Getting to Krakow, Local Transport, Transfers to Krakow
Air
In the last two years, Krakow has well and truly made it's appearance on the budget airline map of Europe. It is now possible to travel to Krakow with a variety of low-cost airlines from an increasing range of European destinations. Book in advance, and the price could be very attractive indeed. Have a look at the following airlines for direct flights to Krakow Balice Airport:
- Ryanair - www.ryanair.com
- Easyjet - www.easyjet.com
- Sky Europe - www.skyeurope.com
- Central Wings - www.centralwings.com
- German Wings - www.germanwings.com
It is also possible to fly into Katowice, which is approximately 90 minutes from Krakow in a shuttle bus. See Wizz Air - www.wizzair.com
You may also consider flights into Warsaw, Wroclaw and Rzeszow, which are all within easy reach of Krakow.
Getting from Balice airport to Krakow's city centre, transfer bus.
From Krakow's Balice Airport, there are several ways to get into the city. A taxi should cost no more than 50 PLN, but it's best to book ahead. Public buses (numbers 192, 208) leave from outside the terminal at regular intervals and head for the city centre - tickets cost 2.50 PLN (plus you will need to buy your bag a ticket if it's large). Buy tickets from the driver, but avoid giving large bills if possible. A private bus service has also recently started services to and from the airport.
Rail, Trains from Krakow
Krakow is well-served by domestic and international rail destinations. The capital of Poland, Warsaw, is about 2 and a half hours away by fast train. Day and overnight trains connect Krakow to cities such as Prague, Berlin and Budapest (all approx 8 hours away), while further afield are Kiev, Bucharest etc.
The main train station and surrounds in Krakow is currently undergoing renovations which will result in the opening of a new shopping centre and train station in Autumn 2006. The Galeria Krakowska development.
Tickets - you can easily research rail connections online at www.pkp.pl - there is an English version of the site. Tickets are available in the main hall of the train station, but English speakers may be frustrated by the language barrier, long queues and poor service. A better option is to buy tickets from the ORBIS travel agency in the Main Market Square - the price is the same, and staff speak English.
Bus
The new central bus station (Dworzec Autobusowy) is located on the first level at ul. Stwosza, at the rear of the train station. Buses serve a wide range of local, regional, national and international destinations.
You may also see many mini buses around the city, which are useful for short trips to towns in the vicinity of Krakow, and have various stops around the city centre.
Getting from Krakow to Zakopane
To get from Krakow to Zakopane is probably easiest by bus, with busses leaving hourly from Krakow central bus station, with journey times of approx 1.5 hours. Simply turn up at the bus station (located next door to the main railway station) and look for the appropriate bus stop advertising Zakopane, pay the driver and off you go. This is a well trodden route, and inexpensive (approx 12 pln or 3 Euros). The busses do get busy during high season however.
Public Transport
f you are staying in an apartment in or close to the old town square, it could be that you will have no need for public transport. Krakow is a city best explored on foot, though there are numerous other ways to see the city.
The tram network comprehensively serves the city and suburbs, and is relatively efficient. Trams start around 5am and finish around 11pm, and are generally on time, if sometimes a little overcrowded. There is also a network of buses running during the same time, as well as throughout the night. Buses also suffer from overcrowding - be sure to keep your valuables safe if this is the case.
Don't forget to validate your ticket immediately on boarding a bus/tram. It is never a pleasant experience to be caught by one of the ticket inspectors, who resemble soccer hooligans and will intimidate in order to get their money. Currently, fines are approximately 100 PLN and most expats have experienced 'the accompanied walk to the ATM' to pay their fine. Tickets can be bought at the kiosks dotted around the city (2.50 PLN for a normal one-way ticket 'prosze bilet normalny') or on the tram/bus for an extra 0.50 PLN.
Sightseeing in Krakow
If you want to see the city in style, it is possible to take a tour of the city in a horse-drawn cart. Though not cheap, it is an experience to remember. Tours leave from the main market square, and cover various routes around the old town, Wawel Castle and Jewish District.
In summer, a fleet of electric golf carts take tourists on a tour of the city. Listen to the audio guide in a range of languages as you are transported around the city learning about it's history and landmarks. Tours start from the main market square. Also in the warmer months, you will also find cycle rickshaws scouting for paying customers in the vicinity of the main market square.
Taxis
As with anywhere in the world, taxi drivers in Krakow, whilst generally honest, are also known for ripping off passengers, particularly foreigners who don't speak any Polish. We recommend not hailing a taxi on the street or from a stand, particularly near the train station. The best thing is to phone (or have someone phone) one of the reputable companies - you won't be ripped off and the taxis are generally newer and cleaner. Some of the best companies include Barbakan (012 9661) and Wawel (012 9666).
Driving in Krakow
Krakow is not the most car-friendly city in the world. If you do drive to Krakow, we recommend leaving your car in a secure place for the duration of your stay and walking or using public transport. Car parks around the city are generally open air and guarded, but are not particularly plentiful and are quite expensive. If you intend to park near the city centre during the day, you will have to find a ticket inspector on the street (they wear yellow bibs) and pay before leaving your vehicle.
