Published on
August 23, 2025

Slovakia is moving ahead with plans to reinforce its internal air links, with a fresh direct service between Bratislava and Košice scheduled to debut in November 2025. Sparking this long-awaited west-east route, Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost airline, will step in under a government programme aimed at encouraging travel within Slovak borders and tightening regional access. The fresh connection is anticipated to drive a noticeable rise in tourism and regional development by tightening transport links between the country’s two principal urban centres.

Transport Minister Jozef Ráž revealed that the service will operate daily, with extra flights on Mondays and Fridays, using Airbus jets. The state will subsidise the route until 2028 and has set a ceiling on fare prices to keep tickets within reach of leisure travellers and business passengers alike.

Helping Tourists and Boosting Regional Access Between Bratislava and Košice

The Bratislava-Košice route will streamline travel for visitors keen to sample Slovakia’s varied regions. Bratislava, the capital, and Košice, the country’s second city, boast a blend of historic sites, museums, natural reserves, and lively cultural agendas. The air link will chop journey times sharply, providing a swift substitute for the train and bus options that usually stretch beyond four hours.

The launch of daily flights now connects Bratislava and Košice, inviting international tourists to discover both cities within a single itinerary. Positioned just a stone’s throw from the Austrian border, Bratislava serves as a favored launch pad for Central Europe, and the new quick hop to Košice unveils the Eastern Slovak jewel famed for its timeless medieval town, vibrant festivals, and the gateway they provide to the soaring High Tatras.

Wizz Air is placing a morning link in the air, set for a 6:30 departure from Bratislava and returning the same day from Košice at 8:05. Fresh afternoon flights are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays at 16:20 and 17:55, giving guests more options to fit their schedules. To round off the week, a single evening round is planned for Sundays, leaving Bratislava at 21:00 and touching down in Košice for a 22:35 return.

The spread of flight times, spanning weekdays and weekends, speaks to both leisure and business travelers, whether for whirlwind day trips or relaxed mini breaks. This connectivity underscores the Slovak government’s push to encourage discovery of its cultural treasures, rich history, and unspoiled nature, welcoming travelers from the region and abroad to chart their own adventures across the country.

Cheap Travel Across Slovakia

The new Bratislava–Košice flight offers a low-cost option that many travelers can appreciate: one-way tickets kick off at €19.99 before adding luggage, while a round trip can be booked for under €40. Even with a full suitcase, the highest price for a return journey is set at €170, keeping the fare within reach for backpackers and business travelers alike. This pricing helps both budget-conscious visitors and those willing to spend a little more for convenience to hop easily between the two capitals.

By limiting the maximum fare for round-trip tickets, the Slovak government makes sure that locals can afford the journey, too. Residents hoping to see both Bratislava and Košice now have a dependable option at hand. The plan is to boost domestic tourism, inviting Slovaks and foreign tourists to take a deeper look at Bratislava’s medieval core and Košice’s vibrant square, and to discover the stories that connect both cities.

Support from the Slovak government has come in the form of subsidies for the Bratislava–Košice air link, awarded under the Incentiva +TP public transport funding programme. The initiative promotes air travel for regional connections and tourism. The funding will underwrite Wizz Air’s operational costs, enabling the airline to sell low-fare tickets and maintain the route’s long-term viability without sacrificing service quality.

The air link will also enhance business travel, enabling smoother movement of staff and executives between Bratislava and Košice. Quicker connections will simplify meetings, site visits and supply-chain coordination, helping companies in both cities to deepen partnerships, penetrate new markets and drive the country’s overall economic growth.

The Bratislava–Košice route fits into a wider Slovak ambition to become a regional travel hub. By upgrading domestic air connections, Slovakia makes itself a more compelling stop for international tourists, streamlining onward links to and from Vienna, Budapest and Warsaw. The country is thereby not just reinforcing internal links but also weaving itself into the wider Central European transport fabric.

Tourists arriving in Bratislava now have a quick hop to Košice, which boasts UNESCO sites like St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the picturesque Old Town, and the East Slovak Museum. The city’s gateway position means easy access to the High Tatras, perfect for travelers eager to hike, ski, or explore the region’s stunning vistas.

Conclusion

The new Bratislava–Košice flight is a smart upgrade for Slovakia’s tourism network. Low fares, regular departures, and backing from local authorities strengthen the link for travelers, whether local or from afar, keen to experience the country’s lively cities and breathtaking countryside. The scheme illustrates Slovakia’s pledge to better regional transport and to promote tourism through friendly, eco-conscious travel. Shaping a tighter Bratislava–Košice corridor also seeds further growth across Slovakia’s tourism, making the country an ever-more compelling choice for global visitors.