Travel Guide

Welcome to Košice, Slovakia! 👋

As an international student coming to participate in the Hack Kosice hackathon, you’re in for a treat. Not only will you get to take part in this exciting event, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore this beautiful city and country. To make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here’s a comprehensive travel guide that covers everything from getting to Košice to finding the best food and drinks.

Getting to Košice

By air ✈️

The Košice International Airport (KSC) has good flight connections to/from Prague (PRG - Ryanair), Warsaw (WAW - LOT Polish Airlines), Vienna (VIE - Austrian Airlines), London (LTN - Wizz Air, STN - Ryanair), Liverpool (LPL - Ryanair), Dublin (DUB - Ryanair), and Zurich (ZRH - Swiss). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to your destination in the city.

Alternative airports relatively close to Košice are: Budapest (BUD), Bratislava (BTS), Vienna (VIE), Krakow (KRK).

By train 🚆

If you prefer to travel by train, Košice has a main railway station that connects to other cities in Slovakia and neighbouring countries, with direct train connections from/to the following popular cities: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague.

By bus 🚌

If you’re coming from a nearby city, you can take a bus to Košice. The city has a modern bus station with regular services to other destinations in Slovakia and the surrounding region.

FlixBus offers direct connections from/to: Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Brno, Prague, Salzburg, Munich, Berlin.

Accommodation 🛏️

We recommend Hostel Vodná 1, it’s just a 1 minute walk to the venue. Otherwise, feel free to use Airbnb, Booking.com or similar websites to search for accommodation privately. Košice offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget, from budget-friendly hostels to upscale hotels.

Getting Around 🚋

Košice is a compact and walkable city, making it easy to get around on foot, especially in the proximity of the main street, and the hackathon venue, Kunsthalle. However, there are also several other transportation options, including:

  • Buses & trams: The city has an extensive network of buses and trams that connect the city center to the suburbs and surrounding area. For getting around, we recommend the Ubian app (available for Android and iOS), useful for searching connections and purchasing tickets online.
  • Bolt offers regular car rides as well as renting scooters.
  • Taxis: Bolt and regular taxis are also readily available and a convenient way to get around the city.

Tours and Attractions 👀

The Košice city is well known for its beautiful main street of the old town (Hlavná Ulica), an important attraction for tourists visiting the city. This historic street runs through the heart of the old town and is lined with charming cafes, shops, and buildings, many of which date back several centuries. The following landmarks, all in the proximity of the main street, are definitely worth the visit if you have one or two spare days in Košice:

  • St. Elisabeth Cathedral: This impressive Gothic cathedral is one of the largest churches in Slovakia and boasts beautiful stained glass windows and intricate carvings.
  • Košice State Theatre: Enjoy a cultural performance at this historic theatre, which is one of the oldest in Slovakia.
  • St. Michael Chapel: This medieval chapel is a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts, with its ornate frescoes and stone carvings.
  • Košice Old Town Hall: This historic building dates back to the 14th century and now serves as a museum showcasing the city’s history and culture.
  • St. Urban Tower: Climb the tower of this medieval church for panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
  • East Slovak Museum: Discover the rich cultural heritage of eastern Slovakia at this museum, which features exhibits on history, art, and natural history.

Food 🥘 and Drinks 🍺

Košice offers a wide range of dining options, from traditional Slovak cuisine to international flavours. Some popular traditional places to try include:

Always here to help! 🙋

We hope this travel guide has been helpful and that you have a fantastic time at Hack Kosice and exploring Košice and Slovakia!

If you have any questions or need any assistance, feel free to reach out to us at contact@hackkosice.com.