jeg

Hi,
I'm having trouble figuring out how to get my family from the Krakow airport to our hotel (Globtroter -- Plac Szczepanski, near the main square). I've read that there are buses that go from the airport to the city. Do those buses end at the bus station? Are they hard to locate at the airport? Do we pay on the bus? About how much would we pay for the bus? I know we could also call a taxi, but it's feeling a little daunting to get off the plane, figure out where to buy a phone card, figure out how to use it, find the phone number,then figure out where to wait for the taxi. Which taxi company would you recommend I call? Am I correct in assuming that it's better to call a taxi or should I just take one at the taxi stand? What should the taxi cost? We'll be arriving on Sky Europe, in case that matters.
Thanks for any help.

tmh

The bus was fairly obvious as not only does it have a sign, more than likely others will be standing at the stand/overhang. Read various books as we did to get the hang of traveling there and the local trsnpaorations (we used Lonely PLanet).

Depending on the hotel you use, they can call a taxi for you. ASk them about costs and arrangements. This is what they do besides let rooms.

John

TMH is correct. I did it in reverse Hotel to airport and had the hotel arrange a cab. Coming into Krakow by train, I had the hotel (via internet) arrange to have a cab waiting for me at the station. They were there with my name in the window right on time, no hassle. Can't remember the cost.
You'll love Krakow!
Have a great trip.

AAFrequentFlyer

Am I missing something? I would think that an international airport would have a taxi stand with taxi cabs available at all times. Why do you think you have to call?

jeg

Thanks for the responses.
tmh: I did ask the hotel about pick-up. They're willing to do this for the equivalent of $38.00 I wasn't sure how this compared to taking a regular taxi.
AAFrequentFlyer: Yes, I too thought you could just take a taxi at a stand at the airport. I've read several things about calling for taxis being a better way of getting a fair rate, but the truth is that I'm also going to Budapest and Prague on this trip and maybe confused all the information/tips rattling around in my brain. Maybe it didn't pertain to Krakow.
At any rate, does anyone know approx. how much a regular taxi would cost so I can compare it to the possible $38.00 pick-up?
Thanks.

AAFrequentFlyer

According to the official airport website: <b>http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng/jak_dojechac.asp</b>, the taxi will cost ~50PLN (~$15) to travel between the airport and city center

jeg

Thanks very much, AAFrequentFlyer. I should have thought to check the airport site!

Gavin

Last month it cost 50 zloty from the airport to the Novotel Centrum, just as AAFrequentFlyer reported. Oddly the return trip cost a bit more. Lots of taxis out front just like any other airport. I am told that the bus is very inexpensive and heard one positive report on it but with a family I think the taxi makes more sense.

kathrynj

Jeq,
Just got back from Krakow and staying at Globtrotter. We arrived by train and walked to the hotel---we e-mailed them about picking us up at the train station and they told us how much it was and could do it but also easy to get cab. They indicated it would only be about 3-4euro. I found them to be a great group and very fair (they let you use their front desk e-mail for free to check or quickly send e-mails). Guess what I'm saying is that if they quoted that rate, I doubt that it's a horrible ripoff. That said, the pre-arranged rides are always more costly. It depends if you want the comfort and security of having someone their....we did it in Warsaw and since we were tired, very foreign language, etc., it was well worth the cost. Have a great time in a wonderful town and nice place to stay!

jeg

Kathrynj--I'm glad to hear the good report about the Globtroter. There's very little, if anything, about it in this forum, but I'd read good reviews of it on other sites. Thanks!

GSteed

Suggestion: Search, Krakow Airport Poland.
Site notes that 1.3 million travellers use airport. 2 busses, #192 and #208. Fare about US 60 cents. Baggage may be charged another fare. Taxi, fare should be about US $20. Airport 10 miles from city center. ATM. Information desk may be able to call you a taxi. Trolleys free! Avoid soliciting taxi drivers! Poles call them, &quot;Bandits.&quot;

jeg

Thanks GSteed. We're back to the idea of potential taxi difficulties. I think I'm going to just play the whole thing by ear!

bookwurm70

Let me know what you ended up doing. I am going to Krakow Aug. 27 and wondered if the bus was an easy option with luggage.

jeg

Hi,
We did take the bus from the airport. We went straight from getting off the plane to the tourist information desk and the woman there explained where to catch the bus. We went to an ATM, got money and then got some smaller bills at an exchange counter. It was very easy. Have fun!

mauld

I don't want to put a wet blanket on this, but about a year ago I took the bus from the airport into Krakow (staying at the new Sheraton). The bus was easily found right outside the airport and initially wasn't too crowded. But as we got to the city center, more &amp; more people got on. My hotel had told me what stop to get off, but unfortunately from my spot on the bus, I wasn't able to see the street signs and ended up going well beyond where I should have. I then just got off where I saw some taxi's and got one to my hotel. For my return, I just grabed a taxi from the hotel and it was about US$12.

GSteed

Use the bus. Write/print the name of your hotel on a card. Show it to the driver. Try to get seats at the front of the bus.

AAFrequentFlyer

<b>GSteed</b>,

the OP reported over 9 months ago that she did use the bus and it worked for her, and <b>mauld</b> for some odd reason, had a need to bring the thread up again, but in fairness, she just wanted to report her experience.

Why get so bend out of shape <b>GSteed</b>?

The issue has been resolved.


BTW, when they say, be careful with taxi drivers, they usually mean the following: <i> be careful with the ones soliciting you outside of the customs exit door or inside the airport, not the taxis that are legit and controlled and waiting in line at the airport(s)</i>. There is a HUGE difference. Just chill out.

AAFrequentFlyer

BTW, I will give this fair warning to any novice traveler to a foreign country. In about 90% of the world's airports, you will experience the private taxi solicitation. BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE TO ANYBODY: JUST WALK AWAY! BETTER YET: DON'T EVEN BOTHER TALKING OR SHOWING INTEREST. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME SHAKING THESE GUYS OFF.

They will promise the world, and you will pay for it!

Just remember - if it's too good to be true, it ALWAYS is!

If you are resigned on taking a cab, go to the official airport taxi queue, or if there are booths inside the airport, then do it through them. DO NOT TALK TO THE SLEAZE BALLS TRYING TO GET YOUR BUSINESS AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE CUSTOMS. Trust me on that one, and you will be glad you did!

Happy travels!