Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Slovakia or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
My experience with Slovak taxis was mixed. If you’re in the city and use Bolt or Uber (in some areas), you’ll be fine with card payments. Drivers through apps don’t mind, and you don’t even have to talk about it. However, when I was in a smaller town, drivers wanted cash in euros every time. Even when I asked about cards, they shook their heads. To play it safe, I’d say download an app for card rides but still carry cash.
I had both experiences in Slovakia. In Bratislava, I used the Hopin app, paid by card, and it was smooth and modern. Then, in a smaller town, I waved down a cab, and the driver refused card completely. He didn’t even pretend to have a machine-just cash only. It was annoying because I had to find an ATM late at night. The lesson I learned: urban areas with apps make card use easy, but traditional taxis are stuck in the cash-only mindset.
I wasn’t sure either, so I asked at the hostel in Žilina before taking a taxi to the station - they said definitely bring cash. Driver was friendly but didn’t even have a terminal in his car. In Bratislava, I booked a ride through HOPIN and paid via app, no problem. It seems like app-based taxis are much more modern, but the regular ones are still mostly cash-based. I’d recommend asking ahead or using an app wherever possible, but always have some euros just in case.
In Bratislava, I avoided street taxis altogether and used the Bolt app exclusively. It worked seamlessly - card on file, no need to carry cash or even speak Slovak. I tried one traditional taxi from the train station just to compare, and while it looked modern, the driver didn’t accept card. If you're staying in bigger cities, Bolt is your best bet. In smaller towns, carry cash, because card acceptance is still hit-or-miss with taxis.
I used taxis a few times in Košice and Banská Bystrica and only one had a working card machine. The rest wanted cash and made it clear upfront. Bolt isn’t as widespread outside the big cities, so I just made sure to carry enough small bills for short trips. No one tried to overcharge me, but it felt a bit old-school compared to other parts of Europe. Stick with cash if you’re not in Bratislava or using an app.
In Bratislava, I mostly used Bolt - it worked great, and I paid through the app with my Visa card. The regular taxis, though, were a mixed bag. One driver accepted card, another said his terminal was "not working" and asked for cash. I’d say it’s safest to ask before getting in. Bolt or HOPIN are more reliable, especially for night rides or airport transfers. Still, I kept around €20 in cash for backup - it helped more than once.