We have summarized all options of travelling to Kosice in 2026.
1. By Plane
The fastest option for international arrivals—with major new routes incoming.
Košice International Airport (KSC) is small, modern, and highly efficient. You can typically get from the plane to a taxi in under 15 minutes. Currently, it have reached 800,000 passengers in 2025 which is great achievement if you consider city of Kosice has 250,000 inhabitants.
Direct Connections (Current & Future)
The flight network is expanding significantly. Here is the latest status:
New & Upcoming Routes (2025 – 2026):
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🆕 Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Starting March 31, 2026.
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Operated by Wizz Air.
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Flies 2x weekly (Tuesdays & Saturdays).
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This is a major new link to Italy's largest hub.
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🆕 Malaga (AGP): Starting March 30, 2026.
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Operated by Ryanair.
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The first year-round connection to Spain from Košice.
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Regular Scheduled Flights (Year-Round):
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Bratislava (BTS): Launched in November 2025
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Operated by Wizz Air.
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A crucial domestic link connecting the capital to the east in under an hour (approx. 55 mins). Flies up to 9x weekly (Mondays, Fridays, Sundays). Price is approximately €30 including airport fees, seat booking is approximately 3-5€.
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Vienna (VIE): Operated by Austrian Airlines.
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Best for: Intercontinental connections (USA/Asia Vienna Košice).
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Warsaw (WAW): Operated by LOT Polish Airlines.
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Best for: Global connections via the Star Alliance network.
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Zurich (ZRH): Operated by SWISS.
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Best for: Premium travel and connections through Switzerland.
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Prague (PRG): Operated by Ryanair.
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Best for: A quick, low-cost hop to the Czech capital.
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London (STN & LTN):
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London Stansted: Operated by Ryanair.
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London Luton: Operated by Wizz Air.
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Liverpool (LPL) & Dublin (DUB): Operated by Ryanair.
Getting from the Airport to the City
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Bus: The No. 23 bus runs roughly once an hour between the airport and the Train Station (Staničné námestie). One way ticket is €1,20, its advised to buy also luggage ticket.
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Taxi: Taxis are available right outside arrivals. A ride to the center costs €15 – €20. Apps like Bolt are reliable and often cheaper.
2. By Train
The most scenic and comfortable option.
The Košice Railway Station is a major transport hub located just a 10-minute walk from the historic city center. Trains are reliable, often equipped with Wi-Fi, and offer great views of the Slovak countryside.
Key Routes
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From/to Bratislava:
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Express (Ex/R) Trains: Slightly slower ( 5 hours 30 mins) but cheaper and more frequent (every 2 hours). Price starting at €21.
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From/to Prague:
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RegioJet / Leo Express: Private operators offering high comfort (free coffee, newspapers). These are very popular, so book in advance.
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Pendolino (SC): The fastest connection from Prague operated by Czech Railways.
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Night Trains: A popular "sleeper" option. You depart Prague around midnight and wake up in Košice at 7:00 AM.
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From Budapest:
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Daily InterCity (IC) connections run directly between Budapest (Keleti) and Košice. The journey takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
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Note: Buy tickets online via ZSSK.sk, RegioJet.com, or LeoExpress.com.
3. By Bus
The budget-friendly choice.
The bus station is located right next to the train station, making transfers easy.
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FlixBus: Offers direct connections from many European cities, including Vienna, Budapest, Kraków, and Warsaw.
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From Budapest Airport: There is a direct shuttle bus (often operated by FlixBus or local shuttles like Cassovia Express) that takes passengers from Budapest Airport directly to Košice in roughly 3.5 hours. This is a favorite "hack" for locals to access cheaper international flights.
4. By Car
Best for flexibility and moving belongings.
Driving gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful Tatra mountains on your way.
The Route from the West (Bratislava/Vienna)
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The Northern Route (D1): The standard route via Žilina and Poprad. It is scenic (passing the High Tatras) but may have traffic around Žilina/Ružomberok where the highway is not yet complete. It is necessary to buy high-way ticket starting from €9 per one day.
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Time: 4.5 – 5.5 hours.
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The Southern Route (R1): Via Nitra and Zvolen. Often less congested but involves mountain passes (Donovaly or Čertovica).
Vital Driving Info
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Vignette (Toll): You strictly need an electronic vignette to use highways in Slovakia.
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Prices (2025): 10-day (€12), 30-day (€17), 365-day (€60).
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Where to buy: Buy officially at eznamka.sk.
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Parking in Košice: The center is paid parking (Zone 1). Use apps like ParkDots to pay easily.