Itinerary Summary
Fly into Krakow (KRK) from a European hub, or take the 2.5-hour train from Warsaw. Everything in Krakow Old Town is walkable: the Market Square and St Mary's hourly trumpet call, Wawel Castle and cath…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Checking into Krakow and a first loop of the Planty
14:00
1.5h
Krakow Airport arrival and Old Town check-in
Take the airport train from KRK to Krakow Glowny in about 17 minutes, then walk 10 minutes to an Old Town apartment. Buy the ticket at the platform machine and validate it before boarding.
📍 Krakow Airport (KRK)
18:00
1.5h
Evening walk around the Planty ring
Follow the green belt that replaced the city walls, passing the Barbican and a string of benches and fountains. The full loop is about 4 km and takes an hour at an easy pace.
📍 Planty Park, Krakow
19:30
1.5h
Cellar dinner under the Main Market Square
Eat in one of the vaulted cellars beneath the square, where the stone arches keep the noise down. Book a table for 19:00 or later, and try zurek served in a bread bowl.
📍 Krakow Main Market Square
💡 Pro Tip: Krakow Airport is 12 km west of the centre; the airport train reaches Krakow Glowny in about 17 minutes and a bus takes roughly 35. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Poland visa section before booking. The zloty (PLN) is the currency and cards are widely accepted, though milk bars and small kiosks may insist on cash. Trams run until about 23:00, and a single ticket is validated on boarding.
Days 2-5 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$52035%
Old Town apartments, 4 nights
Food & DiningUS$30020%
Milk bars and pierogi lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Krakow and do I need a car for the old town?+
Fly into Krakow John Paul II airport (KRK) from a European hub, or take the 2.5-hour train from Warsaw. The Main Market Square, Wawel and Kazimierz are all walkable, and trams cover longer hops. A car is a liability in the old town; use buses or trains for Wieliczka and Auschwitz day trips instead.
When is the best month for a five-day Krakow old town trip?+
May and June, then September, are ideal: cafe weather on the Main Square, 15-22 C and thinner crowds than July and August. December brings the Christmas market and short daylight. Late autumn and winter are quiet and cheap but cold, with temperatures near or below freezing.
How much should a budget five-day Krakow trip cost?+
Expect roughly $1,200 to $1,790 per person excluding international flights, covering a mid-range old town apartment, meals and entry fees. Milk-bar lunches and off-square restaurants keep food costs low. Carry zloty cash for milk bars and small shops, and book Wawel and St Mary's tickets online to skip queues.
Are Wieliczka and Auschwitz worth adding as day trips from Krakow?+
Both are doable from Krakow by bus or train and are the two most requested add-ons. Auschwitz needs most of a day and a pre-booked guided slot; Wieliczka takes about half a day underground. If you only have five days, pick one so the old town itself does not feel rushed.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days
- Budget: Budget · approx. $1,200–1,790 (≈ €1,040–1,560), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: City Explorers
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