Getting There and Away

Written by Chloe Davies, Ian Walker
06/09/2025
Discover stunning views and adventure on hiking trails in Zakopane, Poland's majestic Tatra Mountains.
Krista Glīzdeniece, Pexels

Zakopane serves as a regional transport hub, featuring a combined bus and railway station within its Centrum Komunikacyjne, located a short walk from the town centre.

By Bus:

The most frequent and often fastest public transport option to Zakopane is by bus, primarily from Krakow. Services from Krakow's main bus station (Dworzec Autobusowy or MDA) are run by companies like FlixBus, MajerBus, Euroticket, and Infobus. The journey typically takes between 1 hour 55 minutes and 2.5 hours. One-way tickets can cost as little as 22 PLN (approximately 5€) up to around 65 PLN, with a return trip from Krakow potentially costing about £14.23. Buses depart frequently, often hourly. Booking tickets in advance, especially during peak travel times like Polish school holidays, is recommended.

By Train:

Direct train services to Zakopane operate from major cities such as Krakow and Warsaw, provided by PKP Intercity, Polregio, and Koleje Śląskie. While historically slower, some faster services from Krakow can take approximately 2 hours 26 minutes, though many routes still take over 3 hours. Train fares from Krakow can range from about 22.50 PLN for local services to around 115 PLN for Intercity trains, or £6-£11 for advance tickets. From Warsaw, the journey, often with a transfer in Krakow, can take around 6 hours 20 minutes, with tickets ranging from 64 PLN to 250 PLN. Tickets should be purchased before boarding.

By Car:

Renting a car provides flexibility for exploring the region. Rental companies such as Car Net, Express Rent a Car, Panek, and Sixt operate in Zakopane. Krakow J. Paul II Balice Airport (KRK), located about 88 km away, is a convenient place to pick up a rental car. Daily rental costs can start from approximately 99 PLN for an economic car to 129 PLN for a compact car, with weekly rates around 233 PLN. Driving from Krakow typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

By Private Transfer/Taxi:

Private transfers from Krakow to Zakopane are available and take roughly two hours. A taxi from Krakow could cost between 350-420 PLN. Within Zakopane, several local taxi companies operate, though ride-sharing services like Uber or Bolt were not available as of 2023.

Check out our other pages on Zakopane

Things to Do icon Things to Do Restaurants icon Restaurants Bars and Entertainment icon Bars and Entertainment Hotels icon Hotels Budget Stays icon Budget Stays