TTR47 Out & About Bratislava.

Just 40 miles from Vienna,  but until May 2004 it seemed much further!  It's a good day trip from the Austrian capital, or a base for a few days to see this beautiful country by train.  Let's get there - a bewildering choice is offered- including flying in direct and the Danube hydrofoil-  but we enter and exit  by rail.  The back door to the north of Bratislava and the EC route to the south.  Petrzalka station is modern and efficient  and busy with international trains - freight and passenger. There is an almost hourly OBB service to the Vienna S?dbahnhof. To reach the old town and the meat of the city you have to cross the Danube.  On the way you get some lovely views of the famous castle.  We visit this,  plus the other  " must do"  sights and learn how to use the extensive tram and trolley system:  great fun - quick and cheap but avoid the rush hour!  If you arrive from the north,  and want to travel further into Slovakia to make a day trip to the lovely town of Trnava, or just want to watch trains then you will need to use Bratislava hl station.  Don't try and walk- use one the frequent trams!  hl is just how you would imagine a pre glasnost eastern block main rail station to be!  But the ponderous activity makes for excellent train and people watching!   We visit the Slovakian National Rail Museum next door where a very nice collection awaits your attention;  both rail vehicles and equipment, together with one of the best gatherings of eastern European classic and vintage cars: TATRA, Wartburg and Skoda of course!  Strictly for rail fans;  we have a section for you on Slovakian railfreight.    Narrated   RT 75mins