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By air
You can fly into Cracow's Balice Airport, but that's about as close as you're going to get to Zakopane by plane. Like most Alpine resorts, get ready for a bus or car journey into the mountains, in Zakopane's case along not particularly well-maintained roads. The good news is that buses leave regularly from Cracow's main station and take as little as two hours to get here, despite the odd pothole.
By rail
Trains do manage to wind their way up from the valley and into Zakopane, but the journey from Cracow can take quite a long time. Grab a car or bus from Cracow instead and save yourself the hassle.
By bus
Bus is by far your best bet for getting up to Zakopane. Two private lines and one PKS all leave from the main bus station (dworzec autobusowy) at regular intervals. If you’re going at any civilised time of the day you will probably have to wait no longer than an hour for your next carriage. What’s more they are dirt cheap - it will only cost you around 15 zloty for the two-hour trip from Cracow. If you’re in a hurry you can even buy your ticket from the driver. That said advance tickets are advised in season, and there may be the odd jam on the roads.
By car
Poland has the highest road accident rate in Europe, so think twice before deciding to take the car. You will need an international certificate of insurance cover, and possibly proof of exhaust emission control on your car. Spot checks on vehicles by grim-faced police are common, and if you plan to visit Cracow as well as Zakopane, just remember that much of it is pedestrianised, or has prohibitive parking restrictions. The plus points are that Zakopane is only one and half hours away from Cracow by car and that parking in Zakopane is pretty straightforward. But remember in the winter you'll need tyre chains and a radiator full of antifreeze.
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 | | "That's handy. Cheers for that. George" | George
United Kingdom
Jun.29.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Here are the link of timetables of buses from Krakow to Zakopane/and return: http://szwagropol.eu/?page=10139
and the address of pick up and drop off points Link on: http://szwagropol.eu/?page=10439
hope it helps.do not hesitate to contact me if any queries or if interested by my accommodation offer.
Cheers" | lolozabojat
Poland
Jun.27.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "The best place to get the bus from Cracow to Zakopane is at the Bus station of Cracow(very closed from the arrival path of the outdoor metro that brings from Krakow Balica airport to centre.You have the choice of public or private buses.It will be around the same price.To reach Zakopane, it would take about 2 h if there is no traffic or if it is not rush hour.And if you are looking for a comfotable accomodation there in an apartment fully equipped ith/out fireplace, do feel free to reply to this comment." | lolozabojat
Poland
Jun.25.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "hello i was wondering where you would get the bus from Krakow to Zakopane, and if there is evening transport back?" | Vikki Turton
United Kingdom
Jun.20.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Maybe jumpin' on the bus is the best idea...?" | Jed
United States
May.28.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Zakopane-life.com is a Great website to know a lot about Zakopane before coming there.As well as other cities in Poland, click on the blue banner on top page.Here are the Latest news from Zakopane! The summer season is already started: Great weather; national park, trekking and cycling paths already opened, lifts to top of mountain or hills opened as well. If you are looking for some news or informations about Zakopane: how to get there, what to take in your luggage..., do feel free to contact me. As well, if you are looking for a confortable, affordable place to stay("like a Home") which is closed to center, restaurants, grocery shops, trekking paths...do have a look on our range of nice apartments suitable for 1 to 8 people, fully equipped... on www.ogrodygorskie.pl or send us an email at info@ogrodygorskie.pl. Looking forward to replying you and welcoming you to Zakopane" | lolozabojat
France
May.26.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Everything about Zakopane! Zakopane-life.com is the way to go! It covered all leisure possibilities and taken cared of your accommodations and food. This pamphlet was all I ever needed to get around Zakopane! Cheers!" | simon liu
Taiwan
Jan.10.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "anyone know if there is transport from krakow to zakopane on New Years Day?" | kate
United Kingdom
Dec.26.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "zakopane lovely and beutifull village i suggest staying in saballa hotel on main street it is a timber cabin hotel situated on the main street in my opinion zakopane is better than salzberg" | JOHN
Ireland
Nov.07.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hello then is the sesong started this yer and is theere snow now." | Andersson
Sweden
Oct.22.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Any idea how to get from BRNO in Czech to ZAKOPANE in Poland via public transport, in a fortnights time??" | simon
United Kingdom
Apr.12.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "and was wondering which bus/train should we take from warsaw to zakopane, and then from zakopane to cracow, then cracow to warsaw :)" | Hanan
Jordan
Apr.09.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "we are going for honeymoon to cracow, we intend to go from warsaw since our plane will land there , then we r thinking to go to zakopane stay for 4 nights to explore everything and the mountains, then go to cracow village and stay for another 4 nights, so does this sound a good schedule?" | Hanan
Jordan
Apr.09.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "There is a local train that goes to the main train station and the bus station is just next to that. When you walk out of the terminal building you will see a bus that takes you 2 minutes down the road to the airport train station. Buy tickets on board it costs 6 (PLN). I did it at the beginning of Feb 08, dead easy!!!" | Paul
United Kingdom
Mar.18.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "We are planning to go to Zakopane via Krakow soon- bus sounds good but how do you get from the airport to the main bus station? Is it far? Is Taxi the best option?" | Beata
United Kingdom
Feb.12.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I have been speaking with some Polish workers in our business and they suggested Zakopane as we go skiing every year to Austria or France, how would you organise a trip for 5 adults and two children aged 13 and 15. Could you give me a total cost to include lift passes etc, with accomodatation 3plus 4* Thanks" | maggie
United Kingdom
Jan.28.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "five women going from john paul ll airport to zakopane on wed 27th feb .what price would a taxi for 5 and luggage or mini bus cost and can it be booked and how.also looking for skiing lessons," | colette
Ireland
Jan.19.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi,
I wanna go skiing in Zakopane week 7 but I'm alone and wonder if someone else is going by them selves or if there's a group I can join? (focused on skiing =))" | Emma
Sweden
Jan.14.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Re buses Krakow-Zakopane: they circulate each hour from 6am til 10 pm. Details - here: http://www.szwagropol.pl/index.php?id=100
and here from Zakopane: http://www.ezakopane.pl/zakopane.php?info=pks
" | Natalya
Ukraine
Dec.14.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi guys
Im getting fed up reading about/hearing about car crime and accidents in Poland. I have lived in Krakow for 8 months this year (07). I also have a UK registered car here in Krakow. NOT ONCE have I experienced any car crime, As long as you take resonable care, by not leaving personal effects on show, as you will do at home,then there is NO problem. There is car crime all over the world. I have seen a few car accidents, but you see them EVERYWHERE. I also have yet to experience the Police doing spot checks, my experience, maybe little, but all the time I have been here in Poland, the general consenus is, the majority of adults DO NOT speak any great amount of English, and that includes the Police, therfore, unless it is necesary, they WILL NOT get involved. maybe I have been lucky, but I have NEVER been stopped and I have driven all over Poland. If you were to be stopped by the Police, for a spot check, if they fail to make you understand what they are saying, they MUST take you to a Police station, and they are required BY LAW to have an offical translator present, if they fail to do this, any court action threatened is NOT LEGAL. When you get to the borders, your passport is checked as normal, but NO car information ie registration papers are requested, perhpas NON EU vehicles may be different.
