Slovakia is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so if you’re flying to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days, you don’t need a traditional visa. Instead, you need to arrange an approved ESTA in advance. There’s also no direct flight to the US from Košice, so the journey has to be pieced together via one of the network hubs served by the three airlines operating out of KSC. This article covers both sides of the trip – how to apply for ESTA correctly and safely, and how a connection from Košice to the USA actually works in practice.
What is ESTA and who needs it
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including Slovakia. You need it whenever you travel to the USA for tourism, a visit, or a short business trip without a traditional visa. It’s important to understand that ESTA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry into the country – it’s only a preliminary authorization to board a flight to the USA. The final decision on entry is made by a border officer at passport control on arrival.
How to apply for ESTA step by step
Applications are submitted exclusively through the official ESTA form. It’s the only place where the application is processed directly by the US government. Various intermediaries and agencies offering to “arrange ESTA” for an extra fee do not act on behalf of the US government, and their services are not necessary.
- Open the official form and fill in your details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Enter your contact information and employment details, and answer the security questions.
- Check all the details before submitting – mistakes can lead to rejection or delays.
- Pay the fee directly on the official website.
- Wait for the result, which you can also check later using your application number and passport details.
Fee, validity and when to apply
As of September 30, 2025, the ESTA processing fee increased from the original 21 USD to 40 USD. An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries into the USA during that time. However, a single stay under the Visa Waiver Program can last no longer than 90 days. ESTA is tied to a specific passport – if you get a new passport, you’ll need a new ESTA as well, even if the old one is technically still valid.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends applying for ESTA as soon as you’ve planned your trip, and no later than 72 hours before departure. If you apply on the day of departure, you risk the approval not arriving in time and missing your flight.
From Košice to the USA: network carriers and hubs
Since there are no direct flights to the USA from Košice, you’ll need to connect through one of the network hubs. It’s always worth checking the specific routes and departure times in the current flight schedule and the arrivals and departures overview. In the summer 2026 schedule, which brought a record 12 scheduled routes to Košice Airport, three main connections towards the USA are in operation:
- Austrian Airlines via Vienna – 13 flights a week, connecting onward to New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Montreal in Canada (note that for Canada you’ll need a Canadian eTA instead of ESTA).
- LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw – 6 flights a week, with connections to Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Miami and Los Angeles; from May 2026 a seasonal San Francisco route has also been added.
- SWISS via Zurich – 4 flights a week, with connections to New York, Boston (route launched in January 2026), Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington.
You’ll find a full overview of possible destinations from Košice in the destinations section. Which hub to choose mainly depends on your final destination city in the USA and how well the connection times suit you.
Connections, baggage and immigration control
When booking a connecting flight, it’s worth buying it as a single reservation, i.e. one ticket covering both legs. This usually allows your baggage to be checked all the way through to your final US destination, and the carrier takes responsibility for the connection. If you buy separate tickets for each leg, your baggage transfer is at your own risk, and you’ll have to handle any delay of the first flight yourself.
Allow yourself enough time at the connecting airport – especially if you’re changing terminals or if this is your first flight to the USA. It’s important to know that you go through immigration control only at the first airport in the USA, not before. That’s usually also where you collect your baggage, and if you’re continuing on to another flight, you check it in again. Factor this into your connection time when planning.
What to check before departing from Košice
Before your trip, check that your passport’s validity meets both the US entry requirements and the length of your planned trip. You don’t need to have your ESTA approval printed out or saved on your phone, but it’s a good idea – it makes any check at check-in easier. To help you get to the airport with enough time to spare, see the options in the transport to the airport section, or information on parking at the terminal. If you’re curious how connections from Košice work in general, not just to the USA, you can read more in the article on connecting flights from Košice via European hubs.
In short, travelling to the USA from Košice today comes down to two things: arranging your ESTA exclusively through the official website and well in advance, and planning your connection via Vienna, Warsaw or Zurich with enough buffer for immigration control and possibly rechecking your baggage. With a bit of planning, it’s a trip you can manage from Košice without unnecessary stress.
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.