Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › Poland › Cracow › Getting around Cracow

Getting around Cracow

Public transport: 

Cracow is served by a network of bus and tram routes operated by MPK (tel: 19150; www.mpk.krakow.pl). 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 in Cracow 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: 19661), Lajkonik Taxi (tel: 19628) and Radio Taxi (tel: 19696). 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: 

The alien sign posts, pedestrianised city centre and confusing parking arrangements make driving in Cracow infuriating at the best of times, expensive at the worst.

The Old Town is closed to traffic, and the only car park in the vicinity can be found at plac Swietego Ducha, which is just within the old city walls and about a two-minute walk to Rynek Glowny. The street parking situation just outside the Old Town is vague at best, so use a car park to avoid fines. If you are bringing a car to Cracow, the least stressful option is to find a hotel that offers parking and leave it there.

Car hire: 

Both Avis (tel: 12 629 6108; www.avis.pl) and Hertz (tel: 12 422 2939; www.hertz.com.pl) have rental offices in the city. Other operators include National (tel: 12 636 8630; www.nationalcar.com) and Joka (tel: 12 429 6630; www.joka.com.pl). Most of the big agencies have a desk at the airport.

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

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling around Cracow isn’t without its dangers; locals drive fast and the tram network gives cyclists something else to think about.

Bicycle are available for hire from Eccentric Bike Tours & Rentals, ulica Grodzka 2 (tel: 12 430 2034; www.eccentric.pl) in the Old Town and Dwa Kolo (Two Wheels), ulica Jozefa 5 (tel: 12 421 5785) in Kazimierz. A passport and a deposit are generally required.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.