Approximate Border Location
Border Cities
🇨🇿 Mosty u Jablunkova
🇸🇰 Svrčinovec
Coordinates
49.50°N, 18.70°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
~2000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Czech
Currency Exchange
Limited near Svrčinovec (EUR, CZK)
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Rural, minimal crime
Google Maps Location
Country Information
About Mosty u Jablunkova & Svrčinovec
A Tripoint Motorway Crossing
The border crossing connecting Svrčinovec in Slovakia with Mosty u Jablunkova in the Czech Republic is a journey through a unique and strategically important location: the tripoint where Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland meet. This is the main motorway checkpoint on the D3/I/11 highway, a critical north-south corridor. Since all three countries 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 mountains and valleys that has been a historic crossroads for centuries. The massive, now-empty checkpoint buildings stand as monuments to a time when this was a complex, three-way international frontier.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Žilina Region with the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It is a massive, multi-lane motorway crossing that runs through the Jablunkov Pass in the Beskid Mountains. The Polish border is just a few kilometers away. While the permanent control booths are no longer in use, the facility can be reactivated for temporary checks. The crossing is open 24/7, and traffic flows freely. The only indication that you are crossing a border is a simple blue EU sign. The adjacent railway crossing is equally important, a key line for freight and passenger traffic.
Before Crossing
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A History of the Velvet Divorce and a Tripoint
The history of this crossing is the history of Czechoslovakia. For 75 years, this was an internal administrative line. This changed on January 1, 1993, with the “Velvet Divorce.” The Svrčinovec-Mosty u Jablunkova 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 proximity of the Polish border adds another layer of historical complexity, as this region, known as Cieszyn Silesia, has been contested by Poland and Czechoslovakia in the past.
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 the police and customs authorities of all three countries can and do perform random checks on vehicles anywhere in this border region. 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 Kysuce region, a beautiful, hilly area known for its traditional wooden architecture and its unique “Kysuce-Orava” forestry railway. The nearby city of Žilina is a major economic and cultural center, with a beautifully restored historic square. The region is a gateway to the stunning mountains of the Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra National Parks, which are popular for hiking and skiing.
The Surrounding Region: Czech Side
On the Czech side, the crossing is in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, a mountain range known for its traditional Wallachian culture. The village of Mosty u Jablunkova is a popular ski resort. The area is known for its unique dialect and folklore. The nearby industrial city of Ostrava is the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, with a fascinating industrial heritage, including the a UNESCO-listed former ironworks complex at Dolní Vítkovice.
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 (and Poland, if you plan to cross that border as well). 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 (and the Złoty in Poland). Large service stations are available on the motorway. The mountain roads can be challenging in winter, so it is important to have appropriate tires.
Final Considerations
The Svrčinovec–Mosty u Jablunkova border crossing is a powerful symbol of an integrated Central Europe. The massive, empty checkpoint buildings are a ghostly reminder of a divided past, while the free-flowing traffic is a celebration of the present. The seamless passage between three nations in the space of a few kilometers is a remarkable experience. It is a border that you might not even notice you have crossed, a testament to the success of the Schengen project in this historic and beautiful mountain region.