How to get from Krakow Airport to Zakopane? Best ways

Many tourists wonder how to get from Kraków Airport to Zakopane. What’s the fastest way? What’s the cheapest way? Let’s break it down—here’s how to get to Zakopane from Kraków Airport. Below are the best options and prices for your journey.

For most people planning to visit Zakopane, the nearest airport they can fly into is Kraków Airport. The most obvious way to travel from Kraków Airport to Zakopane is to rent a car at Kraków Airport. The drive from the terminal in Kraków to Zakopane takes just under 2 hours, covering a distance of approximately 115 kilometers. However, not everyone wants to rent a car. So, what are the other options?

Direct Bus from Kraków Airport to Zakopane

Direct buses from Kraków Airport to Zakopane are operated by Flixbus. These buses depart from the bus bay in front of the terminal building at Kraków Airport, specifically from the middle platform. You can even see the Flixbus bus on the photo above.

A direct bus ticket from Kraków Airport to Zakopane costs around 10 EUR if booked in advance on the official Flixbus website. Flixbus operates similarly to budget airlines—the earlier you book, the better the price.

The journey by Flixbus from Kraków Airport to Zakopane takes between 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours, depending on traffic. If the direct bus schedule doesn’t suit your flight arrival time, you can easily travel to Zakopane from Kraków city center instead.

Bus to Zakopane from Kraków city center

If the Flixbus schedule doesn’t align with your plans, another simple option is to take a bus from Kraków’s main bus station. Buses to Zakopane depart every few dozen minutes throughout the day.

First, take the train from Kraków Airport to the Kraków Główny railway station, read more on how to get to Krakow city center from the Airport. From there, it’s just a 2-minute walk to the MDA bus station on Bosacka Street. Buses to Zakopane from MDA cost 29 PLN, or you can book a Flixbus from the same station for as little as 20 PLN (around 5 EUR).

For detailed bus prices from Kraków city center to Zakopane, click here. Buses from Krakow’s central bus station are better booked, but there are so many that even without a reservation you should be able to buy a ticket at the station’s ticket office. You can check the timetable on the website mda.malopolska.pl/en

Train from Krakow to Zakopane

For those who don’t enjoy bus travel, you can also reach Zakopane by train. The process is similar—first, take the train from Kraków Airport (see the prices) to the main railway station in Kraków Kraków Główny in the city center. From there, trains run directly to Zakopane. One advantage of taking the train, especially during the peak tourist season in winter, is that it avoids the heavy traffic on the road to Zakopane, which can be significant.

The downside of the train is the higher cost and lower frequency of departures. The InterCity train costs 42 PLN for second class and 55 PLN for first class on the Karłowicz train, and 55 PLN for second class and 79 PLN for first class on the eIC Tatry train. The TLK train (Małopolska or Lubomirski) on this route costs 42 PLN for second class and 55 PLN for first class. Check the schedules on the official website of Polish State Railways (PKP), where you can also purchase tickets here on the official website portalpasazera.pl. It’s better to book train tickets in advance.

Other (more expensive) options

How much is a taxi from Krakow Airport to Zakopane? If you’re feeling indulgent, you can take an Uber or Bolt to Zakopane for around 450 PLN (about 105 EUR, 110 USD, or 90 GBP). Alternatively, if you’re really looking to splurge, you can book a private transfer for prices ranging from 460 PLN (110 EUR, 114 USD, or 91 GBP) up to 600 PLN (140 EUR, 145 USD, or 120 GBP).

Getting from Kraków Airport to Zakopane

Zakopane is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination, making it relatively easy to travel from Kraków Airport to Zakopane. The most convenient option is taking a direct bus, with tickets costing around 10 EUR for a one-way trip. Alternatively, you can opt for very affordable routes with transfers, which may cost just a little more in total.

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