So, you’ve just landed at Balice Airport in Kraków, which is a mere 11 km from the heart of the Old Town. Now you’re probably wondering, how do you reach the city center or the main train station in Krakow? Let me say, you’ve got a bunch of options, and I’m here to walk you through each one.
- You should also read this article: Getting Around Krakow – Your Essential Transportation Handbook
Getting by Train
Your first option is to hop on a train. The line runs from Krakow Airport to Krakow Główny (Central Station) and extends to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia. You can grab tickets for PLN 12 if you’re headed to Krakow Główny or PLN 16 if your final destination is Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia.
Finding a ticket is a breeze, just look for the vending machines in the eastern part of the passenger terminal (level 0), at the cable car station, or even on the train itself. And get this, there’s absolutely no baggage fee. Your journey to Krakow Główny will fly by in just about 20 minutes. Check the schedule at www.malopolskiekoleje.pl.
Opting for the Bus
If you’re not in a rush, taking a bus is another cool way to travel. Buses 252, 208, and even the night bus 902, make several stops in the city center and start from the Dworzec Główny Wschód loop. Your stop will be right in front of the airport passenger terminal.
↳ Make sure to read my guide to the most amazing places to stay in Kraków:
How to Find Best Place to Stay in Krakow Old Town – Your Guide
Agglomeration tickets are required for these buses, a bit pricier than your average city center fare. A regular ticket goes for PLN 4.60, while a discounted one costs PLN 2.30. Just like the train, there’s no baggage fee here. Expect the journey to take about 45 minutes. You can check the schedule at www.mpk.krakow.pl
Taking a Taxi
A taxi ride might be more your style if you prefer a direct and private commute. Krakow Airport provides its own taxi services with fixed rates. The fare to Krakow city center ranges from PLN 69 to PLN 89, regardless of when you travel. The journey time varies between 20 and 40 minutes. More details can be found at www.krktaxi.pl
Booking a Transfer
Finally, if you want a little more customization in your ride, you can book a transfer. This service offers a car or bus ride that’s perfectly suited to the number of people in your party. You can get a ride to anywhere including the Krakow city center for approx. PLN 120.
They are located right at the airport, is your go-to spot for booking. The exact price for your ride will be given at the time you order the service, and it won’t change based on the time or day of the week.
Driving by Car
What about driving? Well, if you’re one who enjoys taking the wheel yourself, you have multiple routes leading you from Balice Airport to Krakow Old Town:
- You could drive through Olszanica, Chełm, and Wola Justowska, using ul. Olszanicka and Królowej Jadwigi streets, and then hit Błonia on al. sulk.
- Another option is to go via Szczyglice and Bronowice using ul. Balicka and Bronowicka streets.
- If you’re okay with motorways, take the A4 to the junction in Bielany, then drive along ul. Prince Józef towards Salwator.
- Or use the A4 motorway to the Kraków-Północ junction, and then road no. 7 through Modlniczka and the Ofiar Katynia roundabout.
Just outside the pasenger terminal, there’s a multi-story car park where you can leave your car for a fee. Here’s a bonus: this is also where you can find car rental offices.
Which Option Should I Choose To Get To Krakow Old Town?
Well, here are the differences between above mentioned options you have.
The Budget-Friendly is a Bus Ride
If you’re all about keeping things on a budget, the public bus is your best bet to travel from the airport to Krakow’s city center. The buses weave through the city center, but keep in mind that during rush hours, travel time may stretch significantly.
- If you also look for budget friendly eataries, then you should definitely read this article: Krakow’s Legendary Milk Bars – Where Students Used to Dine
Quick and Easy – The Train
For those of you who are looking for the fastest way into the city center, the train from Kraków Airport to Kraków Główny is your answer. The Koleje Małopolskie train service runs from the airport to the Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia station, with some trains stopping at Kraków Główny and others continuing towards Wieliczka.
You’ll be zipping from Kraków Główny to the airport in just 17 minutes. A train ticket, as of November 2022, costs PLN 17. You can buy tickets from the conductor or from the vending machine on the train (card payments accepted). You can find the train schedule on the Koleje Małopolskie website that I mentioned above.
Comfort – Taxi, Uber, or Bolt
For convenience, nothing beats a taxi ride.
My Advice: if you're travelling in a group, services like Uber or Bolt might cost as much as (or even less than!) a bus or train ride.
To book an Uber or Bolt, you’ll need to install their respective apps. Icartaxi, another service that offers competitive rates, can be ordered by phone. Krakow Airport also provides its own taxi services through Kraków Airport Taxi, although these might be a pricier.
So there it is. From driving to busing, training, or cabbing, Krakow has you covered. Just pick the mode that fits your preference and budget. Enjoy you stay in Kraków.
- I suggest you also red this article if you plan visiting Auschwitz Memorial: Getting From Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau – The Ultimate Guide
References:
- https://www.busy-krk.pl/lotnisko-balice/
- https://www.shuttledirect.com/pl/lotnisko/krk.html
- https://www.krakowairport.pl/pl/pasazer/transport/dojazd/z-do-krakow-airport/autobus-miejski
