Katowice Airport (IATA: KTW) sits in Pyrzowice, about 30 km north of the city centre, and is one of Poland’s busiest airports. It serves Upper Silesia, and it is also a common entry point for visitors heading to Kraków or Auschwitz-Birkenau thanks to a strong low-cost network. The terminal is compact, and onward transport is straightforward once you know the options.
Public Bus (ZTM line AP)
The cheapest route into town is line AP, run by the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ZTM, part of the GZM metropolitan network). It runs from the stop outside the terminal via Katowice Strefa Kultury, Sokolska and the main railway station (Katowice Dworzec) to the Sądowa interchange. ZTM lists AP as a frequent, evenly spaced service, and timetable aggregators show departures roughly every 30 minutes by day. The ride from the airport to Katowice Dworzec takes about 45 minutes. Ordinary ZTM tickets are valid on AP with no airport surcharge. A 120-minute single ticket is approximately PLN 7 as of 2026 (slightly less in the app), and a 24-hour ticket is approximately PLN 13. Buy at a ticket machine, from the driver or in a ticketing app. Check the exact times and fares on the ZTM site and the Katowice Airport timetable before you travel, as headways change between the day and night timetables.
Pros: Very cheap, no booking, direct to the centre. Cons: Slower than a taxi, and luggage space is limited at peak times.
Train
Pyrzowice Lotnisko station is about 500 m from the terminals on a covered, step-free walkway. Koleje Śląskie line S9 (Chorzów Batory - Bytom - Tarnowskie Góry - airport - Siewierz - Zawiercie - Częstochowa) is the year-round service, with about 12 pairs of trains a day, roughly every two hours. It does not run to Katowice. A direct Katowice service (S19 from Gliwice via Katowice and Sosnowiec) was introduced in July 2025 as a summer-holiday line. It does not appear in the Koleje Śląskie timetable valid from 25 October to 12 December 2026, so from late October to at least mid-December there is no direct train from Katowice, and S9 is the only line serving the airport. Check again before a summer trip. InterCity trains between Katowice and Lublin stopped at the airport in the summer 2026 timetable, but only about once in each direction, and we could not confirm them for the winter timetable, so check intercity.pl before relying on one. For most travellers the AP bus is simpler, and the train works best if you are heading to Tarnowskie Góry, Bytom or Częstochowa. Check live times on the Koleje Śląskie timetable or Jakdojade the day before.
Taxi and Bolt
Official taxis wait at the rank outside arrivals. For a 30 km ride, expect approximately PLN 150-200 to the centre as of 2026. Bolt and similar apps show a fixed price before you book and are usually cheaper than a metered taxi, but surge pricing can apply at peak times. Choose licensed vehicles only, and never accept offers from people who approach you inside the terminal.
Private Transfer (Pre-Booked)
For families, groups, night arrivals and anyone going straight to Kraków or the Auschwitz area, a private transfer is the simplest choice. Providers such as Kiwitaxi and Welcome Pickups offer fixed prices, driver name boards and flight tracking so the driver adapts to delays. Approximate costs as of 2026 are PLN 150-250 to Katowice and PLN 400-600 to Kraków for a standard car; minivans cost more. Browse airport transfers in Poland to compare options.
Shuttles to Kraków
Several operators run shuttle buses from Katowice Airport to Kraków (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes), which can be cheaper than a private car for solo travellers. Book ahead in high season. If you are going to Kraków by train, take line AP into Katowice station and then the fast rail service (about an hour), a reliable alternative when roads are busy.
Booking Tips
- Late arrivals: the train thins out in the evening and the AP bus runs less often at night, so pre-book a transfer for late flights.
- Winter: snow can slow the road from Pyrzowice, so allow extra time before a morning flight home.
- Luggage: AP buses can be crowded during commuting hours.
- Compare before booking a hotel. Hotels in Katowice near the main station make early departures easier.
- Check live departures on the official Katowice Airport website.
Plan Your Trip
Once you land, our Katowice travel guide and the things to do in Katowice page plan your first day. Browse tours in Katowice for a guided introduction. For other airports, see airport transfers in Poland.
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