Getting around Krakow

I stayed just off Florianska in old town and when it was time to go to the train station I took a taxi--it was raining, and he dropped me at the correct platform level for my train to Warsaw. It was about a 10 minute ride and very cheap. The train station is a couple of miles, not sure if you'd want to walk that with luggage?

I wouldn't say the Glowny station is a couple of miles from the old town. I walked from the station to my apartment near the center (a few blocks north of the Rynek) in 10-15 minutes. A place outside on the SE edge might be too far to walk, but it's hard to know without knowing exactly where it is. I'd probably find a tram or bus, even though taxis are no doubt cheap. Too bad Google Maps doesn't have Krakow's public transit info, which would make it easy to check.

I would have your hotel call a taxi. They taxis are generally honest if called from a hotel, they won't typically try and charge you an inflated off-the-meter fixed fare. Taxis are pretty cheap as well. Or you could get closer with a tram and then walk the rest of the way. There is definitely a tram that runs from Kazimierz up to the eastern side of the old town, I rode it myself a few weeks ago. But really a taxi is going to be cheap and easier.

Getting around Krakow for sightseeing, I used the trams a lot. Getting to the bus/train station with luggage - taxi, taxi, taxi. To avoid a rip-off (not saying it will happen, but it could), have your hotel order a taxi. I left fairly early in the morning, the hotel ordered a taxi the evening before and it was waiting for me - even though I was a few minutes early.

The train station in Krakow is being remodeled, refurbished and expanded. In 2001 I stayed at the Glowny, ie, station, the Europejski Hotel, very convenient, didn't use any electronics to get around , walked all over, old town, Wawel Hill, saw the moving, poignant large cross with "Katyn" over it, etc.

"Getting around Krakow for sightseeing, I used the trams a lot. Getting to the bus/train station with luggage - taxi, taxi, taxi. "

Chani beat me to it. This is my advice as well - particularly since you are not an easy walk to the station.

I flew into Krakow from the US and was tired, so I just took at taxi from the airport. The rates were fixed and the car was very nice (much posher than a standard taxi). There are also public transit ways to get into town, which should work fine, particularly if you are flying within Europe and aren't jet lagged.

Thanks all. To clarify: we will be flying in from elsewhere in Europe, so we won't be jet-lagged or particularly wiped out (arrival around noon). Depending on our mood at the time, we might just spring for a taxi.

Since we're kind of mid-way between the old town and Kazimierz, I expect we will mostly jusst walk. If we're not in the mood to walk, sounds like trams are a good option to get around while we're there.

With luggage, a taxi back to the train station sounds like the right option.

Thanks!

If you use a tram, be sure to adhere to their rules. The info on the City forums on tripadvisor is very helpful. Krakow has a very active forum.

David, we stayed near where you will be. It was a pretty easy and pleasant walk in either direction from there.

I walked to a hotel that was a little farther than yours. If you enjoy walking, it’s no big deal. Took us a half hour or so.

I am staying in a similar part of town and flying in. For $30 we hired a private bus for our group of 6. Picked us up at the airport and dropped us off at the condo Well worth it especially with young kids and luggage. Visit Bus was the company.

We ended up walking most places - turns out our apartment was in a great location. We did take taxis for longer jaunts (from the airport to our apartment, to the train station, one or two other places). Taxis in Poland are cheap, it was an easy option.