Gorgeous Architecture and Delicious Dishes: A Day Trip from Vienna to Bratislava

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Last Updated on: 18th October 2021, 12:14 am

Spending two weeks in Vienna felt like a dream. I got to go to the Vienna Opera, check out the amazing Christmas Markets, and take some fabulous day trips to Salzburg and Bratislava.

My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023

These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.

Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing

Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.

Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.

For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.

For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.

Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.

For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.

Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

My Day in Bratislava in Pictures

A (teeny-tiny) bit of context: Bratislava and Vienna are only about 80 km (50 mi) apart. They have a shared history as part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and thus they have very similar architecture. After World War II, Slovakia ended up behind the Iron Curtain, while Austria narrowly escaped.

Taking the train from Vienna to Bratislava
Taking the train from Vienna to Bratislava
You may want to keep children's eyes covered when leaving Vienna by train
You may want to keep children’s eyes covered when leaving Vienna by train
Arriving in Bratislava
Arriving in Bratislava
One of my favorite buildings and it isn't even on the tour
One of my favorite buildings and it isn’t even on the tour
The church with the Bratislava Castle in the Distance
The church with the Bratislava Castle in the Distance
A peak of modern times in the middle of Old Town
A peak of modern times in the middle of Old Town
The bridge over the Danube River-A Pinacle of Soviet Design
The bridge over the Danube River-A Pinacle of Soviet Design
The detail on a Hungarian pharmacy in Old Town
The detail on a Hungarian pharmacy in Old Town
I really am a Selfie Addict. But this one is in Slovakia, so that's cool, right?
I really am a Selfie Addict. But this one is in Slovakia, so that’s cool, right?

Windburned in Slovakia...Unrelated
Eating Dinner & Windburned from a Great Day
Stretching out on the Train back to Vienna
Stretching out on the Train back to Vienna

Tips & Transportation

  • I took the train from Central Station in Vienna to Bratislava. It took about an hour, cost about 16 euros round trip ($17.28), and was crazy easy.
  • When I got to the train in Bratislava, I took the tram for .9 euros (about $1), to Old Town.
  • While there, I walked around on foot. I had been warned not to take a taxi, but I don’t know if they’re as bad as people said.
  • I joined a free walking tour in the afternoon. I happened to be in the square at the right time.
  • Neither the online train times nor the online tour times matched the reality during my actual visit. Don’t know if I was reading things wrong or if the websites were inaccurate. Both ended up being wrong in my favor though, so maybe it was magic?
  • I went to two restaurants. The one right outside the Old Town was about half the cost of the one on the main square. Natch.
  • One day was definitely not enough! I’m looking forward to getting back to Slovakia and exploring the countryside. 
See also
Vienna or Bratislava? Which Danube City is Right for You?

 

Further Reading

 

My Snapchat Story from My Visit

One Day in Bratislava from Stephanie Craig on Vimeo.

If we’re not connected on Snapchat, hit me up. I’m @gothreetwenty4.

Final Thoughts

Whirlwind travel, while not ideal, can still be inspiring and rewarding. I’m so glad I got to see Slovakia, even if I didn’t get to see everything I’d like. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

 

4 thoughts on “Gorgeous Architecture and Delicious Dishes: A Day Trip from Vienna to Bratislava”

  1. Actually, Bratislava reminds me of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in many ways! The old buildings resemble each other a lot. The top picture could very well be from the Old Town in Stockholm!

    So, mayne you have to visit the cold north as well 🙂

    Reply
    • I’ll have to go to Stockholm sometime soon! I’ve only been to Malmo/Lund, and that was for work. I know what you mean though, especially the green rooves on some of the buildings. Budapest looks very similar.

      Reply
  2. How beautiful! I didn’t realize it was so easy to get to Bratislava from Vienna. I have wanted to go to Slovakia and Slovenia as a separate trip but I could get a small introduction methinks 🙂 Great post

    Reply

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