How to Get from Krakow to Warsaw

The transportation alternatives that serve as a connection point between both cities are very diverse. In this article I explain them in detail so that you can choose the most convenient one according to your requirements.

Katherine Betances

Katherine Betances

9 min read

How to Get from Krakow to Warsaw

Main Market Square and St. Adalbert's Church, Krakow | ©Milán Tvrdy

In Poland the two main cities of the country are Krakow and Warsaw; because of this many people wonder ifit is better to visit Krakow or Warsaw, which one they should visit and for how long. For me the answer is very simple: if your travel itinerary allows it, visit both destinations, because in both you will find a lot to see and do.

If your travel plan includes a stop in Krakow for three days or you are going to spend four days in Krakow I have good news for you: getting to the capital from this historic city is very easy; trains, planes, buses and excursions. Here you will find all the available alternatives and in which scenarios you should choose another one. Take note and enjoy an amazing trip!

The best option

Warsaw Day Trip from Krakow

Day trip with transfers

Enjoy the best of Warsaw with an expert guide and time to explore on your own.

Duration: 12 to 13 hours

Embark on an exciting journey from Krakow to Warsaw, with a 13-hour private tour that will immerse you in the history and culture of Poland. Beginning with a train ride from your hotel to Warsaw Central Station, you'll be met by an expert local guide.

In Warsaw, you'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and the elegant Krakowskie Przedmiescie, where you'll admire historic architecture and monuments such as St. Anne's Church, the Presidential Palace and Warsaw University.

Continue the tour with a visit to the impressive Palace of Culture and Science, ascending to its observation deck on the 30th floor for panoramic views of the city.

Recommended if... you want to get to know the city of Poland with an expert guide and enjoy free time to explore the city on your own.

1. Best way to get there: Go from Krakow to Warsaw on an organized tour.

Warsaw Royal Castle Square| ©Vinicius Pinheiro
Warsaw Royal Castle Square| ©Vinicius Pinheiro

Visiting Krakow from Warsaw on an excursion is the smartest option if you want to make the most of your time in the Polish capital; guides are trained to move tourists through the points of greatest interest. The idea is that at the end of your trip you won't miss anything that is really worth seeing.

Route and types of excursions Krakow - Warsaw

  • Private tour to Warsaw from Krakow

Private tours mostly include pick-up from your hotel as part of the services added to the experience.

  • Guided tour to Warsaw from Krakow

Group excursions usually include transportation only to a common meeting point in a central and easily accessible area. Another common alternative is to travel on your own from Krakow and to meet at the meeting point with a guide in Warsaw.

Both models of excursions include a guide in your language who accompanies the travelers during the whole trip. In these trips are contemplated to know the best of the Polish capital so it is sure to include a visit to explore the old town of Warsaw, destroyed almost entirely by bombs and rebuilt in a spectacular way

Useful information

  • Price: It may vary depending on the type of tour you prefer; an estimated value for group tours is 180€; while private tours with pick-up from your hotel in Krakow can easily exceed 400€.
  • Duration of the trip: You will need to reserve a full day of your itinerary for this tour. The organizers of this type of experience usually leave Krakow early in the morning and return to the city in the evening.
  • Recommended if... You are visiting Poland for the first time and are looking to make the most of your time; it is also an ideal option for those who are not very familiar with the language and prefer to look for alternative guides who are able to communicate in their native language.

Book your excursions from Krakow

2. The fastest option: Go from Krakow to Warsaw by train

Krakow Train| ©Melinda van den Brink
Krakow Train| ©Melinda van den Brink

Visiting the Polish capital from Krakow is part of the regular routine for thousands of Polish citizens; this is why you will find the transportation service between these cities to be extremely efficient, organized and above all punctual, as well as economical considering the valuable time it will save you.

The only thing you should be aware of is the language, if you don't speak Polish or English, the best alternative is perhaps an excursion. Otherwise I recommend studying some Polish expressions before arriving at your destination. If you are contemplating using the train service take into account the following aspects.

Routes and companies offering this service

Departure from Kraków Central Railway Station (Kraków Główny) Arrival at Warszawa Zachodnia Station in Warsaw.

Useful information

  • Price: A train ticket from Kraków to Warsaw has an average cost of 17 €; consider that you will have to pay this amount for both the outward and the return trip.
  • Travel time: The minimum travel time for this option is approximately three hours on the route alone. You will have to consider as additional waiting time although with the frequency of the trips it is usually a short waiting time.
  • Recommended if... If you are entirely familiar with Poland, can communicate easily in languages such as Polish and English, this is an excellent alternative. While it is true that not all Poles speak English for a good part of the younger population has this language as a second language. Finding people who speak Spanish is a little more complicated.

Book your excursions from Krakow

3. The cheapest option: Go from Krakow to Warsaw by bus.

Neobus Line bus going to Warsaw| ©Anna Fiolek
Neobus Line bus going to Warsaw| ©Anna Fiolek

A bus trip from Krakow to Warsaw is a great way to enjoy the sights of Poland while getting to know the Polish capital on a budget. The Krakow-Warsaw route is one of the most popular in the country so you will find several companies that offer connection between both points and in different schedules.

