A look around

Venue

Kraków, also spelled Cracow, city and capital of Małopolskie województwo (province), southern Poland, lying on both sides of the upper Vistula River. One of the largest cities in Poland, it is known primarily for its grand historic architecture and cultural leadership; UNESCO designated its old town area a World Heritage site in 1978. Its marketplace, Rynek Główny (Main Square), has existed since the 13th century, and a modern landscaped area is laid out on the site of past fortifications.

Going around

How to get there

Getting to Krakow, Poland

Reaching Kraków is relatively straightforward and the city is well served by air, rail, and road, both domestically and from other european destinations. But it’s worth bearing a few things in mind, especially if you’re flying with certain budget airlines or coming in by car.

Airport
Most air passengers will arrive via Kraków’s John Paul II International Airport and, if possible, this is where you want to land. But a number of budget airlines fly into the airport at Katowice, which is further away. John Paul II International Airport, also known as Krakow Airport, is located about 12 km west of the city centre and is the second largest airport in Poland. LOT Polish Airlines operate flights in the domestic sector while Air Berlin, British Airways, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa operate flights to international locations such as Berlin, London, Brussels, Frankfurt and Munich. Buses and taxis are easily available near the airport. The distance between John Paul II International Airport and the main city is 15.4 km, and it takes about twenty-five minutes to cover this distance.

Train
Kraków Główny, the city’s main station, is served by trains from most Polish destinations, as well as from the capital cities of neighbouring countries. There are direct trains from Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Bratislava, and Kiev. But you’ll have to change if you’re travelling in from Minsk or Vilnius. Many of the longer journeys are overnight, with sleeping cars an additional option. The airport train from John Paul II International also arrives here. The station has an excellent location, a mere 5-minute walk from the Old Town, making it a fantastic point of arrival. The station is fairly new and, as it is built into a large shopping mall, has pretty much everything a traveller could need.

Bus
If you’re travelling by coach, you’ll almost certainly arrive at Kraków’s Dworzec Autobusowy, the bus terminal built into the main train station. Though a little seedy, the location is conveniently close to the Old Town and a superb place to arrive in the city.

At your disposal

Do you need support?

If you need help with or if you have any questions, please contact Francesco Longo, f.longo@unical.it, and Marina Massei, massei@itim.unige.it.