vibiaron

We have one day to see Krakow (March 12th Sunday) departing from and returning to Warsaw. I have to admit I'm a little freaked out about the numerous references to pickpockets in the train stations and smoke on the trains. Is it worse than Milano Centrale? I had heard bad things about the station in Milano, but never had any problems there.
So, I thought about hiring a car. I'd appreciate your advice about doing so and how much we should expect to pay in Euros. Even if we decide not to go to Krakow, we'll be ther e in March and may decide to hire a car for a half day to take us around Warsaw if it's really cold. Thanks for your help.

PeterB

I've used those guys but to rent a car - they are in warsaw and also offer city tours and cars with drivers - http://www.lrc.com.pl/
may want to send a email to them for some info and prices so you at least have an idea and can compare - for renting cars they have good prices and I found their people to be also good - but other then that - you need to check... 1 day to go to krakow and back - hmm ... tough one... it maybe better to do just warsaw - or maybe using a train - but then how much will you really see even on a full day?

Train are getting better in Poland - esspecially non-local ones so Warsaw to krakow maybe just fine ...

SusanEva

Hi,

The Warsaw and Krakow train stations are no worse to use than those of other big cities like Paris or Milan.

Despite the fact that it's not a problem to use trains in Poland, I'm not sure about the day trip to Krakow.

It takes between four to five hours to drive one way between these two cities.

Rail travel takes about 2 and a half hours one way. Makes for a very short actual visit time.

PeterB

I agree with SusanEve - if you really, really need see a very small bit of Krakow - then train maybe your best bet... or flying to Krakow - you can get train info here -> http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en?
but looks like you have express / IC trains from Warsaw to Krakow every 1hr in morning - 6:05, 7:05, 8:05, 9:05, 10:10 and it takes close to 3 hrs (2:46hrs) ... oneway - and from Krakow to Warsaw at 16:00,18:00, 19:00 for that day ... again Express /IC ... also note that anything that is not Express /IC will close to double in travel time ... as you will see on schedules ... Once in Krakow I guess you would then grab a Taxi - and ask to drop you off by "Stary Rynek" = Old Square... also ask him about Taxi stands in area OR buy a phone card in any newsstand and call for a Taxi when ready...

GeoffHamer

The station in Krakow is within easy walking distance of the city centre.

Christina

I don't know what pickpockets you are referring to, but I've been in the Krakow train station and had no problems and it was no different than any other station to me. If you are concerned about pickpockets, don't carry things in your pockets, wouldn't that work.

You can walk to central Krakow from the station, but it is more than a couple blocks. Cabs are cheap there. I would think the train would be the best idea for a day trip. I know some British people use the time hire a car to mean something different than Americans do -- do you mean to rent a car and drive yourself, or hire a private car and driver to take you? I would never rent a car myself for one day to take a day trip in a foreign country I didn't know and then have to figure out parking.