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By train
The first practical advice on arriving in Cracow at the main station is to beware of pickpockets, like at any main station anywhere in the world. Cracow is no exception, so be careful. There are taxi stands located right outside the station where you will find top class cars and top class prices to go with them. It is generally a better idea to call a taxi and agree on the price before you get in.
By bus
The main bus station is not what you would normally expect on arriving in a city of 800 000 inhabitants. The city authorities have long been promising a new, modern bus terminal. The city is still waiting. It is advisable not to linger here if possible. The station handles international as well as domestic bus connections to Zakopane, Auschwitz and Częstochowa as well as minibuses to Wieliczka and Pieskowa Skała etc. There are also privately run minibuses travelling to the most popular destinations. Groups travelling by bus are advised to park in guarded parking facilities at Wawel, ul. Powiśle, ul. Karmelicka and at hotel Cracovia on al. M. Focha.
By Plane
Balice airport in Cracow, named after Pope John Paul II, is a small pleasant airport, recently completely renovated. Changing money there is not recommended, as there are better rates to be found in the centre. There is a bank, a car rental facility, small shops, a restaurant and a small cafe. The airport is situated about 10 km from Cracow; you can reach the centre by taxi or by buses no. 152 and 208, which run directly between the airport and the centre.
By plane to Krakow from:
Amsterdam with SkyEurope
Barcelona with SkyEurope
Berlin with easyJet
Budapest with malev
Chicago with LOT
Cologne/Bonn with Germanwings
Copenhagen with SAS
Dortmund with easyJet
Frankfurt with LOT
London with SkyEurope easyJet British Airways
Manchester with SkyEurope
Munich with LOT
New York with LOT
Oslo with Norwegian
Prague with CSA Air France
Stuttgart with Germanwings
Tel Aviv with LOT
Vienna with LOT
Zurich with Swiss
By car
When travelling to Cracow from the west, we recommend taking motorway A4. It is the first motorway in Poland and a fee is paid. It is, however, the fastest link with Cracow. To and from the south, the direction of Zakopane and the Tatras, take the E77, which is often only sign-posted as Chyżne. To/from the east, take the E 40, sign-posted as Medyka. This road is also the best route to Wieliczka, 12 km from Cracow. Once in Cracow please note the parking zones A, B and C. Areas A and B are reserved for city residents, property owners and those with special permission. Zone C is paid, and parking tickets (karta postojowa) are available from all kiosks, where you must mark the correct month, day and time, and display them on your windscreen. If your hotel is located in the Old Town, you may travel there by car, but afterwards you are required to park your car in the guarded parking zone C.
