Getting to Kraków: By train

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Dworzec Glowny PKP rozklad-pkp.pl is the central station in Krakow, and is located just outside of the Old Town. It is connected to other cities in Poland and the rest of Europe.

Every hour between 6 AM and 8 PM there is either Express (EX) or Intercity (IC) train between Krakow and Warsaw that do not stop on the way and journey takes less than 3 hours. It is by far the most convenient way of traveling between Warsaw and Krakow. To or from Warsaw, IC trains cost 89-95 PLN per adult, 65-72 for students and anyone under 26 years. First class tickets are about 25% more expensive, and offer greater leg room. EX trains cost roughly 80 PLN per adult, with a 25 PLN compulsory reservation, i.e. 105 PLN in total. If you are desperate budget traveller you can also take an interregion train for 40 zł that takes 3.5 hours or the regular pospieszny trains that take over 5 hours, but cost 50 zł.

Trains to the airport depart at 4:00am, 5:00am, 6:00am, then starting from 7:00am they depart every half hour. Tickets are 8 zł on the train or 7 zł from the automat on track 1. 16 minutes. A free shuttle-bus awaits at the rail station, but you'll notice most people walking past it towards the international terminal. The bus will get you to the international terminal (T1), but first goes out to the domestic terminal (T2).

• Warning!!! Trains that go from the main railway station to the airport are sometimes cancelled without any reason and without prior announcement. So, NEVER calculate your trip to the airport with the last possible train as you may end up missing your flight!

International trains arrive daily from Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava, Kosice, Lviv, Kiev, and Odessa with connections to the rest of Europe. Sleeper trains to and from Poland are very cheap. A couchette bed in a 6 berth cabin is luxury compared to an 8 hour journey in a seat, for around €14.

The station has a left-luggage service, waiting room, small cafes and shops. However, the food is not the best, and you would be better advised going out of the station to buy from the shops nearby. There's an enormous shopping mall connected to the station with some restaurants.

Be warned, the station staff are not always the most helpful to foreigners who don't speak Polish as they often speak no English and you can spend an awful long time queuing only to be told to join another large queue. If you get confused, try asking someone young to help you as most young Polish people speak communicative English and are very helpful. Staff at the international ticket counter speak English.

• rozklad-pkp.pl