Vienna to Krakow - 13 Best Ways to Travel in 2024

Most travelers heading from Vienna to Krakow choose the train. There are two direct trains from Vienna to Krakow daily, departing in the morning (around 8 am) and afternoon (around 4 pm),  with a travel time of a bit over five hours.

If those direct connections don't work well with your itinerary, you can take the Vienna to Krakow train with a convenient change in Breclav (Czech Republic) or Katowice (Poland). Although this route may be slightly less comfortable, the travel time is only marginally longer, making it a viable alternative.

The trains on the Vienna to Krakow route are generally comfortable, equipped with power sockets at each seat and complimentary Wi-Fi (this might not always work, though). However, they often lack a dining car, so it's advisable to bring enough snacks and drinks to last until your arrival in Krakow.

Vienna to Krakow night train

There is one more direct connection from Vienna to Krakow - a night train. It departs from the Austrian capital at 11 pm and arrives in the Polish city at 6 in the morning.

This can be a convenient option for traveling from Vienna to Krakow if you're looking to save time. With a travel time of almost seven hours and no border controls en route (as all three countries you'll pass through - Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland - are part of the Schengen Zone), you can enjoy some decent, uninterrupted sleep.

This train offers sleeper compartments only, with options for one, two, or three beds in each, ensuring maximum comfort for the journey.

Vienna to Krakow train tickets

The Vienna to Krakow train ticket prices start at €22.90 if purchased in advance and can rise to around €60 for last-minute purchases. The best way to buy the tickets is through the websites of the Austrian, Polish, or Czech railways, as the train passes through all three countries. We recommend comparing prices on all three websites to secure the lowest price, as they may vary.

The night train is slightly more expensive, but it can be a cost-effective option since you save on accommodation. Prices for the Vienna to Krakow night train start at €125, but they can increase to €200 if purchased close to the departure date. Tickets can also be bought online on the websites mentioned above.

If you prefer buying tickets the traditional way, head to the main train station in Vienna, Hauptbahnhof. The customer center is located on the right side as you enter the station building from street level (or when arriving via escalator from the metro stop). As this is Austria's largest train station, it can be busy, so avoid waiting until the last minute to purchase your ticket.

Vienna to Krakow with Interrail pass

Those traveling with rail passes like Interrail or Eurail can also use the Vienna to Krakow train. You only need to purchase the seat reservation for €3. The easiest way to do it is via the Austrian Railways website.

Train stations in Vienna and Krakow

Trains from Vienna to Krakow depart from the main train station, Hauptbahnhof. You can reach it via the red metro line U1, stopping at "Südtiroler Platz-Hauptbahnhof."

Upon arrival in Krakow, you'll find yourself in the city center, not far from the Old Town. If your accommodation is located in this historic area, it's easily accessible on foot.

For other destinations within Krakow, public transport is readily available; numerous trams make stops at and near the train station, with the closest stops being Dworzec Główny Tunel, Dworzec Główny Zachód, and Teatr Słowackiego. Additionally, popular ridesharing apps like Uber and Bolt are available for use in both cities.

A good alternative to the train is the Vienna to Krakow bus. There are at least six direct connections daily, although the schedule varies depending on the day of the week. The first bus leaves Vienna at 6:40 AM, with the last departure at 9:55 PM.

Travel time for the Vienna to Krakow buses vary by connection and typically take around seven hours. The fastest bus departs from Vienna at 8:00 AM, reaching Krakow in just six hours and twenty minutes. For those looking to save time, consider the night bus that arrives in Krakow at six in the morning.

All the buses are operated by Flixbus, a reputable company known for its fairly comfortable journeys with plenty of leg space, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a power sockets next to each seat.  

Vienna to Krakow bus tickets

Prices for the Vienna to Krakow bus trip start at around €15 and can go up to €65 for last-minute purchases, so buying your ticket early can lead to significant savings. If you wish to reserve a seat (a convenient option for overnight journeys), it will cost a few euros extra. The price includes one piece of larger luggage.

You can check the schedule and purchase tickets directly on the Flixbus website.