As a point to consider you should familiarize yourself with the schedules of the different routes and be on time so as not to miss the bus and unschedule your itinerary; you should also take into account the length of the journey using this means of transport. If your trip to Krakow is short, such as two days in Krakow, this may not be the most convenient alternative.

Routes and companies offering this service

Departure from Krakow Bus Station, Bosacka St 18 Arrival at Warsaw Warszawa-Zachodnia Bus Station, Al. Jerozolimskie 144

Departure from Little Poland bus station Arrival at Warszawa Zachodnia bus station in Warsaw.

Useful information

  • Price: The ticket price for a bus trip Krakow-Warsaw route usually starts from 9,50€ on average. Consider that you will have to buy a return ticket to return to the city.
  • Duration of the trip: It is usually one of the alternatives that requires a greater investment of time due to the length of the route and the stops involved. The trip will take from 4 to 5 hours, in addition to the waiting time at the station.
  • Recommended if... You will be in the city of Krakow for 5 or more days and you want to invest at least 2 days of your itinerary to get to know the Polish capital. By reducing the almost 10-hour round trip, you will have approximately one day to enjoy the city's attractions.

Book your excursions from Krakow

4. The most flexible option: Travel from Krakow to Warsaw by car

Car Tour| ©Thibault Penin
Car Tour| ©Thibault Penin

If you want the opportunity to make a fully customized trip, it is good to know that you can go from Krakow to Warsaw by car, using any of the three main roads that connect both points. As a tip, before arriving in the Polish capital evaluate the alternatives for parking in Warsaw so that you can be clear about where to go depending on the places you are going to visit.

Opt to rent a car in Krakow only if the other options presented do not suit your tastes since going on your own will require additional planning and hassle. Even if you are traveling to Krakow with children, the other alternatives, such as the train or private tour, may suit your needs.

Routes and companies offering this service

  • Routes: If you make the trip on your own you will find several alternative routes. Highway S7 is the most popular, but if you want to detour to cities such as Katowice, you should take Highway A1 and then connect to S8.
  • Car rental: Some companies that offer this service are: Autoeurope and Polandcar

Useful information

  • Price: Renting a car in Krakow is cheap with an average price of 10€ per day, however to the transportation budget you will have to add the fuel costs to travel to Warsaw and back. Depending on the route you choose (there are several) may or may not apply toll charges.
  • Duration of the trip: Traveling by car is one of the fastest alternatives, with an average time of 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the route you choose.
  • Recommended if... You want to make a personalized trip, manage your times as you wish and contemplate the alternative of visiting other Polish cities such as Częstochowa. Otherwise in almost all other scenarios the most convenient will be either an excursion or taking the train to the city.

Book your excursions from Krakow

5. The least convenient option: Getting from Krakow to Warsaw by plane.

Plane landing at Krakow airport.| ©ERIC SALARD
Plane landing at Krakow airport.| ©ERIC SALARD

Being the two main cities of the country, both destinations are very well connected with the other countries of the continent. In Krakow you will find an airport where local and international flights arrive every day; while in the capital city there are two airports that also receive local and international travelers.

The main drawback with this option is that it can be more expensive than other alternatives studied in the list and yet require almost the same amount of time and effort: in both cities the airports are a little far from the center and to board the plane in Krakow you will have to arrive well in advance. Anyway I will share with you the information you need to fly from Krakow to Warsaw.

Transfer from the city to Krakow Airport

Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK) is a small and simple terminal located 13.5 kilometers from the city and divided into two parts. Small commercial flights are constantly arriving so there are several alternatives to get to the city. You can take the train, hire a cab company at the airport, take the bus en route to the city or hire a private transfer in advance to take you downtown.

Transfer from the city to Warsaw Airport

In Warsaw you will find two airports: the first one is Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) 10 kilometers from the center of Warsaw, the second one is Modlin Airport (WMI) 40 kilometers from the center. Transportation options available include: train, city bus and private transfer options.

Routes and companies offering this service

Departing from Krakow-John Paul II Airport (KRK) Arriving at Warsaw-Chopin Airport (WAW)

Departure from Krakow-John Paul II Airport (KRK) The route with this airline generally includes stopovers.

Useful information

  • Price: The Krakow-Warsaw air ticket is quite cheap, with an average cost ranging from 32 ¤ to 42 ¤ in the cheapest options. To this budget you must add the cost of the transfer to the airport and consider, if necessary, the return flight ticket to Krakow.
  • Duration of the trip: The flight Krakow-Warsaw takes just one hour. However, you should consider the time in advance before boarding the plane. If you consider these elements you will see that you spend the same amount of time as for example the train trip.
  • Recommended if... You find a very cheap air ticket on offer to fly between these two cities; you can also consider it if you are on a multi-city tour and Warsaw is your next destination before continuing to another city or country. Since this is the least convenient option with the least facilities, I would venture to say that almost any of the other alternatives listed above will be a better alternative for any traveler.

Book your excursions from Krakow