Krakow

John Paul II Kraków Balice Airport (Port lotniczy w Krakowie Balicach imieniem Jana Pawła II ) is modern and easy to navigate. On arrival you’ll find a 24hr currency exchange office as well as ATMs (bankomat) provided by PKO bank. There’s a tourist information though there services are limited; you won’t be able to buy phone cards or train tickets, though they will be able to provide you with the next best thing: an In Your Pocket mini guide. There is no left luggage facility. There are payphones though you’ll need to buy a chip card (karta telefoniczna) from one of the newsagents to operate them. To connect to a Polish network buy a SIM or prepaid card, also available from newsagents. Officially licensed MPT 9191 taxis stand outside the main entrance and will charge you between 60-70 złoty to make the 11km journey into the city. The price goes up by 50% between 22:00 – 06:00. Be wary of cowboy taxi operators and only use cabs that have meters, signs on the roof and their telephone number clearly on display. The easiest way to get to town is by train. A free blue shuttle bus directly outside the terminal takes you the airport's new train station. Tickets are available from the machine at 6zł , or can be purchased from the conductor, though the latter will cost 4zł extra. The service runs frequently throughout the day. Bus number 192 also runs to the city centre.

The main railway station (Dworzec Główny) is conveniently situated at the northern tip of the Old Town. From the platform simply follow the herd towards down the stairs and you’ll find yourself in the station building. The currency Exchange (kantor) in the subway is open from 06:00 – 22:00, the one in the main hall open from 10:00 – 18:00. A Euronet ATM (bankomat) lurks in the tunnel, and you’ll find a PKO ATM in the main hall. The tunnel part also houses a Tourist Info point (open 05:30 – 22:00). These guys have the usual display of pamphlets, can organize tours and stock In Your Pocket. Both sections of the station – the subterranean tunnel and the main hall – have left luggage lockers. A large piece of luggage will cost 8zł for one day, and a small one 4zł. Payphones can be found dotted around though you will need to find a phonecard from a newsagent to use them. Newsagents will also be able to sell you SIM cards and pre-paid cards for your mobile. Taxis stand outside the main entrance, as well as on the top floor car park. In spite of the proximity to old town you’ll find yourself charged about 10zł to get to the centre. Buses and trams stop outside Galeria Krakowska, with tickets priced at 2.50zł. Buy them from newsagents. To get to town walk down the stairs from the platform and onwards towards either signs for wyjście do centrum, or to Galeria Krakowska. From there you’ll find yourself deposited in a large granite floored plaza right in front of the Andels Hotel and Galeria Krakowska. Continue down until you reach a subway which leads under ul. Basztowa/ul. Westerplatte and you’ll find yourself in the old town.