Arriving at Krakow airport
Krakow airport also known as John Paul II airport is the second busiest in the country after Warsaw, however, in terms of tourist numbers then Krakow airport is probably the most popular.
The airport was previously known as Balice and was once a military base but with the fall of communism and the growth of cheap flights to Poland then the airport has developed over the years to become one of the main international transport hubs in Poland.
John Paul II airport is located only 7 miles away from Krakow’s tourist centre which makes Krakow airport transfers to the city centre very easy.
There are several ways to get from Krakow airport to the city centre.
1/ Taxis from Krakow airport to city centre
A quick search on Google will result in dozens of companies who will pre-book a taxi for you. Typical prices for a pre-booked taxi are around 79-89 PLN or approximately £ 15.
There is the option to catch a taxi from the taxi ranks outside the airport and they generally charge the same as a pre-booked taxi.
It is always recommended to write down the name of your hotel and the address and show it to the driver asking him how much will he charge.
2/ Buses from Krakow airport to the city centre
The airport is served by two different bus lines which will take you to the city centre, the 208 and 292. There is also a nightly bus that operates between the hours of 11:20pm and 4:50am and runs every hour.
Tickets cost 4 PLN for a single and can be purchased from within the terminal or on the bus itself. If you are travelling with a large piece of luggage (bigger than a standard sized back pack) then you will be required to purchase a separate ticket for the luggage.
Don’t forget to stamp your ticket as soon as you board the bus as failing to do this can result in a fine if caught.
Journey time to the city centre is approximately 30 minutes
3/ Trains from the airport
The train is possibly one of the more popular methods of transfer from Krakow airport to the city centre.
Tickets cost 8 PLN to the main train station in Krakow with no charge for additional luggage. Journey time to the city centre is approximately 18 minutes.
The train stop is opposite the main terminal.
Further information can be found at John Paul II airport’s website.