More about: Krakow Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
As a tourist destination, the city of Krakow is characterized by its beauty and charm, which are impossible to replicate. As one of the two most important cities in Poland, it ranks among the most visited destinations in Europe.
The tourist bus is a quick and easy way to experience the magic of Krakow and travel between the most important tourist attractions in Krakow's old town.
Krakow Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
Krakow is a city steeped in history, art, and unique corners. If you're just passing through and want to see the essentials without any hassle, the best option is the Krakow Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus, from $35 With this service, you can visit the most iconic places at your own pace, getting on and off at the stops that interest you.
One of its great advantages is that the route covers key points such as the old town, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz and Wawel Castle.
How it works
With a pass valid for 24 or 48 hours, you can hop on and off at any of the stops on the route as many times as you like. It's ideal for exploring the most important sights at your own pace and with complete flexibility.
What the ticket includes
- 24- or 48-hour ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus
- Onboard commentary with audio guide
- 30-minute gondola ride on the Vistula River
- Entrance to the Galicia Jewish Museum
Main points of the tour
- Krakow'sOld Town: where you can see the Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica, and other World Heritage Sites.
- Wawel Castle: an architectural gem steeped in history. The Royal Castle of Wawel
- Kazimierz Jewish Quarter: an area steeped in history, culture, and atmosphere. Krakow's Jewish Quarter
- Schindler's Factory: one of the most emblematic places of the 20th century. Schindler's Factory
- Kazimierz area: where you can also visit the Museum of Engineering and the 7 Synagogues of Kazimierz
Schedules and duration
- Timetable: Every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., with frequent departures.
- Duration of the entire tour: Approximately 90 minutes if you decide not to get off at any stops.
Wow Krakow! sightseeing bus
The Wow Krakow! tourist bus is another alternative you can consider for your trip to the city. This service is offered by a local company and works in a similar way to Hop-on-Hop-off, with two main formats: a daytime tour and a nighttime tour.
Daytime bus
The Wow Krakow Tourist Bus daytime tour allows you to see the city's main attractions at your own pace on a tour designed so that you can hop on and off as many times as you like. The tour includes an audio guide in six languages: Polish, English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.
The Wow Krakow! route includes a total of 12 stops near numerous points of interest in Krakow's city center. The best known are: the Krakow Philharmonic, Wawel Castle, the National Museum, Kościuszko Mound, the Church of the Norbertine Sisters (considered one of the 10 churches in Krakow that you must visit), Grunwaldzki Bridge, and many others.
- Tour duration: The entire route without stops takes about 90 minutes to complete.
- Schedule: The tour usually starts at 10:30 a.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m.
- Price: A 1-day or 24-hour pass is available from €20 per traveler.
Night bus
Wow Krakow! also offers a night tour of the city, an activity rated as one of the best things to do in Krakow at night.
This tour is offered seasonally, so depending on when you travel to the city, the night tour may or may not be available. During the trip, you will see the city's most important sights, including a visit to the famous Krakus Mound, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Krakow.
It also includes a guide who accompanies the group throughout the tour and refreshments at a venue in the city center, usually in the vicinity of the Main Market Square.
- Tour duration: The entire tour lasts about 3 hours.
- Schedule: Available from Wednesday to Saturday. The tour starts at the Galaxy Hotel at 8:00 p.m. It is recommended to confirm availability before the trip.
- Price: Around €20 per person.
Advantages and disadvantages of tourist buses
No matter which city you visit, tourist buses offer numerous advantages for tourists, starting with the fact that they stop near the main attractions, making it very easy to get to them.
However, what is possibly my favorite aspect is the possibility of being able to enjoy the city more in urban centers where the subway is the means of mass transportation. The tourist bus allows us to move between destinations and really explore the streets, rather than simply passing underneath them.
The main drawback of tourist buses is, in most cases, the lack of organization on the part of the traveler. If you don't plan your itinerary carefully, you may end up paying for a service that you don't use much. For this reason, I recommend that travelers set aside at least one day to explore the attractions of the old town.
Tips for visiting the city on a tourist bus
There are many tips for traveling to Krakow that you should take into consideration, but when it comes to exploring the city and the tourist bus, here are the most important ones.
A 1- or 2-day pass is usually sufficient
When visiting Krakow, keep in mind that the city has a small old town and historic center, with most attractions located very close to each other.
Consequently, you can set aside 1 or 2 days in Krakow to tour and enjoy the old town and then head to more distant destinations.
Consequently, if you have a well-organized itinerary , a 1-day or 2-day bus pass is usually enough to see everything important.
Buying passes in advance is the best option
Buying your bus passes before you arrive in the city is one of the best decisions you can make.
This way, you save time and ensure you have all the information you need to make the most of your vacation.
Main stops on the sightseeing bus route
Krakow is one of the most visited destinations in Poland, both for its architectural monuments and its museums, medieval buildings, and one of the oldest markets on the continent.
Although there are many things to see and do around Krakow, tourist buses are a fantastic alternative for getting to know the city's highlights and familiarizing yourself with the historic center in a relaxing way.
Keep in mind that the tour itinerary will depend largely on the service you decide to hire. However, there are some sights you shouldn't miss: Wawel Royal Castle, one of the city's most important attractions; the old Kazimierz Palace of Justice in the heart of the city; the Ethnographic Museum, where you can learn about European history and culture; the Schindler factory; and many more.