ZSSK / ZSR

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The ZSR (Železnice Slovenskej republiky) and its associated train operator ZSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko) are the Slovak state railways and the most important railway operator in Slovakia.

Summary

  • ZSSK accepts FIP Coupons and FIP 50 tickets
  • Reservation required in IC and SC trains
  • Reservation required in 1st class in all trains
  • Offers for free travel for certain groups (children between 6 and 16, students up to 26, and pensioners from 62 years) regardless of FIP

Validity of FIP Tickets

FIP Coupon: ✅
FIP Coupon relatives: ⛔
FIP 50 tickets: ✅

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 tickets are valid on ZSSK connections with the restriction that some (or all in 1st class) trains require reservations. For cross-border journeys, either a continuous FIP 50 ticket or FIP Coupons from both countries must be available.

Train Categories and Reservations

Important Information

Reservation required for SC and IC trains. Other ZSSK trains only require a reservation in 1st class. 1

SuperCity (SC) ⚠️

Description:
Fast tilting trains (Pendolino) running between Prague (Czech Republic) and Košice, with few stops.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: From €7
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)

SuperCity (SC) ⚠️

Description:
Fast tilting trains (Pendolino) running between Prague (Czech Republic) and Košice, with few stops.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: From €7
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)

Intercity (IC) ⚠️

Description:
Currently, the operation of Intercity trains has been suspended for economic reasons. The trains are being replaced by Ex trains.
Cross-border long-distance trains operated commercially by ZSSK and CD, usually running between Prague and Bratislava/Zilina with few stops and high average speed.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: From €7
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)

Intercity (IC) ⚠️

Description:
Currently, the operation of Intercity trains has been suspended for economic reasons. The trains are being replaced by Ex trains.
Cross-border long-distance trains operated commercially by ZSSK and CD, usually running between Prague and Bratislava/Zilina with few stops and high average speed.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation: From €7
Depending on route and occupancy (including surcharge for train category)

Eurocity (EC) / Railjet (RJ) ⚠️1️⃣ ℹ️

Description:
Cross-border trains between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Austria, or Hungary. They often run with few stops and relatively high average speed. RJ trains are Railjet trains of the Austrian Federal Railways, which can also be used with ZSSK Coupons on the Slovak section.
ℹ️ RJ is also the abbreviation for RegioJet, where no FIP tickets are valid.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Eurocity (EC) / Railjet (RJ) ⚠️1️⃣ ℹ️

Description:
Cross-border trains between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Austria, or Hungary. They often run with few stops and relatively high average speed. RJ trains are Railjet trains of the Austrian Federal Railways, which can also be used with ZSSK Coupons on the Slovak section.
ℹ️ RJ is also the abbreviation for RegioJet, where no FIP tickets are valid.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

EuroNight (EN) ⚠️

Description:
EN are international night trains that require reservations and offer the option to pay a surcharge for couchette or sleeper cars. Otherwise, they are similar to EC trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation:
Depending on route and occupancy as well as car category (including surcharge for train category)

EuroNight (EN) ⚠️

Description:
EN are international night trains that require reservations and offer the option to pay a surcharge for couchette or sleeper cars. Otherwise, they are similar to EC trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️ yes
Cost of reservation:
Depending on route and occupancy as well as car category (including surcharge for train category)

Express (Ex) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
A type of InterRegional train with fewer stops than a regional train but more than, for example, IC trains. They often have a dining car and run with comfortable locomotive-hauled trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Express (Ex) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
A type of InterRegional train with fewer stops than a regional train but more than, for example, IC trains. They often have a dining car and run with comfortable locomotive-hauled trains.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Rychlik (R) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
Fast regional trains stopping at the main stations in the region, a type of regional express with very varied rolling stock.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Rychlik (R) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
Fast regional trains stopping at the main stations in the region, a type of regional express with very varied rolling stock.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Osobní vlak (Os) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
Standard regional trains that usually stop everywhere (there are exceptions). Especially on branch lines, they often run with outdated rolling stock. They are sometimes marketed as S-Bahn trains, but without really running on an S-Bahn schedule.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Osobní vlak (Os) ⚠️1️⃣

Description:
Standard regional trains that usually stop everywhere (there are exceptions). Especially on branch lines, they often run with outdated rolling stock. They are sometimes marketed as S-Bahn trains, but without really running on an S-Bahn schedule.
Reservation possible: yes
Reservation required: ⚠️1️⃣ only in 1st class

Ticket and Reservation Purchase

Online

ZSSK Website
For national connections including IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €2
2nd Class: €1

FIP 50 Tickets

In the purchase process, the discount “FIP Ticket 50%” can be selected.

