From Krakow it's 100 kilometres and the public transport offers a good connection with the winter capital of Poland. One can choose from a train (which frequently leaves for Zakopane from Cracow Plaszow railway station), mini buses (running several times a day) or a coach bus by PKS, Szwagropol or Maxbus. All buses run from the same main station in Krakow, Krakowa dworzec RDA. The fare for Szwagropol and Maxbus is 18pln with a 2pln discount for students with ID. PKS runs a little cheaper but I don't recommend them unless you can't get a seat on the other two lines.
Tips: - Trans-Frej bus company has gone bankrupt leaving Szwagropol and Maxbus your best bet for the approx 2 hour trip depending on traffic. - Buying tickets a day or two before hand lets you request any seats on the bus that you prefer. Seat location printed on the ticket. - Storage near the ceiling of the bus is a bit too narrow for a fill hiking backpack so unless you want put your back under the bus it's best to unpack your main bag into two or three shopping bags so you can put everything in above shelf. Returning to Krakow the bus travels across the south "most Grunwaldzki" bridge past AGH, Plac Inwalidow stops etc... on Aleja Adama Mickiewicza so if you don't have any baggage down below the bus you can ask the driver to let you off at any of the main bus stops along the way to save you some time getting home. Reserving your tickets in advance and sitting in the front of the bus near the driver makes this easier of course.
Luggage can be left at the Szwagropol office in Zakopane bus station (18 201 71 23) for 7pln a day and 4pln for every day after. Also there is a left luggage service by PKS Zakopane bus station (18 20 144 53) for 5pln a day.
Useful sites for booking good deals on accommodation:
www.wczasywpolsce.pl/malopolskie.html
http://noclego.pl/noclegi/zakopane/
Snow conditions in the Polish Tatra
Active Polish Mountain Forum
End of May gorskieswiat 4 day hiking trip!
PTTK English translated Website
No comments:
Post a Comment