So you’ve decided to visit Krakow! Excellent idea. Krakow is a beautiful city, with enough activities to keep you busy. However, it can get tricky dealing with transport in a new city. Let’s help you work out the best way to get around Krakow and fit everything in. We’ve put together this in-depth guide on all things to do with getting around Krakow.
Krakow Public Transport
Krakow is a fairly small city that has a decent public transport system. It consists of an extensive tram system around the city, which is supplemented with many more bus services.
The trams run all day and until 1:00 am on weekends. While the buses run 24/7, but have fewer services late at night. The city is divided into multiple zones, starting from zone 1 in the centre and moving into higher zones as you go out. Most, if not all of the accommodation and main tourist sights around Krakow are in zone 1 & 2. When buying a ticket you will usually only ever need these two.
Tram & Bus Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on most buses, trams and tram stops from automated machines. Some accept cash, card and coins, while others accept only card or only coins. It’s better to have both coins and card available if you can. Alternatively, you can easily purchase tickets through the app Jakdojoda. You will just need to top up your Jakdojade account using your credit card/ PayPal or apple pay. The great thing about this app is it also tells you how to get around the city. Which services to catch and where from. It will automatically tell you which ticket to buy and even alert you if it expires while on your journey. The app is in English, as well as Polish. It also works in all other major cities in Poland.
There are multiple ticket options available to you. The simplest option is the 20 minute, single trip option. You can get almost anywhere in Krakow in 20 minutes. This costs 4.60zl (€1). Make sure you always have a valid ticket (and student card if purchasing a reduced-price ticket). If you buy a paper ticket you need to validate it using the orange ticket boxes on trams and buses. The ticket inspectors are often out in force and are not very forgiving. The ticket machines can also be changed into English to help you.
Walking
The city is a mostly pedestrianised city and cars are not allowed into Krakow Old Town. It is also a fairly small city. The majority of tourist sights are in the Old Town and Jewish Quarter Krakow. All within walking distance of each other. The city is centuries old and became Europe’s first Unesco listed city in 1978.
Exploring at your own pace can be great. However, with so much to fit in, there is a lot you can miss if you don’t have a plan. Therefore one of the best ways to really take in everything is to join the Krakow free walking tour. Free walking tours are very common in many cities. They are a great way to get know your surroundings. They are based on tips only so they are very cost effective. Details on the tours and times can be found here.
Taxis/Ride Sharing
You can get pretty much anywhere in Krakow centre by foot or public transport. However we all know sometimes we’d prefer just to be driven straight to our destination. You will find multiple easily accessible taxi ranks around Krakow’s Old Town, as well as popular ride-sharing apps Uber and Bolt. Ride-sharing options are usually slightly cheaper than regular taxis, but not by too much. The further you go (i.e. the airport), the more a regular taxi is likely to cost. It’s a good idea to get a rough estimate price first, just in case. The benefit of a regular taxi is they are allowed to drive into the Old Town itself. They can access many streets that ride-sharing apps cannot. Whereas Uber or Bolt would have to drop you on the edge of the Old Town leaving you to walk a few minutes. This can be a big difference in choosing what service to take if you are staying in Krakow Old Town.
Quick Tip: When booking a taxi, it’s always better to call ahead and book as it’s cheaper. Some unlicensed taxis can rip people off (for more scams to watch out for click here). You can also book a regular taxi through the app Free Now.
How to get to Krakow from Krakow Airport?
If you fly into Krakow airport (John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport) – you have four main options for getting to Krakow centre. Bus, Train, Taxi, and Uber/Bolt (unless you have pre-booked an airport transfer).
Read ‘how to get from Krakow airport to the City Centre‘ for more detailed information
Krakow Airport Train
The Krakow airport train leaves directly from the airport terminal and ends at Krakow’s main station- Rynek Glowny. The main train station is located just next to Krakow Old Town and the main shopping centre. Very convenient if you’re staying in the Old Town, or getting a connecting tram or bus to your accommodation. Trains are around every half hour (up until late evening) and the journey takes around 25 minutes. Times can be checked on the platform (or from this website).
A single ticket from Krakow airport to Krakow Rynek Glowny (main train station) costs 12zl (€3) and tickets can be purchased on the bus or train itself, or at the airport.
