How far is Krakow airport from the city centre?

Krakow John Paul II International Airport (KRK) is approximately 15km west of Krakow's Old Town (Main Market Square). Journey time by train is around 17 minutes to Krakow Glowny; by taxi it is 25-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Is there a train from Krakow airport to the city centre?

Yes. The KMK (Krakow Metropolitan Railway) and KML lines connect the airport terminal directly to Krakow Glowny (main station) in approximately 17-20 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes. Tickets cost approximately PLN 9 as of 2026 and can be bought at the platform machines.

How much does a taxi from Krakow airport cost?

A metered taxi from Krakow John Paul II Airport to the city centre (Old Town) costs approximately PLN 70-100 as of 2026. Bolt and Uber typically charge PLN 45-70 for the same route.

What is the cheapest way from Krakow airport to the city?

Bus 208 (daytime) and Bus 902 (night) are the cheapest option at approximately PLN 5-6 per journey as of 2026, but the journey takes 45-60 minutes. The train at PLN 9 is faster and still very affordable.

Krakow Airport Transfer | The Poland Guide

Krakow John Paul II International Airport (IATA: KRK) is the second busiest airport in Poland and the main gateway for visitors to southern Poland, including Krakow, Zakopane, and day trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The airport sits 15km west of the Old Town, and several reliable options cover the transfer.

Train (KMK/KML Lines): Fastest Option

The airport has its own rail station (Krakow Lotnisko) connected to the terminal by a short covered walkway. Trains run to Krakow Glowny (main station) in the city centre.

Journey time: approximately 17-20 minutes to Krakow Glowny
Cost: approximately PLN 9 per single ticket as of 2026
Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day; fewer trains late at night

Krakow Glowny connects directly to trams serving the Old Town, Kazimierz, and most hotels. Buy tickets from the machines on the platform before boarding and validate them at the yellow punch machines.

Pros: Fast, affordable, avoids all road traffic.
Cons: 30-minute intervals can mean a wait; less convenient with very heavy luggage.

City Bus (Bus 208 / Night Bus 902)

Bus 208 runs from the airport to the city centre during the day. Bus 902 operates at night.

Journey time: 45-60 minutes to the city centre (longer during peak traffic)
Cost: approximately PLN 5-6 per single ticket as of 2026
Frequency: approximately every 15-20 minutes for Bus 208 during the day

Bus stops are outside the arrivals hall. Tickets are available from machines at the stop or via the mPay / Jakdojade apps. Validate on boarding.

Pros: Cheapest option, useful if your hotel is on the bus route.
Cons: Significantly slower than the train; traffic can add considerable time.

Taxi (Metered)

Official taxis wait at the marked rank outside arrivals. Licensed Krakow taxis use the metered MPT rate (look for the city taxi marking on the door).

Cost: approximately PLN 70-100 as of 2026 for a standard journey to the Old Town
Journey time: 25-40 minutes in normal traffic; 40-55 minutes during rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm)

As at all Polish airports, avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal before you reach the official rank. These are typically unlicensed and unregulated.

Bolt operates widely in Krakow and typically charges PLN 45-70 for the airport-centre run. Uber is also available. Both show a price estimate before you confirm. App-based services are reliable and usually undercut metered taxis at the rank.

Pros: Door-to-door, available at any hour, no connections needed.
Cons: Can cost more during surge periods or heavy traffic.

Private Transfer (Pre-Booked)

A pre-booked private transfer from Kiwitaxi or a similar service gives you a fixed price before travel, a named driver at arrivals, and no need to queue or calculate fares on arrival.

Cost: from approximately PLN 80-130 for a standard saloon as of 2026; larger vehicles for groups from approximately PLN 130-200
Journey time: 30-45 minutes depending on traffic

Private transfers are particularly useful for:

Family arrivals with children, pushchairs, and multiple bags
Late-night flights when train frequency drops and taxi queues can be unpredictable
Day trips starting immediately: if you are heading straight from the airport to Auschwitz or Wieliczka, a pre-booked vehicle saves time at both ends

Pre-book a private transfer from Krakow airport

Shuttle Bus

Shared shuttles between the airport and major Krakow hotels operate through various local companies. These cost less than a private taxi but more than the bus, at approximately PLN 25-45 per person. Shuttles must be pre-booked and require some flexibility on departure times as they wait for a minimum number of passengers.

Tips for Your Arrival

The train platform is in the basement of the airport terminal. Follow signs for “Kolej” (railway) from the arrivals hall; it is a 2-minute walk.
Krakow Glowny is a 10-15 minute tram ride or 25-minute walk from the Old Town. Trams 2, 3, and 4 all stop near the Main Market Square.
No airport bus to Wieliczka directly: to reach the Wieliczka Salt Mine from the airport, take the train to Krakow Glowny and then a minibus from Galeria Krakowska, or pre-book a private transfer that takes you directly.
Bolt and Uber work at the airport: request the car after you clear arrivals and walk outside; they pick up at the standard taxi zone.

Getting Around Krakow

Once in the city, trams are the most practical way to move around. For a full overview of local transport, see our Krakow getting around guide.

If Krakow is your base for day trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau, see our Auschwitz tickets guide for booking advice, and our Krakow day trips guide for other excursion options.

For transfers from other Polish airports, see our Poland airport transfers overview.

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Krakow Airport Transfer: All Options from KRK to the City