Poland: A Budget travel guide to Krakow
Paris, Rome, London—these Western European cities have long been on the list of must-see vacation destinations. But in recent years, cities in Eastern Europe have also seen a boom in international visitors — and for good reason. That’s why we’ve created this Krakow Budget travel guide.
Many cities to the east, like Krakow, are chock-full of quaint old city squares, impressive castles and churches, and sites steeped in history that you can visit and explore at a fraction of the price you’d pay for their counterparts in the west.
Without a doubt, Krakow, Poland is among Eastern Europe’s most glittering jewels and a must-see place to add to your bucket travel list.
Krakow Budget Travel Guide
To help you get the most of Krakow, as well as tips for saving along the way, we’ve gathered a list of what you need to know for your trip.
Getting there
With John Paul II International airport on the outskirts of the city and Kraków Glówny, the main train station, located directly in the Old Town, Krakow is easy to reach from anywhere. To get from the Krakow airport to the city center, hop on a train. They run about every 30 minutes and cost 9 zloty (about $2.50).
By Air
If you choose to fly from outside of Europe, LOT Polish Airlines and Norwegian usually have the best prices. You can also fly to Krakow from most major European cities. If you want a super cheap fare within Europe, book your ticket in advance from discount European airlines like easyJet or Ryanair. Check for flights on Cheapo Search.
By train or bus
Since many flights include a stopover, you might want to opt for a more scenic train ride on Polrail (the Polish train service), which is often a little less expensive. However, the cheapest option by far is to hop on the bus. You’ll find the lowest prices on bus fare with Polskibus.com, a Polish express coach operator, as well as Flixbus.
Related:Tips for riding Europe’s budget bus company, Flixbus
Getting around town
By foot
Luckily, the best way to get around Krakow is not only free, it’s also good for you. Most of Krakow’s attractions are within easy walking distance and wandering around Krakow is a great way to get to know the city.
By bike
Another sporty and very cheap way to get around the city (as well as more off the beaten path sites) is to rent a bike from Wavelo, the bike share system in Krakow.
Here’s how it works: You pay by credit card at the docking station (instructions are available in English). The first 20 minutes are free, then up to an hour costs 2 zloty (around 50 cents, $1 = 3.65 zloty), up to two hours costs 3 zloty, and each additional hour after costs 4 zloty. Bikes can be rented for a maximum of 12 hours and the minimum balance for the card is 10 zloty (a little less than $3).
Krakow’s tram and bus system
If your feet and legs need a break, Krakow does offer a good bus and tram system. The system runs between 5 am and 11 pm, with a night service offered at less regular intervals. Here’s a map of the Krakow transit system.
How to buy tickets: You can buy a ticket either at a machine — available at major stops with instructions in English — or directly from the driver on the bus or tram. The cheapest ticket is valid for 20 minutes and costs 2.80 zloty. This should do if you’re just planning on taking in the Old Town sights. If you would like to venture out further, we recommend you opt for the 40-minute ticket, which is still a steal at 3.80 zloty (about $1).
Tickets can also be purchased for one hour, 24, 48 or 72 hours or as an unlimited weekend family pass (11 zloty). Senior citizens over 70 and kids under 4 ride for free.
Krakow Tourist Card
If you’re planning to soak up a lot of culture on your stay, you may also want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card, which gets you free unlimited travel on all trams and buses, among other discounts. See more details about the card in the attractions section (below).
Don’t get fined! Whether you purchase your ticket from a machine or directly on the tram/bus, make sure to stamp your ticket immediately once you’ve boarded. Krakow’s trams and buses are regularly checked by inspectors who seem to live for giving hefty fines to clueless tourists who don’t follow this rule!
Stay right in Old Town Krakow with a room at Hotel Jan.
Cheap hotels in Krakow
Cheapos will love the choice of hotels in Krakow. Three-star stays in Old Town that would cost more than $200 in some European cities can be had for less than $100 per night, and it’s very easy to find a good room for under $50. You’ll enjoy planning your trip to Krakow even more once you lock down a good hotel room at a good price, so we searched the city to find excellent cheap hotels in Old Town or just minutes from the city center.
Read our guide to the best budget hotels in Krakow.
Are you ready to go to Poland? Search more than 2,500 hotels across Krakow.
Affordable things to do in Krakow
Krakow is a lovely place for a stroll, and you’ll have no shortage of free things to do. Here are a few of our favorite attractions.
Rynek Glówny – Main Square
Dating back to the 13th century, Krakow’s main square (in Polish, Rynek Glówny) is one of Europe’s largest medieval market plazas. Brimming with beautifully restored old buildings, Rynek Glówny has a lively street life and is the site of many local events and festivities.
Some highlights here include St. Mary’s Basilica, a gothic church with a famously carved wood altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the Historical Museum of Krakow, and the National Museum and the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, Poland’s beloved romantic poet.
To bring home some souvenirs to folks back home or treat yourself to an amber necklace or two, be sure to check out the stalls in Cloth Hall.
Kazimierz – Old Jewish Quarter
Another area to check out is Kazimierz, Krakow’s old Jewish quarter. These days, the area is popular with a young, hip crowd and is known for its vibrant nightlife and café culture. When you’re there, make sure and take a stroll along the banks of the Vistula River, which offers great views of Wawel Castle and is home to boat bars in the summer and icy splendor in the winter.
Be sure to browse the antique and arts and craft vendors at Plac Nowy market, located in a red brick pavilion at the heart of Kazimierz. To learn more about the life and tragic history of Poland’s Jews, make your way to the Galacia Jewish Museum. For a glimpse into Jewish life in Krakow today, stop by Remuh Synagogue, Kazimierz’s only active synagogue, whose history traces back to the 1550s.
