Getting to Krakow by Train
Krakow Glowny
Dworzec Glowny
Plac Dworcowy 1
Tel: +48 (12) 624 5439
Travelling to Krakow by rail is actually a pleasant experience (and quite romantic). It's like going back in time to the mid-twentieth century with trains travelling at a much slower pace allowing you to actually enjoy the countryside as it passes by!
Polish Railways (PKP - Polskie Koleje Panstwowe) currently operates the country's railway system. The quality of the trains is decent, at best. For the nicest trains, be sure to book an InterCity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) route - both of the non-stop variety. Service, as always, is quite good and the nosh is top-notch! To see the complete timetables, just visit the PKP website: www.pkp.com.pl.
Rail connections are available to most Polish cities. Trains to Warsaw depart every hour. International destinations include Berlin, Budapest, Prague, Hamburg, Lvov, Kiev, and Odessa.
Every hour between 6 AM and 8 PM there is either Express (EX) or Intercity (IC) train between Krakow and Warsaw that do not stop on the way and journey takes less than 3 hours. It is by far the most convenient way of traveling between Warsaw and Krakow. To or from Warsaw, IC trains cost 89-95 PLN per adult, 65-72 for students and anyone under 26 years. First class tickets are about 25% more expensive, and offer greater leg room. EX trains cost roughly 80 PLN per adult, with a 25 PLN compulsory reservation, i.e. 105 PLN in total. If you are desperate budget traveller you can also take an interregion train for 40 zł that takes 3.5 hours or the regular pospieszny trains that take over 5 hours, but cost 50 zł.
Trains to the airport depart at 4:00am, 5:00am, 6:00am, then starting from 7:00am they depart every half hour. Tickets are 8 zł on the train or 7 zł from the automat on track 1. 16 minutes. A free shuttle-bus awaits at the rail station, but you'll notice most people walking past it towards the international terminal. The bus will get you to the international terminal (T1), but first goes out to the domestic terminal (T2).
Warning!!! Trains that go from the main railway station to the airport are sometimes cancelled without any reason and without prior announcement. So, NEVER calculate your trip to the airport with the last possible train as you may end up missing your flight!
Be warned, the station staff are not always the most helpful to foreigners who don't speak Polish as they often speak no English and you can spend an awful long time queuing only to be told to join another large queue. If you get confused, try asking someone young to help you as most young Polish people speak communicative English and are very helpful. Staff at the international ticket counter speak English.
Be astute on sleeper trains, as bag robberies are on the increase between major stations. Ask for ID from anyone who asks to take your ticket or passport and lock backpacks to the luggage racks. Keep valuables on you, maintain common sense.
Further information about train travel in Poland