Bratislava ticket (from Vienna) logistics

another question- when I leave the station (Petržalka because of construction on the other line) - where do I go to catch the bus? Is it pretty obvious?

We just went to the Vienna train station and purchased the ticket the day before.
When we go to Bratislava station (probably the one that closed) we found the bus going to the center and showed the driver our tickets.
I can't tell you how to do that from Petržalka station.

Walk out the front door of the station; the stop was slightly to the right, as I recall. I think the signage was fine, but be sure you know which bus you need to take and go immediately to the stop; you will be one of many people heading toward the center of town, and the bus I was looking for ran only every 15 or 20 minutes. I was ill-prepared (for no good reason), had to stop to ask for info inside the station, therefore missed the first departing bus, and even then ended up on the wrong bus for where I wanted to go. I'm sure it was my fault for not asking the right question. I could have just gotten the info from Google Maps or CityMapper while I was still on the train. Let's just say it was not my finest hour.

I'm afraid I don't remember what I did about tapping or scanning my ticket. I was only in Bratislava briefly on the day I used the Bratislava Ticket, because I was headed initially to eastern Slovakia.

one more question- our five year old daughter- am I correct that she rides free and does not require a ticket?

another question- when I leave the station (Petržalka because of construction on the other line) - where do I go to catch the bus? Is it pretty obvious?

There are three bus lines from Petržalka station to the center (bus stop Zochova), i.e. 80, 93 and 94. If I remember correctly, the bus stop for #80 is outside the main entrance of the station's building, the bus stop for #93 and #94 is on the opposite side, to be reached by a pedestrian underpass. (Most tourist guides recommend bus #93.)

one more question- our five year old daughter- am I correct that she rides free and does not require a ticket?

Yes, both in Austria and Slovakia.

Hi Scottyd,
It is possible to purchase the ticket on line. Once you arrive in the station, you can receive a printed ticket from the ticket machine by using the provided code. Please note, that I haven't tried this yet (my trip will be in March) but a youtube video described the process and their day trip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DYeXMh35jc&pp=ygUddmllbm5hIHRvIGJyYXRpc2xhdmEgYnkgdHJhaW4%3D

I believe the Bratislava excursion ticket is sold at a fixed price, so I think there's no need to buy it in advance, beyond wanting to save a few minutes at the train station. Unless I'm mistaken, buying it much earlier is just a way to potentially lose some money if something happens to cancel or delay your trip. I always prefer to make my day-trip decisions as late as reasonably possible so I have access to a decent weather forecast. There's also the fact that Vienna is a large city with a wide variety of cultural offerings. What if you learn about something of special interest to you after you arrive and decide you'd rather forego the side trip to Bratislava?

I am not discouraging Bratislava; I spent several nights there earlier this year and liked the city.

I'm looking at the screen right now for buying a Bratislava Ticket. It says:
Bratislava-Ticket
1. Adult, {my name}
No discount
2nd class
Valid Thu, 3 April 2025 - Sun, 6 April 2025
Valid for a journey from all train stations in Vienna to Bratislava hl.st or Bratislava-Petrzalka and back on all local trains (REX and Os). Ticket includes travelling with a bicycle. Valid as a day ticket for public transport in the city of Bratislava on the first day of validity.

My Question: Is the day ticket for public transport in Bratislava good for ONLY the first day? Or could I decide to go to Bratislava on the 2nd or 3rd day (Apr. 4 or 5) and still use this ticket for public transport in Bratislava?

That's an excellent question to which I do not know the answer. I think you can get an answer from someone at the train station when you arrive in Bratislava. I don't remember whether there's a window specifically labeled "Information".

Is the day ticket for public transport in Bratislava good for ONLY the first day?

Exactly. I guess the statement Valid as a day ticket for public transport in the city of Bratislava on the first day of validity. is unequivocal.

You can purchase the ticket online or via the ÖBB app. It says you pick up the actual ticket at a self-service machine in Austria. https://www.oebb.at/en/regionale-angebote/ueberregionale-angebote/bratislava-ticket

Hi!

I purchased my ticket the same day I left. The ticket was an open ticket there and back, so you could use it once in a couple days period for a round trip. It is not time specific. The train leaves both stations (Vienna and Bratislava) at 45 after the hour (like 1:45, 2:45, 3:45 etc), it’s ongoing until 21:00 (what the OBB lady told me :) )

You just need the ticket on your person when you load the buses.

The train will automatically go to the alternative station and the bus (80) will take you downtown.

Everything is very easy to understand. If I can do it an untrained circus monkey can. ;)

I used Google maps to navigate, paid by card everywhere, and showed up with no plan. It was quite easy. :)

I don’t know about the online purchasing option, but it seems to be more expensive anywhere you look online.

Does anyone know whether you can use the ticket on a subsequent day or is it only good for a same-day return trip? We are thinking of an overnight visit to Bratislava from Vienna.

@lynnweise is an open date ticket, you can use it to go and come back the next day. If you’re unsure, check with OBB (the wait is incredibly fast) at the train station before take off.

Does anyone know whether you can use the ticket on a subsequent day ...

Yes, all train tickets (except for suburban destinations of big cities) are valid for two days. The special Bratislava ticket may be valid even longer, but I don't know for sure. (I used it about 6 years ago the last time, and it was 4 days then.)

But its validity for public transport in Bratislava is restricted to the very first day.