GETTING AROUND THE CITY
The surface of most streets in the city center allows for a trouble-free movement, however, some streets are paved with historic tiles. Please, be careful there as you may encounter uneven terrain and curbs.
PARKING IN THE CITY CENTER
Only the holders of ŤZP or ŤZP-S (disability cards) are allowed to park on the parking places reserved for disabled persons. Such places are marked with “P Reservé” and the wheelchair symbol. The front (or rear) window of the car must feature a valid European parking card for people with disabilities. It is not possible to park on the parking places intended for disabled without this card.
Parking places for the disabled are usually located in front of or in the close proximity to offices and institutions as well as shopping centers (eg Eurovea, Aupark). If the reserved parking place is occupied, parking on another parking place is no longer free of charge and you need to buy the relevant parking ticket.
European parking card for people with disabilities (sample):
Wheelchair-accessible garage parking in the city center
- Garage Centrum 📍 Uršulínska Street
The garage is equipped with a platform for disabled as well as a lift.
- Garage Opera 📍 Jesenského 4
Wheelchair racks and ramps.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Currently, only barrier-free low-floor (or at least partially low-floor) vehicles are deployed on all bus and trolleybus lines. In the case where the bus line is also serviced by non-wheelchair-accessible buses, the departure of a wheelchair-accessible bus is marked with the wheelchair symbol.
Upon request, the driver will allow the passenger to board and get off the bus using a platform. The passenger is obliged to notify the driver in advance of his/ her intention to get off at the next stop by pressing the button with the wheelchair symbol.
Slovak citizens – holders of the ŤZP and ŤZP-S cards (disability cards) are entitled to a 50% discount of the ticket price. Disabled citizens of other countries are not entitled to any form of discount when buying a ticket for public transport.
Disabled citizens of EU countries under 6 years of age travel free of charge, citizens aged 6 to 16 and citizens over 62 are entitled to a 50% discount on the ticket price. In the event of ticket inspection, the passengers are kindly requested to prove their age by showing an identity card.
As of February 2024, low-floor trams are guaranteed on the following routes:
- On the Vajnory line: every second tram on line 4 (trams to Zlaté piesky).
- On the Dúbravka-Karlova Ves line: every second tram on line 4 and most trams on line 9.
- On the Rača line: every tram on line 3.
- On the Ružinov line: most trams during weekday morning peak and all trams at other times and on weekends on line 9.
- On the route to Petržalka: every tram on line 3.
- On the route to the Main Train Station: most trams during weekday peaks and all trams at other times and on weekends on line 1.
- On the supplementary line 7: no low-floor trams operate.
Regional Buses in the IDS BK System
All buses operated by Arriva Mobility Solutions on regional lines within the Integrated Transport System of the Bratislava Region are barrier-free (with low-floor entry and a fold-out ramp for wheelchairs).
Barrier-free access to the Nivy bus station, located on the first underground floor of the Nivy shopping center, is provided via elevators.
Regional Trains in the IDS BK System
Most regional trains operated by the Slovak Railway Company (ZSSK) are accessible with low-floor carriages. Low-floor connections are marked in timetables, but due to a lack of available low-floor sets, a standard train may be used instead. On lines S70 and R70 operated by Leo Express, only barrier-free trains are deployed.
Accessible boarding for wheelchair users is available at the following stations in Bratislava:
- Bratislava Main Station
- Bratislava-Petržalka
- Bratislava-Rača
- Bratislava-Lamač
- Bratislava-Nové Mesto
- Devínska Nová Ves
At the following stations, wheelchair access is not available:
- Podunajské Biskupice
- Bratislava predmestie
- Bratislava-Vinohrady
- Bratislava-Železná studienka
- Bratislava-Vajnory
Detailed information on barrier-free access at railway stations in Slovakia can be found on the website of Železnice Slovenskej republiky (Slovak Railways).
Transport of Wheelchairs in Public Transport and Regional Buses
A passenger in a wheelchair may board a vehicle only with the driver’s awareness (by informing the driver verbally or by gesture). The designated door and space for wheelchair users are marked with the appropriate pictogram.
The passenger must secure the wheelchair against movement and fasten it with a safety belt. If the vehicle is equipped with a fold-out ramp to ease boarding/exiting, the driver is required to use it and assist the passenger.
Passengers are not allowed to operate the ramp on their own. To notify the driver of the intent to board/exit using the ramp, the passenger presses the button with the wheelchair symbol.
