TTR47 Out & About Bratislava.

Just 40 miles from Vienna,  but until May 2004 it seemed much further!  Now it’s a great day trip from the Austrian capital, or a base for a few days to see this beautiful country by train.  First things first, let’s get there - a bewildering choice is offered- including flying in direct and the Danube hydrofoil-  but we enter and exit  by rail.  The back door to the north of Bratislava and the EC route to the south.  Petrzalka station is modern and efficient  and a great place to watch the international trains - freight and passenger.  It’s easy to get  to nowadays as Bratislava is now an EU City,  and  there is an almost hourly OBB service to the Vienna Südbahnhof. To reach the old town and the meat of the city you have to cross the Danube.  On the way you get some great views of the famous castle.  We visit this,  plus the other  “ must do”  sights and at the same time learn how to use the extensive tram and trolley system:  great fun - quick and cheap but avoid the rush hour!  If you arrive from the north,  and want to travel further into Slovakia, as we did,  making a day trip to the lovely town of Trnava, or just want to watch trains then you will need to use Bratislava hl station.  Don’t try and walk- use one the frequent trams!  hl is just how you would imagine a pre glasnost eastern block main rail station to be!  But the ponderous activity makes for great train and people watching!  Next door is the Slovakian National Rail Museum and we pay it a visit. A very nice collection awaits your attention;  both rail vehicles and equipment  together with one of the best gatherings of eastern European classic and vintage cars: TATRA, Wartburg and Skoda of course!  Strictly for rail fans;  we have a section for you on Slovakian railfreight.