How to get to Zakopane for your ski holiday?

Getting to Zakopane is easy if you find a flight to Krakow or Katowice in Poland or Poprad in Slovakia. Then you can take a car, bus, or train to arrive in Zakopane. Although Zakopane is in the mountains, the roads are well maintained and logistics are fairly simple. Read on for more details.

Map showing the three closest airports to Zakopane - Katowice, Krakow, Poprad
The three closest airports to Zakopane

Getting to Zakopane from Krakow

Krakow is usually the airport of choice for international ski enthusiasts in Zakopane. While it’s not the closest airport to Zakopane, the city is about 110km to the north of the ski resort and is well connected to it by car, train, and bus.

By Car

Map showing the road from Krakow to Zakopane by car
From Krakow to Zakopane

Driving from Krakow to Zakopane is common. While the trip normally takes about 2 hours, it can sometimes take longer due to weather and road conditions, and traffic jams. However, there’re a few things you can consider: 

Firstly, always check your route before you leave. Even if you’ve been to Zakopane before, it’s wise to check for any road work or heavy traffic. Google Maps can help with real-time traffic updates.

Secondly, be ready for traffic jams. If you plan to visit Zakopane during peak times like summer, weekends, Christmas, New Year, or winter holidays, expect heavy traffic.

Lastly, don’t fear detours. If traffic is heavy, consider a different route. For example, you can go from Krakow through Wadowice, Czarny Dunajec, and Nowe Bystre. This route is a bit longer, but it avoids traffic. Check out rental cars in Krakow.

By bus

There are several bus services between Krakow and Zakopane and they all depart from the second floor of the main bus station in the city. 

Polski Bus is a Polish bus line that operates within Poland and abroad. Their main advantage is their affordability, if you book in advance, you can get extremely low prices. 

Szwagropol and Majer Bus are popular bus lines on the Krakow-Zakopane route. They are available almost every hour. A one-way ticket for an adult costs around 19 PLN.

By train

While the slowest of the three options, taking a train from the Krakow main station to Zakopane is still a good option. It might take more than 3 hours, but you won’t get stuck in any traffic jams and will get to enjoy the scenery and extra legroom. An adult ticket costs between 14 to 25 PLN.

Getting to Zakopane from Katowice

The city of Katowice is located a bit further away from Krakow and the journey is a bit longer and more complicated.

By Car

Map showing the road from Katowice to Zakopane by car
From Katowice to Zakopane

The road distance from Katowice to Krakow is about 180 km and takes a bit more than 2 hours. Renting a car or taking a taxi is the fastest way to get there from Katowice. The taxi would cost around €200. The road basically goes through Krakow, then follows the same Zakopianka main road to Zakopane. Check out car hire companies in Katowice.

By Bus

As with the car ride, the road takes you to Krakow and then to Zakopane. You need to be mindful when choosing buses as some will only take you to Krakow and then you will have to transfer into one of the buses we mentioned above. However, there are also direct buses to Zakopane every hour which you can find at Katowice Sądowa Dworzec. The journey by bus takes about 3 hours.

By Train

The train journey is significantly longer and will take up to 5 hours to get to Zakopane. However, if you aren’t in a hurry it’s definitely a good option. It’s more convenient with extra baggage and legroom and more sustainable. 

You can take a train from the Katowice station. Direct trains to Zakopane leave twice a day every day. Consider changing trains in Krakow if the times of the direct trains aren’t suitable for you.

The area inside Zakopane is bristling with mountain lodges, cafes, and restaurants where visitors can savor traditional Polish cuisine, warm up with hot beverages, and socialize with fellow skiers. At the very top of Kasprowy Wierch, you can find the highest restaurant in all of Poland – Poziom1959. The nightlife in Zakopane is pretty lively with multiple options for going out and having a blast in the best clubs in Zakopane.

Getting to Zakopane from Poprad (Slovakia)

If you are feeling adventurous and travel-savvy, then taking a flight to neighboring Slovakia and then crossing the mountainous border into Poland might be just for you. Both countries are in the EU, so crossing the border is no hassle. Technically, Poprad is the closest airport to Zakopane – just 37 km away (by air), but the Tatra Mountains almost double the journey. Also, there is no train connection. 

By Car

Map showing the road from Poprad to Zakopane by car
From Poprad to Zakopane

The fastest way to get from Poprad to Zakopane is by car. The road distance is about 70 km and takes about an hour to complete. However, the road goes through the mountains so expect to take it slow. If you took a taxi from Poprad it would cost you about €150-200. Check out car hire companies in Poprad.

By Bus

Taking the bus is your second option and while it is slower it is significantly cheaper. You can take a direct Flixbus to the Dworzec Autobusowy in Zakopane. However, the bus departs twice daily and takes about 2 hours to arrive. If you’re taking this option, double-check your arrival times and consider staying the night if necessary. If timed correctly, this can be a very easy way to get to Zakopane from the nearest airport.

An alternative way to get to Zakopane: private airport shuttle

If you’re booking a ski holiday in Zakopane, many hotels and chalets offer a separate airport transfer service. For example, we can arrange an airport transfer for all of the guests to our ski chalets in Zakopane on request. It’s not necessarily faster than a taxi, but you get hassle-free transportation and can enjoy a drink on the way. 

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