Krakow Transport Guide

Krakow Transport Guide

Walking, trams, buses, Bolt/Uber, taxis, and trains — how to get around Krakow safely, efficiently, and affordably

Getting around Krakow is refreshingly simple. The city's compact centre means walking is the primary mode of transport for most visitors — the entire Old Town is pedestrianised and most sights are within a 20-minute stroll. For trips beyond walking distance, trams are frequent, cheap, and cover the entire city. Bolt and Uber provide convenient backup for late nights and rainy days. And trains connect you to the airport in just 18 minutes.

The key rule: most of central Krakow is walkable. Save transport for trips to Nowa Huta, the airport, Wieliczka, or when the weather turns. Your feet are your best transport in this beautifully compact city.

Transport Options

Walking

RecommendedFree

Central Krakow is remarkably compact and walkable. The entire Old Town is pedestrianised with no car traffic. You can walk from the Barbican at the north end to Wawel Castle at the south in about 15 minutes. Kazimierz is a further 10-15 minutes. Podgorze is 10 minutes across the bridge from Kazimierz. Most visitors never need transport within the centre.

Pros

  • + Completely free
  • + Old Town is pedestrianised — no car danger
  • + Best way to discover hidden courtyards and streets
  • + Most sights are within walking distance
  • + Good exercise on the cobblestones

Cons

  • - Cobblestones can be tiring — wear comfortable shoes
  • - Not practical for trips to Nowa Huta or the airport
  • - Cold and slippery in winter
  • - Some hills around Wawel and Krakus Mound

Tip: Bring comfortable walking shoes with good grip — cobblestones are uneven and can be slippery when wet. In winter, consider shoes with ankle support for icy conditions. The Planty Park ring offers a pleasant car-free walking route around the entire Old Town.

Trams

Recommended3.40 zl (20 min) / 5.20 zl (50 min)

Krakow's tram network is extensive, efficient, and the most useful public transport for tourists. Trams run frequently (every 5-10 minutes) and cover all major areas of the city. Key tourist routes include lines to Kazimierz, Podgorze, Nowa Huta, and the train station. Most trams are modern and air-conditioned. Night trams run on reduced schedules.

Pros

  • + Frequent service — every 5-10 minutes
  • + Extensive network covering all major areas
  • + Very affordable — 3.40-5.20 zl per ride
  • + Modern, clean trams with air conditioning
  • + Day passes available for unlimited travel

Cons

  • - Can be crowded during morning and evening rush
  • - Tickets must be validated — fines are 300 zl
  • - Reduced frequency late at night
  • - Some routes affected by roadworks or events

Tip: Buy tickets from machines at stops (card accepted) or via the mKKM or Jakdojade app. Always validate by holding your ticket to the yellow machine when boarding. A 24-hour pass (17 zl) is worthwhile if taking 4+ rides. Tram 50 is the express line to the airport from the main station.

Buses

Good Option3.40 zl (20 min) / 5.20 zl (50 min)

Krakow's bus network complements the trams, covering areas that trams do not reach. The same tickets work on both trams and buses. Buses are particularly useful for reaching the Wieliczka Salt Mine (bus 304), Nowa Huta, and suburban areas. Night buses operate after regular tram service ends.

Pros

  • + Same ticket system as trams — convenient
  • + Cover areas trams don't reach
  • + Bus 304 goes directly to Wieliczka Salt Mine
  • + Night buses available when trams stop
  • + Many routes pass through the centre

Cons

  • - Slower than trams due to traffic
  • - Less frequent than trams on most routes
  • - Can be confusing for first-time visitors
  • - Some buses are older and less comfortable

Tip: Bus 304 from Krakow Glowny station goes directly to Wieliczka Salt Mine (5.20 zl, 30-40 minutes). Night buses (prefix N) run from midnight to 5 AM on key routes. Use Google Maps or Jakdojade app for real-time bus tracking and route planning.

Bolt / Uber

Good Option10-30 zl for typical rides

Both Bolt and Uber operate throughout Krakow and offer convenient, affordable transportation. Bolt is generally slightly cheaper than Uber in Krakow. Both apps show estimated fares before booking. Particularly useful for airport transfers, late-night travel, and rainy days when you do not want to wait for trams.

Pros

  • + Convenient app-based booking
  • + Transparent pricing — see fare before booking
  • + Available 24/7 across the city
  • + Air-conditioned vehicles
  • + GPS tracking for safety
  • + No cash needed — pay via app

Cons

  • - Surge pricing during peak times and events
  • - Not as cheap as public transport
  • - May have longer wait times late at night
  • - Some Old Town streets are restricted — pick-up points limited

Tip: Download both Bolt and Uber — compare prices as they vary. Bolt is typically 10-20% cheaper. For airport trips, compare app prices with the train (19 zl) — the taxi may not be worth the premium. Set pick-up points on main roads as many Old Town streets restrict vehicle access.

