Bratislava
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About Bratislava
Bratislava city is the capital of Slovakia (Slovak Republic). Biggest city in Slovakia with very important political, economic, industrial, agricultural and cultural role.
Text originaly from here
In the 20th century, Bratislava quickly developed into a metropolis with about half a million inhabitants and a leading centre of the economy. Today, Bratislava is one of the most rapidly growing urban regions of Europe.
Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in Europe and few people know that during the time it was called Pressburg or Pozsony it was one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was a mixing pot of various nations and nationalities who lived together in peace and harmony. There is a saying that a true ‘Pressburgian’ speaks four languages: Slovak, German, Hungarian and Mishmash. Even as recently as the 1980s you might hear how older Pressburgians in the street would say two words in German, two in Hungarian and two in Slovak all in the space of one sentence. That is what we mean by “mishmash”.
Bratislava’s location on the banks of the River Danube and at the crossroads of ancient trading routes right at the heart of Europe predestined it to become a meeting point of various cultures. It was the home of the Celts, the Romans, and the Slavs ... The reign of Maria Theresa is regarded as a golden era in the city’s history. She was crowned Queen of Hungary in St. Martin’s cathedral in Pressburg, just like the 10 other kings and 8 royal partners over the course of 300 years when Pressburg was in fact the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary.
The rich mix of cultures and nations not only left its mark in the language spoken here, but also in the customs, cuisine and lifestyle. Just like the Viennese, the people of Bratislava also enjoy promenading through the streets of the city centre, taking time out for a coffee in any of the many cafes. This part of the city is referred to as the Korzo and combines elegance with charm. Visitors say that the city has a relaxed Mediterranean type atmosphere. Bratislava is a seaside city without the sea.
Nowadays Bratislava is experiencing a boom once more. Buildings are popping up, deals being made, people studying, and everything is on the move. Experts regard it as one of the most dynamically developing and most prospective regions in Europe. It welcomes tourists, business people, and investors, who are attracted to this blooming city and its lively atmosphere. There are many cities in Europe that can boast their own special unique charm, and Bratislava is definitely one of them.
There are more than 1000 friendly Couchsurfers in Bratislava.
CouchHelp
Informationsa about Bratislava you can find also here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApsolRGffr8vdEdHWW9sTGc2Q2RULWRhS1NRNmJqOHc&hl=en (Thanks to Boris)
CouchSurfing in Bratislava
• CS PARTYslava calendar
• Check meetings on Meetings page
• CouchSurfing Bratislava on Facebook
OR, if you wanna make some fun for you and other couchsurfers, you can organise meetings in Bratislava! Here's a litlle guideline for you! Thanks in advance for your activity!
Photos from CS activities in Bratislava
If you have photos, please add them here or write to local ambassador to add them
Coronation ceremony, 2007
Pribelce, 30.7.-2.8.2009
Sub-groups
- Last minute CS request... (soon will be here members who you can contact...)
Small villages and towns around Bratislava with Couchsurfers
- Svaty Jur - Pezinok - Limbach - add link with search option + is there someone in Borinka, Marianka....??
Getting here
By Plane
The AIRPORT is very close to the city. It may take only 30 minutes to get to the city center with local buses.Taxi - from airport to town center (ca. 10 km) could cost around 10 €.There are a plenty of choices for transport from Bratislava Airport to Vienna Airport (VIE), which is only 50 kilometers away (60-90 min including borderline control).
Bus 61 schedule on road Bratislava main train station (Hlavna stanica) to Airport
By Bus
The best starting point for searching a bus connection from abroad to Bratislava is a page of EUROLINES - International lines timetable.
By Boat
Maybe the most beautiful way to get to Bratislava is by boat from Vienna or Budapest. TWIN CITY LINER -directly from Vienna center to Bratislava center.
Getting around
Public Transport
Public Transport in Bratislava City Center cost:
0,70€/1 hour
0,50€/15 min.
Bratislava Public Transport Page
Good to know:
Number 61 = Train Station to Airport.
Number 210 = Train Station to Bus Station.
Number N61 = Night transport. In night you need two 0,70€ travel tickets /1 hour.
