WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC OR SLOVAKIARuzyne airport outside of Prague will likely be your first stop if you choose to fly directly to the Czech Republic. Those who are traveling to Slovakia may consider flying
into Vienna instead of Prague. It's only thirty miles from Bratislava. Airport Ruzyne is small, relatively clean, and easy to navigate. Only twelve or so miles from central Prague, it is easily and quickly reached by taxi or bus. Traveling by taxi from Ruzyne into Prague is often a greater challenge. The taxi stands at the airport are controlled by a syndicate of sorts, which means that you may have to pay a premium to get into the city. Buses, on the other hand, are
remarkably cheap. CSA offers a shuttle from the airport to downtown Prague for just a few crowns. You can also take a city bus to the nearest Metro stop (Dejvicka), and then continue on the subway to your final destination. If you should choose to fly to Vienna in order to travel overland to Bratislava, you will have to contend with both Austrian currency (in order to purchase your ticket) and a connecting train or bus ride. Vienna is a great city, though, so the added expense and
inconvenience may be worthwhile. Train Stations If your final destination lies somewhere in Slovakia, then you will probably have to travel to Bratislava first. It is the main hub for all domestic train travel in the Slovak Republic. Because it also lies close to both Vienna and Budapest, it can be a pivot point for international travelers in Central and Eastern Europe. Its main train station lies outside the center of the city, but is connected to downtown Bratislava
by several tram lines. Don't expect much from this train station because it doesn't offer much besides luggage storage and shelter for a few drunks. When you take the train to Prague, you will likely arrive at Hlavni Nadrazi, the main train station which also houses a centrally located Metro stop. Some international trains terminate their service to Prague at Holesovice, another of Prague's larger train stations (and also a Metro stop on the same line as the main station). With the
steady influx of tourists since the early 1990s, the incidence of theft on trains and at the stations has also risen significantly, so be careful. Because all of the train stations that handle international trains are located on metro lines, it's both inexpensive and convenient to reach your final destination. You probably won't even have to bother with a taxi, unless you prefer to be driven directly to a particular doorstep.
Transportation in Eastern Europe (Czech and Slovakia) >>> | 
