I want to take the trip from P-T to Krakow in mid-April, probably Sunday, April 15. I'm looking for up-to-date schedules for buses on the route in the topic title. I have train times but I've been told the buses are better, more frequent, etc. What I've seen so far seems to indicate different timings and days of operation depending on whether the trip is in "high season" or not. I don't know if mid-April is considered "high season" or not. I also don't know if any bus runs every day, or if I'd HAVE TO plan more carefully to do the trip on a Sunday. I have seen www.itisnet.com transit info on Zakopane. The site I found is dated 2004; not sure how accurate it is 8 years later! I've also seen www.tanap.sk/transport.htm. The page with bus times says "valid for 2000/2001"! Hard to believe it'd still be up-to-date! Of course, I could just wing it once I get to P-T. But I'd like to have some idea ahead of time if the trip is anywhere near feasible in one day in mid-April. Leaving aside for now, of course, the obvious weather risk! Can anyone point me, please, to websites with more up-to-date times, etc., for buses in that area? Thank you.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
You can get to Stary Smokovec from Poprad by train or bus, no problem, there are frequent connections. From S.S. to Lysa Polana (village on the border of Slovakia and Poland) there are several buses on your day. I tried some Polish websites but was not able to find bus from Lysa Polana to Zakopane but my instinct is telling me that there is a connection. I would investigate once I get to Poprad or S.S. I know there are some private bus companies and they are not on their country website but locals know about them.
Posted by
OP
Easley, SC, USA
306 posts
Ilja, Thanks. I agree. After reading your replies here and to another msg, and doing some digging myself, I did find one bus company website, in Polish, which I could translate using Google. I think I'll just make it all up as I go. It'll be more fun that way anyway! Tom
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
We did this journey in the other direction in 2005, travelling from Zakopane to Stary Smokovec. There is a good light rail service between Poprad Tatry, Stary Smokovec and other towns in the Tatra region. At the time, there was only a through bus on certain days of the week, and the timings seemed rather haphazard. We took a very crowded minibus to the Polish/Slovakian border, and were the only passengers to get off there. We then walked across the border, pulling our cases, which was an unusual experience. There was a cafe on the Slovakian side of the border and we intended to wait there for a bus onwards. However, some other travellers had ordered a taxi, so we shared it with them. I think there are reasonable buses available each side of the border, but you may find yourself having to wait at some point.