There’s a possibility to buy also SMS ticket,which long 60 min. by sending an empty message to number 1100 , it costs 0,80 eur.you should receive a sms message in a few moments. i don't know if it's working for foreigners,but if not,ask your host for it;)
Taxi service
coming soon..
Train and Bus
Best way to travel across Slovakia.
If you want travel by train or Bus you can find all departure times here:Arrivals and Departures (in right corner you can switch language)
There is possibility to search for connections to Praha (Prague), Budapest or any other towns around
If you want to search trains all around Europe, please check Bahn.de
Other page:
Slovak Lines
Train and Bus to Vienna, Austria
Trains tickets are more cheaper then buses,so try to take train;)
Trains starts in:
1)BA HLAVNA STANICA(Main Train Station)
From BA airport just take bus 61 to main train station 20 minutes. OR
2)BA Petrzalka (Train Station) - Bus 93 takes you there in 15 min from Main Train Station.
Return ticket costs around 11 euros, you can pay also for ticket that includes a public transport in Vienna for 1 day -> the price is around 15 euros. The return ticket is cheaper than normal,remember it;)
There is about 2 trains from BA to Vienna per hour. Check www.cp.sk for more details.
BUS (from airport)
If you want to travel from Bratislava airport to Vienna, use eurolines buses from the airport. If its more expensive than 12 eur, you can go with normal bus no.61 to the train station(its the last one - called Hlavna stanica) then take a train.
Hitchhiking spots
For hitchhiking from Bratislava check Hitchwiki OR Hitchbase
Maps
Maps with historical sites
• Map of Bratislava - historical places by Sunny
• Map of Bratislava - bars and discos by Milan
Official maps
Map of Bratislava on slovak internet portal
Places to visit
Opinions and suggestions from CouchSurfers
• 3 most interesting places in Bratislava by locals you can find here
Turistic Info
Bratislava Culture and Information Centre is a contributory organization of the capital city of the Slovak Republic Bratislava.
Tourist information offices provide the information for the tourists at four spots in Bratislava. The main constant task of the information offices is and remains to the future to improve its services. Therefore it was set up a close cooperation with the departments of the Municipality of Bratislava. Tourist information centers offer to tourists information, tourist-information system, electronic presentation and touch screens to find out everything they seek about Bratislava.
Kam to mesta guide
Buy tickets for concerts
Museums....
coming soon...
Urban exploration in Bratislava
People interested in Urban exploration can read this group
Places (eat, drink, dance, party, internet, etc.)
Hostels
find your hostel at HostelWorld OR
Backpackers - Take bus 93 direction to city center from main and also petrzalka train station, Get off by President Palace square, there is new construction going on, hostel is in the street right behind
Mlada Garda - Take buses 61,63,201,74 from main train station, Get off at Racianske myto, change for trams 3,5,11 towards Raca, get off at stop Mlada Garda
Eat
If you are looking for very cheap food ,you can ask someone for Hitman(Marianska street),Richman(Marianska street or near by Tesco is also one) or Pizza place (Namestie SNP, Obchodna street). You can try some of our Asian bistros too,they arent expensive and the meal is good.They are on Obchodna street.
Eat (vegetarian)
Govinda on Obchodna street no.30
Eat (pancakes)
Nutela pancakes with banana for 1,5 EUR in the trams end in Ruzinov (tip from Ondrej :)
Drink
Slovak Pub (traditional slovak pub with food)
Kotolna pub on Jozefska street no.7
Pivnica u Kozla on Panska 27(its in dowtown)
Presporska pivoteka with more than 44 beers from Belgium, location: Karlova Ves
Kam na pivo = Where to go to drink a beer website with link on all bars {but just in Slovak)
Concerts and disco
Week is best for sitting in pub.
During the week you will not have problems to find free seats in pub,...
If you like lot of people in pub, weekend is perfect.
If you are looking for concerts,shows look on these ones:
Randal Club < rock, punk...
Obluda Club < rock, punk
Sub Club < alternative disco, rock ...all...
Hlava 22 Club < jazz
a4
If you like disco more, you can visit :
elam (student club)
dopler
charlies
Check also last.fm/events. Don't forget to change your location to Bratislava;)
Cyber / internet cafes
- Internet and cocktail cafe, Obchodna 58. Nice location with nice people, it costs about 25 cts per 5 minutes and it is open all day long till late at night.
