I am an experienced Western Europe traveler but not strong on Central Europe. Will be in Krakow (9) nights in September and am looking for good/inexpensive accomodations such as small pensions, adult hostels, etc. Have a friend who studied in Krakow and stayed at Piast Hostel. Has anyone had experiences there? It looks like it might be convenient to the train/bus station and not too far from the City Centre. Will be taking day trips to Zakopane, Czestochowa and the Salt Mines. Is train or bus the better alternative? In terms of local bus/tram travel, is there a Senior Citizen card that might be available? Any suggestions/help GREATLY appreciated.

I am going to answer this before it goes really far down from the top.
I am going to be in Krakow for the first time and looked estensively for lodging.
For nine nights I would consider an apartment. Krakow has many apartments that are inexpensive.
I also looked into Nathan's Villa Hostel which gets good reviews in several books that I read.
There is also a website www.bvr.hu which lists a hostel type accomodation, Joseph's, and it pays you to look into this place. It is mentioned by the owner of one of the apartments that we are renting. He is very easy to reach by email and I am sure will answer your questions.

Anyway. I hope my answer brings your post to the top and you get more replies.

I stayed in Guesthouse Trecius in Krakow and highly recommend it, particularly for its location: I walked to just about everything!

A great resource is www.inyourpocket.com; it was quite helpful.

Can't help with Zakopane or Czestochowa, but I took a mini-bus out to the salt mines and the train to Warsaw, both easy enough.

Here's my trip report for some further ideas/suggestions for lovely Krakow:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-july-2006.cfm

Hi Amy. We are staying at the Trecius also. I am not much of a breakfast eater but I was wondering about the breakfast they offer. The have a Continental breakfast and a full breakfast. Both are inexpensive but I am curious.

Sher, sorry I missed this one! I don't remember much about breakfast at Trecius; I'm not sure if they even had one on offer at that time, as it (breakfast) seems to come and go. So I'm sorry
I can't help with which is what; it definitely wasn't memorable, for sure, if it did exist!

Hi Amy. Thanks for getting back to me. They are offering breakfast and it is incredibly inexpensive. I just wondering but they do not require that you eat it.
I am glad you liked this hotel.