Getting to Zakopane

Above: Fly to Zakopane

Left: Or why not go cross country?

Below: Alternatively pen a short novel in the time the train takes

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. Roadways on the weekends can be a bit crowded, but the good news is that buses leave regularly from Cracow's main train and bus station and take as little as two hours to get here.



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, which is perfect if you need the rest after a long international flight or to finish that latest novel. If you need to get there a bit more quickly, grab a car or bus from Cracow instead.

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, mostly due to careless driving and some slow-changing attitudes toward drink-driving, so keep that in mind before deciding to take the car. With that warning in mind, though, we must say we've been driving for years without too much of a problem and likely you won't either if you take your time and stay vigilant. If you bring a car or rent one, you will need an international certificate of insurance cover, and possibly proof of exhaust emission control on your car. Spot checks do happen, and if you plan to visit Cracow as well as Zakopane, just remember that much of the centre is pedestrianised, or has parking restrictions. Once you get to either city, it's best to park and walk the centre. Zakopane is only about two hours away from Cracow by car and parking here is pretty straightforward compared to Cracow. In the winter remember your tyre chains and a radiator full of antifreeze.

Zakopane travel

There is no direct bus going from Zakopane to Cracow airport unless you book your own private transfer by private shuttle bus or taxi companies or also if you find out with those companies that there are others tourists who wish to do the same journey on same day and time and so you may share the fare.If you do not find anybody else by any of the companies informing you or on some touristics forums about Zakopane,the other possibilities are to take train or bus from Zakopane bus station to Cracow bus station(first bus is at 5.50am,other times are lisred below on previous posts) anx then take a outdoor tramway going to the airport.also,you may take bus very late on previous day and stay/sleep at the airport/ and
/or stay in an hotel in Cracow on day before flight.some forums are available on tripadvisor,lonelylpanet,gumtree...,and of course zakopane-life.Regards.Staff of Ogrodygorskie(3 residences of very comfy apartments in and around Zakopane)

reviewed by OGRODYGORSKIE from Poland on Nov.28.2011

Hello

Will there be an early bus from Zakopane to Cracow/airport on the morning of Sat 7 and Sun 8 Jan 2012? If so what are the times please?

reviewed by Stephen from United Kingdom on Nov.27.2011

Hello all
Just enquiring about any transport options from Zakopane to Cracow airport for the 10.50 am flight on a Sunday morning? The taxi seems too expensive for one person (100 pounds or so I have read), so was wondering if there is a bus service leaving Zakopane at say 5-6 am?? Any help is gratefully received.

reviewed by Stephen from United Kingdom on Nov.24.2011

Hello, About private buses szwagropol , timetables are:
24.12 there is bus service
25.12 there is no bus service
31.12 and 01.01.2011 there is service with the same timetable :
Cracow - Zakopane 6.40, 7.35, 8.40, 9.40, 10.10, 11.05, 12.00, 12.40, 14.10, 14.50, 15.40, 16.10, 17.10, 18.15, 18.45, 19.15, 20.00, 22.05
Zakopane - Cracow 5.50, 7.15, 7.50, 8.30, 9.15, 10.15, 10.45, 11.20, 12.40, 14.00, 14.50, 15.15, 16.00, 16.55, 17.50, 18.30, 19.15, 20.10.
About trains from Cracow to Zakopane also Balice airport to Cracow, i am waiting for their reply on theirservices and timetables at that period.
Staff of Ogrodygorskie

reviewed by Ogrodygorskie from Poland on Nov.06.2011

Will there be buses/trains running between zakopane and cracow on december 22/23/24th and 26/27th? will they be the same prices? same times? any tips on zakopane for christmas? all slopes open daily? thanks

reviewed by Awen from Poland on Nov.05.2011

Hello,the best way to get to Zakopane as easy and quick as possiblewould be to fly to Cracow Balice airport, then to get tramway to Cracow bus station, then from there bus to Zakopane.That journey should take 3 hours max compare to vey long train ride.Hope it helps.Staff of Ogrodygorskie Residence,very comfy apartments in Zakopane



reviewed by OGRODYGORSKIE from Poland on Jun.30.2011

Hi there, I plan on flying to Warsaw just before Christmas, and would like to know if there are any direct trains from Warsaw airport to Krakow airport? Even better, direct to Zakopane! If so, what are the costs?

reviewed by Tanya from South Africa on Jun.28.2011

Hi,

Is the bus station in Zakopane within walking distance to TWW Apartmenty? There will be 4 adults, two children and 6 cases!

