Airports in Slovakia

Medzinárodné letisko Košice is the second largest airport in Slovakia. It has an excellent location, as it is situated just 6 km from the center of Košice, in the Barca city district. The airport operates several regular direct flights, thanks to which you have the opportunity to visit more than 500 destinations with just one layover. The metropolis of Eastern Slovakia literally connects you to the whole world, and it is entirely up to you where you choose to go. The interest of new airlines in opening new routes and the number of passengers transported, which in 2018 exceeded a record 500 thousand passengers, prove that the airport is indeed a busy transport hub.

Aviation in Košice has a history spanning over a century. As early as 1906, a hot-air balloon took to the sky over the city for the first time, and four years later, local residents could admire three airplanes at the first aviation day in Krásna nad Hornádom (today's Košice city district Krásna). During the First Czechoslovak Republic, a military airport was built in the city, which later also served civil aircraft and sports pilots. From May 5, 1924, a regular route of Československé aerolínie began operating on the Košice – Bratislava – Praha line, which, with minor interruptions, functions to this day. Construction of the current airport in the Barca city district began in 1950 and joined the modern transport structures of Europe at that time. A longer runway and apron were built. Československé aerolínie also added a new direct route from Praha to Košice and back to the new airport, which became known to the public as the "Východoslovenský expres".

Over the years, the airport underwent several more renovations to comply with strict global standards. In 2004, a new modern terminal was finally opened, which in the following year was awarded the title Building of the Year 2005. The terminal building provides its passengers with extraordinary comfort both before departure and after arrival.

Since the airport provides both domestic and international air traffic, 24/7 passport and customs control is a matter of course. The terminal hall features generous space to handle up to 1,000 passengers per hour and also offers airline agency offices, a business lounge, a room for mothers with children, or a meditation room. In both the arrival and departure areas, you will find rich refreshment options in the form of a bistro or café. You can sample exquisite wines before departure in the wine bar, and last-minute gift shopping is taken care of in the duty-free shop. Naturally, short-term or long-term parking directly at the airport is also available.

Whether your trip is for business or you are heading on a vacation to an exotic destination, departing from Letisko Košice is a great idea. Enrich your travels with a visit to Košice as well, and find accommodation near Letisko Košice. You will be just a stone's throw away from the metropolis of the east, giving you time to see historical monuments or visit fine restaurants offering a rich selection of Tokaj wines from the nearby Tokaj region. Perhaps you will even decide to extend your stay, in which case we have great accommodation for you in the best apartments in Košice.

Letisko Milana Rastislava Štefánika is the largest airport in Slovakia and is located in Bratislava. You will find it just 9 km from the city center, in the city district of Bratislava - Ružinov, near the village of Ivanka pri Dunaji. Annually, it handles approximately 2 million passengers upon arrival and departure, records over 27,000 aircraft movements, and processes more than 26,000 tons of cargo.

The beginnings of regular air transport in Bratislava are connected with Czechoslovak State Airlines. The first flight took place on October 29, 1923, on the Prague – Bratislava route, using an Aero A.14 aircraft. The plane was then piloted by the chief pilot of Czechoslovak State Airlines, Karel Brabenec, and the first passenger was Václav König, an editor for Lidové noviny. The flight lasted approximately 3 hours and landed at the airport in Vajnory. Even then, it was clear that the proximity of the Malé Karpaty mountain range would be a limiting factor, so construction of Letisko Milana Rastislava Štefánika began in 1947.

Regular operation was launched in 1951. Terminal A – General Aviation Terminal (GAT) – handles private, business, and VIP passengers, as well as ambulance flights. Servicing is provided by 29 check-in desks located on the ground floor of the departures terminal. Terminal B is intended for arrivals and departures outside the Schengen Area countries, and Terminal C serves arrivals for aircraft from Schengen Area countries.

From Bratislava, you can fly to various popular destinations such as Dubai, Hurghada, London, Rome, and others. The airport's runway system consists of two perpendicular takeoff and landing runways with a concrete-cement surface, allowing the landing and movement of all aircraft types, from the smallest to the largest, such as the Boeing 747.

In the arrivals hall on the ground floor, in addition to check-in desks, there are also grocery stores, snack stands, and a newsstand. Additional airport services include a currency exchange office and ATMs, while passengers with disabilities are entitled to free assistance services. Luggage carts and luggage wrapping and weighing services are a matter of course. Parking is provided in parking lots P1 and P2.

If you are returning from vacation late at night, relax and book a short-term stay in our capital city. You can find accommodation near Letisko Milana Rastislava Štefánika on our page accommodation Bratislava. Diversify your itinerary and head into Staré Mesto (Old Town). Taste great gastro specialties in local restaurants and cozy cafés. Do not forget to take a nice photo with Čumil and the statue of Schöne Náci. Bratislava is full of amazing attractions worth visiting, so do not hesitate to extend your vacation. We wish you a pleasant stay and many new experiences.