Flying to Krakow | Krakow Airport
The John Paul II International Airport
Ulica Zwirki í Wigury 1
00 906 Warszawa, Poland
Tel:+48(0)22 650 1000
John Paul II International Airport (Kraków-Balice) is an international airport located near Kraków, in the village of Balice, 11 km (6.8 mi) west of the city centre, in southern Poland.
Kraków Airport is the second busiest airport in the country after Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport. The airport has good growth prospects, as almost 8 million people live within 100 km (62 mi) of it. The airport also has a favourable location on the network of existing and planned motorways in this region of Poland, but it faces stiff competition from the nearby Katowice International Airport in Pyrzowice and other Polish airports.
In 1995 the airport's name was changed from Kraków-Balice Airport to John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice, to honor Pope John Paul II who spent many years of his life in Kraków. For marketing reasons, the official name was further "streamlined" on 4 September 2007 as Kraków Airport im. Jana Pawła II.
In 2003, when Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair became interested in starting a service from the John Paul II International Airport, the airport authorities refused to reduce the airport fee. In response, the regional authorities of Kraków and Lesser Poland Voivodeship decided to build a new airport near the existing one, using the infrastructure of the military airbase adjacent to the shared runway. Finally an agreement was reached, and the existing airport was opened to Ryanair and other low-cost carriers such as Germanwings, EasyJet and Centralwings.
On 1 March 2007, a separate domestic terminal (T2) was opened. Plans are underway to begin construction of a terminal expansion adjacent to the existing International Terminal (T1).
The main terminal building (T1) is currently being expanded to cater to the growth in passengers the airport has experienced in the last two years. The terminal is being extended towards the apron, with five jet ways being added and separate facilities prepared for Schengen and non-Schengen passengers.
Construction of a seven storey car-park opposite T1 is currently concluding. The parking structure will become fully operational in May 2010.[3] It is also expected that the railway line will ultimately reach the terminal building, rather than the current temporary stop 250 m (820 ft) from terminal T1.
The following information is courtesy of Cracow Life
Though much of Krakow airport is brand new and, despite the holy name, they haven't yet found a miracle way of curing the problem of flight delays both in and out of Poland. For those times when the inevitable strikes, it's good to know help is on hand and Balice (as its otherwise known) is fully equipped and handicap-accessible. Here's a run down of the essentials...
Info Desk Can't miss it, slap bang in the middle of the main terminal. All English speakers to boot.
Mother and baby Open 24/7 and found on the upper floor of the terminal. Free of charge.
Chapel Say a pre-flight prayer or attend Mass on Sunday (10am). Mezzanine.
First Aid Ground floor of the terminal area should you need it.
Cash Two bureaus de change, a Polish bank and a cash machine await you at arrivals for all your monetary needs.
Post Office Run out of stamps and still have postcards to send? Don't worry, the post office is on hand Monday - Friday, 8:45am - 2:45pm.
Tickets Further trips planned or made a boo-boo with your e-ticket? The ticket office is located alongside the bank, change bureaus and car rental outlets.
Executive Lounge Feel like being pampered? Foreign newspapers and magazines as well as serve-service buffet are on hand in a luxury environment all for little more than a tenner. Internet connections and foreign TV channels provide a home away from home.
VIP Lounge Capacity for 14, equipped with facilities to make you feel extra special before take-off. Prior booking required (+48 012 639 30 54)
Food and Drink No McDonald's or Starbucks, but a handful of snack bars and cafes on both floors as well as an outdoor café during the summer months. In a rush? Various vending machines will happily eat up the last of your Polish shrapnel. Once you're through passport control, there are more cafés on hand should a frisking reveal a previously undiscovered wad of Polish zloty.
Shops Whether it be reading material, Polish-themed souvenirs, alcohol or jewellery, shops on the upper floor of the passenger terminal are ready and waiting to relieve you of any remaining zloty. Didn't buy enough amber or vodka while in Krakow? Think of this as last chance saloon.
Duty Free Located after ticket/passport control, have your boarding card at the ready to take advantage of cheap cosmetics, alcohol, sweets and souvenirs. This really is your last chance.
Rent a car Can't miss these guys. All your international friends plus their Polish counterparts are waiting by arrivals in the main terminal.
Parking Should you need it, you'll pay 5 PLN (£1, $1.25) for cars per hour on short stay, longer stay works out at 40 PLN for days 1-2, 20 PLN thereafter.
Krakow airport actually lies 11km west of the city but getting to the centre and to the haven of your Krakow hotel or Krakow apartment is pretty straightforward. Outside of hiring a car and driving yourself, you've got three options:
BUS - Cheap, cheerful and by no means a bad option, MKS provides a frequent bus service from the airport to the city centre. The bus stop is just to the right on exiting the airport and tickets are available either from the ticket machine (2.50 PLN) next to the information point in the passenger terminal or on board (3 PLN). Be aware that if you have any baggage larger than a rucksack, you'll be expected to purchase an additional ticket for this. Stamp tickets immediately after boarding to avoid fines.
The 192 service runs approximately every 20 minutes from 4:45am to just after 11pm. Alight at the main station, Dworec Glowny, where you'll find maps, info points, public transport connections and you'll be a mere 5 minutes walk from the main square. An alternative 208 service runs slightly less frequently though this is for those staying near to the Nowy Kleparz district. For both services, it's worth remembering that these services are not exclusive airport services and are normally pretty packed by about the halfway point of the journey. Journey time 25-35 minutes. Check out the MPK website for exact times and routes.
TAXI - If the thought of busing it with luggage after your flight doesn't appeal, taxis will be on hand immediately upon leaving departures. A trip to the centre shouldn't cost more than 70 PLN (about 17 GBP, 22 EUR or 33 USD). Much more than that and they've seen you coming...
If you're looking to take the hassle out of the final leg of your journey or don't fancy being taken for a less pleasant ride, why not use our Krakow taxi transfer service and we'll take care of it! For 70 zloty we'll put your name on a board, wait for you at arrivals and take care of your baggage for you - the stress-free way to arrive in style.
TRAIN - Bit of a locomotive enthusiast? A recently opened service connecting the main rail station, Dworec Glowny, with Krakow airport runs approximately every half hour from 4am until midnight. Tickets are available on board for 6 PLN (£1.50, 2 Euros). The platform is approximately 200 metres from the passenger terminal though a free shuttle bus is on hand for the weary. Journey time is approx. 15 minutes.
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