I have looked at Rome2rio sight and followed links to research cost and schedules for travel from Wroclaw to Krakow. Seems Polski Bus is a better option than train based on what I’ve read but I’m not seeing any recommendations for bus travel here in the forum. I like the idea of reserving upper level front seats on the bus for maximum sightseeing as we go.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
It's part of FlixBus now. If an advanced fare is about EUR 2.50 one way (yes, that's what I just pulled up for a random date in April), do stellar reviews really matter? I don't read reviews for some things, buses and airlines included. They're a commodity to me, I don't get hung up on reviews (just don't care really). A train will take longer than the bus route for these two pairs of cities, so I would take the bus. It's direct (as little as 3 hours 10 min it seems). The worst that can happen is the bus is late depending on traffic. Bus travel is perfectly acceptable where there are time and/or cost savings with trains, which seems to be the case here.
Posted by
OP
Eden, Utah
31 posts
Thanks, Agnes! I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed something, since everywhere I’ve looked only trains have been recommended. Thanks for the sanity check!
Elsa
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
I took the train between those two back in 2012, and back then it was a five hour trip. (Even though the scenery was nothing special, I love trains and didn't mind the duration.) I think the train is faster than that now. Because I enjoy train travel and dislike long bus rides, I'd take the bus only if it were much faster or at a more convenient time or something; the bus may be super cheap but the train isn't that much more and would be well worth it to me; Poland is the only country where I felt first class was worth the cost!
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
I guess the train time can be quite competitive (sorry, even though I'm Polish I don't keep up with all the changes in the train system). Just beware that the site won't let you book earlier than 30 days in advance. Not all trains are equal in speed. There does seem to be one train type (intercity express) that makes the trip in about 3.5 hours.
https://www.intercity.pl/en/
This guide was posted in another thread, it looks very helpful in navigating the above site, in case you need it:
http://europetrainsguide.com/Advice/How-to-Buy-Train-Tickets/Poland-PKP.html
I could have sworn I read somewhere (other thread in this forum), that some activity was going on around the Krakow train station so just make sure that won't affect your trip. The train schedules should adjust for that.
(For under 5 EUR, I'd still take the bus though...much cheaper)
Posted by
OP
Eden, Utah
31 posts
OK, I will plan on checking both as the time gets closer. I've been excited about the trip and trying too hard to nail down details that just can't be nailed down this far in advance. Thanks for the input! Elsa
Posted by
Colbert, WA, USA
140 posts
I took the IC train from Krakow Glowny to Wroclaw Glowny this past summer. I bought the tickets from a ticket machine at Krakow Glowny about a day or two prior to the departure date. There didn't seem to be any shortage of tickets from what I recall. I considered taking the Polski Bus, but was dissuaded by all the negative reviews that I read about the Polski Bus. I understand that you can make seat reservations now, so I'm sure the mad rush for seats would no longer be an issue. I have a cousin who lives in Wroclaw who takes the Polski Bus to Krakow frequently. She knew I prefer my creature comforts, so she thought the train would be a better option for me.