- In Aupark, in the shopping center, there is on the 1st floor at the bottom of Panta Rhei, good bookshop, a cyber cafe too, less expensive than the other one.
Free internet and hot-spots in downtown
- Kenvelo Cafe, Obchodna street [opposite of Macdonalds]- 5 computers
- Faculty of Architecture - Namestie Slobody 1,[North of the Kollarovo namestie opposite of Kotolna Pub]- 8 computers,open from 7am to 7 pm,week days
- Downtown Backpackers hostel-,[Hodzovo namestie,President Palace square, walk to the street behind construction - 1 computer,open 24/7, computer is located in the reception area, there is a bar where you can walk in and get some drink without booking to hostel.
- Faculuty of Civil Engeneering (Stavebna Fakulta) - Radlinskeho,[Next to Slovak National Bank]- 6 computers,open from 7am to 7 pm,week days
FREE HOT-SPOTS:
- Cofee&Co - Obchodna street(Behind Crown Plaza Hotel) ...there is more coffe&co's around the town but i'm not sure if the others hase free wi-fi-
- check more free hot spots in pubs here
Festivals and big events in Bratislava
- http://www.ekotopfilm.sk/ - http://www.jedensvet.sk/ - http://www.bjd.sk
Sports and recreation
Lakes and places to swim
coming soon..
Gym and squash
Mountain bike
There is lot of paths where to go, on road and off road as well. The best is to download and check maps on: Cyklotrasy
Waterski and Wakeboard
Calendar of lift in Zlata piesky lake for wakeboarding and water ski (check if there is closed society or not
Sports competitions in and around Bratislava
Most of them had finished this year, but you can check website for the next year and the dates should be similar.
Kelly Green Bike tour, 22.8.2009
Triatlon - many places around slovakia, different times
Running - 19.4.2009
- Cross country - 19.4.2009
Mountain running - june 2009
MTB
MTB
Mountain clubs
Phones
Local phone number for Bratislava is: (02) 12345678 and mobile phones in whole Slovakia 090x xxx xxx
for calling from local cellular: 0212345678
for calling from abroad: +421 2 12345678 OR 00421 2 12345678 OR for cellular +421 90x xxx xxx
In case of emergency
Police, hospital, fireman: 112
Links
• Information and cultural center
• Official newspaper for people living in Bratislava (if you want to practice Slovak language :)
• Official website
• Bratislava guide
• Castles in Slovakia - link on Devin castle
• CS Bratislava group
• CS Slovakia group
Work
Searching for a flat or room?
Official website
CS group for finding roomates
Living expenses
On this site you can find average salary in all industries in Slovakia
information from Bratislava group posts
from Stany:
To Rent:
a room could be about 180 euro a month
a studio flat around 350 euro a month
a shared room in students dormitory (maybe 55 euro a month)
Transport:
Full 3 mounth ticket for city public transport is about 55 euro (means about 18,50 a mounth) I guess students has discount (I am not sure if 50% or less)
(one ride ticket 50 cents - 15 minutes, 70 cents an hour)
Taxi about 5 euro a drive
3 hours of fast train about 10 euro.
Food and drinks:
Full lunch menu in restaurant in working days about 3,50 euro
Beer about 1,25 euro for 0,5 l.
But you can eat in IKEA restaurant regular lunch dish for very low price (say 0,5 euro or 0,35 euro hot dog and cola drink)
Hot dog in down-town 60 cents.
Swimming pool - single entrance about 2,50 euro (3 mounth ticket about 100 euro)
Cinema - entrance 3 euro
from Ivana:
Accomodation: Centre of BA, shared room from 135 euros
out of centre, room for one person from 100 euros
Food: restaurant menu around 4 euros, when u cook by yourself is cheaper, I guess it can be around 140 e per month
Party: entrance free to entrance around 10 euros
beer in the centre around 2,20 euros, wine around 2 euros
But of course there are lil cheaper places as well : chinese restaurants or small pubs
Transport: student monthly pass 10 euros (1st and 2nd zone), otherwise u can buy ticket for 15 min for 25 cents, or for 1 hour 35 cents(all zones)
