Approximate Border Location
Border Cities
🇨🇿 Horní Lideč
🇸🇰 Lysá pod Makytou
Coordinates
49.20°N, 17.90°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
~2500 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Czech
Currency Exchange
Limited near Lysá (EUR, CZK)
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Rural, minimal crime
Google Maps Location
Country Information
About Horní Lideč & Lysá pod Makytou
A Crossing Through the Mountains
The border crossing connecting Lysá pod Makytou in Slovakia with Horní Lideč in the Czech Republic is a journey through the heart of the White Carpathian and Javorníky mountains. This is a major road and rail crossing, but unlike the motorway passes, it has a more intimate, valley-following character. 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 travel through a landscape of deep forests, rolling hills, and traditional villages, a seamless passage between the Považie region of Slovakia and the Wallachian region of Moravia.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Trenčín Region with the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It is a major regional road (I/49) and a key railway line, open 24/7. The former border posts are now largely abandoned or repurposed. Traffic flows freely, and the only signs of the border are the standard blue EU signs. The route is particularly important for connecting the industrial towns of the Váh valley in Slovakia with the Zlín region in the Czech Republic. The railway line is a key link for both passenger and freight traffic.
Before Crossing
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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 mountain ridge 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, the “Velvet Divorce.” The Lysá pod Makytou-Horní Lideč crossing was instantly transformed into a full-fledged international border. For over a decade, it was a place of passports, customs checks, and queues, a formal barrier in a region with deep historical and cultural ties. 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 travelers. You simply drive or take the train through the mountain pass. 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 and trains 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.
The Surrounding Region: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, the crossing is in the Považie region, following the valley of the Biela Voda river. The nearest major Slovak town is Púchov, an industrial center known for its tire manufacturing. The region is dominated by the beautiful scenery of the White Carpathian and Javorníky mountains, which are protected landscape areas and popular for hiking, skiing, and agrotourism. The area is dotted with traditional villages and offers a glimpse into the rural life of western Slovakia.
The Surrounding Region: Czech Side
On the Czech side, the crossing is the gateway to the Moravian Wallachia (Valašsko) ethnographic region. This is a beautiful, hilly region known for its unique folk culture, wooden architecture, and pastoral traditions. The nearby town of Vsetín is the main center of the region. The area is famous for its traditional festivals and its local cuisine. The route provides a good connection to the city of Zlín, famous for its unique functionalist architecture from the era of the Baťa shoe company, and further on to the city of Olomouc, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Practical Travel Information
Practical planning for this route is very simple. The most important thing is to have the required motorway vignettes if your journey involves motorways in either country. Both Slovakia and the Czech Republic use an electronic vignette system (`elektronická diaľničná známka`), which must be purchased online in advance. The official currencies are the Euro (EUR) in Slovakia and the Czech Koruna (CZK) in the Czech Republic. Services are available in the towns on both sides of the border. The mountain roads can be challenging in winter, so it is important to have appropriate tires and to check the weather conditions.
Final Considerations
The Lysá pod Makytou–Horní Lideč border crossing is a powerful symbol of European integration. The abandoned checkpoint buildings are a 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, a scenic and peaceful passage through the heart of the Carpathians.