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- Altitude
- about 684 m
- Population
- about 48,000
- Airport
- Poprad-Tatry, operating since 1938
- Distance
- about 110 km from Košice, 330 km from Bratislava
Poprad is the transport hub of the High Tatras, and the simplest way to reach the mountain resorts from the airport or the station is a pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer, which is Taply's top pick when you carry luggage. The town sits at the foot of the range at about 684 m above sea level and has around 48,000 residents.
Most visitors pass through on the way to Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica, but the historic district of Spišská Sobota rewards a few hours, and the town is cheaper to sleep in than the resorts.
Below: ranked ways to arrive, what to see, where to stay and how Poprad connects with the rest of the Tatras.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Poprad has an airport, a main railway station and the start of the Tatra Electric Railway.
- Spišská Sobota is the historic district with a Gothic church and a pretty square.
- Staying in Poprad costs less than the resorts, but adds a short ride to the trails.
- Poprad is about 110 km from Košice and about 330 km from Bratislava.
- For airport details see our Poprad-Tatry guides.
Best ways to reach Poprad and the Tatras from it, ranked
-
Our top pick1
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best overallBest for: Families and late arrivals
Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. Book a car from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice to your hotel in Poprad or a Tatra resort.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi- Door to door
- Fixed price agreed ahead
- No luggage on trains
- Costs more than public transport
-
2
Train (ZSSK) and Tatra Electric Railway
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
Poprad is on the main line east and links to Prague and other Slovak cities. From the station the Tatra Electric Railway climbs to the mountain resorts. Check timetables on the national railway site.
Official website- Low cost
- Direct links to the resorts
- Central station
- Fixed timetable
- Luggage on stairs
-
3
Rental car with Auto Europe
Best for road tripsBest for: Multi-stop travellers
A car makes it easy to reach Spiš, the Liptov region and the Pieniny from Poprad. Auto Europe compares rental options. See also our Poprad car rental guide.
Compare cars on Auto Europe- Flexible
- Good for Spiš castles
- Parking at resorts is limited
-
4
Transfer offers on GetTransfer
Best for comparing quotesBest for: Longer transfers
GetTransfer lets local drivers bid for your route. It suits long routes, for example from Kraków or Bratislava.
Get offers on GetTransfer- Multiple offers
- Quality varies by driver
-
5
Cheap flights with Aviasales
Best for finding flightsBest for: Flight planners
Aviasales compares flights. Check which airlines serve Poprad-Tatry in your travel month, or fly to Košice and continue.
Compare flights on Aviasales- Wide comparison
- Poprad has limited routes
What Poprad is
Poprad is a city in northeastern Slovakia, first documented in 1256. It grew after the Košice-Bohumín railway opened in 1871 and it is now a town of six districts: Staré Mesto, Spišská Sobota, Stráže, Veľká, Matejovce and Kvetnica. The airport has operated since 1938 and is described as the highest in Central Europe.
Modern Poprad is a working town with shopping centres and an aquapark, so it is more practical than pretty. The best part is Spišská Sobota.
Spišská Sobota: the old district
Spišská Sobota was a separate town that joined Poprad after the Second World War. It received town privileges in 1271. The Church of St George, first built around 1273 and rebuilt in Gothic style in 1464, has altars by Master Paul of Levoča and a carved organ from 1662. The square around it has Renaissance and Baroque houses. Allow one to two hours. Church opening hours vary, so check at the door.
For the wider region see Levoča and Spiš Castle, both a short trip away.
Poprad as a base for the High Tatras
The Tatra Electric Railway connects the town to Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso, so you can sleep in Poprad and hike in the mountains by day. Resort hotels cost more in peak months, so Poprad suits budget stays. The trade-off is the daily trip. If your goal is early starts on high trails, stay in the resorts. See things to do in the High Tatras and Tatranská Lomnica.
Getting to Poprad
By air: see flights to Poprad-Tatry and Poprad airport to the High Tatras. By rail: from Bratislava the journey takes several hours, see Bratislava to the High Tatras. From Košice, see Košice to the High Tatras. By car, see car rental in Poprad.
Seasons and trail rules
Summer is for hiking and winter for skiing, and both bring higher prices in the resorts. In Tatra National Park many higher trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June, so check the TANAP website before planning a hike from Poprad. Spring and autumn are quiet, and some mountain facilities are closed for maintenance.
Practical tips
Book the first and last nights near the station if you travel by train. Buy local tickets for the mountain railway at the station or on the operator's site. Carry a rain jacket, as weather changes fast in the mountains. If you plan a hiking day, consider cover for mountain rescue, see our hiking insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Poprad worth visiting?
Yes for a half day in Spišská Sobota, and as a practical base for the Tatras.
How far is Poprad from the High Tatras?
The resorts are a short ride from the town by rail or road. The Tatra Electric Railway starts at the station.
Is Poprad cheaper than staying in the mountains?
Usually yes, especially in peak seasons. Check current rates for your dates.
How far is Poprad from Bratislava and Košice?
About 330 km from Bratislava and about 110 km from Košice.
Does Poprad have an airport?
Yes, Poprad-Tatry airport has been operating since 1938. See our flights page for current routes.
Photo: Poprad · Cepom · CC BY-SA 3.0