Bus stations in Vienna and Krakow

All buses depart from the bus station on Erdbergstrasse in Vienna. It is a bit away from the center but easily accessible via the metro. The U3 orange metro line to the "Erdberg" station will get you there.

In Krakow, you will arrive at the MDA bus station, located next to the main train station in the central part of the city. From there, public transport is available to take you to your final destination in Krakow.

Taking a plane is another option for traveling from Vienna to Krakow that is worth considering. Every day, there are several direct flights from Vienna to Krakow operated by three airlines: the national carriers  Austrian Airlines and LOT, as well as the low-cost carrier Ryanair.

The flight time is only around one hour, so even when including the time to get to and from the airport, it remains the fastest way to travel from Vienna to Krakow.

Vienna to Krakow flight price

Ryanair is usually the cheapest option, offering tickets for as low as €15 for a one-way flight. However, being a low-cost airline, it requires passengers to pay extra for almost everything beyond the airfare, including additional carry-on luggage, airport check-in, and priority boarding.

Austrian Airlines' one-way tickets from Vienna to Krakow start at €70. LOT Polish Airlines is the most expensive, with prices starting at €170 for a flight. If you prefer to fly with LOT but are looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider choosing a connection with a layover in Warsaw, though this will increase your travel time.

Purchasing a flight ticket from Vienna to Krakow at the last minute can cost up to €500.

Airports in Vienna and Krakow

Getting to Vienna Airport from the city center is relatively easy and you have a couple of options. You can take the direct City Airport Train departing from Wien Mitte station, which has a travel time of 16 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs €14.90. Alternatively, you can use the slower suburban train, S7, also from Wien Mitte, with a travel time of 25 minutes and a one-way ticket priced at €4.10. Additionally, RailJet trains depart from the main train station, Hauptbahnhof, twice per hour, with a travel time of 15 minutes, and tickets for this connection are €4.40.

Upon arrival in Krakow, the most convenient way to reach the city center is by train. These depart twice per hour, and the journey to the main train station takes just 17 minutes. Tickets for this connection are €4 and can be purchased online, inside the train, or from the ticket machines at the airport.

If you prefer to drive, renting a car in Austria for a road trip from Vienna to Krakow is a viable option. The shortest distance between the cities is around 460 km, and the journey can be completed in approximately five hours.

Keep in mind that this route includes toll roads, so remember to purchase the Austrian and Czech vignettes online for motorway usage (in Poland, tolls are paid directly at the gates on the highways).

You can also modify your itinerary a bit, take a few detours, and explore several interesting places along the way. There are many of them, whether you choose to drive from Vienna to Krakow via the Czech Republic or Slovakia.

We recommend stopping at places like Bratislava, Trnava, Trencin, Cicmany in Slovakia; Lednice-Valtice, Mikulov, Brno, Kromeriz, Olomouc, Ostrava, Stramberk in the Czech Republic; and Cieszyn, Bielsko-Biala, Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. These are just the highlights of the region, which boasts many hidden gems that are the true essence of Central Europe.

One important consideration for planning a road trip from Vienna to Krakow in a rental car is the cost to return the vehicle, which is significantly higher. You can expect to pay at least €600 (excluding fuel and vignette costs) for renting a car for the Vienna to Krakow road trip.

If you wish to avoid the hassle of navigating through busy train or bus stations and are looking for a smooth and comfortable journey (without the need to drive yourself), opting for a private transfer from Vienna to Krakow could be an excellent choice.

The door-to-door private transfer from Vienna to Krakow typically takes around five hours, and you can expect to pay approximately €400 for a car with an English-speaking driver. If you're interested in sightseeing along the way, you can include a few stops for an additional fee. Popular destinations include the charming town of Mikulov, UNESCO-listed sites such as Olomouc, Kromeriz, and Lednice-Valtice, Zbrasov Cave, and Auschwitz-Birkenau (the former Nazi concentration camp).