Reservations

In the connection search, you can select “I have the ticket already I want to purchase only reservation or additional service” on the English website. Then choose “Reservation” and select “International ticket/Rail Pass” as the discount in the passenger selection, ensuring “Entitled for 100% discount” is selected.

To Booking Website
ZSSK Website
For national connections including IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €2
2nd Class: €1

FIP 50 Tickets

In the purchase process, the discount “FIP Ticket 50%” can be selected.

Reservations

In the connection search, you can select “I have the ticket already I want to purchase only reservation or additional service” on the English website. Then choose “Reservation” and select “International ticket/Rail Pass” as the discount in the passenger selection, ensuring “Entitled for 100% discount” is selected.

To Booking Website
Deutsche Bahn Website
Excluding IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ⛔
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €6.90
2nd Class: €5.50

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information
Deutsche Bahn Website
Excluding IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ⛔
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €6.90
2nd Class: €5.50

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

To Booking WebsiteAdditional Information

On site

ZSSK Ticket Office
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €2
2nd Class: €1

In Slovakia, there is an extensive network of ticket counters even at smaller stations. It is advantageous to speak some Slovak or Czech or have the appropriate translator app, as English is often not widely spoken.

FIP 50 Tickets

FIP 50 tickets for domestic journeys can be purchased at the ZSSK ticket office.

Reservations

Reservations can be made for all domestic connections at ZSSK ticket offices.

Additional Information
ZSSK Ticket Office
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €2
2nd Class: €1

In Slovakia, there is an extensive network of ticket counters even at smaller stations. It is advantageous to speak some Slovak or Czech or have the appropriate translator app, as English is often not widely spoken.

FIP 50 Tickets

FIP 50 tickets for domestic journeys can be purchased at the ZSSK ticket office.

Reservations

Reservations can be made for all domestic connections at ZSSK ticket offices.

Additional Information
DB Ticket Office
Excluding IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €6.90
2nd Class: €5.50

FIP 50 Tickets

At DB ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for journeys within Germany and to many European countries.

It is also possible to issue FIP 50 Tickets where only the section outside Germany is charged, and an additional ticket is required for the German section. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in their home country.

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Reservations can be made not only for Germany but also for a large number of trains throughout Europe.

Additional Information
DB Ticket Office
Excluding IC & SC
Reservation ✅
FIP 50 Tickets ✅
Reservation Costs
1st Class: €6.90
2nd Class: €5.50

FIP 50 Tickets

At DB ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for journeys within Germany and to many European countries.

It is also possible to issue FIP 50 Tickets where only the section outside Germany is charged, and an additional ticket is required for the German section. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in their home country.

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Reservations can be made not only for Germany but also for a large number of trains throughout Europe.

Additional Information

On the train

If no ticket counter is available or open, a ticket (or reservation in Ex) can be purchased on board the train from the conductor if approached immediately.2

Discounts

Children up to 6 years travel free on ZSSK trains when accompanied by a person aged at least 16 years. In 1st class, this is limited to 2 children; from the 3rd child, 50% of the ticket price is due. In EC trains, an additional 1€ per child is charged in 1st class from the 3rd child. In SC trains, 1€ per child is always charged in 2nd class and 3€ in 1st class. In IC trains, a reservation including a surcharge for the train category must be purchased for each child.2

Free 6-16 years (without FIP)

To obtain free travel for children aged 6–16, a photo (2x3cm) and proof of identity (or birth certificate plus parent’s ID) must be presented at the ticket office for registration. Processing takes up to three working days, after which an attestation is issued and must be shown on board. The free ticket (€0) should then be reserved on the ZSSK website by selecting “beneficiary of the 100% discount”.

On EC trains: surcharge of €1 per child
On SC trains: €1 (2nd class) / €3 (1st class)
On IC trains: surcharge with mandatory reservation

Free travel for students and seniors (without FIP)

Students under 26 years old and seniors aged 62 and over from the EU, as well as international students in Slovakia, can also travel for free. More details can be found on the ZSSK Zero Fare page.

Special Tariff Conditions

D trains to Vienna

D trains between Bratislava and Vienna can be used on the entire route (including the Austrian section) with ZSSK FIP coupons. Alternatively, ÖBB FIP coupons are also valid on the Austrian section.

Break in the journey

A break in the journey is only possible for distances of 101 km and more.

Busses and replacement services

Buses are excluded from FIP discounts, except when they replace a train where FIP would have been recognized (rail replacement service).2

Sources

  1. ZSSK Reservierungen ↩︎

  2. Rail Delivery Group ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