Day trips from Cracow by train - trip ideas | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Wieliczka Salt Mine is just 20 minutes from Krakow by train, making it one of Poland's easiest day trips
• Ostrava in the Czech Republic has multiple direct daily connections from Krakow; journey time is around 2 hours 40 minutes
• Zakopane, the mountain resort capital of Poland, is reachable from Krakow in approximately 2 hours by train
• Tarnow is under 1 hour from Krakow by PKP Intercity and offers a beautifully preserved Renaissance old town
• Oswiecim and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial are easily accessible by early morning train from Krakow
• PolishTrains recommends booking day-trip tickets in advance to secure the best prices and seat guarantees

Cracow is conveniently located close to Poland's southern border. For this reason, it is easy to hop off from there for a day trip abroad. An example of such a trip could be a trip to the Czech city of Ostrava.

• There are several direct connectionsfrom Cracow every day - the earliest at 6:18 a.m., the latest at 8:57 p.m. The last return train to Cracow leaves at 7:16 p.m.

• Trains take an average of 2 hours 40 minutes, giving you plenty of time for sightseeing, especially if you choose one of the morning connections.

• Ostrava'smain train station is close to the most interesting attractions, which of course include the city's iconic landmarks like the castle and the old town hall, but also the Ostravar brewery, where you can see how the brewing process works and then taste the beer.

Cracow is located approximately 50 km from the Slovak border. Hence, day trips from Cracow to Slovakia are perfectly feasible. However, due to the mountain range of the Tatra Mountains, this journey by train may be difficult. At the moment, Slovakia can only be reached directly by train from Cracow to Bratislava. To all other destinations, especially those near the border, you have to go with a change in the Czech Republic in:

• Bohumin,

• Ostrava.

This makes the journey longer.

To Bratislava, you can take the night connection at 20:57. You will be in the Slovak capital at 6:02. The return train leaves Bratislava at 21:58.

A much better connection, in terms of day trips from Cracow abroad, is with the Austrian capital. There are four direct trains a day on this route. For a day trip without an overnight stay, the best choice is the connection leaving Cracow Główny station at 6:18 a. m. The journey takes 5 hours 31 minutes, and the train has amenities such as:

• Restaurant car,

• Wi-Fi,

• Seats for parents with children under 6 years of age,

• Seats for people with disabilities.

Seat reservations are required on international services. The return train is either at 16:10 or, if you are planning a longer tour, at 23:19.

Visiting Vienna in one day can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. For years, this city was the seat of the Habsburgs, one of the most powerful royal families in Europe. As a result, it became a powerful centre of culture and politics - today, traces of this are the numerous monuments we can see in the Austrian capital, such as:

• Schönbrunn Palace, serving as a summer residence,

• Hofburg Palace, the imperial residence,

• the Baroque Belvedere with its impressive French-style garden,

• St. Charles Borromeo Church, designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, an icon of Baroque architecture,

• the oldest and tallest church in Austria, St. Stephen's Cathedral,

• Albertina with its world-class collections, which include names such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Picasso,

• the Museum of Art History and the Museum of Natural History - two buildings on Maria Theresia Square.

These and many other places are definitely worth seeing. On a** day trip** to Vienna** from Cracow this is of course unrealistic. The itinerary should be tailored to your interests and your time and fitness possibilities. Also be sure to visit one of the atmospheric cafes, which are listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and date back to 1683.

Cracow is located close to the Beskids, which are popular with tourists. Many trails are accessible to the less fit or children - which is why they are so popular. If you are a hiking enthusiast, day trips from Cracow to the mountains may be for you. Where is the best place to go?

• Bielsko-Biała - you can get there from Cracow by direct trains throughout the day. IC trains cover the route in around 1 hour 20 minutes, while Polregio trains take 2 hours 40 minutes. In Bielsko-Biała, the Silesian and Little Beskids meet. The Little Beskid Trail also starts there and ends at Luboń Wielki in the Beskid Wyspowy. The most popular mountain trails here are Szyndzielnia and Klimczok.

• Andrychów - on the Krakow-Bielsko-Biała railway line is Andrychów, from where you can follow the green trail to the most popular peak of Beskid Mały, Leskowiec.

In the next few years, the network of connections will increase, as the railway line connecting Cracow with Szczyrzyc is being built and modernised - there, the line will branch off to Nowy Sącz via Tymbark and Limanowa, and to Rabka-Zdrój via Kasina Wielka and Mszana Dolna. Passengers will gain rail connections that will provide access to the Beskid Wyspowy, Sądecki and Gorce mountain trails.

