Is a day trip to Zakopane from Krakow worth the effort/expense?
I would need to book it through a tour out of Krakow. Not driving. Not really interested in the thermal baths.....just interested in seeing the mountains and photograping the scenery.
Thanks!
It’s a two-hour bus ride, if I recall correctly, a little less if you drive. As a general rule, two hours is as far as I will go on a day trip. If the weather is good, I think it would be an enjoyable day. You could walk/hike along the mountain top and have a nice lunch.
Of course, I don’t know what your alternatives are. I loved Krakow, so I would not recommend you short change it to go to Zakopane.
Not many comments so I'll add one based on my one time visit. I think it is too far and too big an area to see, for a day trip. Not only do you have to get there and back, but get up from town into the mountains to see the scenery.
But I appreciate the question. What does someone do in Zakopane for a day or two?
We were there for two nights, so basically one full day. We took long walks and enjoyed nice cozy meals, I don’t remember where. It was mid October and it had snowed, which was neat, but it was a little overcast. It was still pretty, but on a clear day, it would be gorgeous.
What does one do in Zakopane?
Hike to Morskie Oko
Take the lift up Gubalowka
Eat Highlander cuisine
Sing polka songs with a band in a Traditional Karczma (pub)
Spa day at the many thermal spas
Go to the Highlander museum
Enjoy grilled Oscypka cheese with lingonberries from an outdoor stand
Ogle the beautiful wooden architecture of the region
Walk the enjoyable pedestrian Krupowki street
Take a carriage or sleigh ride depending on season
Go on the Kasprowy Wierch Cable railway
Visit Tatra National Park
See the Oscypka Museum
Splash at Aqua Park Zakopane
Ski, hike or just fill your lungs with the mountain air, stunning mountains, unique architecture, cuisine and beauty of Zakopane.
I spent three nights there in 2022 and went back again this past October. A day trip doesn’t do it justice but if the weather is clear, I’d recommend it. Walk Krupowki Street and go up Gubalowka lift.
The bus used to be the fast route but they’ve upgraded the line and now the train is just as fast if not faster. Both drop you in the same spot. There’s no need to take a tour. Just get a train ticket from Krakow Glowny. I paid just under ten dollars for a one way first class ticket. Cheers.
You really need to check the travel times if you want to go by train - they range from 2 to 4 hours. Only EIC train take about the same time as the bus. Other Intercity trains take longer and regional (Regio) trains nearly 4 hours - track upgades have nothing to do with it- they are not Kraków to Zakopane Direct trains for the tourists, these trains serve about 30 villages and little towns in that region and will always be slow no matter how modern the line.
Thanks for the feedback. Soooo undecided. It can only be as a day trip. Time in transit versus actual time out & about is the concern.
If Zakopane feels too far, there are plenty of other great daytrips from Krakow that don't require so much time commitment, might I suggest looking at:
Nikiszowiec - historic coal miners' settlement
Trail of the Eagle's Nests Castles - dozens of picturesque castles in various states of preservation
Błędów Desert - Central Europe's largest desert aka Polish Sahara
Pszczyna - perfectly preserved baroque town with von Pless Chateau
Katowice - important city of the historic Silesia region, used to be heavily industrialized but now gentrified with new museums/restaurants.
@Carlos. Thanks for the other options. I was about to post a question about closer options. I know Krakow offers a lot. I have more homework to do.
