Google Maps Location Approx
Border Countries
🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇨🇿 Czechia
Nearest Cities
🇸🇰 Drietoma, 🇨🇿 Starý Hrozenkov
Coordinates
49.10°N, 17.80°E
Border Type
Land crossing via road
Operating Hours
Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wait Times
15-60 min for pedestrians/vehicles
Peak Times
Mornings (7-10 AM)
Crossing Types
Pedestrians, vehicles
Daily Crossings
~3000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Czech
Currency Exchange
Limited near Drietoma (EUR, CZK)
Connectivity Options
Basic 3G coverage
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Rural, minimal crime
Emergency Contacts
🇸🇰 112/155 🇨🇿 112/158
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About 🇨🇿 Starý Hrozenkov, 🇸🇰 Drietoma
A Seamless Crossing in the White Carpathians
The border crossing connecting Drietoma in Slovakia with Starý Hrozenkov in the Czech Republic is a journey across a line that is now almost invisible. This is the main motorway checkpoint on the D1/E50 highway, the primary route that links the Slovak city of Trenčín with the Czech city of Brno. 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 beautiful landscape of the White Carpathian Mountains.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Trenčín Region with the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It is a massive, multi-lane motorway crossing that winds through a scenic mountain pass. 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. The former border buildings are now often used as service areas or by the highway patrol.
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 ridge of the White Carpathians 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 Drietoma-Starý Hrozenkov crossing was instantly transformed into a full-fledged international border, and one of the most important ones between the two new countries. For over a decade, it was a place of passports, customs checks, and long queues, especially for the heavy freight traffic on this key east-west corridor. This all changed again in 2007 when both countries joined the Schengen Area, and the physical border controls were dismantled overnight.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for the vast majority of travelers. You simply drive through the mountain pass 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: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, the crossing is a short drive from the beautiful city of Trenčín. Trenčín is dominated by its magnificent medieval castle, perched on a steep rock overlooking the Váh River. The castle has a famous inscription on its rock face left by a Roman legion in 179 AD, marking the northernmost presence of the Roman Empire in this part of Europe. The city has a charming historic old town and is a major cultural and economic center. The surrounding White Carpathians are a protected landscape area, popular for hiking and rural tourism.
The Surrounding Region: Czech Side
On the Czech side, the crossing is the gateway to the Moravian Slovakia (Slovácko) and Wallachia (Valašsko) ethnographic regions. The area is known for its rolling hills, traditional folk culture, and plum brandy (slivovice). The nearby town of Uherský Brod is famous as the home of the Comenius Museum (dedicated to the great educator John Amos Comenius) and the CZ firearms factory. Further on, the route leads to the major city of Brno, the capital of Moravia, with its vibrant city center, castles, and modernist architecture, including the UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat.
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 Drietoma–Starý Hrozenkov 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 eastern 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.