We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
- From Košice
- About 35 km, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road
- Main street
- Hlavná, with the Neptune Fountain
- Landmark
- St Nicholas Co-Cathedral, begun 1502-1505
- Nearby
- Solivar salt works, Baroque Calvary
The easiest way to see Prešov is as a day trip from Košice, and a rental car from QEEQ or a similar service makes it simple to add Solivar or Bardejov on the same trip. Prešov lies about 35 km north of Košice and is the main city of north-eastern Slovakia.
The centre is built around Hlavná, a long main street lined with historic buildings, with the Neptune Fountain on it and the Gothic St Nicholas Co-Cathedral nearby. Construction of the cathedral began between 1502 and 1505.
Below are the ways to get there, what to see and how to plan the day.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Prešov is about 35 km from Košice, an easy half-day or full-day trip.
- Hlavná street and St Nicholas Co-Cathedral form the core of the sights.
- Solivar has salt-mining history going back to 1572.
- The Rákóczi Palace houses the regional museum.
- A car makes it easy to combine Prešov with Bardejov.
Best ways to get to Prešov, ranked
-
Our top pick1
Rental car with QEEQ
Best overallBest for: Combining several places
QEEQ compares car rental offers. A car lets you combine Prešov with Solivar, Bardejov and the Spiš region. Check insurance, deposit and mileage rules.
Compare cars on QEEQ Read our QEEQ review- Flexible
- Easy to add Bardejov or Solivar
- Parking in the centre
- Check deposit
-
2
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best for door-to-doorBest for: Arrivals with luggage
Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. A ride from Košice airport saves a change in the city. Book ahead and compare with train prices.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi Read our Kiwitaxi review- Door to door
- Fixed price
- More costly than public transport
- Book ahead
-
3
Train or bus from Košice
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
Trains and buses link Košice and Prešov. Check current timetables and fares on the national operator site before you go.
Official website- Cheap
- No parking worries
- Fixed timetable
- Station is outside the old town core
-
4
Intui transfer
Best for groupsBest for: Small groups
Intui is a transfer booking service. For three or four people a shared car can be competitive with separate tickets. Compare quotes before booking.
Book on intui.travel Read our intui.travel review- Good for groups
- Fixed price
- Not the cheapest
Getting there from Košice and the airport
Prešov is close enough to Košice that many visitors stay in Košice and go for the day. If you arrive by air, read Košice airport to the city centre and car rental in Košice. Coming from Bratislava, the trip is long, see Bratislava to Košice. A motorway vignette is needed for motorways, see the vignette guide.
What to see in the centre
Start on Hlavná, the central street, and walk along it past the Neptune Fountain. The Roman Catholic St Nicholas Co-Cathedral stands in the historic centre, and a Greek Catholic cathedral also stands on the main street. The Rákóczi Palace is now home to the regional museum. Check opening days before you go, since museums often close on Mondays.
Solivar and the Calvary
Solivar, on the edge of the city, has a salt-mining history that goes back to 1572 and is a national cultural monument. The Baroque Calvary, built by the Jesuits from 1721 to around 1752, has 16 chapels and a church of the Holy Cross at its highest point. Both lie outside the old town, so a taxi or a car helps. Check visiting rules and opening hours locally.
Combining with Bardejov and the east
Prešov works well on a loop with Bardejov, and as a counterpart to Košice. For more ideas around the east see day trips from Košice and things to do in Košice. If you are heading on to the Tatras, read Košice to the High Tatras.
A one-day plan
Take an early train or drive from Košice, walk Hlavná and visit the cathedral in the morning, have lunch in the centre and see the museum in the Rákóczi Palace. In the afternoon, go to Solivar or the Calvary and return to Košice in the evening. Check return timetables in advance.
Practical tips
- The centre is flat and walkable.
- Wear comfortable shoes for paved and cobbled streets.
- Cards are widely accepted. The currency is the euro.
- Church visits may be restricted during services.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Prešov from Košice?
About 35 km, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic.
What is Prešov known for?
Its long main street Hlavná, St Nicholas Co-Cathedral, the Neptune Fountain and the Solivar salt works.
Can I visit Prešov as a day trip?
Yes. From Košice it is an easy half-day or full-day trip by train, bus or car.
Is Prešov worth visiting if I have seen Košice?
It is smaller and quieter, so it suits a relaxed half day. Combine it with Bardejov for a fuller day.
Do I need a car?
No for the centre. A car helps for Solivar, the Calvary and Bardejov.
Photo: Prešov · Ing.Mgr.Jozef Kotulič · CC BY-SA 4.0
