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See
Answers to Frequently Asked Krakow Questions.
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What
currency should I bring with me to Krakow, euros or US
dollars or sterling?
You
may easily change any major currency – from euros 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
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. One may
also draw with a bank card on ATMs (cash dispensers,
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 the city’s good restaurants 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’s
restaurant. 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 or bus or a shuttle train. The taxi is an equivalent of
20-60 euro as fleets
and the individual owners charge different fares and double
them for the late-night and/or Sunday’s rides. On the other
hand there is nothing wrong in bargaining. There are two
regular municipal bus lines from Balice’s John Paul II
International Airport, 292 to downtown
Krakow, and 208 to Bronowice Nowe district's local public
transportation hub. In the daytime they
run roughly every half hour and a single ticket is an equivalent
of about 0.8 euro. Some other carriers also bus people
from the Krakow airport but their services are erratic.
Shuttle train service connects Krakow’s Balice airport with
the Krakow Glowny main rail station in the city center. On
average, trains run every thirty minutes or so between 4 a.m.
and midnight. A single ticket costs 1.5 euro or an equivalent and you may purchase it on the train. The
15-kilometer journey should take some 15 minutes but delays
are fairly frequent.
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 (see
the schedule) and buses every 30 minutes or so. 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 or even after boarding from the conductor,
which costs a little extra. Conversely, you may buy both
ticket and the reservation at any rail station in Poland on 30
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 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)
126335566.
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Can
I buy a flat (house, other estate) in Krakow?
Yes,
though some foreigners need a permit to purchase real
estate in Krakow. Please see details in our section about Krakow’s
property market.
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Look
up Krakow events, updates, and whatever goes on in the city.
News
Updates on upcoming events.
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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