Wawel Hill
Wawel Hill is also an absolute must-see for any first-time visitor to Krakow. This area includes Wawel Royal Castle, home to three dynasties of Polish kings since the early sixteenth century, Wawel Cathedral, and Wawel’s dragon’s den, a cave which, according to legend, was once home to a ferocious dragon.
The den is now guarded by a bronze seven-headed dragon statue — and one of the heads even breathes fire, so watch out!
Jagiellonian University
A major university town, Krakow also has to Poland’s oldest and most prestigious university, Jagiellonian University, which has educated many famous students over the centuries, including Nicolas Copernicus, whose instruments are on display in Collegium Maius.
A restaurant in Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter of Krakow. Photo: Michela S.
More things to do in Krakow
A few other highlights include the museum Rynek Underground and Kosciuszko Mound (although you can easily skip the fee and just view it from outside the gates).
Architecture buffs should check out Nowa Huta, the Soviet-era suburban housing development which was designed to be the model proletarian city.
For a historical glimpse into the factory made famous by the movie Schindler’s List, take the tram to the museum at Schlinder’s Factory.
Day trips from Krakow
Popular day trips include the Wieliczka Salt Mine, complete with its underground chapels and Virgin Mary and Pope statues carved from salt. Although the Wieliczka Salt mine is worth visiting, the tours are on the pricey side, so skip it if you’re on a budget.
Another day trip that’s worth taking is a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. If you want to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, bypass the expensive package tours. The site can be easily reached by bus or train. Please note that while entering the grounds is free, you need to make a reservation to see the memorial ahead of time.
How to save on attractions in Krakow
Several museums offer free admission one day a week. These include:
- The Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK) (free on Tuesdays)
- Schindler’s Factory (free on Mondays)
- Rynek Underground Museum (free on Tuesdays, except first Tuesday of the month)
You can also get a free tour of the various parts of the city — no reservations required. Check out the schedule at freewalkingtour.com.
Saving with the Krakow Tourist Card
If you plan to visit a lot of museums and sights, you might want to consider picking up the Krakow Tourist Card. This card offers free admission to over 40 museums and attractions, various discounts, transportation to and from the airport, unlimited public transportation, and transportation to and from the Wieliczka Salt mine.
The price of the card is $32 for 3 days or $26 for 2 days. If you want to just save on the museums and sights, but don’t need the extras, then pick up the 3-day Museum & Attractions Pass ($18).
Looking for tasty cheap eats in Krakow? Check out a sausage vendor! Photo: Space Trucker
Eating and drinking on a budget
Unless you head to the fancy restaurants or eateries in the touristy part of town, it’s easy to eat really well on a budget in Krakow. Use these tips to save and savor authentic Polish cuisine.
Street food
The cheapest of the cheap eats you’ll find in Krakow is the Polish street food and Krakowian specialties. Chow down on an Obwarzanek, a Krakow-style bagel, which can be had from street vendors all over the city for less than 50 cents.
Two other street food standards include Kielbasa, Polish sausage, and Zapiekanka, Polish “pizza” which is made from half a baguette smothered in melted cheese and mushrooms, as well as optional extra toppings, and is topped with ketchup. Both cost around $2.
Milk bars
For a taste of Polish culinary classics, check out one of Krakow’s milk bars. These Soviet-era canteens offer cheap, simple meals to locals and tourists alike. Sample both boiled or fried pierogi (Polish ravioli) or goulash topped with Polish-style schnitzel at Milkbar Tomasza (ul. Swietego, Tomasza 24 33-33).
Or dive into a bowl of Bigos, a stew that you can try at the very popular Bar Gornik (ul. Czysta 1). In each case, your meal should set you back about $2 to 3.
Dining out for vegetarians
Although traditional Polish cuisine is about meat, meat and more meat, with a potato and some cabbage thrown in for good measure, Krakow does have good and inexpensive options for vegetarians or those craving some fresh greens.
One we recommend is Chimera. Located in a 14th-century wine and beer cellar, Chimera boasts a 98-foot long bar with thirty different types of salad as well as warm vegetarian and meat dishes for the carnivores. Prices range from 6 to 19 zloty ($1.70 to a little over $5).
Food markets
If you’d rather do some cooking yourself, or just pick up some fresh produce, check out one of Krakow’s many food markets. One of the best farmer’s markets is Stary Kleparz, a covered arcade located just outside the city center. Here is a list of other food markets around town.
Pubs and beer gardens
As far as booze goes, cheap vodka pubs have been all the rage in Krakow for a while now. One of the most popular places in Bania Luka (pl. Szczepanski 6). At Bania Luka, beer and vodka shots cost about a buck each, and the bar also has an array of Polish bar food.
Another popular place is Klub Re (ul. Sw. Krzyza 4), a laid-back beer garden popular with locals. If you’re there in the summer, be sure to check out the large garden in the back.
Drinking local beer
Since Krakow is literally crawling with students, you can find many cheap pubs where you can toss back a cold one for very little dough. For the best beer bargains, stick with Polish brands like Zywiec, Tyskie and Lech, which cost a dollar (or less!) for a pint.
Cheapo tip: Like anywhere, Krakow has plenty of tourist traps that charge high prices to unsuspecting visitors. Before ordering, be sure you’re given a menu with the prices listed for both food and drinks to make sure you’re not being taken for a ride!
Your tips for Krakow
Have you been to Krakow? Share your advice and stories in the comments below!
About the author
1. You will not a scenic (or even non-scenic) train ride on Polrail. Polrail is NOT the Polish train service, it’s a website which sells rail tickets for Poland and elsewhere.
2. PolskiBus disappeared as a brand, got merged with Flixbus.