How to get to Zakopane is one of the first questions when planning a trip to the Tatra Mountains.
There are several options — car, train, bus and even plane — and each has its pros, cons and not-so-obvious catches that people rarely mention.
In this guide I break down all the options and show you how to get to Zakopane in the most comfortable and cheapest way, without unnecessary stress, depending on where you are coming from and what you expect.
🚗 Driving to Zakopane
For many people the car is still the most convenient way to get to Zakopane.
You don’t have to watch departure times, there are no changes and you set your own pace.
Sounds perfect.
The problem starts when you hit high season, a weekend or a public holiday.
At times like these the Zakopianka (the main road from Kraków) can turn into a car park, and instead of mountain views you look at other cars’ bumpers and your fuel consumption going up.
There are often traffic jams on the Zakopianka. Especially in high season you can be stuck for 2 hours between Nowy Targ and Zakopane. There are, however, alternatives to the main road.
If you are staying in Kościelisko or Witów, you can drive:
- from the Silesia side through Slovakia. You then enter Podhale near Chochołów, avoiding the whole Zakopianka.
- from the Kraków side, near Rabka turn towards Czarny Dunajec and continue to Chochołów
If you are staying in Ząb:
- in Nowy Targ head towards Chyżne, then turn left to Maruszyna, avoiding the jam on the Zakopianka.
✅ Pros of driving:
- full comfort and independence,
- you can take as much luggage as fits in the car,
- you leave and come back whenever you want,
- easy access to less accessible places outside Zakopane.
If you plan to explore Podhale, the valleys, smaller villages or stay away from the centre — a car really helps.
❌ Cons that few people mention:
- huge traffic jams on the Zakopianka, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays,
- no parking spaces in Zakopane in high season,
- expensive paid parking zones,
- nerves, stress and wasted time instead of rest.
In practice a “relaxed” drive often turns into a few hours’ fight for every kilometre.
When does a car make sense?
A car is a good choice if:
- you travel off-season,
- you stay outside the centre of Zakopane,
- you plan to visit many places in Podhale,
- or you travel as a group and share the costs.
Otherwise it is worth seriously considering the alternatives, as they can save you a lot of time, money and nerves.
🚆 Train to Zakopane – the best option if you want peace of mind
For years the train to Zakopane was a running joke.
Today that is history.
After modernisation the railway is back in Podhale in really good shape, and for many people it is now the most sensible way to get here, especially in high season.
Travelling by train is usually steady, predictable and simply comfortable.
You sit, look out of the window or do your own thing — no stress, no horns and no fighting for every metre of road.
When does the train make the most sense?
It is a great choice if:
- you are coming from a big city, e.g. Kraków, Warsaw or Gdańsk,
- you don’t feel like sitting in traffic on the Zakopianka,
- you travel in high season, school winter holidays or long weekends,
- you value calm and predictability.
In winter it is often the most reliable way to reach Zakopane, when the roads are jammed and conditions can change from hour to hour.
✅ Pros of the train:
- no parking stress,
- you can work, read or just rest on the way,
- fixed journey time, unaffected by traffic,
- in winter one of the most reliable options.
❌ Cons worth knowing:
- not everything is within walking distance of the station,
- to most valleys, trails and attractions you still need a minibus, taxi or local transport (which can also be a plus compared with a car).
In practice the train works great as a way to get to Podhale, but once there you should plan how you will get around. If you stay in Zakopane itself it is not a problem, because there are city buses. Outside Zakopane minibuses vary, as they are often private minibuses that are overcrowded, run irregularly or stop running early.
Who is it best for?
If your goal is a calm start to your holiday, without nerves and traffic jams — the train very often beats the car. I often meet people who arrive on the night train to go hiking and go back home, e.g. to Warsaw, in the afternoon.
🚌 By bus – cheaper than the train
Buses from Kraków to Zakopane run frequently, regularly and fairly cheaply.
For many people it is the sweet spot between price and comfort.
In high season the bus can be one of the more predictable options, especially compared with driving through traffic on the Zakopianka.
- You don’t drive.
- You don’t look for parking.
- You just get on and go.
Why choose the bus?
- no parking stress,
- a large number of departures during the day,
- easy start from Kraków,
- tickets usually around 30–35 PLN.
It is a good option if you are on a budget and still want to get to Podhale without hassle.
Szwagropol and FlixBus have single connections to Bukowina Tatrzańska, which can make it easier for some people to reach their accommodation.
How much are the tickets?
- MajerBus, Szwagropol: 27–32 PLN
- FlixBus: 30–75 PLN
What to keep in mind?
Buses get stuck in traffic too.
The difference is that you are not behind the wheel and you don’t waste your nerves.
In high season seats can sell out quickly, so…
👉 Important tip
Always buy tickets in advance, especially for:
- weekends,
- school winter holidays,
- long weekends and public holidays.
