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Cracow
Getting Around
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Cracow - Getting Around

Wawel castle, Cracow © 123rf.com

Public Transport

Cracow is served by a network of bus and tram routes operated by MPK (tel: (012) 19150; www.mpk.krakow.pl) between 0500 and 2300. Local trains serve the outer suburbs.

Bus and tram tickets are cheap, but if a change of vehicle is required, it's better to buy a one-hour ticket. The charge for buses that cross the city limits is higher. Night buses are also available but cost a bit more. Tickets may be purchased at kiosks or retail outlets, or from the driver (although this costs extra) and should be punched in the boxes inside the bus or tram. Additionally, a ticket must be punched for each large piece of luggage (free with a pass).

Passes are available for one, two or three days, or for one month. Students will be offered a reduction on standard prices upon presentation of an ISIC card. Anyone caught without a valid ticket will receive an on-the-spot fine.

Taxis

Taxis are metered and can be found at taxi ranks, which are located in most of the major squares on the perimeter of the Old Town. Alternatively, taxis can be hailed on the street - those with a hail-light and displaying a telephone number and company name usually charge reasonable rates. Others are to be avoided.

It is usually cheapest to order a taxi by telephone. Reputable companies include: Barbakan Taxi (tel: (012) 9661), Express Taxi (tel: 0800 111 111), Lajkonik Taxi (tel: (012) 9628) and Radio Taxi (tel: (012) 9696, 0800 500 919). It is a good idea to check how much the trip will cost before entering the taxi. Rates go up after 2200 and on Sundays. There is no baggage charge. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped unless they provide an extra service.

Driving in the City

The Old Town is closed to traffic, except for access to two guarded car parks on plac Szczepanski (though this might close soon) and plac Sw Ducha. Otherwise, there are only a few car parks in the immediate vicinity. There is one south of ulica Powisle, near Wawel, and another one on ulica Karmelicka. Parking is charged by the hour or per day, but it's often difficult to find a space. Street parking in the area outside the Old Town, known as 'Zone C', requires special tickets (karta postojowa), which you buy from kiosks, mark with the correct date and display on your windscreen. Visitors may be able to get a temporary parking permit from their hotel. Traffic can be heavy and this is exacerbated by narrow streets and trams. Traffic jams regularly occur on the ring road encircling the Planty.

Car Hire

Both Avis, ulica Lubicz 23 (tel: (012) 629 6108; www.avis.com), and Hertz, Hotel Cracovia, aleja Focha 1 (tel: (012) 422 2939; www.hertz.com.pl), have rental offices in the city. Other operators include National, ulica Glowackiego 22 (tel: (012) 636 8630; www.nationalcar.com) and Joka, ulica Starowislna 13 (tel: (012) 429 6630; www.joka.com.pl). Most of the big agencies have a desk at the airport.

To rent a car, drivers must be at least between 21 and 23 years old and have a valid driving licence and International Driving Permit.

Bicycle Hire

Bicycle are available for hire from Eccentric Bike Tours & Rentals, ulica Grodzka 2 (tel: (012) 430 2034) in the Old Town and Dwa Kolo (Two Wheels), ulica Jozefa 5 (tel: (012) 421 5785) in Kazimierz. A passport and a deposit are generally required.
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