Short answer: the train takes 1 h 57 min (EIP) to about 2 h 35 min, from 26.50 zł on Koleje Małopolskie or from 49 zł on PKP Intercity, and it avoids the road traffic. Buses (Szwagropol, FlixBus) take 1 h 44 min to 2 h 15 min on the timetable, from 28–37 zł, but get stuck in weekend jams. By car it is 106 km, about 1 h 40 min on an empty road and 2.5–4 hours on Fridays, Sundays and in the holidays. Our private door-to-door transfer costs €160 per car for 1–3 people (≈ 699 zł) and €230 per van for 4–8 people.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Travel time | Price | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train PKP Intercity (EIP, EIC, IC, TLK) | 1 h 57 min – 2 h 35 min | from 49 zł (IC/TLK), 64 zł (EIC), 104 zł (EIP) | 0 | Weekends, predictable timing |
| Train Koleje Małopolskie / Polregio | about 2 h 15 min – 2 h 45 min | 26.50 zł / about 24 zł (≈ €6) | 0 | The cheapest train |
| Bus Szwagropol | 2 h 07 min – 2 h 15 min (timetable) | 37 zł (≈ €8.50) | 0 | Frequent departures 06:10–21:20 |
| FlixBus | from 1 h 44 min (timetable) | from 27.99 zł (≈ €6.40) | 0 | Cheapest bus, weekdays |
| Car | about 1 h 40 min empty, 2.5–4 h at peaks | fuel | 0 | Drivers |
| ShuttleHero private transfer | about 1 h 40 min – 2 h 30 min | €160 per car (1–3), €230 per van (4–8) | 0 | Families, skis, luggage, hotel to hotel |
Prices are in euros. You can also pay in złoty at the NBP exchange rate of the day (on 22 October 2026: €1 = 4.3685 zł).
By train
After the line was modernised, the train is the most predictable way. PKP Intercity runs about nine direct trains a day from Kraków Główny (03:48–18:49): EIP Pendolino 1 h 57 min from 104 zł, EIC about 2 h 10 min from 64 zł, IC and TLK 2 h 12 min – 2 h 35 min from 49 zł. Koleje Małopolskie (line K5) charge a flat 26.50 zł with no seat reservation and take roughly 2 h 15 min – 2 h 45 min. Zakopane station is a short walk from the bus station and about 15 minutes on foot from Krupówki.
By bus
Buses leave from Kraków's main bus station MDA (ul. Bosacka 18, next to Kraków Główny). Szwagropol runs 11 daily departures (06:10–21:20) for 37 zł. FlixBus runs about 15 a day from 27.99 zł, the fastest scheduled in 1 h 44 min. On Friday afternoons, Sunday afternoons and in the winter holidays the timetable times are not realistic, because buses use the same Zakopianka road as cars.
By car
The route follows the S7 and the DK47 (Zakopianka): 106 km, about 1 h 40 min with clear roads. At peak times expect 2.5–4 hours, and on the worst days of the holidays even longer. Parking in the centre of Zakopane is paid and scarce.
Our private transfer
A private transfer Kraków → Zakopane takes you from your hotel or Kraków Airport to the door of your guesthouse, with skis or suitcases, for €160 per car (1–3 people, ≈ 699 zł) or €230 per van (4–8 people). The price is per vehicle, so for four people in a van it is €57.50 each. If you only want a day in the mountains, our private Zakopane and Tatras tour costs from €80 per person in a group of 8 or €290 for one traveller, with hotel pickup and return.
Travelling to Zakopane with family, skis or a lot of luggage? Check the fixed price and book online.
See the route and bookWhere you meet the driver
In Kraków the driver picks you up at your hotel or address. From Kraków Airport he waits in the arrivals hall (level 0) with a sign showing your name; we track your flight and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. In Zakopane we drop you at your accommodation, even on narrow side streets.
What to choose
Alone or as a couple with light bags, on a weekday: bus or Koleje Małopolskie. At weekends or in the holidays: the PKP Intercity train. With children, skis, a group of four or more, or a late flight into Kraków: a private transfer, which takes you from door to door with no changes.
Good to know
- The worst traffic on the Zakopianka is on Friday afternoons (towards Zakopane) and Sunday afternoons (towards Kraków), plus the winter holidays and summer weekends.
- PKP Intercity fares are dynamic and cheaper when booked early; Koleje Małopolskie have a fixed fare.
- The rail timetable changes on 25 October and 13 December 2026, so check times close to your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Kraków to Zakopane?
1 h 57 min on the fastest EIP Pendolino, about 2 h 10 min on EIC and 2 h 12 min – 2 h 35 min on IC and TLK trains. Regional trains take about 2 h 15 min – 2 h 45 min.
Is the bus or the train better from Kraków to Zakopane?
On weekdays the bus is cheap and frequent (from 28 zł). At weekends and in the holidays the train is better, because buses get stuck in traffic on the Zakopianka.
How far is Zakopane from Kraków?
106 km by road, about 1 h 40 min with no traffic. On busy days the drive takes 2.5–4 hours.
How much is a private transfer from Kraków to Zakopane?
€160 per car for 1–3 people and €230 per van for 4–8 people, a fixed price per vehicle (≈ 699 zł at the NBP rate of 22 October 2026). The same price applies from Kraków Airport.
Sources and date checked
Public transport times and fares were checked on 22 October 2026 on the operators' websites. Timetables and fares change, so check the operator's website before you travel.
- Timetable and fares Kraków Główny – Zakopane (europodroze.pl)
- Koleje Małopolskie: Kraków Główny – Zakopane timetable
- Szwagropol price list
- FlixBus Kraków – Zakopane
- Road distance and driving time: OSRM / OpenStreetMap routing