ZSR / ZSSK
The ZSR (Železnice Slovenskej republiky) and its associated train operator ZSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko) are the Slovak state railways and the most important railway operator in Slovakia.
Summary
- ZSSK accepts FIP free travel and FIP 50 tickets
- Reservation required in IC and SC trains
- Reservation required in 1st class in all trains
- Offers for free travel for certain groups (children between 6 and 16, students up to 26, and pensioners from 62 years) regardless of FIP
Validity of FIP tickets
FIP voucher: ✅
FIP voucher relatives: ✅
FIP 50 tickets: ✅
FIP vouchers and FIP 50 tickets are valid on ZSSK connections with the restriction that some (or all in 1st class) trains require reservations. For cross-border journeys, either a continuous FIP 50 ticket or FIP vouchers from both countries must be available.
Train categories and reservations
Reservation required for SC and IC trains. Other ZSSK trains only require a reservation in 1st class. 1
SuperCity (SC) ⚠️
Fast tilting trains (Pendolino) running between Prague (Czech Republic) and Košice, with few stops.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: 🔴 From 7 €
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)
InterCity (IC) ⚠️
Currently, the operation of InterCity trains has been suspended for economic reasons. The trains are being replaced by EX trains.
Cross-border long-distance trains operated commercially by ZSSK and CD, usually running between Prague and Bratislava/Zilina with few stops and high average speed.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: 🔴 From 7 €
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)
EuroCity (EC) / RailJet (RJ) ⚠️1️⃣
Cross-border trains between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Austria, or Hungary. They often run with few stops and relatively high average speed. RJ trains are RailJet trains of the Austrian Federal Railways, which can also be used with ZSSK vouchers on the Slovak section.
RJ is also the abbreviation for RegioJet, where no FIP tickets are valid.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class
Cost of reservation: 🟢
2 € (1st class)
1 € (2nd class)
EuroNight (EN) ⚠️
EN are international night trains that require reservations and offer the option to pay a surcharge for couchette or sleeper cars. Otherwise, they are similar to EC trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: 🔴
Depending on route and occupancy as well as car category (including surcharge for train category)
Express (Ex) ⚠️1️⃣
A type of interregional train with fewer stops than a regional train but more than, for example, IC trains. They often have a dining car and run with comfortable locomotive-hauled trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class
Cost of reservation: 🟢
2 € (1st class)
1 € (2nd class)
Rychlik (R) ⚠️1️⃣
Fast regional trains stopping at the main stations in the region, a type of regional express with very varied rolling stock.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class
Cost of reservation: 🟢
2 € (1st class)
1 € (2nd class)
Osobní vlak (Os) ⚠️1️⃣
Standard regional trains that usually stop everywhere (there are exceptions). Especially on branch lines, they often run with outdated rolling stock. They are sometimes marketed as S-Bahn trains, but without really running on an S-Bahn schedule.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class
Cost of reservation: 🟢
2 € (1st class)
1 € (2nd class)
Ticket and reservation purchase
Online
- ZSSK website:
Reservation: ✅
In the connection search, you can select “I have the ticket already I want to purchase only reservation or additional service” on the English website. Then choose “Reservation” and select “International ticket/Rail Pass” as the discount in the passenger selection, ensuring “Entitled for 100% discount” is selected.
FIP 50 tickets: ⛔ - Other options:
Reservations are also possible through the websites of CD, DB, and ÖBB at sometimes different prices. IC and SC trains are excluded.
On-site
- ZSR ticket counters:
In Slovakia, there is an extensive network of ticket counters even at smaller stations. It is advantageous to speak some Slovak or Czech or have the appropriate translator app, as English (or German) is often not widely spoken.
Reservation: ✅
FIP 50 tickets: ✅ - Other options:
FIP 50 tickets and reservations can also be purchased at CD, DB, and ÖBB travel centers.
On the train
If no ticket counter is available or open, a ticket (or reservation in Ex) can be purchased on board the train from the conductor if approached immediately.2
Arrival and border points
Czech Republic
From the Czech Republic, cross-border trains of Ceske Drahy or ZSSK can be used on various routes. An additional FIP 50 ticket or FIP voucher of Ceske Drahy is required. Cross-border trains of RegioJet cannot be used with FIP.
