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- To Starý Smokovec
- roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car
- To Štrbské Pleso
- roughly 25 to 40 minutes by car
- Public transport
- bus or train via Poprad
- Flights
- limited and seasonal
The most reliable way from Poprad-Tatry Airport to the High Tatras is a pre-booked private transfer with Kiwitaxi, since flights are few and public transport from the airport is limited. The Tatra resorts are close, roughly 20 to 40 minutes by road depending on where you stay.
Poprad-Tatry Airport (TAT) is the closest airport to the mountains, on the outskirts of Poprad. From Poprad, local buses and the Tatra Electric Railway reach resorts such as Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso.
If you are arriving elsewhere, see Bratislava to the High Tatras and Košice to the High Tatras.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Resorts are about 20 to 40 minutes from the airport by road.
- A pre-booked transfer is the easiest route because airport flights are limited.
- Public transport goes through Poprad town, then bus or Tatra Electric Railway.
- Check ski season and flight days before you book a fixed pickup.
- Winter driving may need winter tyres, so a transfer is simpler.
Best ways to get from Poprad Airport to the High Tatras, ranked
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Our top pick1
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best overallBest for: Skiers, families, groups
Kiwitaxi offers pre-booked private transfers between airports and towns, so you can arrange a ride from Poprad-Tatry Airport straight to your hotel in the Tatras at a fixed price.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi- Door to door
- Fixed price
- Good with ski gear and bags
- More than public transport
-
2
Get offers on GetTransfer
Compare offersBest for: Price comparison
GetTransfer lets drivers bid for your trip, which can help in a small market like the Tatras. Compare offers by price and car size, and ask about ski or hiking equipment.
Get offers on GetTransfer- Compare offers
- Flexible vehicles
- Takes a few minutes
-
3
Welcome Pickups
Meet and greetBest for: First-time visitors
Welcome Pickups arranges private transfers with a driver meeting you at arrivals. Check availability for Poprad and your resort and date.
Book with Welcome Pickups- Driver at arrivals
- Online booking
- Availability may vary
-
4
Car rental
Most freedomBest for: Independent travellers
Renting a car lets you explore trailheads and villages on your own schedule. Economybookings compares rental prices, though pickup options at small airports vary, so check the location.
Compare cars on Economybookings- Total freedom
- Good for trailheads
- Parking in busy resorts
- Winter conditions
-
5
Bus or train via Poprad
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
From Poprad you can take local buses or the Tatra Electric Railway to the resorts. The airport itself has limited public service, so you may need a short taxi to town first. Check ZSSK and local operators for timetables.
Official website- Cheap
- Scenic Tatra railway
- Needs a change
- Slower with luggage
Options compared
| Option | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | about 20 to 40 minutes | Skiers, families, late flights |
| Rental car | about 20 to 40 minutes | Hikers visiting several valleys |
| City bus then Tatra Electric Railway | 15 to 20 minutes to the stations, then about 30 minutes to Starý Smokovec or about an hour to Štrbské Pleso | Light luggage, low cost |
Where the airport is
Poprad-Tatry Airport lies a short distance from Poprad town and not far from the foot of the Tatras. That makes it the most convenient airport for the mountains, though a smaller range of flights serves it than Bratislava or Vienna. See airports in Slovakia for the full picture and flights to Poprad-Tatry for how to get there.
Choosing your resort
Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica are on the south side of the range and usually reached via the Tatra Electric Railway from Poprad. Štrbské Pleso is further west, a base for hiking and skiing, see Štrbské Pleso. For cable cars, see Lomnický štít.
Winter and ski season
In winter, roads can be snowy and cars must be suitably equipped under local rules. A transfer takes the stress out of driving. Ask your driver about luggage and ski bags in advance, and see High Tatras in winter and skiing in Slovakia.
If the airport has no flight
Flights to Poprad are limited, so many visitors land at Košice, Kraków, Vienna or Bratislava instead, and continue by road. See Kraków to the High Tatras or Vienna to the High Tatras.
Step by step by public transport
- At arrivals, look for the city bus that links the airport with the Poprad railway and bus stations. The ride takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes, and the airport is about 2 km from the centre.
- Check the Poprad city bus timetable first. A 2025 guide reports services between about 4:00 and 22:00, with gaps of up to an hour outside peak times and at weekends.
- If no bus fits your landing time, take a short taxi to the station.
- Board the Tatra Electric Railway at Poprad-Tatry station. Trains run towards Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso on a line of 29.1 km, operated by ZSSK, and a 5.9 km branch leads from Starý Smokovec to Tatranská Lomnica.
- For Tatranská Lomnica, change at Starý Smokovec. The branch takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Trains run about every 45 minutes to an hour on the main line. Check ZSSK for the current timetable, particularly in the evening.
Luggage, skis and kids
The railway is practical with a rucksack but awkward with two ski bags and a child seat. Pre-book a transfer and give the driver your flight number, because flights are few and the driver can plan around them. If you plan to hike with children, see High Tatras with kids and Tatranská Lomnica for a family-friendly base.
Common mistakes
- Expecting a frequent bus from the terminal to the resorts. The rail line starts in Poprad town.
- Booking a hotel in Tatranská Lomnica but a rail ticket to Štrbské Pleso.
- Not leaving time for the change at Starý Smokovec.
- Landing after the last evening train and having no fallback.
Who should skip a transfer
Solo hikers with a light bag and a daytime flight can save money by using the city bus and the train. Anyone arriving late in the evening, in snow or with equipment will find a transfer simpler. Drivers should read car rental in Poprad and driving in Slovakia before picking up a car.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Poprad Airport from the High Tatras?
Resorts such as Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso are roughly 20 to 40 minutes away by road.
Is there a bus from Poprad Airport to Starý Smokovec?
Public service from the airport is limited. Most people go via Poprad town and take a bus or the Tatra Electric Railway.
Which airport is closest to the High Tatras?
Poprad-Tatry Airport is the closest, though it has fewer flights than other airports.
Can I get a transfer to Štrbské Pleso?
Yes, private transfer companies serve it, and you can pre-book online.
Is it better to drive in winter?
A transfer is simpler, as winter conditions and parking can be difficult.
How long is the Tatra Electric Railway ride from Poprad?
About 30 minutes to Starý Smokovec and about an hour to Štrbské Pleso. Tatranská Lomnica needs a change at Starý Smokovec.
How far is Poprad Airport from Poprad town?
About 2 km from the centre, so a taxi to the station is short.
Photo: Poprad-Tatry Airport · 94andrej94 · CC BY-SA 3.0
