How to Get from Krakow to Warsaw
The transport alternatives that serve as a connection point between the two cities are very diverse. In this article I will explain them in detail so that you can choose the most convenient one according to your requirements.
Main Market Square and St. Adalbert's Church, Kraków | ©Milán Tvrdy
In Poland the two main cities are Krakow and Warsaw; because of this many people wonder whetherit is better to visit Krakow or Warsaw, which one they should visit and for how long. For me the answer is very simple: if your travel itinerary allows it, visit both destinations, as you will find a lot to see and do in both.
If your travel plan includes a stop in Krakow for three days or you 'll be in Krakow for four days, I have good news for you: getting to the capital from this historic city is easy: trains, planes, buses and excursions. Here you will find all the alternatives available and in which scenarios you should choose one of them. Take note and have an amazing trip!
Warsaw Day Trip from Krakow
Day trip with transfers
Enjoy the best of Warsaw with an expert guide and time to explore on your own.
Embark on an exciting journey from Krakow to Warsaw, with a 13-hour private tour that will immerse you in the history and culture of Poland. Beginning with a train ride from your hotel to Warsaw Central Station, you'll be met by an expert local guide.
In Warsaw, you'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and the elegant Krakowskie Przedmiescie, where you'll admire historic architecture and monuments such as St. Anne's Church, the Presidential Palace and Warsaw University.
Continue the tour with a visit to the impressive Palace of Culture and Science, ascending to its observation deck on the 30th floor for panoramic views of the city.
Recommended if... you want to get to know Poland's city from an expert guide and enjoy free time to explore the city on your own.
1. Best way to get there: From Krakow to Warsaw on an organised tour.
Visiting Kraków from Warsaw on an excursion is the smartest option if you want to make the most of your time in the Polish capital; guides are trained to move tourists through the main points of interest. The idea is that at the end of your trip you won't miss anything worth seeing.
Route and types of tours Krakow - Warsaw
- Private tour to Warsaw from Krakow
Private tours mostly include pick-up from your hotel as part of the added services to the experience.
- Guided tour to Warsaw from Krakow
Group excursions usually involve transportation only to a common meeting point in a central and easily accessible area. Another common alternative is to travel on your own from Krakow and to meet at the meeting point with a guide in Warsaw.
Both models of excursions include a guide in your own language who accompanies the travellers during the whole trip. These trips include a visit to explore the best of the Polish capital and are sure to include a visit to explore the Old Town of Warsaw, almost entirely destroyed by bombs and rebuilt in a spectacular way
Useful information
- Price: The price may vary depending on the type of tour you prefer; an estimated value for group tours is €180, while private tours with pick-up from your hotel in Krakow can easily exceed €400.
- Duration of the trip: You will need to reserve a full day of your itinerary for this tour. Organisers of this type of experience usually leave Krakow early in the morning and return to the city in the evening.
- Recommended if... You are visiting Poland for the first time and are looking to make the most of your time; it is also an ideal option for those who are not very familiar with the language and would prefer to find alternative guides who are able to communicate in their native language.
2. The quickest option: Travel from Krakow to Warsaw by train
Visiting the Polish capital from Krakow is part of the regular routine for thousands of Polish citizens, which is why you'll find the transport service between these cities to be efficient, organised and above all punctual, as well as economical considering the valuable time it saves.
The only thing you should be aware of is the language. If you don't speak Polish or English, the best alternative is perhaps an excursion. Otherwise I recommend studying some Polish expressions before you arrive at your destination. If you are contemplating using the train service, take the following points into account.
Routes and companies offering this service
Departure from Kraków Central Railway Station (Kraków Główny) Arrival at Warszawa Zachodnia Station in Warsaw.
Useful information about PKP Intercity
- Price: A train ticket from Kraków to Warsaw costs on average €17; consider that you will have to pay this amount for both the outward and the return journey.
- Journeytime: The minimum journey time for this option is approximately three hours on the route alone. You will need to factor in additional waiting time, although with the frequency of journeys it is usually a short waiting time.
- Recommended if... If you are entirely familiar with Poland, can communicate easily in languages such as Polish and English, this is an excellent alternative. While it is true that not all Poles speak English, a good part of the younger population has English as a second language. Finding people who speak Spanish is a bit more complicated.
3. The cheapest option: Travel from Krakow to Warsaw by bus.
A bus trip from Krakow to Warsaw is a great way to enjoy the sights of Poland while still getting to know the Polish capital on a budget. The Krakow-Warsaw route is one of the most popular in the country and you'll find a number of different companies offering connections between the two points and at various times.
