Located just 17km west of the city centre, Kraków Airport was fully modernised, including the opening of a new passenger terminal, in 2015. The airport parking garage, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel next to it, and the 'Kraków Lotnisko/Airport' train station are all conveniently connected directly to the terminal via a skywalk leading straight into the terminal. Boasting the full services and amenities of a modern airport, here you'll find ATMs and currency exchange, tourist information, car rental desks, restaurants and shops, private airport transfers, a chapel, business lounges and VIP services. Despite increases in volume, getting through check-in and security at Kraków Airport is still relatively speedy compared to most airports.
Getting to/from Kraków Airport:
By Train
Typically the best way to get between the airport and Kraków's Old Town is by train. The 'SKA1' train runs between 'Kraków Lotnisko/Airport' and 'Kraków Główny' (the main station in the Old Town) twice per hour from 06:00 to 22:00; and once per hour between the hours of 04:00 and 06:00, and 22:00 and 01:00. The journey time between these two stations is 17mins. Tickets cost 17zł, and can be bought from machines directly on-board. Check kolejemalopolskie.com.pl for exact departure times.
Note that the 'SKA1' airport train makes several stops along the way to Kraków Główny, and continues on to Wieliczka afterwards. While 'Kraków Głowny' is the closest station to the Main Market Square, you may find a different station more convenient, depending where you are headed. For example, if you're going to Kazimierz, the 'Kraków Grzegórzki' stop may be better; for Podgórze, 'Kraków Zabłocie' may be more convenient. If none of those stops put you within easy walking distance, bear in mind that you can get to pretty much any part of town via tram or bus from the main station, 'Kraków Główny.' Use the local transport app/website jakdojade.pl to find connections between where you are and the address you are trying to get to (including from the airport).
By Bus
Also be aware that not all buses departing from the airport back to Kraków are direct. Bus 208 makes the journey to Kraków Główny train station once an hour (in July and August - the airport's peak season - additional bus 308 also makes the same trip once an hour); bus 300, meanwhile, runs between the airport and 'Os. Podwawelskie' every 30mins with central stops at Cracovia Błonia, Jubilat and ICE. Night bus 902 also makes the trip from the airport to the main station with hourly departures beginning at 23:25. These regular commuter buses all make stops, adding an extra 10mins to the trip, and require an 8zł single journey fare, which can be bought from the ticket machine at the bus-stop or on-board the bus. All leave from directly outside the terminal and exact bus times and routes can be checked online at mpk.krakow.pl or krakow.jakdojade.pl.
Airport Taxis
The airport has its own 'Krakow Airport Taxi' service with vehicles waiting outside the terminal entrances. The idea is that this ‘trusted’ service offers a set price range of 69-89zł from the airport to the Old Town, with no monkey business and no night time price hikes. In reality, this service is fleecing people by protecting its ridiculously high prices. If you go more than 15km the price jumps from 69zł to 89zł, so expect to pay 89zł unless your hotel is en route on the outskirts of the city centre.
While that might not be a lot for some people's budgets, you can save a significant amount of money on cabfare by calling a taxi service once you arrive. Cabs are waiting all around the airport for such calls and arrive quickly. A normal fare between the Old Town and the airport ranges from 35-70zł depending on time of day; on weekday afternoons your fare should be less than 50zł for the 25-35min journey. Use our Taxi listings to arrange a ride, but hot tip: iCar has the lowest fares: (+48) 12 653 55 55.
That said, finding your particular cab in the melee outside the airport can be a challenge. Cabs that aren't part of the official 'Kraków Airport Taxi' service make pick-ups in the 'Kiss & Fly' line, and cabbies are under pressure to get in and out of the airport fast as possible to avoid charges for overstaying the 10 minute limit. Because of traffic jams it's better for them to not even enter the 'Kiss & Fly' lane if they can, so it's best to position yourself at the very beginning of the queue.
Another option is a ride share app like Uber or Bolt, which have the advantages of lower fares and sometimes it's actually easier to locate your ride at the airport with the help of an app. If you prefer to book a private transfer in advance, there are also private transfer services for hire.
