TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit and International Driving Permit are required |
| Currency |
(SKK)
Slovak Koruna |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 421, City Code, Bratislava 2+8D, Dunajska Streda 31+7D,
Bytca 41+7D |
Time
zone: Slovakia uses Central European Time (CET) along
with other central European countries (Czech Republic, Germany,
France, Poland and Italy. Officially it is GMT+1 hour (London),
EST+6 hour (New York) PST+9 hour (Los Angeles)
Country
telephone code: +421
Local
telephone calls
Public phones accept local coinage but most public phones require
telephone cards, which can be purchased at post offices, railway
stations, department stores, kiosks and hotels.
International
telephone calls
To call Bratislava direct from the US or Canada use the international
access code 011, the country code 421, the Bratislava city code
7, and then the local number.
Currency
The Slovak unit of currency is the Slovenska koruna (SKK), or
Slovak crown. Each crown is divided into 100 haliers. Coins come
in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 haliers, and 1, 2, 5 and 10
SKK. Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and
5000 SKK. For the current rate of exchange check any major newspaper.
Banks
and Money Exchange
Only exchange money in banks and certified exchange offices. Exchanges
offices can be found in all major hotels, travel agencies and
department stores. They are denoted as ZMENÁREN (Exchange/Cambio/Wechsel).
Most freely convertible currencies can be exchanged into Slovak
crowns (SKK) at these exchange bureaus.
Credit
Cards
EuroCard/MasterCard is accepted at most financial institutions.
Banks also accept VISA, American Express, and Eurocheques although
with less regularity. At most banks the daily Eurocheque draft
is limited to a maximum of 10000 SKK. International hotels also
accept most credit cards.
Banks and exchange offices
will also exchange hard currency, and there is no limit to the
amount of foreign currency that may be imported into Slovakia.
Avoid exchanging money from individuals on the street. Exporting
of Slovak currency is regulated so inquire at the customs office
if you plan on taking Slovak crowns with you.
Travelers' checks are generally
not accepted in stores, small hotels or restaurants, although
Eurocheques are taken at some locations. Banks and exchange offices
will exchange travelers' checks for a fee. A convenient way of
accessing cash outside business hours is to use an automated teller
machine (ATM), usually marked as BANKOMAT (bank machine). Most
Slovak ATMs belong to one of the major international banking systems
such as MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro or Cirrus.
Credit cards are starting
to be widely used and are accepted at most hotels, gas stations,
more exclusive restaurants and shops. Usually a purchase has to
be over 1000 SKK in order for a merchant to accept VISA, American
Express or MasterCard.
Shopping
hours
Most establishments are open between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but some
take lunch breaks. Many banks close at 3:30 p.m. On Saturdays,
most stores close by noon, and few are open on Sundays. Nevertheless,
there are some 24-hour convenience shops usually located at gas
stations.
Voltage
& Adaptors
220 volts / 50 Hz, Slovakia uses the standard continental European
"europlug", with 2 round pins, socket and plug system
also found in Germany, France, etc.
Emergency
phone numbers
Police: 158
Ambulance: 155
Slovak Rescue System: 154
Fire: 150
Directory enquiries: 120,121
International telephone/fax exchange: 0123-5
The
above numbers are valid anywhere in the Slovak Republic
Holidays
Jan.
1 New Year's Day
Jan. 6 The Three Wise Men
March/April Easter
May 1 May Day
July 5 Introduction of Christianity
Aug. 29 Slovak National Uprising of 1944
Sept. 1 Constitution Day
Sept. 15 St Maria's Day
Nov. 1 All Saints Day
Dec. 24, 25, 26 Christmas Holiday Break
