Cracow » Getting to Cracow
By air By rail By bus By car
By air
Cracow has its own (small) airport, appropriately named after the Pope, John Paul II, who was born near the city. Almost all the major airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa fly to Cracow with the budget airlines appearing in greater and greater numbers (Sky Europe, EasyJet, Ryanair, Central Wings and Germanwings to name just to name a few!). A number of routes also land at nearby Katowice, such as the ones offered by Wizzair from London, Paris and Barcelona. If you're flying during the winter, be prepared for frequent delays due to fog or ice, or the occasional impromptu diversion to Katowice. Once you've arrived at Cracow Balice you shouldn't have any trouble continuing your journey. Taxis are still relatively cheap in Poland and you can book one online or grab one from the rank for around 70PLN into town. Alternatively hike 200 metres (or grab the free shuttle bus) to the airport's small train platform and take advantage of the fast and cheap shuttle service to Cracow's central station. Tickets are 8PLN and the service runs about every 35 minutes taking 15 minutes to get there.
By rail
The main station is in walking distance of the city centre, so you may be tempted to go all Dr. Zhivago and come by rail. However, the romance will soon wear off once the reality of the Polish rail system sets in, and you find yourself travelling at walking pace. Prepare for a five hour journey from Wroclaw, seven hours from Poznan and eleven hours or more from Gdansk. The express between Cracow and Warsaw is the exception with modern intercity trains taking about three hours to complete the 300 kilometres distance. Find precise details by checking out the timetables courtesy of the Polish Rail Network (PKP). Just remember to use the Polish spellings (ie. Krakow for Cracow, Warszawa for Warsaw). Backpackers will be interested to know that there are also overnight trains to and from Prague and Budapest.
By bus
You may not be over-endeared of the thought of 24 hours in a bus from London to Cracow for example, but it is actually not too bad - no smoking is allowed aboard the comfortable buses, and Poles, as ever, are impeccably behaved. Watch the landmass of Europe slip past, as you are treated to Hollywood movies dubbed into Polish. For around Ł60 (USD 100) return to London, it can't be beaten price-wise. Internal trips, on the other hand, are normally aboard old buses with a distinctly retro feel. Ok in small doses.
By car
Only for the intrepid. Poland has the highest accident rate in Europe, so only travel by car if you know what you are doing. You will need an international certificate of insurance cover, and possibly proof of exhaust emission control on your car. Spot checks on vehicles by grim-faced police are common, and if you plan to stay in central Cracow, remember that much of it is pedestrianised, or has prohibitive parking restrictions.