SIGHTS, MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Most of the sights and churches in the historic city center are not wheelchair-accessible. Due to the surrounding terrain, we recommend guided tours of the following:
Bratislava Castle, Historical Museum
- The Castle area is wheelchair-accessible, however, the pavement to the Castle leads uphill. In the case you use a manual type of wheelchair, we also recommend to bring along an accompanying person.
- Before entering the Museum, it is necessary to report your presence to the cashier, as he/ she then opens a separate side entrance for you.
- The museum is wheelchair-accessible (lift), except for the coronation tower and the jewellery room.
- The Museum also features wheelchair-accessible toilets.
- The Museum accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
Devín Castle
- The Castle is wheelchair-accessible up to the middle courtyard, however, the pavement to the Castle leads uphill. In the case you use a manual type of wheelchair, we also recommend to bring along an accompanying person.
- The upper part of the Castle is not wheelchair-accessible.
- The Museum accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
Blue Church
- The Church is wheelchair-accessible and is open only before and during the Holy Mass.
- Free entry.
Old Town Hall, Museum of City History
- Wheelchair-accessible (lift), however, the observation tower is not wheelchair-accessible.
- The Museum accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
Primate’s Palace
- When entering the Palace, it is necessary to report your presence at the front desk, the employee then takes you to the lift in the third courtyard.
- The gallery accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
Slovak National Gallery
- Wheelchair-accessible (lift).
- Free entry.
Nedbalka Gallery
- Wheelchair-accessible (lift).
- The gallery accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
- Wheelchair-accessible (lift).
- The gallery accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
UFO Observation Deck, SNP bridge
- The front desk is not wheelchair-accessible, it is necessary to call in advance.
- The restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, the observation deck is not.
- The gallery accepts Slovak and international disability cards.
- Free entry.
PUBLIC WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
Municipal Institutions and Cultural Venues
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Primate’s Palace (entrance from Uršulínska Street) – accessible toilet, clearly marked, barrier-free entrance.
-
Old Town Hall – Bratislava City Museum – accessible toilet available at the entrance (to the right).
-
Transport Museum – accessible toilet in the premises.
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Bibiana – International House of Art for Children – accessible toilet in the basement, elevator available.
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Kunsthalle Bratislava – barrier-free toilet, elevator accessible.
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Slovak National Theatre – New Building – several accessible toilets on multiple floors.
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Slovak National Gallery (new wing) – accessible toilets on the ground floor and upper levels.
Parks and Public Spaces
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Janko Kráľ Park – public toilets marked as accessible (near Aupark).
-
Main Square (infopoint) – accessible toilet available during infopoint opening hours.
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Hviezdoslav Square (under the SND stage) – accessible toilet.
Shopping Centres
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Aupark – all floors equipped with accessible toilets, wide elevators.
-
Eurovea – accessible toilets on every floor.
-
Central – accessible toilet accessible via elevator.
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Avion Shopping Park – accessible toilets at several locations.
-
Bory Mall – spacious toilets for visitors with limited mobility.
Transport Hubs and Infrastructure
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Main Train Station – access to the accessible toilet from the outside, near the main entrance (marked).
-
Nivy Bus Station – modern accessible toilets at several locations (including parking areas).
-
Bratislava Airport – accessible toilets in both arrivals and departures areas.
Hotels (with accessible public toilets)
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Crowne Plaza Bratislava – accessible toilet for visitors, clearly marked.
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Hotel LOFT – barrier-free entrance and accessible toilet in the lobby.
-
NH Bratislava Gate One – accessible toilet in the lobby area.
Please note
In some locations, the accessible toilets may require staff assistance or a key/card to open. Availability may also depend on the opening hours of the building or facility.
SELECTED HOTELS IN THE CITY CENTER
- Grand Hotel River Park *****
Sheraton Bratislava Hotel *****
Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel ****
Park Inn Danube Hotel ****
Austria Trend Hotel ****
Hotel Crowne Plaza ****
Hotel Mercure Bratislava Centrum ****
Hotel Saffron ****
Hotel Ibis Bratislava Centrum ***
Hotel Matyšák ***
SELECTED RESTAURANTS
Most restaurants in the city center are not wheelchair-accessible, nor do they have wheelchair-accessible toilet. During the summer months, many restaurants in the historic center have open summer terraces which are wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair-accessible restaurants can also be found in shopping centers (e.g. Eurovea, Aupark).
- Aucafé – wheelchair-accessible premises, wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Hradná hviezda – wheelchair-accessible premises only
- Savoy Restaurant – wheelchair-accessible premises, wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Wine restaurant Matyšák – wheelchair-accessible premises, wheelchair-accessible toilet
