Kraków is a very walkable city, especially in the Old Town, but sometimes public transport is the best way to get around — especially if you’re going to places like Schindler’s Factory, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Nowa Huta, or even your hotel outside the city center. Thankfully, the system is affordable, safe, and easy to use once you know the basics.
Here’s everything you need to know to confidently use trams and buses in Kraków.
🚋 What Kind of Public Transport Is Available?
Kraków’s public transport is operated by MPK Kraków and Mobilis companies and includes:
- Trams – the most common form of transport, especially in the city center
- Buses – helpful for areas not covered by tram lines, like the airport or suburbs
Both trams and buses use the same ticket system, so you don’t need to worry about different fares.
🎫 Tickets: What Kind You Need and Where to Get Them
Tickets are time-based, not distance-based. Here are the most useful types for tourists:
| Ticket Type | Duration | Price (Normal / Reduced*) |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip | 20 minutes | 4.00 zł / 2.00 zł |
| Single ride | 60 minutes or 1 single ride | 6.00 zł / 3.00 zł |
| 24-hour | 24 hours | 17.00 zł / 8.50 zł |
| 72-hour | 72 hours | 50.00 zł / 25.00 zł |
*Reduced tickets are for children, students under 26 years old, and pensioners with valid ID.
Tip: If you’re planning a full day of sightseeing or several rides in a short time, the 24-hour pass is excellent value.
If you are over 70 years old, enjoy public transportation in Kraków for free! Just show your passport in case of an inspection. It applies to all travellers, not only Polish citizens.
🛒 Where to Buy Tickets
You can get tickets in a few ways:
- Ticket machines: Available at most stops and inside trams/buses. They have an English option. Machines at the stops accept cards, banknotes or coins. Machines inside the vehicles accept either cards or coins (never banknotes).
- Mobile apps: Use apps like Jakdojade or SkyCash (register with a card and buy tickets on the go).
- Kiosks or convenience stores: Look for places with an “MPK” or “bilety” sign.
✅ Don’t Forget to Validate Your Ticket!
- If you bought your ticket from a machine, you must validate it once you board, using a small yellow or orange box near the door.
- A validated ticket can be used for an unlimited number of transfers, as long as it remains valid. For example, with a 20-minute ticket, you can take tram line 8 for 3 minutes, then wait 4 minutes for a transfer to bus number 179, and continue your journey on the bus for another 7 minutes. The ticket should be validated only once, when you start your journey — there’s no need to validate it again when boarding another vehicle.
- If you buy a ticket in an app, it validates automatically.
Failing to validate your ticket can result in a fine of 240 zł (around €55) if checked by an inspector.
🗺️ Finding the Right Tram or Bus
Use Google Maps or the Jakdojade app – it’s the most popular public transport planner in Poland. It shows:
- Best route with real-time departure times
- What platform to stand on
- Which ticket to buy
- Delays or line changes
You can download it for iOS or Android and switch to English in the settings.
🕒 Operating Hours & Night Buses
- Trams run from around 4:00/5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- After that, night buses and trams (lines numbered from “6xx”) operate on main routes every 30–60 minutes
- Tram lines usually run every 5 to 10 minutes during the day, and slightly less frequently in the early morning and late evening. Most city bus lines arrive at stops approximately every 15 to 20 minutes.
Tip: Always check the schedule for weekends or holidays — some lines run less frequently.
🧭 Most Useful Lines for Tourists
- Tram 3, 13, 18, 24 – cross the Old Town, great for reaching Kazimierz or Podgórze
- Tram 20, 50 – stops near Schindler’s Factory (‘Klimeckiego’ stop)
- Tram 4, 10 – to get from the Old Town to Nowa Huta (‘Plac Centralny’ stop)
- Bus 304 – goes from the city center to Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Bus 300 – from Kraków Airport to the city
🧳 Taking Public Transport from the Airport?
You can take:
- Bus 300 – stops directly outside the terminal, goes to the city center (‘Rondo Grunwaldzkie’ or ‘Jubilat’ stops)
- Train – faster and more convenient, but requires a separate ticket (20 zł one-way)
If you’re unsure, check out our full guide: How to Get from Kraków Airport to City Center
💡 Extra Tips
- Public transport is very safe — even at night.
- The vast majority of trams and buses in Kraków are modern vehicles, many of which were manufactured in Poland.
- Don’t expect announcements in English, but stop names are displayed electronically.
- Always carry a valid ticket. Inspections are random but regular. They do speak enough English to inform you about the fine.
Summary: Getting Around Kraków
✅ Use trams for most sightseeing routes
✅ Buy and validate your ticket (or use an app)
✅ Use Jakdojade or Google Maps for easy navigation
✅ 24h or 72h passes are great value if you’re staying longer
Public transport in Kraków is efficient, clean, and easy — especially once you get the hang of the ticket system. And if you still have questions, don’t worry — your local guide will help you during any of our tours!