Zakopane is about 100 km from Krakow, so you can easily visit it on a day trip. The most convenient option is the bus from the MDA bus station, which usually takes about 2 hours, or the train from Kraków Główny, where the fastest services take about 2 hours and slower ones longer. By car the drive takes 1.5 to as much as 3 hours, because the main road gets jammed on winter weekends and during school holidays. For a day trip, leave as early as you can and come back to Krakow in the evening.
In short
- Distance: about 100 km.
- Bus: from the MDA bus station next to Kraków Główny, usually about 2 hours, frequent departures during the day.
- Train: from Kraków Główny, the fastest trains take about 2 hours. The timetable changes on 13 December 2026.
- Car: via the S7 and road 47, known as the zakopianka, 1.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic.
- For one day: Krupówki street, Gubałówka hill and, in good weather and if the queues allow, Kasprowy Wierch.
- Where to stay in Krakow: near the station (Barbakan Residence, Art of Serenity) or with parking in the south of the city (Łagiewniki).
Bus from Krakow to Zakopane
Buses to Zakopane leave from the MDA bus station, right next to Kraków Główny railway station and the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre. Several companies run the route and there are frequent departures during the day, so you usually do not need to book ahead. The ride normally takes about 2 hours, but on Fridays, weekends and during school holidays it can take longer because of traffic. In Zakopane the buses stop near the station, a 10 to 15 minute walk from Krupówki.
Train from Krakow to Zakopane
Trains to Zakopane leave from Kraków Główny. The fastest PKP Intercity services take about 2 hours, others longer, and some connections require a change. The train does not get stuck in traffic, so on winter weekends it can be more reliable than the bus. You can buy tickets at the ticket office, from machines and in the KOLEO app. The timetable changes on 13 December 2026, so check the times on the PKP Intercity website or in the app before you go.
By car
From Krakow you take the S7 expressway and then national road 47, called the zakopianka. Without traffic the drive takes about 1.5 hours. On winter weekends, during Polish school holidays and at Christmas there are jams, especially in the morning towards Zakopane and in the afternoon back towards Krakow. Car parks in central Zakopane are paid and fill up fast in season.
Our tip: “Leave Krakow before 7:00 am and head back before 3:00 pm or only in the evening. The worst traffic on the zakopianka is on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon.”
A one day plan for Zakopane
- Krupówki: the main pedestrian street of Zakopane, with restaurants, cafés and highlander craft shops.
- Gubałówka: a funicular takes you up in a few minutes, and on a clear day you can see the whole Tatra range. The lower station is a few minutes from Krupówki.
- Kasprowy Wierch: the cable car from Kuźnice climbs to almost 2,000 metres. In season, buy tickets online for a set time on the PKL website. It does not run in strong wind.
- Thermal pools: after a day in the cold, the thermal baths around Zakopane are a great way to warm up.
Only go hiking in the Tatras in winter with proper equipment, and check the avalanche bulletin on the Tatra National Park website first. The car park on the road to Morskie Oko lake must be booked online in advance.
Our tip: where to stay in Krakow before your Zakopane trip
Many of our guests combine a few days in Krakow with a day in the mountains. Two options work best:
- Without a car, close to the stations: Barbakan Residence Old Town and Art of Serenity on Zacisze Street. Kraków Główny and the MDA bus station are a few minutes’ walk away, and the Main Square is five minutes away. Both buildings have a lift and a luggage room.
- By car: Łagiewniki Apartments Free Parking in the south of Krakow, with a free space on a fenced property. From here you are quickly on the road to Zakopane without driving through the centre.
- On a budget, by the tram: K12 Apartments in Podgórze, with a tram stop right outside the building.
Coming back late? The door code works at any hour, and you check in on your own from 3:00 pm. Driving to Krakow? See the rules of the Clean Transport Zone and parking.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Krakow to Zakopane?
About 2 hours by bus, about 2 hours on the fastest train and 1.5 to 3 hours by car, depending on traffic.
Where do buses to Zakopane leave from?
From the MDA bus station next to Kraków Główny and the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre.
Can you see Zakopane in one day?
Yes. There is time for Krupówki and Gubałówka, and in good weather also for Kasprowy Wierch. Leave Krakow early in the morning.
Train or bus to Zakopane?
The bus runs more often. The train does not get stuck in traffic, so on winter weekends it can be more reliable.
Where should I stay in Krakow before going to Zakopane?
Without a car, near the station, for example Barbakan Residence or Art of Serenity. With a car, in Łagiewniki, with free parking and a quick exit to the south.
Planning more day trips from Krakow? See our guides to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Krakow and the Tatras with Cracow Travel. Book your Krakow stay direct and head to the mountains for a day. With the code CT231974 you pay 50 PLN less for stays of 2 nights or more. See available apartments →
Sources: PKP Intercity (connections), Polskie Koleje Linowe (Kasprowy Wierch, Gubałówka), Tatra National Park (safety, parking). Photo: Andrzej Otrębski, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Updated: November 2026. The Cracow Travel team, hosting guests in Kraków for 15 years.