Google Maps Location Approx
Border Countries
🇸🇰 Slovakia ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Hungary
Nearest Cities
🇸🇰 HoÅ¡Å¥ovce, ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Aggtelek
Coordinates
48.50°N, 20.50°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
~1500 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Hungarian
Currency Exchange
Limited near Hošťovce (EUR, HUF)
Connectivity Options
Basic 3G coverage
Accessibility Features
Ramps, assistance
Safety Information
Rural, minimal crime
Emergency Contacts
🇸🇰 112/155 ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º 112/107
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Aggtelek, 🇸🇰 HoÅ¡Å¥ovce
A Gateway to a Subterranean Wonderland
The border crossing connecting the Slovak village of Hosťovce with Aggtelek in Hungary is a journey into a unique and spectacular landscape of limestone caves and karst formations. This is not a major highway but a quiet, local road that serves as the primary gateway to the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, a vast, trans-boundary cave system that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 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 take a seamless passage through a world of dramatic surface landscapes and hidden subterranean treasures, a route defined by its incredible geology.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s KoÅ¡ice Region with Hungary’s Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County. It is a regional road, open 24/7, and used primarily by tourists visiting the national parks and caves on both sides of the border. The former border posts are now abandoned. Traffic flows freely, and the only signs of the border are the standard blue EU signs. The crossing is a vital link for the joint management and promotion of the UNESCO World Heritage site, allowing visitors to easily experience the attractions in both countries.
A History of a Shared Natural Heritage
The history of this crossing is the history of the exploration and conservation of the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst. The region is home to over 1,300 caves, including the Baradla-Domica cave system, which is over 25 kilometers long and crosses the border underground. The caves have been known for centuries and are rich in archaeological finds and unique geological formations. The border, established after World War I, divided this unified geological system. The fall of the Iron Curtain and the accession of both countries to the EU allowed for renewed scientific cooperation and the joint nomination of the site for UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995. The open border is a practical necessity for the effective management of this shared natural treasure.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for travelers. You simply drive through the hilly karst landscape. 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 Hungarian and Slovak police and customs authorities can and do perform random checks on vehicles anywhere in their territory. You are still required to carry a valid passport or national ID card with you at all times. The open border allows tourists to, for example, enter the Domica cave in Slovakia and, on a special tour, cross the border underground to emerge from the Baradla cave in Hungary.
The Surrounding Region: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, the crossing is the gateway to the Slovak Karst National Park. The main attraction is the Domica Cave, which is famous for its stunning dripstone decorations and its underground river Styx, on which visitors can take a boat ride. The park is also home to other spectacular caves, such as the Gombasek Cave and the Krásnohorská Cave, which has one of the tallest stalagmites in the world. The beautiful Krásna Hôrka Castle, though damaged by fire, is another major landmark of the region.
The Surrounding Region: Hungary Side
On the Hungarian side, the crossing is in the heart of the Aggtelek National Park. The village of Aggtelek is the main center for visiting the Baradla Cave, the largest and most spectacular stalactite cave in Hungary, with a huge concert hall that has incredible acoustics. The park offers numerous other caves and a network of hiking and cycling trails through the beautiful karst landscape. The picturesque village of Jósvafő is another popular base for exploring the park.
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. Services are widely available in the tourist centers on both sides of the border. The roads are regional and wind through hilly terrain, so a relaxed driving pace is appropriate.
Final Considerations
The HosÅ¥ovce–Aggtelek border crossing is a journey into a geological wonderland. The seamless Schengen passage has allowed a spectacular trans-boundary UNESCO World Heritage site to be managed and enjoyed as a single entity. It offers a beautiful journey through a region rich in nature and adventure. It is a border that you might not even notice you have crossed, a testament to the success of the Schengen project in promoting the conservation and enjoyment of Europe’s shared natural heritage.