Bratislava Budget Tips

Bratislava's basically a very affordable city. Museums are not that pricey, and many of our favorite sights are free. Read on for tips on saving money in lovely Bratislava.


Tourist Office

We always suggest that visitors stop by a local tourist office as soon as possible. Bratislava has four tourist centers.

The main Bratislava Culture & Information Centre is located at Klobučnícka 2. During high season (May through October) it is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday. From June through September, it is open from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

There is also a seasonal tourist office at the main train station. It is open during high season (June through September) from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. During low season (October through May), it is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

An airport tourist office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

Lastly, there is a seasonal tourist office at Bratislava's Passenger Port. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.


Museums

Museums in Bratislava are generally extremely good values.

Slovak National Gallery: €3 (adults); €1.50 (reduced); €.75 (under 15)

Municipal Museum: €1.80 (adults); €0.75 (reduced)

Museum of Jewish Culture: €1.85(adults); €.75(reduced)

Museum of History: €3.70 (adults); €2.60(reduced)

Mirbach Palace: €2.25(adults); €1.10(reduced)


Free Sights

Some of Bratislava's best sights are free. Admission to Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city's Old Town, is always free.

Admission to Bratislava's main churches is also free. St. Martin's Cathedral, the Church of the Clarissine Order, and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation can all be entered free of charge.


Senior Discounts

Senior discounts can be found in Bratislava. To obtain some discounts, however, membership in a particular association may be required. Members of the AARP get discounts on hotels, airfares and car rentals. They can be reached by telephone at 1-800-424-3410 and online.


Student Discounts

The International Student Identity Card, ISIC, the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food and transportation. Some places offer admission discounts of between 20% and 50% to ISIC members. All cardholders have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. In the US call 1-800-223-7986 or click onto www.isiccard.com. Applicants must be degree seekers of a secondary or post-secondary school and must be at least 12 years of age. The card costs US$22 and is valid until the end of the year issued.

For non-students 25 years or younger, the International Youth Travel Card, IYTC, also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC. The card costs US$22 and is valid for one year from the date issue.

Travelers with student cards, such as ISIC and IYTC, qualify for big discounts from travel agencies. Most flights from budget agencies are on major airlines, but in peak season some may sell seats on less reliable chartered aircraft. Some travel agencies dedicated to helping students out are STA Travel, Travel CUTS, and Usit World.


Other Resources

For more tips on keeping your trip to Bratislava affordable, check out the sites listed on our helpful links page (including the city's official tourism website). You can also find more tips for planning your Bratislava vacation on TripAdvisor and on Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall.

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