Košice Airport to the city centre: how to get there

Why Košice Airport is easy

Košice Airport is compact, and the terminal is only a few steps from the road. Arrivals is small, so you will not need long to find the taxi rank or bus stop. The airport sits on the south side of the city, so the road to the centre is short and rarely congested outside rush hour.

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There is no railway at the airport, so everyone reaches the station by road.

Taking bus 23

Bus line 23 is the straightforward public transport link. It goes to the railway station and the central bus station area, where you can connect to other buses and trains. Buy a ticket from the driver, a machine or the operator's app, and validate it if required. Keep small change handy.

Taxi and transfer costs

Because the distance is only around 6 km, a taxi is cheap by Western European standards, but prices vary. Pre-booked transfers cost somewhat more, and give a fixed price and a driver waiting for you. For onward trips such as Košice to the mountains, see Košice to the High Tatras.

After you arrive

Most visitors head to the historic centre around the cathedral, a short ride from the station. If you plan to see the east, car rental in Košice is useful. Heading to Spiš Castle or the Tatras, see Spiš Castle. You can also compare ways to reach Slovakia in airports in Slovakia.

Step by step: bus 23

1. Leave the terminal and find the stop marked Letisko in front of the building.
2. Check the timetable on the stop or on imhd.sk. A visitor guide reports about one bus an hour on weekdays, every 30 minutes between 14:00 and 18:00, and every 2 hours at weekends. Confirm before you rely on it.
3. Buy a ticket from a yellow machine, the DPMK app, a kiosk or the driver, who may add a small surcharge. SMS tickets need a Slovak SIM.
4. Ticket prices reported are around €1 for up to 30 minutes and €1.20 for up to an hour. Check current fares.
5. The line ends at Staničné námestie, next to the railway and bus stations. Validate your ticket if the vehicle has a validator.

Late arrivals and luggage

Because bus 23 runs about hourly and less often at weekends, a late flight may leave you with a taxi only. Pre-booking removes the guesswork. With large bags, skip the bus and take a taxi or transfer. If you plan to head on to the mountains the same evening, see Košice to the High Tatras.

Common mistakes

• Counting on a bus every 20 minutes. Services are far less frequent.
• Paying a taxi driver without agreeing the fare.
• Buying an SMS ticket without a Slovak SIM. Use an app or machine, see eSIM for Slovakia for data.
• Not noting that the airport is about 6 km south of St Elisabeth Cathedral, so a taxi to the old town is short.