A word of advice: be sure to read the fine print on the offers before agreeing on the ride. Sometimes, the pick-up/drop-off location is away from the center, and you need to add the time and money spent on getting there. Still, it is a good option to travel around and interact with locals who share a car with you on the trip.

Carpooling is a popular mode of transportation in Europe, and it offers a convenient way to travel from Vienna to Krakow. To get started, create a profile on a car-sharing website (BlaBlaCar is among the most popular). Then, browse through the available rides. Once you find an offer that suits your needs, connect with the driver to arrange the details of your pick-up and drop-off locations and times.

It's common for available rides to be posted a few days prior to departure. If you don't find a suitable option immediately, don't be discouraged. Simply check back closer to your travel date.

Prices for the Vienna to Krakow carpool ride are set by the drivers and usually range between €15 and €35.

A word of advice: always read the details of each offer carefully before committing to a ride. Sometimes, the pick-up or drop-off locations may be far from the city center, requiring additional time and money to reach. Despite this, carpooling remains a great way to travel and offers the chance to interact with locals sharing the journey with you.

Free-spirited travelers might be interested in Vienna to Krakow hitchhiking. We need to warn you, though, that this can be a challenging trip due to the distance between the cities and the lack of direct road from Vienna to Krakow. But if you are up for an adventure and want to feel the thrill of unpredictable travels - go for it.

The best spot for hitchhiking from Vienna towards the Czech Republic is the Stammersdorf suburb, where you can quickly get by tram. Aim for Brno, Olomouc and Ostrava.

Then, it's better to head towards Bielsko-Biala and Krakow instead of Katowice. Even if Katowice is a large city that is easier to get to from the south, it is also covered in a maze of roads and motorways, and you want to avoid getting stuck there.

If you enjoy cycling, going on a journey from Vienna to Krakow by bike could be an epic adventure and a great way to spend your holiday.

You’ll need around ten days to cover the distance of around 400 km through the scenic landscapes. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to stop at picturesque locations, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful castles and chateaus, charming towns, and more.

Please note that a part of the Vienna to Krakow biking route goes through hilly areas, so some level of fitness is required for this trip.

They say the sky's the limit, so why not go from Vienna to Krakow on foot? This is a crazy idea, but it might appeal to some, and we are here to help you decide on the best way to get from Vienna to Krakow.

You will need at least two weeks to cover the distance of around 400 km between the two cities. Still, this will surely be an epic and unforgettable way to spend your holidays in this fascinating part of Europe that will help you to get to know the region to its core.

You can choose the Vienna to Krakow route that goes either via the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Both countries along the way are fantastic and offer many exciting stops along the way, so it doesn't matter which way you choose. We are sure you will have an unforgettable and fascinating trip.

If you are traveling with a motorhome, taking your RV for the Vienna to Krakow road trip is an excellent idea.

There are so many beautiful and interesting places you can stop along the way, from historical sites and charming towns to stunning landscapes and nature, that this is a perfect idea for great European holidays. We've already mentioned the most important ones in this article. Still, you can see so many more along the way with the freedom traveling with a motorhome gives.

When planning your Vienna to Krakow motorhome trip, remember that camping in the wild is allowed only in the designated spots in Poland; in Slovakia, it is permitted outside of national parks; and in the Czech Republic and Austria, it is forbidden. But there are numerous campsites along the way where you can stop for the night and recharge your batteries before another day of sightseeing.

Traveling from Vienna to Krakow by motorcycle offers another thrilling and independent means of exploration. While you can take fast motorways for a smooth and quick journey, we recommend allocating more time for this trip.

Choose the less busy winding roads that pass through small, charming towns and picturesque landscapes to fully enjoy your experience. This part of Europe remains underrated, and you'll be amazed by the number of unique and beautiful places you'll discover along the way.

For those who prefer luxury and comfort, traveling by private jet from Vienna to Krakow is an exquisite option. While not the most economical choice, chartering a plane for this route starts at around €5,000. However, this mode of travel offers the fastest way to move between the cities. Including the time to get to and from the airport, the total journey time is approximately three hours.

Final thoughts on traveling from Vienna to Krakow