*Occasionally there are maintenance works taking place on the train line, in which case a rail replacement bus, will you take you to and from Krakow airport to the city. Tickets can be bought on the bus itself, but be aware you might need coins.
Krakow Airport Taxis/ Uber
There are airport taxis stationed out the front of Krakow airport. However, these are more expensive than a regular taxi or Uber. If you order an Uber or Bolt from Krakow airport to the Old Town, it will arrive very quickly. The journey will take around 30 minutes for you to reach the city centre. It usually costs around 35-40zl (€8-10). Which, if you are travelling in a group of two or more, is only just more than getting the train; and is a lot more convenient.
Krakow Airport Bus
You can also take a Krakow airport bus to Krakow centre. A single journey costs 12zl and takes around 45 minutes. Services 208 & 252 both operate between the city and the airport, with the 902 service operating through the night.
Katowice Airport
Some flight to Krakow fly into Katowice airport, which is about 90 minutes north-west of Krakow. If you are flying in or out of Katowice Airport, the best option is to get a bus from one of the private dedicated airport transfer companies. There is no quick or direct route via public transport. Flixbus offers tickets from Krakow to Katowice airport for as low as €5 when booked in advance.
Getting around Krakow Centre
When travelling around Krakow there are multiple options available, and we have listed them below with a short description.
Krakow Bike Hire (and scooters)
There are many great Bike Hire companies around the city. Prices are around 50pln for 24 hours hire but vary depending on the kind of bike you want. One of the best places to go to is Cruising Krakow or KRK bike hire, some of the bike rental shops also have electric scooters or Segways available.
Public Scooters
The main scooter-share companies in Krakow are Hive, Lime, Bird, Bolt and Hulaj. You download the app by scanning an available scooter and are then charged per minute. These are pretty fun to ride for a short time, but for a longer journey it can get pretty expensive. Like most other European cities, many of the scooters can end up broken or out of battery. They can also be dangerous when driven irresponsibly. Don’t drink alcohol and drive a scooter- it is a serious offence! If you do find one that works don’t forget you can’t park them anywhere inside the Old Town.
Private Tours of Krakow
If you are looking for a guided tour of the city and don’t want to use any physical effort, i.e.- with a free walking tour, then these options are for you:
Electric Buggies
You can take a guided tour around the city in an enclosed electric golf cart with heating. The great thing about these is they can drive all over the city and are not restricted like normal cars. The negative is they can be expensive. The price should range from 60 to 100pln per person, but you can normally negotiate with the drivers. They can be found Sławkowska street or booked here.
Horse Carriage
An excellent way to enjoy the city and feel like you’re Royalty back in Krakow’s Medieval time. They can also be expensive. They depart from Krakow main square next to St Mary’s Church Krakow. Prices ranges from 200 to 600pln depending on the time of the year and how long you want to ride.
From Krakow to Auschwitz
There are two main options for going from Krakow to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Either as an individual visitor, or with an organised tour operator. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Organised Krakow to Auschwitz Tours
Most visitors to Krakow opt for an organised tour to Auschwitz. These include pick up and transfer from Krakow to Auschwitz. Once there you have guaranteed entry, a guided tour of both Auschwitz and Auschwitz Birkenau II camps. Yu then return back from Auschwitz to Krakow. Prices for these in Krakow are usually around 160-200zl (€35-40).
We personally don’t operate tours to from Krakow to Auschwitz. However your guide on the Krakow free walking tour will be able to recommend the places with the cheapest prices. Alternatively email us at info@citywalkskrakow.com. Tell the name/ DOB of each guest, amount of visitors, the date you would like to attend and the address of your accommodation, and we will do our best to advice you on the best option available to you- which is usually 160zl pp (€35).
A round trip from Krakow to Auschwitz will take around 6-7 hours. 3 hours return travel and a 3 hour tour of both camps.
From Krakow to Auschwitz Individual Visitors
Travelling from Krakow to Auschwitz as an individual visitor will usually work out the most cost effective way. It is a good option for backpackers on a budget. However it can also mean more hassle and often a very early start if travelling by public transport.
Be aware that due to overwhelming interest in visiting the camp, Auschwitz operates a reservation procedure for guests. The only way they can guarantee entry for individual visitors is with a reservation.
