Krakow Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

As a tourist destination, the city of Krakow is characterised by its beauty and charm, which are impossible to replicate. As one of the two most important cities in Poland, it ranks among the most visited destinations in Europe.

The tourist bus is a quick and easy way to experience the magic of Krakow and travel between the most important tourist attractions in Krakow's old town.

Krakow

Krakow is a city full of history, art and unique corners. If you're just passing through and want to see the essentials without any hassle, the best option is the Krakow Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus, from S$46 With this service, you can visit the most iconic places at your own pace, getting on and off at the stops that interest you.

One of its great advantages is that the route covers key points such as the old town, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz and Wawel Castle.

How it works

With a pass valid for 24 or 48 hours, you can hop on and off at any of the stops on the route as many times as you like. It's ideal for exploring the most important sights at your own pace and with complete flexibility.

What's included in the ticket

• 24- or 48-hour ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus
• On-board commentary with audio guide
• 30-minute gondola ride on the Vistula River
• Entrance to the Jewish Museum of Galicia

Main points of interest on the tour

• Krakow'sOld Town: where you can see the Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica and other World Heritage Sites.
• Wawel Castle: an architectural gem steeped in history. The Royal Castle of Wawel
• Kazimierz Jewish Quarter: an area steeped in history, culture and atmosphere. Krakow's Jewish Quarter
• Schindler's Factory: one of the most iconic places of the 20th century. Schindler's Factory
• Kazimierz area: where you can also visit the Museum of Engineering and the 7 Synagogues of Kazimierz

Opening hours and duration

• Opening hours: Every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., with frequent departures.
• Duration of the entire tour: Approximately 90 minutes if you decide not to get off at any stops.

The Wow Krakow! tourist bus is another alternative you can consider for your trip to the city. This service is offered by a local company and operates similarly to a hop-on hop-off bus, with two main formats: a daytime tour and a night tour.

Day bus

The Wow Krakow Tourist Bus day tour allows you to see the city's main attractions at your own pace on a tour designed so that you can hop on and off as many times as you like. The tour includes an audio guide in 6 languages: Polish, English, German, Italian, French and Spanish.

The Wow Krakow! route includes a total of 12 stops near numerous points of interest in Krakow's city centre. The best known are: the Krakow Philharmonic, Wawel Castle, the National Museum, Kościuszko Mound, the Church of the Norbertine Sisters (considered one of the 10 churches in Krakow that you must visit), the Grunwaldzki Bridge and many more.

• Duration of the tour: The entire route without stops takes about 90 minutes to complete.
• Timetable: The tour usually starts at 10:30 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m.
• Price: A 1-day or 24-hour pass is available from £20 per traveller.

Night bus

Wow Krakow! also offers a night tour of the city, an activity rated as one of the best things to do in Krakow at night.

This tour is offered seasonally, so depending on when you travel to the city, the night tour may or may not be available. During the trip, you will see the city's most important sights, including a visit to the famous Krakus Mound for panoramic views of Krakow.

It also includes a guide who accompanies the group throughout the tour and a snack in a bar in the city centre, usually in the vicinity of the Main Market Square.

• Tour duration: The entire tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Schedule: Available from Wednesday to Saturday. The tour starts at the Galaxy Hotel at 8:00 p.m. It is recommended to confirm availability before your trip.
• Price: Around £20 per person.

No matter which city you visit, tourist buses offer numerous advantages for tourists, starting with the fact that they stop close to the main attractions, making it very easy to get to them.

However, what I like best is the possibility of enjoying the city more in urban centres where the underground is the main means of transport. The tourist bus allows us to move between destinations and really explore the streets, not just pass underneath them.

The main drawback of tourist buses is, in most cases, the lack of organisation on the part of the traveller. If you don't plan your itinerary carefully, you may end up paying for a service you don't use much. For this reason, I recommend that travellers reserve at least one day to explore the attractions of the old town.

There are many tips for travelling to Krakow that you should take into consideration, but when it comes to exploring the city and the tourist bus, here are the most important ones.

A 1- or 2-day pass is usually enough

When visiting Krakow, keep in mind that the city has an old town and a small historic centre, with most attractions located very close to each other.

Consequently, you can book 1 or 2 days in Krakow to explore and enjoy the old town and then head to more distant destinations.

Consequently, if you have a well-organised itinerary , a 1-day or 2-day bus pass is usually enough to see everything important.

Buying passes in advance is the best option

Buying your bus passes before you arrive in the city is one of the best decisions you can make.

This way, you save time and ensure you have all the information you need to make the most of your holiday.

Explore beyond Krakow's old town

Finally, as a more general travel tip, as attractive as Krakow is, try to explore the main attractions located outside the city but close enough to go and return in a day trip.

Some of my personal favourites are the following:

• The Auschwitz concentration camp, considered one of the most terrifying places during World War II. This concentration camp was the main extermination centre of the Nazi army. Today, it is a museum and memorial with a moving and impressive exhibition.
• The Wieliczka Salt Mines: ancient mines where large quantities of saltpetre were once extracted. Today, they house an impressive collection of sculptures carved from blocks of salt. You can visit the salt mines on your own or take a tour from Krakow to explore the Wieliczka Salt Mines.

Krakow is one of the most visited destinations in Poland, both for its architectural monuments and its museums, medieval buildings and one of the oldest markets on the continent.

Although there is a lot to see and do in and around Krakow, tourist buses are a fantastic alternative for seeing the city's highlights and getting to know the historic centre in a relaxing way.

Please note that the tour itinerary will depend largely on the service you choose. However, there are some places you should not miss: Wawel Royal Castle, one of the city's most important sights; the old Palace of Justice in Kazimierz, in the heart of the city; the Ethnographic Museum, where you can learn about European history and culture; the Schindler factory; and many more.