You can get to the capital of the Tatra Mountains from Cracow in about 3 hours. You can head to the mountain trails or valleys:

• Dolina Białego,

• Strążyska Valley,

• Olczyska Valley.

These three valleys are easily accessible from the train station in Zakopane. Some of the simpler trails from the city centre are also going to Nosal, Polana Kondratowa or Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy via Hala Gąsienicowa, very popular especially in spring, sprinkled with crocuses at that time. Lovers of mountain hiking can also go to Giewont, Kasprowy Wierch or other numerous trails of the High Tatras.

Art lovers will also find something for themselvesin Zakopane. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the town attracted artists enchanted by the Tatra nature. Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, Zofia Stryjeńska, Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer and many others visited Zakopane. You can find out more about Zakopane's history and artistic and cultural life in numerous museums such as:

• Zakopane Style Museum,

• Willa Oksza,

• Tatra Museum,

• Villa Atma.

It is also worth going to the Cemetery of the Deserved on Pęksowy Brzyzku. There are buried such important figures for the city as Stanisław Marusarz, Władysław Hasior, Kornel Makuszyński, Tytus Chałubiński, Karol Stryjeński or the already mentioned Stanisław Witkiewicz and Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer. There are also several symbolic graves at Pęksowy Brzyzek, including those of Maciej Berbeka or Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz.

EveryJanuary, Zakopane becomes the arena for ski jumping - the competition is extremely popular with fans of the sport. They also get to the city by train, as it is easy to get from the station to the Wielka Krokiew.

Day trips to ski from Cracow by rail are possible, but require very good organisation. The best choices would be the already mentioned Zakopane and Bielsko-Biala, which are well connected by rail and have accessible ski slopes. In addition, you can also go to Chabówka - a ski lift with equipment rental "U Żura" is available near the Chabówka Stadion station.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is one of the most important points of interest for tourists visiting Cracow and the surrounding area. Day trips from Cracow to Auschwitz by rail are possible on both fast IC trains and regional Polregio services. It is also possible to take the Leo Express line. Depending on the choice of train type, the journey takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour 18 minutes. From the main station in Oświęcim, both the Auschwitz and Birkenau sections are easily accessible. Some important information about visiting the former extermination camp:

• Tours are free of charge, however advance booking is required.

• The guided tour takes approximately 3.5 hours.

• Backpack or bag size limits apply: 35x25x15 cm.

• Due to the nature of the Museum, it is not recommended for children under 14.

The Salt Mine in Wieliczka is very popular among tourists. It is not without reason that it is on the UNESCO world heritage list. However, this town also has other attractions:

• The Cracow SaltworksMuseum based in the Saltworks Castle, famous for the world's most valuable collection of salt shakers, which includes more than 1,000 objects.

• The 16th-century St. Sebastian's Church - an example of wooden architecture of the Polish lands. It was erected as a votive offering after saving Wieliczka from a cholera epidemic. Inside there are polychromes from the beginning of the 20th century by Włodzimierz Tetmajer.

Although Cracow is around 300 km from the Polish capital, connections between the two cities are frequent and relatively fast. This means you can organise a day trip from Cracow to Warsaw without the stress and fast pace of sightseeing.

• Direct trains between Cracow and Warsaw run from early morning throughout the day.

• The journey takes an average of 4 hours, while the EIP Pendolino covers the route in 2 hours 28 minutes.

Attractions in Warsaw can be tailored to your interests, your fitness and, most importantly, the time you set aside to see the city. One thing is certain - there is something for everyone - children, adults and seniors. Lovers of art, nature and science. The city is full of interesting museums, sports venues, as well as establishments related to science, entertainment and history. The most frequently visited sites are:

• The Royal Castle,

• Copernicus Science Centre,

• Lazienki Park,

• Palace of Culture and Science.

Warsaw also hosts many events, especially concerts held at the National Stadium or matches of the Polish national football team.

Day trips from Cracow allow you to see unusual places located near the capital of the Lesser Poland region. It is a good starting point for further trips to different parts of the country and Europe, which can be easily reached by direct trains - without stressing about traffic jams and finding a parking place. Cracow is not only a good starting point for cultural trips, but also those connected with physical activity - hiking and skiing.