Google Maps Location Approx
Border Countries
🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇨🇿 Czechia
Nearest Cities
🇸🇰 Brodske, 🇨🇿 Lanžhot
Coordinates
48.70°N, 16.95°E
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Operating Hours
Open 24 hours
Wait Times
15-60 min for pedestrians/vehicles
Peak Times
Mornings (7-10 AM), weekends
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles, commercial
Daily Crossings
~10000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Czech
Currency Exchange
Available near Brodske (EUR, CZK)
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi at checkpoints, 4G/5G
Accessibility Features
Ramps, elevators
Safety Information
Busy, minimal crime
Emergency Contacts
🇸🇰 112/155 🇨🇿 112/158
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About 🇨🇿 Lanžhot, 🇸🇰 Brodske
A Seamless Crossing on the Morava River
The border crossing connecting Brodské in Slovakia with Lanžhot in the Czech Republic is a journey across a line that is now almost invisible. This is the main motorway checkpoint on the D2/D2 highway, the primary route that links the two capital cities, Bratislava and Prague. However, since both Slovakia and the Czech Republic are members of the European Union and the Schengen Area, there are no permanent border controls. To cross here is to experience the modern European ideal of free movement. The large, now mostly empty, checkpoint buildings stand as monuments to a bygone era, a time when this was a hard, international frontier. Today, it is a seamless passage through the heart of Central Europe.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Trnava Region with the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It is a massive, multi-lane motorway crossing over the Morava River. While the permanent control booths are no longer in use, the facility can be reactivated for temporary checks during emergencies or special events. The crossing is open 24/7, and traffic flows freely at the posted speed limit. The only indication that you are crossing a border is a simple blue sign with the European Union stars and the name of the country you are entering.
A History of the Velvet Divorce
The history of this crossing is the history of Czechoslovakia. For 75 years, this was an internal administrative line. The Morava River was a boundary between the Slovak and Czech parts of a single country. This changed on January 1, 1993, with the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia, an event known as the “Velvet Divorce.” The Brodske-Lanžhot crossing was instantly transformed into a full-fledged international border. For over a decade, it was a place of passports, customs checks, and long queues. This all changed again in 2007 when both countries joined the Schengen Area, and the physical border controls were dismantled overnight. The journey of this crossing from an internal line, to a hard border, and back to an open passage is a remarkable story of modern European history.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for the vast majority of travelers. You simply drive across the bridge at the motorway speed limit. There are no passport checks and no customs inspections. This is the reality of the Schengen Area. However, it is important to remember that both Czech and Slovak police and customs authorities can and do perform random checks on vehicles anywhere in their territory, including near the former border. You are still required to carry a valid passport or national ID card with you at all times. For commercial freight, electronic systems monitor the movement of goods, but the physical stop at the border has been eliminated.
The Surrounding Region
The surrounding area is a beautiful region of vineyards, castles, and wetlands. On the Slovak side, the crossing is near the Záhorie region, a lowland plain known for its pine forests. The Slovak capital, Bratislava, with its beautiful old town and castle overlooking the Danube, is less than an hour’s drive away. On the Czech side, the crossing is the gateway to South Moravia, the heart of the Czech wine country. The region is famous for its picturesque villages, wine cellars, and the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with magnificent castles and gardens. The major Czech city of Brno is also on this route.
Practical Travel Information
Practical planning for this route is very simple. The most important thing is to have the required motorway vignettes for both countries. Both Slovakia and the Czech Republic use an electronic vignette system (`elektronická diaľničná známka`), which must be purchased online in advance and is tied to your vehicle’s license plate. The official currencies are the Euro (EUR) in Slovakia and the Czech Koruna (CZK) in the Czech Republic. Large service stations are available on the motorway on both sides of the former border, offering fuel, food, and currency exchange.
Final Considerations
The Brodské–Lanžhot border crossing is a powerful symbol of European integration. The massive, empty checkpoint buildings are a ghostly reminder of a divided past, while the free-flowing traffic is a celebration of the present. It is a journey that is remarkable for its utter lack of drama. The seamless passage allows the historically and culturally close regions of western Slovakia and South Moravia to function as a single, integrated space once again. It is a border that you might not even notice you have crossed, and that, in modern Europe, is the entire point.