reviewed by claire from United Kingdom on May.28.2011

Hello, in Poland from Cracow to Zakopane: public bus on www.pks.pl / private bus: http://szwagropol.pl/index.php?pageid=10139
If it is from Belgium to Poland cities, try www.eurolines.pl , in english language possible.Hope it helps.Staff of Ogrodygorskie Residence,very comfy apartments in Zakopane

reviewed by OGRODYGORSKIE from Poland on May.26.2011

Hello, in Poland from Cracow to Zakopane: public bus on www.pks.pl / private bus: http://szwagropol.pl/index.php?pageid=10139
If it is from Belgium to Poland cities, try www.eurolines.pl , in english language possible.Hope it helps.Staff of Ogrodygorskie Residence,very comfy apartments in Zakopane

reviewed by OGRODYGORSKIE from Poland on May.26.2011

Hello, in Poland from Cracow to Zakopane: public bus on www.pks.pl / private bus: http://szwagropol.pl/index.php?pageid=10139
If it is from Belgium to Poland cities, try www.eurolines.pl , in english language possible.Hope it helps.Staff of Ogrodygorskie Residence,very comfy apartments in Zakopane

reviewed by OGRODYGORSKIE from Poland on May.26.2011

I may have overlooked it but can I find a timetable of busses somewhere? The timetable for july 2011 if possible. Thanks alot for your help!

reviewed by Gil from Belgium on May.25.2011

Hello Russell, that is a great question that only God may have the right answer to.The snow may fall at anytime(it is already snowing on the pics but not enough to open slopes on the hill), for any length , and at any quantity. Of course everybody wish a white Christmas/New Year full of fresh snow.So let's hope that God will make this happened in white.Otherwise, there is Slovakia nearby with more chances for better snow conditions.Hope it helps.Ogrodygorskie residence of apartments in Zakopane

reviewed by Adamek from Poland on Nov.26.2010

Would recommend any one thinking of going to Zakopane consider TWW Apartments Location great for town and hiking in park rooms excellant staff could not be more helpfull in fact we have booked already to return next year

reviewed by Jim Oswell from United Kingdom on Nov.26.2010

How often does it not snow over Christmas/new year in zakopane

reviewed by Russell from United Kingdom on Oct.21.2010

Hello Dear, The private and public buses are cheaper than the train(18 and 23 PLN).Train is normally longer than the bus(3h30 and 2 hours), but if you are not in hurry, train can be of better sightseeing than the bus. Hope it helps

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Oct.13.2010

Dzień dobry! Im planning a valentines break in february with my polish boyfriend (13th-16th). I was wondering how much train fare from Kraków to Zakopane would be?(in Złoty). And is it cheaper than the coach? Dzięki :)

reviewed by Zoë from United Kingdom on Oct.13.2010

Hello, the christmas market starts on the 1 st December until the 26 th.
For the bus from Zakopane to Cracow, schedules are on http://szwagropol.eu/index.php?pageid=10139.
About the snow, it may be some but nobody can be sure that slopes will be opened for ski with good conditions.
So, For myself, that weekend is a bit short to enjoy with your daughter and maybe not in the right dates.

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Oct.11.2010

Planning a short weekend in Krakow with my daughter(9)26 Nov. (Arr Fri 10:25/Dep Sun 10:50). Want to include time in Zakopane and a ski lesson if possible. Questions: 1. Will the Krakow Christmas market be on this weekend? 2. Will there be any snow in Zakopane? 3. Is there an early bus that could get us back to Krakow for a 10:50 flight on Sunday or would we be better staying in Zakopane on the Friday night and returning to Krakow Saturday afternoon/evening? 3. Is this just too ambitious in 48 hours?

reviewed by Nick from United Kingdom on Oct.07.2010

Hello Bridget, all is running as normal on Easter in Zakopane.The bus station is located near the taxi station.So, there is no problem to get by taxi to the hotel or apartment you wish to rent.I may have some advices on accomodation from 2 pers. If you wish some advices or others onfo., do post a review again.Thanks

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Oct.03.2010

Hello. Is Zakopane open during easter 2011? What hotels are best for public transportation arrival. I'll be arriving by bus or train and will have to carry a snowbaord and bag. Thanks, Bridget

reviewed by Bridget from Czech Republic on Oct.02.2010

Hello Ed, of course you can rent a car to go to Poprad and surroundings.Otherwise there is bus from different companies: http://slowacja.hej.pl/slpr.htm Price: 18 PLN ; strama.eu Price:?Hope it helps

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Sep.16.2010

Hey Lorek: after a few days in Zakopane, we plan to visit Poprad, Slovakia for a few days. What is best way to get there? we can rent auto if that works or bus? thanks.

reviewed by Ed Wisniewski from United States on Sep.13.2010

Hi Shell, u are really welcome!Check the info section and u will get the timetables for that period I got from the bus company.If you need great accomodation at affordable price for that period or at anytime, do feel free to contact me again on the email previously given in some of my posts.Thanks

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Sep.06.2010

Hi Lorek,

Thank you for the info, it is most helpful.

