Hi, I am looking at doing a weekend trip to Krakow from Rome. I found a cheap flight arriving in Krakow at 11:30 pm. Is the airport far from town? Is this doable? I have plans to go to Auschwitz. Anything else one should do in Krakow, or should I go to Warsaw? Thanks for the input. Oh, hostel advice would be appreciated too.

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,
Sounds like you have a great weekend ahead of you. Krakow is beautiful. Actually, it's my favorite city!
Anyway, I think it’s about 35-40 minutes by bus from the airport to the city center. It will obviously take you no time to get into town if you decide to catch a taxi.
There are so many things to do in Krakow that a weekend is only going to give you a gist of what's there. The huge Market Square is gorgeous and you'll probably spend a lot of time there. I love the Wawel Castle and Cathedral on the Wawel Hill, the Mariacki Church in the Market Square (make sure to go inside), Sukiennice, the Jagiellonian University, Barbakan, Florian Gate, Kazimierz district and so much more... I also highly recommend a visit to Wieliczka Salt Mine. Just like Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is on the Unesco World Heritage list. Everything (floors, staircases, sculptures, chandeliers, etc.) are made out of salt. There are salt lakes and other very interesting things there. There is also a spa, post office and a restaurant, all hundreds of meters underground. http://www.kopalnia-wieliczka.pl/english. Certainly, this is one of a kind experience.
Or how about stopping by Wierzynek restaurant. Even, if you won’t have time to dine there you will be able to tell your friends that you visited a restaurant that’s 641 years old (yes, it was established in 1364).

It looks like you will have a very busy weekend.
Enjoy!
Caroline

I love Krakow, also, and think it would make a perfect weekend trip. I haven't been to Warsaw, but from everything I've read, Krakow would be a better choice.

The airport is about 15 km outside of town. I took a cab to the airport from the city and it wasn't bad, of course, because it's not far. There are some buses also but I don't know their schedule.

There is plenty to do in Krakow itself for a weekend that you don't need to go elsewhere if you don't want to--the castle, churches, the Jewish quarter, many good museums, and very pleasant to just walk around.

I don't know hostels, there are several well-located cheap hotels in Prague that aren't that expensive. Maybe you could get one near the train station as I think that's where the airport bus goes. The train station isn't that far from the center of the city.

I have just returned from 2 weeks in Warsaw punctuated by a long weekend in Krakow. I found Warsaw dreary and generally unhospitable. Not krakow which, as others have noted, is quite delightful. If you have time take a tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. I found restaurants in Poland indifferent on the whole; an exception was Hawelka in Krakow which is a dining experience of a stately and sedate variety not seen in other restaurants.

Hi - We did a Poland trip a few years ago and Krakow is one of my favorite places ever, a real jewel. We spent 5 days in Krakow and didn't run out of things to see. Don't miss the salt mine. Across from the train station there was a tourist office, and it was here that we were approached by an english speaking cab driver who offered to be our guide for the day, whereever we wanted to go. The price wasn't bad, and it was worthwhile because instead of having to be on a schedule we could take all the time we wanted at Auschwitz. It's definitely a place to experience at your own pace. Be sure to take the time to see Birkenau camp, which is basically next door to Auschwitz. It's not the same and gives you the full realization of the size of the camps. The market shopping is wonderful -- beautiful amber at great prices. The jewish ghetto was very interesting. When we were there you could take a "Schindler's List" tour which was kind of corny but also very interesting. Skip Warsaw -- it was so demolished during WWII that it is missing the history and ambience of Krakow. Enjoy Krakow -- you'll want to go back for more!