How To Travel From Kraków To Other Polish Cities

For many, Kraków is Poland’s star attraction. But the country has plenty more to offer and a comprehensive transport network makes it very easy to travel to different cities. Here is a guide to some of Poland’s other gems, with details on how to get to them.

City hall in Poznań, Poland – image © MichalPL / CC BY-SA 4.0

Compared to Western Europe, Poland is still a relatively unexplored country, which is a shame because it has lots to offer the willing traveller. We have listed 14 key destinations, all of which are easily reached from Kraków, some in a matter of hours. Below is some general information about travelling through Poland. Use the links to find out more information about each specific destination. We’ve broken each route down into train, bus, and flights (where available), with sample times and costs. Hopefully we will convince you that Poland is a country worth exploring and to change that long weekend in Kraków into a 2-3 week tour.

Other Polish Cities You Can Visit From Kraków

• Kraków To Białystok: In the north east of Poland, Białystok has a lively cultural scene and a handful of tourist attractions, and is close to the UNESCO-listed Białowieski National Park and the oldest forests in Europe.
• Kraków To Gdańsk: On the Baltic coast, Gdańsk is friendly and great for food, and one of Poland’s biggest tourist destinations.
• Kraków To Gdynia: Gdynia is also a port city with some lovely sandy beaches, and also makes a great day trip from neighbouring Gdańsk.
• Kraków To Katowice: For something a bit different, Katowice is very post-industrial. It’s airport and proximity to Kraków make it worth consideration for travellers who want a future-facing (and very green) Poland, with dramatic, modern architecture.
• Kraków To Łódź: Set in the very heart of Poland, Łódź is coming into its own as a creative city. The city is alive with murals and street art. There’s a great food scene and a nice mix of architectural styles. Right now, Łódź has that exciting feel of the future.
• Kraków To Lublin: On the eastern side of Poland, Lublin is best known as a cultural and academic city. It has a rich Jewish heritage and was apparently referred to as the ‘Jewish Oxford’ in the Jagiellonian era. There is a nice mix of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque, with some atmospheric cobbled streets.
• Kraków To Olsztyn: Up in the north, Olsztyn is often overlooked by tourists keen to reach the more famous Gdańsk. It does, however, have a pretty Old Town and ranks very highly for quality of life. What’s more, the city provides a gateway to some gorgeous wild countryside of lakes and forests.
• Kraków To Poznań: 300km to the west of Warsaw, youthful Poznań has a lively, friendly nightlife, with plenty of restaurants and bars. The Old Town is brightly coloured and quirkily decorated with bold styles similar to Southern Germany. There’s plenty here to keep you occupied for a long weekend, with a museums, a cathedral, and historical buildings, but the city also makes a great base for exploring Poland’s countryside.
• Kraków To Sopot: Another seaside resort, between Gdynia and Gdańsk, Sopot is a playground for the rich. With sandy beaches and a pier, as well as the shops, bars, and clubs of Bohaterów Monte Cassino, it can be very busy at the height of the season. Even more than Gdynia, Sopot might be best sampled first as an afternoon out, rounded off with a meal in one of the excellent fish restaurants.
• Kraków To Szczecin: Close to the border with Germany, Szczecin is off the beaten track for most tourists. The Old Town is pretty and there are a handful of attractions to see. But, mainly, visiting Szczecin is a great opportunity to get to know Polish food and to engage with the culture – there is a fine Philharmonic building and the grand Ducal Castle is now an arts centre.
• Kraków To Toruń: Largely untouched by the Second World War, Toruń is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Vistula River to the north west of Warsaw. The architectural highlights are dominated by the huge Gothic cathedral and the city feels less hectic than more famous tourist destinations.
• Kraków To Warsaw: Poland’s capital city is easy to reach from Kraków and makes a good weekend destination. Much of Warsaw was built after 1945. Even the pretty Old Town is mostly reconstruction. But there are excellent museums and places to eat. It’s also one of Europe’s great cities to go out drinking!
• Kraków To Wrocław: Wrocław is a charming city in the western part of Poland, with islands and bridges criss-crossing the water and a strong Gothic flavour to the architecture. Built out from the 10th century Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), Wrocław also has a stunning market square, much of which is listed within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Kraków To Zakopane: 110km from Kraków, Poland’s outdoor capital and winter resort, Zakopane is nestled at the root of the High Tatra mountains. The area is excellent for hiking, skiing, and a range of other activities. However, there is also unique folk architecture and plenty of more spectacular attractions.

As well as travelling to other Polish destinations, Kraków also serves as a handy hub for a number of cities in neighbouring countries.

Travelling By Train

Every town listed above, except Zakopane, can be reached by train and, although many of them have a direct service from Kraków, a few of them require at least one change. Luckily, the main railway station in almost every case is right in the centre of town. This includes Kraków Główny, which lies just to the north of the Old Town, just next to the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall.

The PKP Intercity network is fast, modern, comfortable, and fantastic value for money. There are frequent trains to the biggest cities like Warsaw, but not every destination will have a daily service, and timetables are subject to change. Also be aware that the prices quoted below may have changed and some journeys may require an additional charge for seat reservations. We’ve included links for checking timetables and prices before you book, and estimates for travel times and prices.

Travelling By Coach Or Bus From Kraków

Although it’s possible to catch the coach at a number of Kraków locations, we have only listed departures from the highly convenient MDA (or Dworzec Autobusowy), which is tucked behind the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre and the main Kraków Główny train station, just north of the Old Town.

Most Polish cities can be reached directly from Kraków and there is a particularly good network of FlixBus routes. The buses are clean, modern, and comfortable.

You’ll find estimates on the pages listed above for travel times and prices, as well as links for checking timetables and prices, and for booking. Not every service will be daily, and timetables / prices are subject to change. Also be aware that there may require additional charges for seat reservations. We’ve included links for checking timetables and checking prices before you book.

Check Krakow Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Mon 29 May 2023

Check-out date

Tue 30 May 2023

Travelling By Plane From Kraków

Kraków is served by two airports: John Paul II International and Katowice. You can find details on how to get to John Paul II International from Kraków city centre and what to expect when you get there. Our page on How To Get To Kraków includes information about Katowice Airport, as well as details on Kraków’s main train and coach stations.

There are currently direct flights from Kraków to Gdańsk (also serving nearby Gdynia / Sopot), Olsztyn, Szczecin, and Warsaw. Flights can be very cheap if booked early enough.

We have included estimates for travel times and ticket prices, as well as links for checking timetables and for booking. Not every service will be daily, and any information below is subject to change. Use the links for checking timetables and checking prices before you book.

Travelling By Car From Kraków

If you’re hiring a car or bringing your own vehicle, we assume you’ll be using some kind of satnav system to get from place to place, and have not listed routes. Poland’s transport infrastructure is getting better all the time and most of the destinations listed above are now linked by good motorways and expressways. You will usually have to pay a toll to use them.

There are specific rules and laws that have to be obeyed on Polish roads, often punishable by law, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the most up-to-date information. Our How To Deal With An Emergency In Kraków page has numbers for accidents.