Google Maps Location Approx
Border Countries
🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇵🇱 Poland
Nearest Cities
🇸🇰 Trstená, 🇵🇱 Chyżne
Coordinates
49.35°N, 19.60°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
~7000 travelers/vehicles
Languages Spoken
Slovak/Polish
Currency Exchange
Available near Trstená (EUR, PLN)
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi at checkpoints, 4G/5G
Accessibility Features
Ramps, elevators
Safety Information
Busy, minimal crime
Emergency Contacts
🇸🇰 112/155 🇵🇱 112/997
Google Maps Location Approx
Country Information
About 🇵🇱 Chyżne, 🇸🇰 Trstená
The Main Orava-Podhale Crossing
The border crossing connecting the Slovak town of Trstená with Chyżne in Poland is the main international gateway for the Orava region. This is a major 24/7 highway checkpoint, a critical north-south corridor that links central Slovakia with the major Polish city of Kraków. Since both Slovakia and Poland are members of the European Union and the Schengen Area, there are no permanent border controls. To cross here is to travel a route that has been a major trade and communication artery for centuries, a seamless passage through a landscape of rolling hills, vast reservoirs, and historic castles. It is a workhorse of a border, a place of constant motion and economic importance, where the former checkpoint buildings stand as monuments to a more divided past.
Operational Details
This checkpoint connects Slovakia’s Žilina Region with Poland’s Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is a massive, multi-lane highway crossing (E77) that runs through a wide, open valley at the foot of the Orava Beskids. The former border posts are now largely abandoned or repurposed as service stations and customs offices for freight. Traffic flows freely, and the only signs of the border are the standard blue EU signs. The route is extremely popular with tourists and is the primary route for heavy freight traffic moving between Poland and Hungary via Slovakia, making it one of the busiest non-motorway crossings in the region. The sheer volume of trucks can sometimes create a slow-moving convoy that passenger cars must navigate.
A History of a Trade Route and a Contested Land
The history of this crossing is the history of the Orava region, a historic county of the Kingdom of Hungary. The route has been an important part of the “Amber Road” and other medieval trade routes, connecting the Baltic Sea with the Mediterranean. The magnificent Orava Castle, which dominates the region, was built in the 13th century on a high rock to protect this vital route and collect tolls. After World War I, the new border between Poland and Czechoslovakia was the subject of a bitter dispute, with both countries laying claim to parts of the Orava region based on historical and ethnographic arguments. The final border, arbitrated by the international community in 1924, divided the region, leaving some traditionally Polish-speaking villages on the Slovak side and vice-versa. The Schengen agreement has effectively erased this once-contested line for travelers, allowing the Orava and Polish Podhale regions to function as a single, integrated economic and tourist space once again.
The Seamless Border Procedure
Today, there is no border procedure for travelers. You simply drive across the flat plain that marks the watershed between the Baltic and Black Seas. 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 Polish 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. The crossing is notorious for its heavy truck traffic, which can sometimes slow the flow of passenger cars, but the passage itself is without formal stops.
The Surrounding Region: Slovakia Side
On the Slovak side, the crossing is in the Orava region. The nearby town of Trstená has a historic town center. The main attraction of the region is the magnificent Orava Castle, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop over the Orava River. It is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Slovakia and a popular filming location for movies, including the classic 1922 vampire film “Nosferatu.” The Orava Reservoir is a huge artificial lake, popular for water sports in the summer. The region is also known for its traditional wooden villages and the excellent open-air Museum of the Orava Village at Zuberec, which showcases the traditional folk architecture and way of life of the region.
The Surrounding Region: Poland Side
On the Polish side, the crossing is in the Podhale region. The village of Chyżne is a border settlement that has grown significantly due to cross-border trade. The crossing is a gateway to the Polish city of Kraków, one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities, with its vast market square, Wawel Castle, and the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. The route also provides access to the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of somber remembrance. The popular tourist town of Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains is also accessible from this crossing, as is the beautiful Lake Czorsztyn with its two castles.
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 Poland use an electronic vignette system, which must be purchased online in advance. The official currencies are the Euro (EUR) in Slovakia and the Polish Złoty (PLN) in Poland. Large service stations, restaurants, and currency exchange offices are available on both sides of the former border, catering to the high volume of traffic. The road is a major highway and is well-maintained, but be prepared for a high volume of truck traffic and potential slowdowns.
Final Considerations
The Trstená–Chyżne border crossing is a major economic and tourist artery. The abandoned checkpoint buildings are a reminder of a divided past, while the free-flowing traffic is a celebration of the present. It offers a fast and efficient journey through a region rich in history, from the magnificent Orava Castle to the royal city of Kraków. It is a border that you might not even notice you have crossed, a testament to the success of the Schengen project on one of Central Europe’s most important historical trade routes, a place where history and commerce flow as freely as the traffic on the road.