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Airport Transportation

Kraków John Paul II International Airport

Also known as: Kraków Airport, Krakow Airport, Balice Airport, KRK Airport, Kraków Balice Airport. Formerly Kraków–Balice Airport.

KRK · EPKK · Kraków

Airport facts

Name
Kraków John Paul II International Airport
IATA code
KRK
ICAO code
EPKK
City
Kraków
Country
Poland
Coordinates
50.0777, 19.7848
Time zone
Europe/Warsaw
Terminals
One passenger terminal with separate Schengen and non-Schengen gate areas

About Kraków John Paul II International Airport

Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK) is the main airport for Kraków in southern Poland. It handled about 13.2 million passengers in 2025, with 29 airlines flying to 135 destinations in 38 countries that year.

Ryanair and Wizz Air run the largest networks, with routes to the UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. easyJet and Jet2.com add more flights to British cities. LOT Polish Airlines links Kraków with Warsaw and several international routes, including Chicago. Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Finnair and Turkish Airlines connect the airport to their hubs, and flydubai serves Dubai.

All passenger flights use one terminal, with separate gate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights. A covered walkway links the terminal with the airport railway station, the multi-storey car park and an on-site hotel. The airport sits in the village of Balice, about 11 km west of Kraków's city center.

From the airport, most travelers head into Kraków's Old Town and Kazimierz. Other common trips are to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in Oświęcim and Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport Ltd.

Passengers per year

About 13.2 million in 2025

Runway

One concrete runway, 07/25, 2,550 m long

Network

29 airlines and 135 destinations in 2025

Location

Balice, about 11 km west of Kraków city center

Arrival tips for Kraków John Paul II International Airport

If your flight comes from outside the Schengen Area, such as from the UK, Turkey or the Middle East, you go through passport control, where the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records fingerprints and a facial photo of non-EU visitors on short stays, and the planned ETIAS travel authorization was not yet in operation as of October 2026. Flights from Schengen countries normally arrive without a passport check.

Baggage claim is on the ground floor, and free luggage trolleys are available in the arrivals hall. Car rental desks are opposite the arrivals hall exit.

Outside, cars of Kraków Airport Taxi, the airport's official taxi partner, wait at a covered stand next to the terminal. Unauthorized taxis may charge more, so turn down drivers who approach you inside the hall. Drivers for pre-booked transfers meet passengers in the public arrivals hall. For the train, follow signs to the covered walkway that leads to Kraków Lotnisko station, and for buses walk to the stop about 50 m from the terminal.

Kraków uses Central European Time (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer), and the currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). Winters are cold and can bring snow, while summers are warm.

Ground transportation

The train is the simplest way into central Kraków for most travelers, while taxis and private transfers suit heavy luggage and trips outside the city.

  • Train to Kraków Główny

    SKA1 trains leave from Kraków Lotnisko station, reached by a covered walkway from the terminal, and take about 17 minutes to Kraków Główny. Trains run about every 30 minutes and continue to Wieliczka, so you may wait up to half an hour.

  • Taxi from Kraków airport

    Kraków Airport Taxi, run by the airport company MPL Services, has cars waiting 24 hours a day at a covered stand next to the terminal. Road traffic on the A4 can slow the ride at rush hour.

  • Bus to the city center

    MPK city buses 208, 209 and 252 run during the day and line 902 at night from the stop about 50 m from the terminal. The ride to the center takes about 40 minutes and buses can be crowded with luggage.

  • Rideshare

    Uber and Bolt operate in Kraków and pick up from designated zones at the airport. Waiting times and fares change with demand.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and drives you straight to your address. It is the easiest option for trips to Wieliczka, Oświęcim or Zakopane, but must be arranged before you land.

  • Car rental

    Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall, opposite the exit. Companies there include Avis, Hertz and Sixt, and the A4 motorway runs past the airport.

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Terminals

Main Terminal

Handles all domestic and international passenger flights, with separate gate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen departures. Arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at Kraków John Paul II International Airport.

Aegean Airlines Main Terminal

Athens

Airline guide

Air France Main Terminal

Paris Charles de Gaulle

Airline guide

Austrian Airlines Main Terminal

Vienna

Airline guide

British Airways Main Terminal

London Heathrow

Airline guide

Brussels Airlines Main Terminal

Brussels

Airline guide

easyJet Main Terminal

Amsterdam, Basel/Mulhouse, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Birmingham (seasonal), Geneva (seasonal)

Airline guide

Eurowings Main Terminal

Düsseldorf, Stuttgart (seasonal)

Airline guide

Finnair Main Terminal

Helsinki

Airline guide

flydubai Main Terminal

Dubai

Airline guide

Jet2.com Main Terminal

Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester; seasonal: Belfast, East Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Stansted, Newcastle

