Slovakia
The High Tatras, the Slovak Paradise and hilltop castles.
Introduction
To Slovakia with the family
Slovakia is on the route from Poland to Hungary and can be combined well with the car. For families, everything revolves around the mountains: mountain lakes in the High Tatras, walks with ladders and bridges in the Slovak paradise and caves and castles on the way.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 7–10 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun–sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 1,500 km to Bratislava (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 3 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- E-vignette mandatory (10 days € 10.80) (Details and source)
- Paying
- euro
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the euro. With a map and contactless pay works in cities, supermarkets and larger campsites usually easily. Nevertheless, have some cash with you for small campsites, market stalls and parking machines (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Dobrý deň: good day
- Ďakujem: thank you
- Prosím: please
- Dovidenia: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Traffic rules that matter
In Slovakia, there is an absolute ban on alcohol. You also drive during the day with low or daytime running lights. Winter tires are mandatory in winter conditions such as snow or slippery ice. Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, high-visibility vest, bandage box and a spare wheel or tire repair kit. Children under 150 cm drive in a suitable child seat.
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
June to September for the mountains. In July and August it is warmest and fullest in the Tatras (our assessment).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-známka, car up to 3.5 t | 1 day € 8.10 · 10 days € 10.80 · 30 days € 17.10 · year € 90 | eznamka.sk, eZnamka app or sales points at border crossings | eznamka.sk (NDS) price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Slovakia
High Tatras
The highest part of the Carpathians, with mountain lakes such as the Štrbské pleso, which you can reach by cog train or car.
Slovak Paradise
Gorges with ladders, chains and wooden stairs along waterfalls. Some routes are one-way paths.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
High Tatras
The highest mountain in Slovakia, compact and easily accessible. You walk to mountain lakes and huts; There are also cable cars. For active families.
Source: tanap.sk
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Slovak Paradise
Gorges with ladders, chains and wooden stairs at waterfalls. Exciting for children from about eight years old with good shoes; Some routes are one-way paths (our assessment).
Source: npslovenskyraj.sk
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Spiš
A historical region with the huge castle ruin Spišský hrad and the small town Levoča, jointly a World Heritage Site.
Source: UNESCO: Spiš
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Liptov
A valley between the Tatra mountains, with the Liptovská Mara reservoir and the Tatralandia water park. Good as a base with children.
Source: tatralandia.sk
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A round of 7 to 10 days through the north, well combined with Poland or Hungary (our assessment). Check the travel times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Liptov: Tatralandia and the lake.
- Days 4-6: High Tatras: hiking to a mountain lake.
- Days 7-9: Slovak Paradise and the Dobšiná Ice Cave.
- Day 10: Spiš Castle and Levoča.
Camping
Where do you camp?
Autocamping Podlesok
Camping on the edge of the Slovak Paradise, close to the start of several gorge routes.
Source: podlesok.sk
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Campsites in Liptov
Around Liptovská Mara and Liptovský Mikuláš are campsites on or near the water, practical for the Tatras and the water park.
Source: slovakia.travel
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
No wild camping in the Tatras
In Tatra National Park camping is only allowed at designated places.
Source: tanap.sk
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Dobšiná Ice Cave
A cave full of ice, even in the middle of summer. Take a warm jacket; the guide goes over stairs.
Source: ssj.sk
Tatralandia
A large water park in Liptov with indoor and outdoor pools and slides.
Source: tatralandia.sk
Spišský hrad
One of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe; Children can climb over walls and towers.
Source: UNESCO: Spiš
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Tatralandia
A large aquapark with thermal water and slides, by Lake Liptovská Mara.
Národná zoo Bojnice
The oldest zoo in Slovakia, next to the fairytale castle of Bojnice.
Demänová Caves
Stalactite and ice caves in the Low Tatras, managed by the Slovak caves administration.
Jasná (cable cars)
A mountain area in the Low Tatras with cable cars that also run in summer.
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Bryndzové halušky
The national dish: small potato dumplings with sheep's cheese and bacon bits.
Kapustnica
Sauerkraut soup with sausage and sometimes mushrooms.
Lokše
Thin potato pancakes, sweet with jam or savoury with duck or goose.
Pirohy
Filled dough pockets, as in Poland, often with cheese or potato.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (4)
Featured campsites
ACSI Eurocampings includes Autocamping Podlesok (Hrabušice, on the edge of the Slovak paradise), Stará Lesná Rijo Camping (Hohe Tatra), Kemping Bystrina (Demänovská Dolina, Niedere Tatra) and Autocamping Trusalová (Turany, Kleine Fatra). Delimited places are rare; Staying in parking lots is prohibited.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Slovakia
Caves in summer
The state cave administration (SSJ) operates the show caves, such as the ice cave of Dobšiná and the Demänová caves. Many caves are open only in season or have limited times in winter: check them beforehand. It is also cold in the summer.
Source: ssj.sk
Day trip: Bojnice Castle
A fairytale castle with turrets in central Slovakia, today a museum. Next to the castle is the oldest zoo in Slovakia, so you can easily fill a whole day (times on the side of the castle).
Source: bojnicecastle.sk
Avoid: speed camera warning switched on
Lightning warnings are prohibited in Slovakia; Turn off the function in the navigation system. You buy the e-vignette online on eznamka.sk, it is tied to your license plate.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Slovakia
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Wild camping in the Tatras
In the TANAP National Park, free camping and bivouacing are prohibited. Open fire is not allowed. For staying, choose a campsite outside the park or in the villages around it. Source: tanap.sk (TANAP park management)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- tanap.sk (TANAP park management)
- tanap.sk
- npslovenskyraj.sk
- UNESCO: Spiš
- tatralandia.sk
- podlesok.sk
- slovakia.travel
- ssj.sk
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Slovakia
- bojnicecastle.sk
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Slovakia?
E-vignette duty (10 days € 10,80). Prices, points of sale and the official source are in the block 'Toll and Vignette' on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Slovakia?
Prohibited; staying overnight in car parks is also not allowed. (source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Slovakia?
June to September for the mountains. In July and August it is warmest and fullest in the Tatras (our assessment).
How far is Slovakia from London?
From London to Bratislava it is about 1,500 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 3 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Slovakia?
Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, high-visibility vest, bandage box and a spare wheel or tyre repair kit. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our page Traffic rules & equipment. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Slovakia?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.