Airport
John Paul II International Airport
IATA Code: KRKLocation: The airport is situated 7 miles (11km) west of Krakow.
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +48 (0) 12 639 33 01; or +48 (0) 12 639 33 22.
Transfer to the city: City bus services 208 and 192 leave from the roundabout in front of the passenger terminal, ferrying passengers regularly to the city centre. Taxis are also available outside the arrivals hall and take 20 minutes to get to the city centre. A shuttle train operates between the airport and the city centre. The Kraków-Balice train station is located 200m from the passenger terminal and operated a daytime service every 30 minutes.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz.
Facilities: There are banks, bureaux de change and ATMs at the airport. Other facilities include restaurants, bars, and shops, duty-free, child facilities, tourist information and hotel reservations desk, WiFi and a post office. A business lounge (60 zl) and VIP lounge is also available. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking:
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.lotnisko-balice.pl
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Krakow
The only major city to escape the destruction of World War II, Krakow has one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in all of Europe. The Old Town is a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site and retains a wealth of architectural gems from different periods, with magnificent churches and aristocratic palaces lining the old streets, reminiscent of its glorious days when it was the abode of kings and royalty. At the heart of the city lies one of the grandest squares in Europe, the Old Market Square.
The charming Old Town is a compact area encircled by leafy parkland that forms a green belt around the historic centre. The main entrance to the old city was through the Florian Gate, set within the original city walls, now the haunt of artists and full of galleries containing their work. With a thriving cultural life, it has been home to many of the nation's greatest writers, artists and intellectuals, and is one of the main cultural centres in the country, a spirited city with personality and charisma.
Overlooking the city is Wawel Hill, topped by the striking Royal Castle and Cathedral, the seat of Polish kings for seven centuries and the symbols of Polish national history. Also important is the city's Jewish roots, and the history of one of the great Jewish centres in Europe can clearly be seen in the old ghetto area of Kazimierz, and starkly remembered in the memorial death camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, west of Krakow.
Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, Krakow is also a modern city, the third largest in Poland, and an important university centre boasting the oldest university in Europe. The large student population creates a lively atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife. Countless cafes and outdoor restaurants surround the cobbled main square. The unique atmosphere of this medieval city has made it one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations.
