Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ), High Tatras, Slovakia

The Tatra Electric Railway (Tatranská elektrická železnica, TEŽ) is a metre-gauge line of about 35 km that links Poprad with the resorts of the High Tatras. The first section, from Poprad to Starý Smokovec, opened in 1908; the line reached Tatranská Lomnica in 1911 and Štrbské Pleso in 1912. Today the trains are run by Slovak Railways (ZSSK) and are the easiest way to reach the Tatra trailheads without a car.

In Poprad the TEŽ trains leave from their own platforms on the upper level of Poprad-Tatry station. The main junction is Starý Smokovec, where most passengers change: one branch climbs west to Štrbské Pleso, the other runs east to Tatranská Lomnica. Štrbské Pleso can also be reached by the rack railway from Štrba on the main Bratislava–Košice line. In season, the historic Kométa and retro Trojča trams also run as tourist rides.

Key points:

• Journey times: Poprad – Starý Smokovec about 25–30 minutes, Starý Smokovec – Tatranská Lomnica about 15 minutes, Starý Smokovec – Štrbské Pleso about 40 minutes.
• Tickets: 2-hour ticket €2, 24-hour ticket €4 (reduced €1 / €2); validate the ticket when boarding. Sold at ZSSK ticket offices, ticket machines and online.
• Frequency: roughly every hour, more often in the main season.
• Nearby: Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso, Tatranská Lomnica.