Getting from Krakow Airport to your destination

Krakow Airport (KRK/Balice) is 11km west of the Old Town and the trip takes about 20 minutes. The train takes 18 minutes and costs 20 PLN — that is the fare Krakow Airport itself publishes for Kraków Airport to Kraków Główny, on the SKA1 line run by Koleje Małopolskie. Taxis are metered, Uber and Bolt price in the app before you confirm, and a pre-booked transfer is a fixed price agreed before you fly. For most people, the train is excellent. Fares are revised from time to time — check the current one before you travel.

KRK is a small, modern airport — one terminal, easy to navigate. After landing, you'll go through passport control (quick for EU citizens, 10-20 minutes for others), collect bags, and walk into the arrivals hall.

The arrivals area is compact. You'll see car rental desks, an exchange office (avoid it — bad rates), and exit doors. The train station is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway.

Important tip: Do NOT exchange money at the airport exchange counter. The rates are terrible. Use an ATM (bankomat) instead — they're in the arrivals hall and give much better rates.

Train (recommended) — The Krakow Airport train connects directly to Krakow Glowny (main station), which is right next to the Old Town. Trains run every 30 minutes, take 18 minutes, and cost 20 PLN — the fare published by Krakow Airport for the SKA1 service operated by Koleje Małopolskie. The station is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway. This is genuinely the best option.

Taxi — Official taxis wait outside arrivals. Krakow taxi fares are metered rather than fixed, and each company sets its own rate card, so the fare depends on the operator, the traffic and the time of day. There is no single published airport tariff to quote — check the rate card in the window before you get in. Always use official rank taxis or a ride-share app.

Bus (209/300, night 902) — Krakow Airport lists city bus lines 209 and 300, plus night line 902. They take 40-50 minutes to the city. Tickets are time-based and sold from the ticket machine in the arrivals hall (level 0), at the MPK stop and on board; the airport sits outside the city's Strefa I, so check the zone as well as the duration when you buy. Much slower than the train with no real advantage. Only useful if the train isn't running.

Pre-booked transfer — Driver meets you in arrivals at a price fixed when you book. Makes sense for groups, late nights, or destinations outside the city center.

Uber/Bolt — Both work at Krakow airport. Fares are set dynamically in the app and shown before you confirm, so check the quote rather than a published rate. Often cheaper than official taxis. Pick-up from the designated area.

Rental car — Available but unnecessary for Krakow. The Old Town is pedestrian-only and parking is expensive and scarce.

The one fare that is officially published here is the train: 20 PLN from Krakow Airport to Krakow Glowny (Krakow Airport / Koleje Małopolskie, SKA1).

Everything else is either metered or quoted per booking, so there is no official rate to publish:

For the long runs especially, agree the price before you set off rather than relying on an estimate you read in advance.

The train runs until about 11:30 PM. After that, you'll need a taxi, Uber/Bolt, or pre-booked transfer. Night buses exist but are infrequent.

Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport. Uber and Bolt work late but with longer wait times. A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable option for arrivals after midnight.

The airport handles many late Ryanair and Wizz Air flights, so late-night transport is a common need here.

The train handles luggage fine — there are racks and space between seats. The walk from the terminal to the train platform is about 5 minutes on a covered walkway with lifts.

For families with strollers and lots of bags, a taxi or transfer is more comfortable. Krakow taxis are standard sedans — they fit 2-3 large bags. For larger families, pre-book a minivan.

Child car seats aren't standard in Polish taxis. Transfers can provide them on request.

Train: Follow signs for "Kolej / Railway" from the arrivals hall. A covered walkway leads to the platform (5-minute walk).

Taxi: Official taxi stand is right outside the arrivals exit.

Uber/Bolt: Designated pick-up zone near the terminal. Follow the app's instructions.

Pre-booked transfer: Driver meets you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign.

• Going to Old Town/Kazimierz: Train (20 PLN, 18 min) — obviously
• Group of 3-4: Taxi or Uber/Bolt (cost per person can rival the train — compare the app quote against 20 PLN each)
• Late night (after 11:30 PM): Taxi, Bolt, or pre-booked transfer
• Going to Zakopane or Auschwitz: Pre-booked transfer (long distance, fixed price)
• Family with luggage: Taxi or transfer
• Budget priority: Train