See Answers to Frequently Asked
Krakow Questions.
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What currency should I bring with me to Krakow, euro or
US dollars or sterling?
You may easily change any major currency – from euro and
American dollars to Swiss francs to Canadian dollars –
in the downtown Krakow when you drop in to a bank or a
forex establishment called ‘Kantor’ in this country (the
latter often offer slightly better exchange rates). Plus Krakow’s
banks may swap practically all world currencies.
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Can I pay in euros in Krakow?
Poland is the European Union now but outside the euro zone
so the Polish zloty (abbreviation PLN) remains the legal
tender in this country. Still some
Krakow shops and other establishments accept euros.
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How can I get Polish money?
You may exchange foreign currencies in banks, numerous forex
establishments called ‘Kantor’, even most
hotels in Krakow. One may also draw with a bank card on ATMs (automated
teller machines a.k.a. cash dispensers or cashpoints) scattered amply throughout the city.
Plus you may cash travelers checks in Pekao SA bank at the
central Rynek Glowny square.
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What restaurants do you recommend in Krakow?
Please find good
restaurants in Krakow with various cuisines
listed at our section about Krakow food.
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Is vegetarian food difficult to get in Krakow?
Vegetarian dishes are available practically in every
Krakow restaurant though they does not necessarily fit
purist vegan standards. Also, there is a number of
vegetarian restaurants in the city.
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What hotels do you recommend in Krakow?
Please see hotels listed in our section about
Krakow hotels and our
Krakow lodging guide.
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Can I find cheap lodgings in Krakow?
Sure, there are numerous options, from
hostels to bed and breakfasts
(called ‘pensjonat’ in Polish) to
rental holiday apartments.
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How can I get from the airport to the center of Krakow?
By taxi, bus, or shuttle train to the
Krakow central train station.
Taxi stands in front of the passenger terminals belong to cabbies employed by a subsidiary company of the Krakow Airport. They charge either 69 zloty (PLN) or 89 PLN for a journey to central Krakow. Also, you may phone one of Krakow's taxi calling centers and they will send the nearest cab available. Daytime fare for a ride to the center of Krakow should not exceed the equivalent of 20 euro, and 35 euro anywhere
within the city limits but unauthorized taxis may be costlier.
Shuttle trains link the Balice Airport with the
Krakow Glowny central
station, located close to the Old Town historic
district in the middle of the city (the main
bus
station of Krakow
is situated next to the railway station). They run every 30
minutes and the journey takes under 20 minutes according
to the timetable. The earliest
train to the Krakow
Airport leaves from the
central station at 4:06 am and the
latest one at 11:36 pm. The first and the last departure
from the airport station are 5:16 am and 12:18 am
respectively. A one-way ticket costs 12 zlotys (PLN).
Ticket machines are in the airport terminal, at every
station, and aboard the trains and they accept cash as
well as plastic money.
Three municipal bus services are available at a stop
situated about fifty meters from the International
Terminal. Fare is an
equivalent of roughly one euro. Line 252
runs to downtown Krakow every 30
minutes or so in daytime
between 5:17 a.m. and 11:07 p.m. Line 208 connects
the Balice
airport with the central bus depot and Krakow Glowny
central train station and runs every hour from 4:35 a.m.
to 9:20 p.m. Nightly bus 902 operates the same route,
leaving every hour or so between 11:20 p.m. and 4:50 a.m. "Fast"
bus goes from the airport to the central train and bus
stations with few stops in
between and runs every hour from 7:50 am to 10:50 pm.
Please note that some Krakow hotels
pick their guests up at the airport.
By car, taxi, bus or train. Conversely,
buying a day trip seems a good option. During the
daytime trains leave for Oswiecim from
the Krakow Glowny main rail station
almost every hour and buses every 20
minutes or so. The journey takes up to two hours. A single ticket costs an equivalent of about
four euros. The train station abuts on Krakow’s central
Old Town historic district
at northeast and the bus depot is situated right behind it to
the east.
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Can I book a train ticket.
Most long-distance trains require paid seat reservation.
You may purchase it on departure together with your ticket
at the train station. Conversely, you may
buy both ticket and the reservation at any
rail station in Poland on 90 days or less before the
departure date. One may also book and buy a train ticket
online at https://bilet.intercity.pl/irez/ but if nothing
has changed you need a Polish address to do this.
Personal
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Can you, Krakow Info, find my
relatives/friends in Krakow?
No. Please look up in phone directories. Conversely, you may
run an advertisement in local newspapers.
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How may I trace my Krakow ancestors?
The Krakow chapter of the state archives possibly might help
you. It’s postal address is Archiwum Panstwowe, ul. Sienna
16, 31-041 Krakow, Poland. Phone (+48) 124224094. They do
paid research.
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How can I get the birth/death certificate of my
parents/grandparents who lived in Krakow?
The municipal register issues the certificates and their
duplicates to proven relatives. One may contact it at the
following postal address Urzad Stanu Cywilnego, ul. Lubelska
27, 30-003 Krakow, Poland. Or via phone at (+48) 126165519,
or fax at (+48) 12126165520. You may also send them a message online at
www.bip.krakow.pl/idz or via email at
sc.umk@um.krakow.pl
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Can I buy a
flat (house, other estate) in Krakow?
Yes, though some foreigners who are not EU citizens need a permit to purchase
real estate in Krakow. Please see details in our section
about Krakow’s property market.
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Events in Krakow
Look up concerts, other upcoming Krakow events, updates, and whatever goes on in the
city.
Krakow news
Our Krakow Tips
Communication tips
How to
get and stay in touch when in Krakow.
Safety tips
How to
be on the safe side in Krakow.
Transport tips
How
to move around in Krakow.
Health tips
How to
stay healthy in Krakow.
Tips on manners
What
does it mean to have good manners in Krakow.
Tips for the Business Visitor Coming to Krakow
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