By plane
The easiest way to reach Kraków is by air. The local airport is called John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice
and is located near Kraków, in the village of Balice, 11 km (6.8 mi) from the city centre.
At the airport there are: currency exchange offices, a cash machine and a car rental agency.
From the Kraków Airport you can reach the town by:
» city bus (price 3.40 PLN, i.e. about 1 EUR) from the bus stop near the International Terminal T1 to the Main Railway Station/Bus Station, Agglomeration Bus Lines: 208, 292 or 902 (night bus); see bus timetable and agglomeration ticket prices.
Bus tickets can be purchased from:
- the bus driver,
- the RELAY newsagent's shop - T1 international terminal, mezzanine,
- the ticket machine at the bus stop,
- ticket vending machines that can be found on 292 line buses.
» train (a one-way ticket costs 19 PLN, i.e. about 4.5 EUR) from Balice to Kraków Główny; see train timetable. You can also use a free Airport Shuttle Bus to get from the International Terminal T1 to Railway Station Balice; see shuttle bus timetable.
Train tickets can be purchased:
- on a train, from a train attendant
- on a train, from an automated cashier
- in terminal T1 (from the automated cashier located near the centre exit)
- at Kraków Main Train Station (at ticket counters or from the automated cashier located
at Platform #1)
» taxi TAXI Kraków 19191 is the official partner of John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice.
The taxi fare for a ride from the airport to the city centre is approximately 70 PLN (i.e. about 18 EUR) from 6 am to 10 pm; or 100 PLN (i.e. about 25 EUR ) from 10 pm to 6 am and on Sundays and holidays. You can pay by credit card and, in most of the taxies, also by electronic card. So, before entering a taxi, first ask about the payment methods.
There are several taxi companies operating in Kraków. They can be identified by the company names and phone numbers (such as 19***) marked on the vehicles.
By train
The Central Railway Station and Kraków's regional coach station are situated in the city centre, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Main Square. The train timetable is available here and the bus timetable - here.
By car
Car access to the Centre of Kraków is restricted and parking is paid and difficult. It may be convenient to stay at one of the hotels in the outer parts of the city. In any case, it is recommended to enquire about parking options at the hotel.
How to get to the Hostel Olimp and Hotel Novotel Kraków Bronowice
From the bus and train station:
» by tram: 4, 13, 14, 20, 24 (through the underpass); get off at the 8th
tram stop "Głowackiego" and reach the second large parallel street Armii
Krajowej/Nawojki (a 10-minute walk);
» by bus:
208 - from the bus stop "Dworzec Główny Wschód" at the bus station:
get off at the 8th bus stop "Miasteczko Studenckie AGH"; the hostel is
across the street;
501 - from the bus stop "Politechnika": get off at the 4th bus stop
"Miasteczko Studenckie AGH"; the hostel is across the street.
To get to the Hotel Novotel Kraków Bronowice (11 Armii Krajowej St.) take the same trains/buses and get off at the next bus stop.
From A4 highway:
» by car: when driving from Katowice and after passing toll booths take a direction towards Kraków North (Kraków Północ); turn right at Ofiar Katynia Roundabout on the ground level; the hotel is located 2,5 km on the right (the third traffic lights), while the Hostel Olimp is situated 700 metres further. When driving from Warsaw follow the road towards Katowice (Opolska St., then Conrada St.); turn left on the ground level of Ofiar Katynia Roundabout and follow the directions as given above.