X

reviewed by Shell from United Kingdom on Sep.06.2010

Hello Shell, as per last year timetables, there is no problem to get buses from Cracow to Zakopane on the 26/12 and also on the New Year day.
For the ay from Cracow to the airport, there is normally no problem if you get there by the outdoor tramway going from Train station to 200m nearby the airport;about the bus, I think there will be restricted rides on those days.

reviewed by LorekZakopane from Poland on Sep.04.2010

Hello Ian, if you are going to Zakopane for skiing mostly,as you are beginners you do not really need a car.If you are interested, I have some contacts of ski school which are dealing with ski lessons with private instructor speaking english, ride from/to the Cracow airport to/from your place of accomodation, ride to/from the slopes in and around Zakopane(from your place of accomodation also), different activities after ski while in Zakopane and a lot more.I may also recommend you to saty 6 of you in an apartment fully furnished. Regards

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Sep.04.2010

Going to Zakopane next Feb 2011 in half term three adults and three kids all with very limited/no experience of skiing. Planning on a hirecar and driving from Krakow airport.
Any tips about a good polish car hire firm and travel ski school etc.
Thanks in anticipation

reviewed by Ian from United Kingdom on Sep.04.2010

Further to previous post, I meant do the buses run from Krakow to Zakopane on 26th December??

Cheers

reviewed by Shell from United Kingdom on Aug.31.2010

Hi,

Does anyone know if buses will run from Krakow on 26th December?? and if they run from Krakow to the airport on New Years Day??

Cheers!

reviewed by Shell from United Kingdom on Aug.31.2010

For information, I really enjoyed the night I spent hanging around from club to club:Paparazzi, Prestige, Morskie Oko, Genesis, Ampstrong in Zakopane.
Not too far, in Nowy targ: : nightclubs at the basement of Villa Toscana restaurant and ADHD bar club really great.So, there are plenty of places where to party few consecutives nights

reviewed by lorekadamek from Poland on Jul.23.2010

Hello Dorianne, I think that you may find a lot to do by day and by night in Zakopane as there are a lot of tourists now and so, all many restaurants, pubs and nightclubs are opened to very late for you to enjoy their different style of music, decoration, atmosphere ,drinks and food.The atmosphere will be for sure good at night time even if the atmosphere like anywhere else in the world, is the hottest Friday and Saturday night.

reviewed by Lorekadamek from Poland on Jul.20.2010

Hi

We are a group of 9 coming to Zakopane for 5 nights during 8th Aug - 13 Aug.. how is the nightlife during this time? Some of my friends are afraid the place at night will be too quite. Please advise!

thanks
Dorianne

reviewed by Dorianne from Malta on Jul.16.2010

Hello, for your information, the roads to get to Zakopane have not been affected by the recent rain and floods.

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Jun.17.2010

Hi. We arrive in Zakopane tomorrow afternoon by car. Is road access affected in any way by recent rain?

reviewed by Richard from Australia on Jun.16.2010

Hello Andy, There is direct/indirect train from Warsaw to Zakopane , journey takes from 5h30 to 10h30 depending on travel by day or night>infos on www.pkp.pl .By bus, it would take between 7h30 and 9h40 .Infos on www.pksbilety.pl

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Apr.22.2010

Hi I'm going to a wedding in Warsaw in august and plan to come walking in Zakopane afterwards for a week or so. Is there a direct train from Warsaw and if so how long will the journey be? Is this the best way to get there from Warsaw? Thanks for your help!

