Welcome to Košice, Slovakia! 👋

Get ready for an epic weekend at Hack Kosice 2026! Beyond the 24-hour coding marathon, you’ll discover a beautiful city with rich history, great food, and an awesome tech community. This guide will help you navigate everything from flights to the best local spots.

Getting to Košice

By air ✈️

Košice International Airport (KSC) has excellent connections:

From Central Europe: Prague (PRG - Ryanair), Warsaw (WAW - LOT), Vienna (VIE - Austrian)
From UK: London (LTN - Wizz Air, STN - Ryanair), Liverpool (LPL - Ryanair), Dublin (DUB - Ryanair)
From Switzerland: Zurich (ZRH - Swiss)

From the airport, grab a taxi or hop on a bus to get into the city center (about 15 minutes).

Alternative airports if you’re flexible: Budapest (BUD), Bratislava (BTS), Vienna (VIE), Krakow (KRK) - all within a few hours by bus or train.

By train 🚆

Love train journeys? Košice’s main railway station has direct connections from some awesome cities: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague

Perfect for working on your hackathon ideas during the ride!

By bus 🚌

FlixBus connects Košice to tons of European cities: Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Brno, Prague, Salzburg, Munich, Berlin

Budget-friendly and comfortable - ideal for students!

Where to crash 🛏️

Top pick: Hostel Vodná 1 - literally a 1-minute walk from the venue. Perfect for rolling out of bed and into the hackathon.

Other options: Check Airbnb or Booking.com for everything from budget hostels to nice hotels. Košice has great options for every budget!

Pro tip: Book early to get the best deals and stay close to the venue - you’ll appreciate it at 3am when you need that power nap.

Getting Around Košice 🚋

Good news - Košice is super walkable! The city center, main attractions, and the hackathon venue are all easy to reach on foot.

For longer distances:

Public transport: Extensive bus & tram network. Download the Ubian app (Android | iOS) for routes and mobile tickets
Bolt: Ride-sharing and e-scooter rentals - super convenient!
Taxis: Readily available, but Bolt is usually cheaper

What to see 👀

Got some free time before or after the hackathon? Košice’s historic center is beautiful! The main street (Hlavná Ulica) is lined with cafes, shops, and stunning architecture.

Don’t miss:

St. Elisabeth Cathedral: Massive Gothic cathedral with incredible stained glass
St. Urban Tower: Climb up for epic city views
Košice State Theatre: One of Slovakia’s oldest and most beautiful theatres
East Slovak Museum: Cool exhibits on local history and culture

Food & Drinks 🍺🥘

You can’t code on an empty stomach! Try these local favorites:

Traditional Slovak spots:

Republika Východu - Great atmosphere, authentic food
Pivovar Hostinec - Local brewery with amazing beer
12 apoštolov - Medieval cellar vibes
Slávia - Classic Slovak cuisine
Camelot - Cozy restaurant with great local dishes

Pro tip: Try “bryndzové halušky” (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) - Slovakia’s national dish!

Need help? 🙋

We’re here for you! If you have any questions about getting to Košice, finding accommodation, or anything else:

📧 Email us: contact@hackkosice.com

Looking forward to seeing you at Hack Kosice 2026! 🚀

Travel Guide