Landed in Košice and not sure what happens next? After stepping off the aircraft, you’ll take a short walk across the apron, possibly clear passport control (only on flights arriving from outside the Schengen Area), collect your luggage, and finally reach the arrivals hall with several options for continuing your journey into town. The whole process at Košice Airport (KSC) is simple, well organised and quick — this guide walks you through it step by step, purely from the perspective of an arriving passenger, not a departing one.
After landing: on foot across the apron to the terminal
Košice Airport doesn’t use jet bridges, so once the aircraft parks on its stand, passengers disembark via mobile stairs straight onto the apron. From there you’ll walk to the terminal building, or, if your stand is further away, be taken by a shuttle bus. This is standard practice at smaller regional airports and doesn’t take long — expect a few minutes of walking in the open air. If the weather looks unfriendly, it’s worth keeping a jacket, umbrella or warmer layer within easy reach in your hand luggage rather than buried deep in your checked bag. Passengers with reduced mobility are assisted by airport staff from the moment they leave the aircraft.
Passport control on arrival — when it applies, when it doesn’t
Whether you’ll pass through passport control after landing depends on where your flight came from. Slovakia belongs to the Schengen Area, and since Switzerland is also part of Schengen even though it isn’t an EU member, flights from Schengen countries — for example Vienna, Warsaw, Prague or Zurich — arrive without any border check. Passengers simply head straight to baggage claim without stopping. You can check the exact list of currently operated routes in the flight schedule and see all destinations on a dedicated page.
The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is neither an EU nor a Schengen member, and while Ireland is an EU member, it sits outside the Schengen Area. Flights from London, Liverpool or Dublin are therefore subject to full border control on arrival in Košice. Citizens of Slovakia and other EU or Schengen countries go through the standard document check here, but they are not registered in the EES (Entry/Exit System) — that system applies only to third-country nationals who aren’t citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and don’t hold a residence permit. So if you’re travelling on a Slovak ID card or passport, EES doesn’t concern you directly and the check proceeds just as before. Travellers from third countries should expect that, on their first entry into the Schengen Area, border guards will take their biometric data — fingerprints and a facial photograph — so the check may take a little longer, especially if several flights land at once. Since the rules and technical details of EES are still being fine-tuned, it’s worth checking the official European Union websites before you travel for the latest status and any exceptions.
Baggage claim and what to do if your suitcase doesn’t turn up
Once you’re through border control — or straight away if there wasn’t one — the next stop is the baggage carousel in the arrivals hall. Screens in the hall usually show which belt serves your flight, or airport staff can point you in the right direction. If your luggage fails to appear, don’t leave the airport before sorting it out: go straight to the handling company’s desk and report the loss by filing a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Without this report, made on the spot, any later claim becomes considerably more complicated and time-consuming.
Customs control when returning from outside the EU
If you’re flying in from a country outside the European Union, baggage claim is followed by customs control. As at other airports, you choose between the green channel — “nothing to declare” — and the red channel for goods subject to customs or tax procedures. The exact quantity and value limits for goods, alcohol or tobacco change over time, so it’s best to check them directly on the website of the Slovak Financial Administration before you travel, to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the spot.
Arrivals hall and leaving the airport
Family members and drivers typically wait in the arrivals hall. Right in front of the terminal there’s a kiss & fly zone for quick drop-offs or pick-ups, and a little further on, standard parking for longer stays. Taxis and the partner service Bolt have their own stands right by the terminal exit, including a booking kiosk for passengers without a phone or a working data connection. If you prefer public transport, bus route 23 runs from outside the airport to the main train station and the centre of Košice. All the options are summarised on the transport to the airport page, and you’ll find answers to the most common questions in the FAQ section.
Practical tips to finish
The whole process from landing to stepping out of the terminal at Košice Airport usually takes just a few dozen minutes — mainly depending on whether your flight is subject to border control, how many aircraft land at the same time, and how quickly the luggage is unloaded. It’s therefore worth keeping your ID or, where relevant, your customs declaration within reach while still on board, rather than digging for it in your checked luggage right before the check. If you’re arriving late in the evening, bear in mind that some additional services in the hall, such as the information desk or currency exchange, may have limited hours at that time — taxis and Bolt, however, keep running even late at night. A detailed overview of current arrivals is available on the arrivals and departures page. If you’re travelling with small children or a pet, keep in mind that walking across the apron and waiting at the baggage carousel can be more demanding for them than for an adult passenger — it’s worth having a snack, a drink or a favourite toy ready in your hand luggage. It’s also good to know in advance exactly where the person picking you up will be waiting, since only passengers and accompanying staff are allowed directly into the arrivals hall.
Cheap flights from Košice
Direct routes from Košice Airport with current fares. Prices are indicative – the cheapest one-way fare as of 11. 10. 2026.
LondonRyanairfrom €16View offer
LiverpoolRyanairfrom €18View offerLondonWizz Air UKfrom €22View offer
BratislavaWizz Airfrom €23View offerRomeWizz Air Maltafrom €26View offer
DublinRyanairfrom €34View offerLinks lead to our partner Pelikan.sk. Booking through them supports this website.