As a point to consider, you should familiarise yourself with the timetables of the different routes and be on time so as not to miss the bus and disrupt your itinerary; you should also take into account the length of the journey using this means of transport. If your trip to Krakow is short, such as two days in Krakow, this may not be the most convenient alternative.
Routes and companies offering this service
Departure from Krakow Bus Station, Bosacka St 18 Arrival at Warsaw Warszawa-Zachodnia Bus Station, Al. Jerozolimskie 144
Departure from Little Poland bus station Arrival at Warszawa Zachodnia bus station in Warsaw.
Useful information
- Price: The ticket price for a bus trip Krakow-Warsaw route usually starts from 9,50€ on average. Please note that you will need to buy a return ticket to get back to the city.
- Journeytime: This is usually one of the most time-consuming alternatives due to the length of the route and the stops involved. The journey will take 4 to 5 hours, as well as waiting time at the station.
- Recommended if... You will be in the city of Krakow for 5 or more days and want to spend at least 2 days of your itinerary getting to know the Polish capital. By shaving almost 10 hours off your return journey, you'll have about a day to enjoy the city's attractions.
4. The most flexible option: Travel from Kraków to Warsaw by car
If you want the opportunity to make a fully personalised trip, it's good to know that you can get from Kraków to Warsaw by car, using any of the three main roads connecting the two points. As a tip, before arriving in the Polish capital evaluate the alternatives for parking in Warsaw so that you can be clear about where to go depending on the places you're going to visit.
Opt to rent a car in Krakow only if the other options presented don't suit your tastes, as going on your own will require additional planning and hassle. Even if you are travelling to Krakow with children, the other alternatives, such as the train or private tour, may suit your needs.
Routes and companies offering this service
- Routes: If you make the journey on your own you will find several alternative routes. The S7 motorway is the most popular, but if you want to detour to cities such as Katowice, you'll need to take the A1 motorway and then connect with the S8.
- Car hire: Car rental companies offering this service include: Autoeurope and Polandcar
Useful travel information
- Price: Renting a car in Krakow is cheap, with an average price of €10 per day, but you'll need to add fuel costs for the journey to Warsaw and back to the transport budget. Depending on the route you choose (there are several routes), tolls may or may not apply.
- Travel time: Traveling by car is one of the fastest alternatives, with an average time of 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the route you choose.
- Recommended if... You want to make a personalised trip, manage your time as you wish and consider visiting other Polish cities such as Częstochowa. Otherwise, in almost all other scenarios it is best to either take an excursion or take the train to the city.
5. The least convenient option: Getting from Kraków to Warsaw by plane.
As the country's two main cities, both destinations are well connected to the rest of the continent. In Kraków you'll find one airport where local and international flights arrive every day, while the capital has two airports that receive both local and international travellers.
The main drawback with this option is that it can be more expensive than the other alternatives listed here, but require almost the same amount of time and effort: in both cities the airports are a bit far from the city centre and you'll need to arrive well in advance to board the plane in Krakow. However, I will share with you the information you need to fly from Krakow to Warsaw.
Transfer from the city to Krakow Airport
Krakow's John Paul II Airport (KRK) is a small, simple terminal located 13.5 kilometres from the city and divided into two parts. Small commercial flights are constantly arriving, so there are several options for getting into the city. You can take the train, hire a taxi company at the airport, take the bus en route to the city or hire a private transfer to the city centre in advance.
Transfer from the city to Warsaw Airport
There are two airports in Warsaw: the first is Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) 10 kilometres from the centre of Warsaw, the second is Modlin Airport (WMI) 40 kilometres from the centre. Transport options available include: train, city bus and private transfer options.
Routes and companies offering this service
Departure from Krakow-John Paul II Airport (KRK) Arrival at Warsaw-Chopin Airport (WAW)
Departure from Krakow-John Paul II Airport (KRK) The route with this airline generally includes stopovers.
Useful information
- Price: Krakow-Warsaw airfare is quite cheap, with the average cost ranging from £32 to £42 for the cheapest options. To this budget you will have to add the cost of the airport transfer and, if needed, the return flight ticket to Krakow.
- Travel time: The flight from Krakow to Warsaw takes just one hour but you will need to consider the time before you can board the plane. If you consider these elements you will see that you spend the same amount of time as for example the train journey.
- Recommended if... You find a very cheap air ticket on offer to fly between these two cities; you can also consider it if you are on a multi-city tour and Warsaw is your next destination before continuing on to another city or country. Since this is the least convenient and easiest option, I would venture to say that almost any of the other alternatives listed above will be a better alternative for any traveller.