It's a wanderful life, so it is

1. Getting around

Kraków is a very walkable city, especially the centre. However, the combined bus and tram system is excellent and can save you lots of time getting from A to B. That is, if you can get on a bus. On our first day, we stood like idiots outside the front door of a bus, looking at the bus driver. He looked right back at us, then drove away without opening the door or picking us up. You can imagine our shock and horror! We ended up walking two miles home in the rain. 🙁

It turns out that it’s actually really easy to board a bus or tram. You simply push the button on the outside of any of the doors and they magically open. There are so many buses that the first driver must have genuinely believed we were waiting around for another one. At least, that’s what I tell myself. 

You can buy single journey tickets either at machines at bus/tram stops, or on the vehicles themselves. But remember to validate them at the yellow machines once you’re on the bus or tram. You can get a hefty fine if you don’t have a validated ticket.

Another option is to purchase a short term pass online, and this is much easier than you would imagine.

Download the app, Jakdojade. 

Under ‘tickets’, choose the ticket you want. Once selected it will ask you to top up your wallet. This is just putting money in the app to pay for your ticket. Change the amount you want to upload to match the ticket you want. You’re now almost good to go. You can’t purchase and validate your pass until you are on a bus or tram and this is because it needs the vehicle number of your first journey to start the timer. This is easy to find and is prominently displayed several times inside each vehicle. It’s two letters followed by some numbers. Once you’ve typed it in you just select the confirmed number and you’re good to go.

You can get 48 hours, 72 hours or 7 days. We frequently used the 7 day pass for zones 1, 2 and 3. These zones covered all buses, trams and trains inside Krakow and a lot of the surrounding area. For example, the airport, the village where the salt mines are, Nowa Huta and a swimming lake in the country. The 7 day pass was just £14.

The app is really handy because it will tell you how to get somewhere from wherever you are. Go into trips, type in where you want to go, hit the green start button at the bottom and you’ll get your instructions and times. 

I would definitely recommend getting a pass, especially if you have little luggage, are short of time or on a budget.

A wee word about bus stops in Kraków. They are miles apart. Okay, that’s a massive exagerration. They are not miles apart, of course. They just feel like they are miles apart! Kraków residents must really enjoy walking, although it must be said again that the walking is good.

2. Crossing the road

We were surprised at the discipline used by everyone crossing the road,  but soon realised why. Jaywalking is not allowed in Kraków. You will be fined if caught crossing the road while not using an official crossing. 

If you’re at a zebra crossing and there is a green man, make sure you only cross when he’s lit up. If there is no green man, feel free to cross. The traffic is really diligent about stopping for you, including the buses and trams.

Speaking of the roads, be very careful about bikes, etc. Kraków is a very flat city and bikes, scooters and rollerblades are prolific. They do not use the roads and there is usually a dedicated strip of pavement for their use. Make sure you’re not walking in this area because there are a lot of them and they’re fast.

Where there is not a dedicated strip, these vehicles share the pavement with pedestrians. Be very wary because they don’t seem to use bells!

3. Sundays and holidays

All big shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Some small supermarkets in town are open but these are quite limited. Mainly drink and sweeties with the odd sandwich or fruit.

Public holidays include Holy Days. For example, while we were there, everything closed one Thursday to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

4. Public toliets

These are often underground. Look out for discreet signs and steps heading down. Most charge 2 or 3 zlotys and are cash only. There is usually an attendant who will give you change. This was one of the few times we really needed cash, but handy to have.