Krakow Travel Destination

Being among the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow is a much loved travel destination for visitors from across the globe. The city lies on the banks of the Vistula River, is filled with beautiful monuments and has a unique atmosphere that makes it attractive to visit.

Choosing an Appropriate Travel Time

The city experiences cold winters with a lot of snow, which adds extra appeal for those who love winter sports. The summer is humid with temperatures going up to 30˚C. In May/June, the city holds the Krakow Film Festival where documentaries and short films are showcased. The Jewish cultural festival is held at the end of June or at the start of July, with the Jazz festival being held in August. An electronic music festival - Unsound - takes place in October. The best travel time for entertainment would therefore be between May and October.

Basic information before getting to Krakow

The city is small and well organised making parking space very hard to find in the city centre. The cost of living in Poland is a little lower than that in the United Kingdom. The town has many eateries that provide high quality food and services. Budget food in restaurants will be approximately 35 zloty per dish and drinking water costs about 2 PLN.

Local Krakow transport system

Krakow airport is located approximately 12 km west of the inner city making it easily accessible for those arriving by plane. The train ride costs about 20 PLN from the airport to the central train station and takes in the region of 20 minutes. Buses from airport to the main train station in the city centre cost about 4 PLN one way. Alternatively, the airport bus, which is privately operated, charges around 10 PLN and leaves once an hour. Taxis from the airport charge about 90 PLN and accept payment with cards.

Within Krakow, bus and tram tickets with 20 minutes validity cost about 2.80 PLN, with day passes costing approximately 15 PLN. Bike hire for 24 hours costs about 40 zl. However, the city centre is small enough to walk around. Hiring a taxi costs about 25 zl for a distance of 8 km.

Krakow accommodation

Accommodation is plentiful in hotels across the old town with price ranges to suit all budgets. Good hostels are available in the quiet area of Kazimierz at pocket-friendly prices from around 40-60 zl. The mid-price for hotel accommodation is approximately 250 zl per person per night. Some typical foods in this popular European travel destination are beetroot soup and pierogi (filled dumplings). A popular street food is grilled baguette.