Reservations can be made for free through the Auschwitz website. However these get booked up very quickly. If you haven’t reserved and find the spaces are already gone, then best to try an organised tour operator. Reservation is free but this does not include a guided tour. You can pay extra for a guided tour. Read on.
*As of March 2020 Auschwitz are revising their booking process, making it that all visitors have to register either directly through the Auschwitz website, or with an organised tour operator, 48 hours prior to visiting, so for many it will be best to try to arrange your visit prior to arriving in Krakow.
Puiblic Bus from Krakow to Auschwitz
Getting the bus from Krakow to Auschwitz costs about 13pln, each way. The bus stop is a 10 minute walk to the entrance of Auschwitz and the journey takes around two hours. Given that a private transfer travelling directly takes 6-7 hours round trip; travelling by public bus you can expect to add extra time onto that. Also factor in a little waiting time and getting to Krakow main bus terminal.
Once inside Auschwitz, you will also need to take a separate shuttle bus which operates for free between the two camps. For more info check out the visit Auschwitz from Krakow section of this post.
Train from Krakow to Auschwitz
The train is 9pln but a slightly shorter journey time of 1 hour 40 mins. You will need to get a train to the city Oswiecim then walk about 30 minutes to Auschwitz or take a local bus that takes about 5-10 minutes. The train and bus departs from Krakow main station Rynek Główny.
Again this involves taking a separate shuttle bus between the two camps.
Getting From Krakow to the Krakow Salt Mines
The Krakow Salt Mines (Wieliczka) are an extensive, warren of mining corridors dating back as far back as the 13th century. Over the centuries, the chambers have been carved into magnificent works of art including a crystal ballroom. The Krakow salt mines are one of three Unesco World Heritage sites in the area (Krakow Old Town & Auschwitz Concentration camp being the other two). They are well worth a visit if you have the time. A round trip from Krakow including a three hour tour, will take around 4.5 hours.
Much the same as when visiting Auschwitz, visitors can choose a private transfer or a public travel option.
Organised Tour – You can book a tour from Krakow that includes transfers from your accommodation or the Old Town, entry to the mines including a full tour and return journey to Krakow. It means you have a scheduled tour time and won’t have to queue for tickets in the busy summer months.
As with Auschwitz trips above, the free walking tour Krakow guides can help you with this . If you need to, send us an email at info@citywalkskrakow.com with the date you would like to go and we can arrange it. The price is 160pln (£31/35) and includes all entry fees and transfers.
You can also travel by public train or bus. This option will work out a little cheaper, but might take a little longer as you are relying on public transport.
Entry to the Krakow Salt Mine at Wieliczka is what takes up the majority of the cost. Individual entry with a tour in English costs 93zl. It gets very busy in summer. It is advised to book in advance either through an organised tour as mentioned above or through the Krakow Salt mines website if travelling individually.
Train to Krakow Salt Mines
You can take the train from the main train station in Krakow. You need to take a KMŁ train to Wieliczka, and they usually leave once per every half-an-hour, and it takes about 20 minutes to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia. The walk to the salt mine from the station is 500m and can be done via foot. Tickets for this trip cost 3.5pln(€1) and need to be purchased at the train station before entering the train. Entry to the mine is what takes up the most money and entry with a tour in English costs 93zl for.
Bus to Krakow Salt Mines
The most convenient bus to take is line 304. It stops in several places. You can check on the Jakdojoda. page for which is closest stop to your accommodation. The timetable is also here.
Line 304 leaves to Wieliczka at the intervals of 20 minutes, and it takes about 33 minutes from the city to Krakow Salt Mines. The cost of a single ticket is 4.5PLN, The stop to get off at is Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli, and it’s just around the corner from the Krakow salt mine.
Getting to Zakopane
Zakopane is an astounding mountain top city that is worth visiting if you have the time.
Bus Krakow to Zakopane
Trains run at different time from the main train station and times can be viewed here
Train Krakow to Zakopane
There are multiple private bus companies that offer trips to and from Zakopane, and the best place to check and book them is here. Times and price vary depending on the company.
Krakow to other Major Polish and European cities
Krakow has a great connection to many other European cities as it has one international airport and close to Katowice international airport. The central train station also takes international trains. You can also use blah blah car to get to most cities.
If you would like to find out more and really get to know the city, book on to one of our many Krakow tours.
