Approximate Border Location
Border Cities
🇸🇰 Slovenské Nové Mesto
🇭🇺 Sátoraljaújhely
Coordinates
48.40°N, 21.70°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
~5000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Hungarian
Currency Exchange
Available near Slovenské (EUR, HUF)
Accessibility Features
Ramps, elevators
Safety Information
Busy, minimal crime
Google Maps Location
Country Information
About Slovenské Nové Mesto & Sátoraljaújhely
A Crossing Through a Divided City
The border crossing connecting Slovenské Nové Mesto in Slovakia with Sátoraljaújhely in Hungary is one of the most unique and historically poignant on any European border. This is not a crossing between two separate towns; it is a journey through what was once a single, unified city. The border, drawn in 1920, cut the city of Sátoraljaújhely in two, separating its main railway station and an industrial suburb from the historic city center. Since both Slovakia and Hungary are members of the European Union and the Schengen Area, there are no permanent border controls. To cross here is to walk or drive down a street and pass from one country to another, a seamless passage that belies the decades of painful division that this community endured.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Košice Region with Hungary’s Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County. There are several crossing points within the city, including a main road, smaller local streets, and a railway line. All are open 24/7, and traffic flows freely. The former border posts are now abandoned or repurposed. The integration is so complete that it is easy to cross the border without even realizing it. The crossing is a vital link for the local community, which, despite being in two different countries, functions in many ways as a single entity.
Before Crossing
Crossing borders gets messy sometimes, think political flare-ups or gates shutting fast. Good travel insurance is a must for handling doctor visits, trip disruptions, or security scares. Don’t get caught unprepared. To find a policy that’s got your back, check out reliable plans today for peace of mind.
A History of the Treaty of Trianon
The history of this crossing is a direct consequence of the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, which established the borders of modern Hungary after World War I. The border between Hungary and the new state of Czechoslovakia was drawn along a small river, the Ronyva, which ran through the city of Sátoraljaújhely. The main reason for this seemingly absurd division was strategic: the crucial Košice-Bohumín railway line, a vital artery for the new Czechoslovak state, ran through the city’s main station. The treaty awarded the station and the suburb through which the railway passed to Czechoslovakia, creating the new town of Slovenské Nové Mesto (“Slovak New Town”). The historic city center remained in Hungary. For 70 years, a hard border, part of the Iron Curtain, ran through the middle of the city.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for travelers. You simply drive or walk down the street. There are no passport checks and no customs inspections. This is the reality of the Schengen Area. This has had a profound impact on the city, allowing for complete reintegration. Residents cross multiple times a day for work, shopping, school, or to visit family. The two parts of the city are once again functioning as one, a powerful symbol of the healing power of European integration.
The Surrounding Region: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, Slovenské Nové Mesto is primarily a residential and industrial area, defined by its important railway station. The main attraction is its proximity to the world-famous Tokaj wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which straddles the Slovak-Hungarian border. The Slovak part of the Tokaj region, with its unique tuff cellars, is just a few kilometers away, offering opportunities for wine tasting and exploration.
The Surrounding Region: Hungary Side
On the Hungarian side, Sátoraljaújhely is a historic town and the main center of the Hungarian Zemplén region. It is known as the town where Lajos Kossuth, the leader of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution, began his political career. The town is home to the Museum of the Hungarian Language. Its most famous modern attraction is the Zemplén Adventure Park, which is built on a high hill overlooking the city and features the longest bobsleigh track and the longest chairlift in Hungary, as well as a thrilling zipline that crosses the border into Slovakia and back again.
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 Hungary use an electronic vignette system, which must be purchased online in advance. The official currencies are the Euro (EUR) in Slovakia and the Hungarian Forint (HUF) in Hungary. All services are available in the city on both sides of the border, and many businesses may accept both currencies. The city is a fascinating place to explore on foot, to experience the unique feeling of walking from one country to another.
Final Considerations
The Slovenské Nové Mesto–Sátoraljaújhely border crossing is one of the most compelling examples of a divided city in Europe. The seamless Schengen passage has healed a wound that was open for most of the 20th century. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the tangible, positive effects of European integration at a very human level. It is a border that is now just a line on a map, a place where history, culture, and daily life flow freely once again.