Licensed Taxis

Available8 zl base + 3-4 zl/km

Licensed taxis are available throughout Krakow, recognisable by their illuminated roof signs and company branding. They run on meters. While more expensive than Bolt/Uber, they are useful when you do not have data or phone charge. Avoid unmarked taxis, especially around the train station and airport, which may significantly overcharge.

Pros

  • + Available without an app or data
  • + Can be hailed on the street
  • + Metered pricing
  • + Available at taxi ranks throughout the city
  • + No surge pricing

Cons

  • - More expensive than Bolt/Uber by 20-40%
  • - Unmarked taxis may overcharge tourists
  • - Some drivers take longer routes
  • - Cash preferred — cards not always accepted

Tip: Only use taxis with company branding, roof signs, and visible meters. Reputable companies include Radio Taxi 919, Mega Taxi, and Barbakan Taxi. Agree on approximate fare before long trips. Keep small bills — drivers sometimes claim to have no change. Airport taxis should cost 70-100 zl to the centre.

Train (Airport & Day Trips)

Good Option15-60 zl depending on destination

Krakow Glowny (main station) connects to the airport (19 zl, 18 minutes), Wieliczka (5-10 zl, 25 minutes), and major Polish cities. Trains to the airport run every 30 minutes and are the fastest, cheapest way to reach the terminal. For day trips, trains to Auschwitz/Oswiecim (15-25 zl, 1.5-2 hours) run several times daily.

Pros

  • + Airport train is fastest option (18 minutes)
  • + Very affordable — 19 zl to the airport
  • + Comfortable and reliable
  • + Connects to day trip destinations
  • + Krakow Glowny station is centrally located

Cons

  • - Airport trains run every 30 minutes — not as frequent as trams
  • - Limited routes within the city itself
  • - Can be crowded during commuter hours
  • - Some day trip connections require early departure

Tip: Buy airport train tickets at the station or via the Koleo or PKP Intercity apps. The airport train departs from platform 1 at Krakow Glowny. Allow 15 minutes to navigate the station. For Auschwitz, the bus from the main bus station (MDA) is often more convenient than the train to Oswiecim.

Price Comparison Table

RouteTramTrainBusBolt/Uber
Airport to Old TownN/A19 zl5 zl50-80 zl
Old Town to Kazimierz3.40 zlN/A3.40 zl10-15 zl
Old Town to Nowa Huta5.20 zlN/A5.20 zl25-35 zl
Old Town to WieliczkaN/A5-10 zl5.20 zl40-60 zl
Station to Wawel Castle3.40 zlN/A3.40 zl10-18 zl

All prices approximate. Bolt/Uber prices vary with demand and time of day. Tram/bus prices shown are for single 20-minute or 50-minute tickets depending on journey length.

Ticket Validation Warning

Always Validate Your Ticket

Krakow has active ticket inspectors on trams and buses. They board randomly and check every passenger. An unvalidated ticket results in a 300 zl fine — no exceptions for tourists.

  • Validate paper tickets in the yellow machine when you board
  • Mobile tickets via mKKM or Jakdojade app activate automatically
  • The Krakow Card includes transport — no separate validation needed
  • Inspectors carry ID and can issue fines on the spot

Tourist tip: If you are unsure about tickets, download the mKKM app and buy tickets digitally. The app validates automatically when you activate the ticket, eliminating confusion with the physical machines. Works with international credit cards.

Krakow Transport FAQs

Walking is the best way to explore central Krakow — the Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgorze are all within walking distance. For longer trips, trams are the most efficient and frequent public transport option, running every 5-10 minutes. Bolt and Uber are convenient for late-night travel or rainy days. The combination of walking for the centre and trams for wider areas works perfectly for tourists.
Buy tickets from machines at tram/bus stops (card or cash), from the driver (exact change only, slightly more expensive), or via the Jakdojade or mKKM mobile app. Single tickets cost 3.40-5.20 zl depending on duration. Validate your ticket in the yellow machine on board — inspectors are active and fines are 300 zl for unvalidated tickets. Day passes (17 zl) are good value if using trams 4+ times.
Very much so. The entire Old Town is pedestrianised and compact — you can walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes. Kazimierz is a 10-15 minute walk from the Main Square. Podgorze is a further 10 minutes across the bridge. Wawel Castle, the Main Square, and most restaurants are all reachable on foot from central accommodation. Comfortable shoes are essential on the cobblestones.
Bolt and Uber rides typically cost 10-30 zl for most journeys within the city. A ride from the Old Town to Nowa Huta costs about 25-35 zl. From the airport to the Old Town costs 50-80 zl. Regular taxis are more expensive — insist on the meter and look for licensed cabs. Bolt is generally 10-20% cheaper than Uber in Krakow.
The Krakow Card (2 days: 130 zl, 3 days: 160 zl) includes unlimited public transport and free entry to 40+ museums. If you plan to visit 3+ paid museums and use trams regularly, the card pays for itself. If you mainly walk and visit free attractions, it is not worth it. The transport-only version (Krakow Travel Card) costs about 50 zl for 72 hours.

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