider to compare for this kind of cover. Read the policy terms on altitude limits before you buy. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
In an emergency, call 112.

## What things cost

The Tatras are more expensive than most of Slovakia, especially on the mountain, where a meal at a hut costs more than in town. Accommodation is cheaper in Poprad and in villages away from the main resorts. Check Slovakia travel cost for a general budget view, and confirm current prices for lifts and tickets on the operator sites.

## High Tatras resorts compared

The three resorts are close on the map but feel different on the ground. Use this table to choose a base, then read where to stay in the High Tatras for more detail.
Place | Best for | Main draw | Trade-off | 
Starý Smokovec | First-time visitors, car-free trips | Rail junction, funicular to Hrebienok | Not the highest lift | 
Štrbské Pleso | Lake walks, skiing, Popradské pleso hike | Glacial lake and ski area at about 1,350 m | Higher prices, quiet off season | 
Tatranská Lomnica | Views from altitude | Cable car toward Lomnický štít | Fewer shops and restaurants | 
Poprad | Budget stays, airport arrivals | Old square, shops, rail links | A train ride from the trails | 

The Tatra Electric Railway links the three resorts, so the choice of base matters less if you are happy to use trains. See the Tatra Electric Railway guide for how the line works.

## How to plan your first High Tatras trip

- Pick your dates around the weather. Late June to early September gives the widest choice of trails. Read High Tatras in summer or High Tatras in winter to match your plans to the season.
- Choose a base. Use the table above. If you only want one night in the mountains, Starý Smokovec is the easiest rail junction.
- Book the transfer or rental car. The airport and the resorts are not directly linked by rail from every city, so lock in the arrival leg first.
- Check the TANAP trail status. Seasonal closures decide which routes are possible. Do this again the week you travel.
- Keep one weather day. Lift rides to high viewpoints depend on cloud and wind. See High Tatras cable cars and plan the big ride for the best forecast, not the last day.
- Pack for cold. The mountains are much colder than the valley, even in summer. Our Slovakia packing list covers layers and footwear.

## Common mistakes

- Treating the Tatras as a day trip from Bratislava. The journey is long each way, so stay at least two nights.
- Heading for high trails in spring. Snow and the seasonal closure from 1 November to 15 June catch many visitors out.
- Starting a hike late. Afternoon storms are common in summer, so start early and plan to be off exposed ground by early afternoon.
- Skipping insurance. Rescue costs can fall on the person rescued. See hiking insurance for the High Tatras.
- Expecting the Polish side to be the same. The range straddles the border, and the best-known resort on the Polish side is Zakopane. See Bratislava to Zakopane if you are weighing it up.

## Who the High Tatras suit, and who might choose differently

The High Tatras suit hikers, skiers, photographers and families who want accessible mountain scenery with lifts and trains. The range holds the highest peak in Slovakia, Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 metres, and the Slovak national park was founded in 1949.
If you want gentler hills, thermal pools and forest walking rather than alpine terrain, the Low Tatras around Jasná or Chopok may suit better. If you prefer gorges and ladders, look at Slovak Paradise. For a historic town to pair with the mountains, Kežmarok and Spiš Castle are both within reach of the Tatras.

## FAQ

**How many days do you need in the High Tatras?**
Three to four days is enough for the main resorts, a cable car and a couple of day hikes. Allow a week if you want several high-mountain routes.

**Which airport is closest to the High Tatras?**
Poprad-Tatry airport is the closest. Košice is the main alternative and is about 1.5 hours away by road.

**Can you visit the High Tatras without a car?**
Yes. Trains and the Tatra Electric Railway connect Poprad with the main resorts, and local buses cover the rest.

**When are the High Tatras trails closed?**
Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check the official TANAP website for the current status of each route.

**Is the High Tatras good for beginners?**
Yes. Lower valleys, lake walks and the funicular to Hrebienok are easy. High-altitude routes need experience and good weather.

**Is the High Tatras on the border with Poland?**
Yes. The range runs along the border of northern Slovakia and southern Poland. Most of it, including all the highest peaks, lies in Slovakia, and the main Polish resort is Zakopane.

**What is the highest peak in the High Tatras?**
Gerlachovský štít, at 2,655 metres, is the highest peak of the range and of Slovakia. It is not a casual hike, so check access rules before planning it.