Zakopane and Krakow (Malopolskie the region) is a brilliant place, very safe, very clean and very very friendly.
Go and have a brilliant time and take your car. dont forget your winter tyres and antifreeze upto -40 degrees, if that fails, just fill your car with vodka......" | Jim
United Kingdom
Dec.12.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Can anyone tell me what time the buses run from and til - Zacopane to Cracow ? " | Deb Groves
United States
Dec.09.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I've just got back from a 5-day trip to Krakow and we went to Zakopane by bus for a day trip on Saturday. Our bus left the bus station at 11.05 and got to Zakopane at 1.15. (16 zty each way) We spent three hours wondering around the town and took the funicular railway to the peak for amazing views (14zty return). It was snowing hard and we got the 16.30 bus back from Zakopane's bus station to Krakow. It took about three hours but the driver was really careful and we certainly didn't feel any danger on the roads. I'd def recommend it for a day trip!" | Emma
United Kingdom
Nov.14.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Just got back from Krakow. Travelled to Zakopane left at 09.30 buses run every hour £3 one way (cheap as chips), Lovely place, new cable car sysyem due to open 20/12/07 average £10 a day for a lift pass, Plenty of good hotels and places to eat, looks very like Austria but cheaper, going in January for 3 days to test the slopes. " | Dave
United Kingdom
Nov.09.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Is it easy to travel from Prague to Zakopane" | James
Ireland
Nov.08.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "is it possible to do a day trip to zakopane from Krakow? Is there a bus back in the night time ??" | Ian
Ireland
Nov.06.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "There ar direct flights from London Luton to Popsad-Tatry with SKY EUROPE.
From there it is only 65km to Zakopane.
Krakow is easier to acces from more european airports" | Melvin
Netherlands
Nov.01.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I'm planning to go by car to Zakopane. Now i've heard there is a lot of car-theft in Poland.
Anyone has an idee how this is in Zakopane?" | Chris
Netherlands
Oct.09.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "A taxi bus from Krakau to Zakopane and return for three people what does it cost and which taxicabcopagny is reliable? Thanks in advance and best regard,
Jeff" | Jeff
Netherlands
Oct.06.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "A taxi bus from Krakau to Zakopane and return for three people what does it cost and which taxicabcopagny is reliable? Thanks in advance and best regard,
Jeff" | Jeff
Netherlands
Oct.06.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "This was our second visit in 2 years and although the weather this time was not as good we really enjoyed our holiday and love Zakopane" | K and M Allen
United Kingdom
Sep.23.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Do u hav any idea how can I get to Zakopane from Hungary and how long does it take?
thx" | Kathy
United Kingdom
Sep.11.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Do the buses form krakow to zakopane run into the evening ie after 10pm?" | Potty
United States
Aug.31.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "...there is no airport in Zakopane. trains, buses and automobiles..." | kasia
United States
Jul.09.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "you can go by buss to krokow and afer by train to warsaw ,or direct from zakopane by train ,this is about 6 hour and cost about 50 zl ,u can use exres is quickly but tah will be cost over 100 zl ,i`m not sure now" | ania
United States
May.29.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "super" | Alex
Ukraine
Apr.17.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "is it possibe to travel from Zakophane to warsaw?? how much will it cost? how long is the Journey?" | Garth
Ireland
Mar.06.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "There is apparently a flight now to Slovakia/Zakopane airport. Any info anyone, on how to get from there to Zakopane?" | Magda Groszek
United States
Feb.15.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Actually, the buses are quite comfortable now - even the white mini-buses - and can get you there in under two hours from Krakow. You can usually pay the driver as well, but make sure you have exact change or small bills if you don't want a dirty look!" | Dagny
United States
Feb.06.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Don't bother trying to go by car the day before New Year's Eve - the roads are not good and they will be packed with traffic! Unless you want to spend 7 hours in the car getting ther from Krakow!" | Terry M
United Kingdom
Dec.29.2006
rates this page 5/5 |
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