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Questions regarding day trip from Košice to Spišské Podhradie and Levoča

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I'm planning a day trip from Košice to Spišské Podhradie and Levoča via public transport. I'll be making my way there on Sunday, November 5. This is the only day I can go. I’ve managed to cobble together an itinerary via bus with cp.sk, but still had some questions.

This is the itinerary:
7:30am – Bus to Spišské Podhradie, with connection in Prešov
8:50am – Arrive in Spišské Podhradie, walk to Spiš Castle and tour, back to the town for a look around, if time allows -- Spišská Kapitula
1:10pm – Bus to Levoča, direct
1:30pm – Arrive in Levoča, lunch, walk around
4:10pm – Bus to Košice, direct
6:00pm – Arrive in Košice

My questions are:
Is the bus the easiest and fastest way or is the train an option?

Should I just rent a car for the day? I’d consider it if it adds value. For example, being able to take a more scenic route, or adding another interesting stop to the day, or if it’s the better choice to avoid "missed" connections given limited transportation schedules on a Sunday.

How long is the walk from Spišské Podhradie to Spiš Castle? I've read about an hour, but have seen a couple of comments indicating the walk is shorter by cutting across the hill.

Some websites indicate the castle is closed in November; others indicate it’s still open daily from 10am-4pm. Is there more information on this?

Thanks for the help!

Posted by
14 posts

Hi,
We just returned from Kosice and did the day trip you are planning. We rented a car, so I can't comment on buses. However, having a car was very helpful. It's uphill from Spišské Podhradie to Spiš Castle and while beautiful, it's a serious walk. If that is your goal, do it. However, the castle is huge and walking the site took a good hour at least. Levoca is also beautiful. The Bazilika sv. Jakuba is only open for tours on the hour, so you'd need to plan for that. Not to miss (for an art lover).

There is so much to see in this area, a car was really worth it. If you like art and architecture, a car would let you see more sites on the Gothic Route, of which Levoca, Spišské Podhradie, and Spiš Castle are part of. We drove back to Kosice following some of this route on backroads, winding through small towns, forests, hills, and valleys. It took a lot longer but was so fun. We really got a sense of that part of Slovakia.

Posted by
2 posts

I decided to go the rental car route for the flexibility to explore the back roads like you did. Thanks for the feedback as well as the link to the Gothic Route website. It will be helpful in further planning my day trip!

Posted by
1 posts

I am delighted to have found this chat. I leave for the Czech Republic and Slovakia in just about a week. This information has been so helpful. We will be starting our trip to Slovakia in Bratislava and are unsure whether to stay 1 or 2 nights. We have 4 nights and 5 days to travel. From Bratislava, based on your recommendations, I think we'll go to Banska Bystrica to see the museum on the Slovak uprising (I'm Slovak) through the Slovenskay Kira's National Park (and possibly stop to hike along the way) and end up in Kosice for the night. The next day, Spis Castle and Levoca via Presov.. We will spend the night in Strbske Pleso in the High Tatras and then work our way back to Brno which is our home base. We will be traveling by car and are not committed to this agenda. Any suggestions for places to stay or eat, welcome, and feedback as to whether this is too ambitious.

Thank you!

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