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- Best all-round base
- Starý Smokovec
- Best for the big cable car
- Tatranská Lomnica
- Best for lake and skiing
- Štrbské Pleso
- Cheapest base
- Poprad
Starý Smokovec is Taply's pick for most first-time visitors, because it sits at the junction of the Tatra Electric Railway and has the funicular to Hrebienok. Tatranská Lomnica suits cable car fans, Štrbské Pleso suits skiers and lake walkers, and Poprad is the budget option. To arrive with luggage, a pre-booked transfer with GetTransfer is the simplest first step.
There is no single best place, because the resorts sit on one railway line within a short distance of each other. The choice depends on your plans, the season and your budget.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Starý Smokovec is the most central resort for rail-based trips.
- Tatranská Lomnica is best for the Lomnický štít cable car.
- Štrbské Pleso is best for winter sport and the lake.
- Poprad is cheaper and has an airport, shops and an aquapark.
- Prices peak at Christmas, in February and in July and August, so book early.
Best ways to reach your High Tatras base, ranked
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Our top pick1
Transfer quotes on GetTransfer
Best overallBest for: Arriving with luggage
GetTransfer lets drivers offer prices for your route. It suits trips from Poprad-Tatry, Košice, Kraków or Vienna straight to the hotel you chose.
Get offers on GetTransfer Read our GetTransfer review- Several offers to compare
- Works for long routes
- Door to door
- Quality varies by driver
- Check reviews of the offer
-
2
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best fixed-price optionBest for: Families and ski groups
Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports, which makes the last leg from the airport to your resort simple.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi Read our Kiwitaxi review- Fixed price agreed ahead
- Easy with ski bags
- More expensive than the train
-
3
Tatra Electric Railway
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
Once you are in the area, the railway links Poprad, Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso, so you can stay in one resort and visit the rest.
Official website- Low cost
- No parking worries
- Fixed timetable
-
4
Rental car with Economybookings
Best for several basesBest for: Self-drive trips
Economybookings is a car rental comparison site. A car helps if you stay outside the resorts, for example in a village with cheaper rooms.
Compare cars on Economybookings Read our Economybookings review- Flexible
- Good for remote stays
- Parking costs
- Winter driving needs care
Starý Smokovec: the central base
Starý Smokovec is a historic resort and a junction of the Tatra Electric Railway. The funicular to Hrebienok starts here, and the Grand Hotel dates from the early 20th century. It is a practical base for rail trips to the other resorts and for forest walks. See things to do in the High Tatras.
Tatranská Lomnica: the cable car resort
Stay here if Lomnický štít is the main goal. The lower cable car station is in the village, and the railway connects it to Starý Smokovec. It is calmer than Štrbské Pleso in summer. See the Tatranská Lomnica guide and Lomnický štít.
Štrbské Pleso: lake and winter sport
Štrbské Pleso is the highest of the three, at around 1,350 metres, with a small lake and a ski area. It is more expensive and less lively outside the seasons. See Štrbské Pleso and High Tatras in winter.
Poprad, Ždiar and villages
Poprad has the airport, shops, restaurants and an aquapark, and trains reach the resorts. It suits families on a budget and travellers who arrive late. Read the Poprad guide. Ždiar and other villages on the eastern side offer guesthouses and a more rural feel, but you will usually need a car or bus.
Quick comparison
| Base | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Starý Smokovec | Central, rail junction, funicular | Not the highest lift |
| Tatranská Lomnica | Lomnický štít | Fewer shops |
| Štrbské Pleso | Skiing, lake | Higher prices |
| Poprad | Budget, airport | Short train ride to the mountains |
Booking tips
Taply does not run a hotel booking tool, so use your preferred booking site. Prices rise at Christmas, in February and in July and August. Check whether your room includes parking, and whether the resort card or local tax is extra. For a trip plan see High Tatras itinerary for 3 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best place to stay in the High Tatras?
Starý Smokovec suits most visitors because it is central. Choose Tatranská Lomnica for the big cable car or Štrbské Pleso for skiing.
Is Poprad a good base for the High Tatras?
Yes for budget and transport. Trains reach the resorts, though you add travel time each day.
Where should families stay?
Starý Smokovec or Tatranská Lomnica are easy for short walks and lifts. Poprad suits the aquapark.
Do I need a car in the High Tatras?
No for the main resorts, which are linked by the Tatra Electric Railway. A car helps for villages and remote trails.
When are hotels most expensive?
At Christmas, in February and in July and August. Book early for those dates.
Photo: Starý Smokovec · Kristo · CC BY-SA 2.5