reviewed by Andy from United Kingdom on Apr.20.2010

Thanks a lot Nigel.It may help some other tourists which will come in future to Zakopane.For me, I got trapped as well on this unsigned motorway directing to Katowice.I was pissed off.How dare that around this famous airport.That is not acceptable for tourists, maybe for polish people, admistation of the road still behaving in a communist way.Well, I hope it will be fixed soon.If you need other advices on Zakopane, how to come, where to stay,... please do post a review too

reviewed by Lorek from Poland on Apr.09.2010

Just got back from Feb half term trip with rental car and found out some things the hard way!
If you collect the car at Krakow airport then on exiting the car park you will come to a roundabout with no road signs on it! Do not go straight across as you will be heading north and may end up on the toll motorway to Katowice with no chance to turn around for the next 20 miles! Instead, turn left followed by a right further down the road to get onto the motorway in the Zakopane direction.
Allow at least 4 hours on a February Saturday morning to get from Zakopane to Krakow airport by road (65 miles). It took us 2 hours just to reach Novy Targ which is 15 miles away. Much of February is Polish school winter holiday which explains the amount of weekend traffic. Consider leaving Zakopane in the opposite direction on the 958 road and looping up past Czarny Dunajec and on to Rabka. Even then, you'll still join a queue of traffic at Rabka but at least it seemed to move ok to the start of the motorway at Lubien.

reviewed by Nigel from United Kingdom on Feb.24.2010

Hello Sarah , your plan for 1 day ski at Zakopane is possible without problems.You just have to know your ski levels then you will be able to go to the right slopes without losing time.Ski rental are nearby for most slopes.But do you intend to stay only 1 day in Zakopane, that is too little to enjoy all what Zakopane has for!

reviewed by lorek from Poland on Feb.11.2010

Hi travelling from Zakopane to Crakow airport on 20th Feb for 9.00am flight anybody want to share a taxi?

reviewed by Lindsey from United Kingdom on Feb.10.2010

If I was to get a bus from Krakow to Zakopane arriving in Zakopane at 8.40am on a Monday, would that give me time to hire equipment, get a lift pass, get up the mountain and ski for the day before getting a late bus back to Krakow in the evening? Any suggestions gratefully received as I am not sure how far apart the bus station is from the rental and slopes etc. Thanks

reviewed by Sarah from United Kingdom on Feb.02.2010

Hello Micheal and Patrick,to get from Katowice airport to Zakopane at normal cost,you have to go first from Katowice to Cracow and then get to Cracow bus or train station.You may do so by bus(private or Wizzair one, bus is the best possibility)or by train.Then you may take bus from Cracow bus station to Zakopane(public or private(more comfortable)) or train from Cracow train station to Zakopane (it takes about same time if traffic expected on holiday time (february-March)).
if anymore queries about accomodation in Zakopane or , please contact us info@ogodygorskie.pl

reviewed by lorek from Poland on Jan.30.2010

Hi all,

Arriving at Krakow approx 1300 hrs, 13/2 from East Mids (UK) with my 12 yr old son. Staying overnight in Krakow before visiting Auschwitz on 14th and then plan to travel up to Zakopane by bus late afternoon / early evening on 14th (staying at Helios).
See one or two are planning to travel up in Feb half term......if my times fits in with anyone elses and people feel like a bit of moral support when travelling by public transport, then feel free to drop me a line.
We're returning to Krakow on 20th for mid pm flight (again by public transport).
believe buses are very cheap, reliable and plentiful but that trains are not so frequent / take much longer. Any comments on my plans appreciated.
email = mike.beard@talktalk.net
Mike

reviewed by Mike Beard from United Kingdom on Jan.25.2010

Hi I am going to Zakopane from the 6th to the 9th of March this year our flight leaves on the 6th but does not arrive until 00.10 AM on the 7th to Katowice Airport, I imagine that I will have to stay in Katowice over night and make my way up to Zakopane the morning of the 7th. Anyone have any ideas on the best way of getting from Katowice to Zakopane if anyone has done it before? Thanks in advance guys!

reviewed by Mícheál from Ireland on Jan.20.2010

Hi, I'm flying into Katowice and making my way to Zakopane, but having a hard time negotiating the polish-language websites. Any information on buses between these destinations?

reviewed by Patrick from Ireland on Jan.19.2010

hi i was just wondering what this resort would be like in march?

reviewed by ben hall from United Kingdom on Jan.19.2010

Hi, Catherine. Snow is great here this year. Trains and buses leave daily from the main railway/bus station in Cracow. See the link above for more info. Most of the time you can buy same day or the day before, but always check when you arrive if you plan to spend a few days in Krakow. Enjoy your trip.

reviewed by editor from Poland on Jan.18.2010

hello
we are travelling to zakopane from krakow in feb mid term. I am wondering is it possible to get a train to zakopane or which buses.
Also, just wondering what the snow is like in zakopane at the moment

reviewed by Catherine O'Connor from Ireland on Jan.16.2010

Thank you Andrew for your advices, i will get in contact with Her.

reviewed by Christophe from United Kingdom on Jan.13.2010

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