Tourist Card
Slogans like 'Poland's 'cultural capital' get bandied about a lot when pundits are trying to plug Cracow. However, in this particular case, there's plenty of truth in the hype.
On arriving in the city, it quickly becomes apparent that there are as many churches and museums in Cracow as there are craters on the moon. In this light, the Krakow Tourist Card is worth knowing about for all you dedicated culture vultures out there.
The Krakow Tourist Card allows you to travel at will on buses and trams across the city, as well as granting free access to over thirty of the city's museums. Prices for a two or three-day card come in at a very reasonable 45 and 65 zlotys respectively.
Hang on a moment I hear you say, Cracow's not the biggest city in the world, what's wrong with walking?
Well, if you're trying to see a lot you'll find that the tram is in fact incredibly handy. And besides key museums in the centre of town such as the Czartoryski, Wyspianski and the National Museum itself, the card also includes several gems that are further afield. These number such intriguing options as the Aviation Museum, Manggha, Rydlowka, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle and the fantastic Kosciuszko Mound, which offers a wonderful panorama of the city.
The Krakow Tourist Card also allows free access to the old Barbican as well as to the chancel of St. Mary's Church, where you can savour Veit Stoss's legendary altar-piece. The card does not allow free access to the Royal Castle itself, but of course there's no perfect happiness....
For all you wayfarers who are coming to and from the airport, you'll be pleased to know that the 192 bus route is included in the card. You can actually buy the card from the stand at Balice Airport, but if you miss it first time round you can also snap one up from all the city information points across town.
Where to buy?
Tourist Information
Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), Rynek Glowny 1/3
ul. sw. Jana 2
ul. Szpitalna 25
ul. Jozefa 7
|  how can l purchase the Krakow's Tourist Card before my arrival to poland,maybe online or via an agent in my country?? 
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reviewed by natalia A from Russia on May.13.2010 |
| In case your hotel is central and coming from Katowich airport, then no need for the public transport, onless it will rain the whole time and will take some transport to have a rain-break, and be able to relax a bit...but then how much can you see through a window when rain is pouring down ? |
reviewed by maria from Netherlands on Feb.25.2010 |
| "Prices for a two or three-day card come in at a very reasonable 45 and 65 zlotys respectively" |
reviewed by Just read from Poland on Feb.16.2009 |
| How much are the cards and how many days can you get them for and list of sights you can use it in? |
reviewed by tina from United Kingdom on Feb.14.2009 |
| Ray is right |
reviewed by Arthur from United Kingdom on Sep.04.2008 |
| I think the better bet is to buy a one, two or three day tram and bus ticket from between 10 to 25 pln. You can buy these at main stops or kiosks. The machines have an English language version.Don't forget to endorse the ticket in the machine the first time you use it on the bus or tram or you may face a fine. Krakows transport system is excellent and current traffic conditions are very heavy. |
reviewed by Ray from United Kingdom on Dec.06.2007 |
| I found the tourist card very good value for money - as long as you are interested in serious sightseeing. I think you need to visit lots of the sights to make this worthwhile. Also would hesitate to buy a card on a Monday as many of the museums are closed. |
reviewed by katy from United Kingdom on Aug.31.2007 |