FlixBus raises prices for weekends, so you can see prices as high as 40–50 PLN from Kraków to Zakopane or Bukowina Tatrzańska.
If you travel from Kraków with MajerBus or Szwagropol, get on at the bus station, because at other stops the bus may already be full, and the driver only takes as many passengers as there are seats.
This way you are sure of a seat and avoid running around the station at the last minute.
Who is the bus a good choice for?
The bus works best if:
- you are travelling from Kraków or the area,
- you want to pay less than for the train,
- you don’t need the full independence of a car.
✈️ Flying to Zakopane – few people know, but it really works
To many people it sounds exotic, but flying to the Podhale area makes sense — especially if you are coming from far away.
Of course you don’t fly “straight to Zakopane”, but well-connected airports nearby let you cut your travel time significantly.
The nearest airports to Zakopane:
- Kraków Balice – the drive to Zakopane takes about 1 h 40 min
- Poprad (Slovakia) – about 1 h 20 min
Poprad can even be the faster option, especially off-season and with less traffic on the roads.
How to get from Poprad to Zakopane?
FlixBus has connections, but for now there is only one, at 8 pm.
You can also take a bus to Łysa Polana, walk across the border bridge and then take a minibus to Zakopane from Palenica Białczańska. Keep in mind that these minibuses often run their last service at 6–7 pm, depending on whether it is high season or not.
Who is it best for?
Flying makes sense mainly when:
- you are coming from far away, e.g. from Gdańsk,
- you are flying from elsewhere in Europe or the UK,
- you don’t want to spend many hours on the road,
- you are planning a longer stay and care about comfort.
For a short weekend from southern Poland it is usually overkill, but from further away it is a total game changer.
What next after landing?
After landing you can easily get to Podhale:
- by long-distance bus,
- by train,
- by rental car.
There are plenty of options and it can all be arranged without stress.
What to keep in mind?
The flight is not the end of planning.
You need to add the transfer from the airport, but in many cases the whole trip is still faster and more comfortable than driving across half of Poland.
Airport transfer to and from Zakopane
A private minibus from the airport straight to your accommodation in Zakopane or anywhere in the Podhale region – or back to your flight. Send a request and we will reply with the price and confirmation. This is not a booking yet and you pay nothing now.
- Kraków Airport (KRK) from 60 PLN
- Katowice Airport (KTW) from 60 PLN
- Poprad-Tatry Airport (TAT, Slovakia) from 60 PLN
Approximate prices per ride. We will confirm the exact price after your request – it depends on the number of passengers, time and address.
🧭 Summary – what is the best way to get to Zakopane?
There is no single perfect option for everyone.
The best way to get to Podhale depends on where you are coming from, when and why.
🚗 Choose the car if:
- you travel off-season,
- you stay outside the centre of Zakopane,
- you want to visit many places in Podhale,
- you want full independence.
👉 In high season expect traffic jams and parking problems.
🚆 Choose the train if:
- you are coming from a big city,
- you travel during school holidays, public holidays or a long weekend,
- you want a calm journey without stress,
- you don’t need a car on site.
👉 One of the most reliable options in high season and in winter.
🚌 Choose the bus if:
- you are starting from Kraków or nearby,
- you are watching costs,
- you want many departures and flexible times,
- you don’t mind using local transport once there,
- you arrived by plane.
👉 Remember to buy tickets in advance.
✈️ Choose the plane if:
- you are coming from northern Poland or from abroad,
- you don’t want to lose many hours on the road,
- you are planning a longer stay,
- you care about comfort.
👉 Add the airport transfer, but it often still wins on time.
The simplest rule:
If you want peace of mind → train or bus.
If you want independence → car, but off-season.
If you are coming from far away → plane + transfer.
That’s it. Have a good trip.
Watch the video where I show how to get to Zakopane (in Polish).
Next: how to get around Zakopane by minibus.
❓ FAQ – how to get to Zakopane
What is the fastest way to get to Zakopane?
It depends on where you are coming from. From Kraków the fastest is often the train or the bus outside rush hours. In high season they are often faster than a car stuck in traffic on the Zakopianka.
How to get to Zakopane without a car?
You can easily get to Zakopane by train or bus. Once there, you can use city buses or local minibuses that connect Zakopane with the surrounding villages and valleys.
How to get to Zakopane from Kraków?
From Kraków to Zakopane there are trains, long-distance buses (MajerBus, Szwagropol, FlixBus) and private minibuses. Buses leave often, and tickets start at around 27–35 PLN.
How to get to Zakopane by train?
Trains to Zakopane run from Kraków, Warsaw and other big cities, among others. After the line was modernised the journey is steady and predictable, which makes the train one of the best options in high season and in winter.
How to get to Zakopane in high season and avoid traffic jams?
In high season the train or the bus is best. If you drive, consider alternative routes through Slovakia or Czarny Dunajec, depending on where you are staying.
3 Comments