KLM Main Terminal

Amsterdam

Airline guide

LOT Polish Airlines Main Terminal

Warsaw, Barcelona, Chicago O'Hare, Istanbul, Madrid, Paris Orly, Rome, Tel Aviv, Gdańsk (seasonal), Newark (seasonal)

Airline guide

Lufthansa Main Terminal

Frankfurt, Munich

Airline guide

Norwegian Main Terminal

Bergen, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stavanger, Stockholm Arlanda, Trondheim

Airline guide

Pegasus Airlines Main Terminal

Ankara, Antalya, Izmir

Airline guide

Ryanair Main Terminal

Dublin, London Stansted, London Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Lisbon, Rome Ciampino, Milan Bergamo, Naples, Paris Beauvais, Malta, Tenerife South

Airline guide

Scandinavian Airlines Main Terminal

Copenhagen

Swiss Main Terminal

Zurich

Airline guide

Turkish Airlines Main Terminal

Istanbul

Airline guide

Wizz Air Main Terminal

Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Budapest, Eindhoven, Larnaca, London Gatwick, London Luton, Milan Malpensa, Nice, Oslo, Rome Fiumicino, Sofia, Tel Aviv, Venice, Vilnius

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Kraków airport from the city center?

Kraków John Paul II International Airport is about 11 km west of Kraków's city center, in the village of Balice. The SKA1 train reaches Kraków Główny, the main station next to the Old Town, in about 17 minutes. City buses take about 40 minutes, and road travel on the A4 can be slower at rush hour.

Is Kraków airport in the city?

No. The airport is outside the city limits in Balice, a village about 11 km west of Kraków's center. It is still close enough that a train ride to Kraków Główny takes about 17 minutes, and city buses run from the terminal to the center both day and night.

How many terminals does Kraków airport have?

Kraków airport has one passenger terminal that handles all domestic and international flights. Inside, there are separate gate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights. A covered walkway connects the terminal with the airport railway station, the multi-storey car park and an on-site hotel, so you can reach the train without going outside.

Which airlines fly to Kraków airport?

Ryanair and Wizz Air have the largest networks at Kraków, with many routes across Europe. easyJet and Jet2.com fly to British cities, and LOT Polish Airlines serves Warsaw and several international routes. Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Finnair, Turkish Airlines and flydubai link Kraków to their hubs. In 2025, 29 airlines flew to 135 destinations.

How do I get a taxi at Kraków airport?

Kraków Airport Taxi is the airport's official taxi partner, run by the airport company MPL Services. Its cars wait 24 hours a day at a covered stand right next to the passenger terminal. Use this stand rather than drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall, as unauthorized taxis may charge more.

Is there a train from Kraków airport to the city center?

Yes. SKA1 trains run from Kraków Lotnisko station, linked to the terminal by a covered walkway, to Kraków Główny in about 17 minutes. Trains run about every 30 minutes, and many continue to Wieliczka. Tickets are sold from machines in the terminal, at the station and on board.

Which buses go from Kraków airport to the city?

MPK Kraków city buses 208, 209 and 252 run during the day from the stop about 50 m from the terminal, and night bus 902 runs late at night. The ride to the center takes about 40 minutes. Tickets can be bought from machines, by card on board, or through apps such as Jakdojade.

Can I use Uber or Bolt at Kraków airport?

Yes. Both Uber and Bolt operate in Kraków, and drivers pick up passengers from designated zones at the airport. Book through the app once you have your luggage. Prices and waiting times change with demand, so the official taxi stand or the train can be quicker at busy times.

What do I need to enter Poland at Kraków airport?

Poland is part of the Schengen Area. If you arrive on a flight from outside Schengen, you go through passport control, where non-EU visitors on short stays are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System with fingerprints and a facial photo. The planned ETIAS travel authorization was not yet in operation as of October 2026.

How do I get from Kraków airport to the Wieliczka Salt Mine?

The SKA1 train from the airport runs through Kraków Główny and continues to Wieliczka, about 20 minutes beyond the main station, so you can stay on the same line. Taxis and private transfers can also drive you directly to Wieliczka, which avoids a change with luggage.

How do I get from Kraków airport to Auschwitz or Zakopane?

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is in Oświęcim, west of Kraków, and Zakopane is in the Tatra Mountains to the south. There is no direct train from the airport to either. Most travelers go by road with a taxi, private transfer or rental car, or travel into Kraków first and continue by bus or train.

What time zone and currency does Kraków use?

Kraków uses Central European Time, UTC+1, and switches to UTC+2 from late March to late October. The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN), not the euro, and cards are widely accepted. Winters are cold and can bring snow, while summers are warm.

Who runs Kraków airport and how busy is it?

The airport is run by John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport Ltd. It handled about 13.2 million passengers in 2025, up from about 11.1 million in 2024. It has one concrete runway, 2,550 m long, and in 2025 served 135 destinations through 29 airlines.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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