Austria
From Austria, cross-border InterCitys, RailJets, and regional trains (REX) are offered. For all connections, an additional FIP voucher of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is required. FIP 50 tickets must be purchased cross-border.
Hungary
From Hungary, both cross-border regional trains and EuroCity trains can be used. On the connection from Bratislava south via the Rajka border crossing to Hegyeshalom, an additional FIP ticket of GySEV is required; in other cases, an additional FIP ticket of MAV-Start is required.
Poland
The only regularly served cross-border route currently is the route from Slovak Skalite to Polish Zwardon. It is operated in cooperation by ZSSK and Koleje Śląskie. ZSSK free travel passes are only valid up to the border point. Theoretically, it should be possible to travel cross-border for free with an additional free travel pass of Koleje Śląskie, but this should be confirmed in advance. Cross-border FIP 50 tickets cannot be purchased through the ZSSK website, but may be possible at a ZSSK ticket counter.
Ukraine
From Košice, cross-border regional trains run to Chop and Mukacheve. Since FIP is not valid in Ukraine, a regular ticket is required at least from the border point. A cross-border ticket can only be purchased without FIP discount on the ZSSK website. If the train has an intermediate stop in Cierna nad Tisou, it is possible to buy a regular ticket from this station via the website. For a cheaper ticket, it is best to ask at a ZSSK ticket counter if there are better options.
Border Points
Border points
Railway operator | Border Points |
---|---|
ČD | Čadca (Gr), Hodonin (Gr), Horní Lideč (Gr), Kúty (Gr), Myjava (Gr), Nemšová (Gr), Skalica na Slovensku (Gr) |
GySEV | Rajka (Gr) |
MÁV | Bánréve (Gr), Čaňa (Gr), Fil’akovo (Gr), Komárom (Gr), Sátoralújhely (Gr), Szob (Gr) |
ÖBB | Kittsee (Gr), Marchegg (Gr) |
PKP | Lupkow (Gr), Plaveč (Gr), Skalité (Gr) |
UZ | Čierna nad Tisou (Gr) |
Discounts
Children up to 6 years travel free on ZSSK trains when accompanied by a person aged at least 16 years. In 1st class, this is limited to 2 children; from the 3rd child, 50% of the ticket price is due. In EC trains, an additional 1 € per child is charged in 1st class from the 3rd child. In SC trains, 1 € per child is always charged in 2nd class and 3 € in 1st class. In IC trains, a reservation including a surcharge for the train category must be purchased for each child.2
Children between 6 and 16 years, regardless of nationality, have the opportunity to get free travel with ZSSK. However, this involves some effort. The following is required:
- Photo (2x3cm) of the child
- ID of the child (if no ID is available, the combination of the child’s birth certificate and the ID of the guardian is also possible)
This must be presented by the guardian at a ticket counter. Depending on the system available at the counter, registration can either be done immediately or take up to 3 working days. In the end, you get a confirmation that must always be carried on the trains. Additionally, a ticket is still required, which can be booked for 0 euros on the ZSSK website by selecting the appropriate travel group (Important: “Entitled for 100% discount” must be selected). For EC trains, an additional reservation fee of 1 € is added, for SC trains 5 €. IC trains and RJ trains cannot be used.2
Without all the effort, children between 6 and 16 years can travel with a 50% discount. This also allows the use of IC trains with a 1 € fee, in SC trains 1 € in 2nd class and 3 € in 1st class. An official document with a photo, age, date of birth, and (if possible) birth number must be carried.2
For children over 16 years, there is no discount, but it is possible for students under 26 years and pensioners from 62 years from the EU (as well as students from all over the world studying in Slovakia) to also get free travel, similar to children between 6 and 16 years. Since this is not directly related to FIP, we refer to the page ZSSK Zero Fare.
Special Tariff Conditions
A break in the journey is only possible for distances of 101 km and more.
Buses are excluded from FIP discounts, except when they replace a train where FIP would have been recognized (rail replacement service).2