How to Get from Krakow to Wroclaw

If you've already enjoyed historic Krakow, maybe it's time to do the same with magical Wroclaw (Breslavia in Polish). Located on the Oder River in western Poland, it's a little-known treasure of this country that's well worth a visit. I'll tell you all about how to get there.

Carolina Morales

Carolina Morales

6 min read

How to Get from Krakow to Wroclaw

Wroclaw, Poland | ©Loris Silvio Zecchinato

Poland is undoubtedly one of the European countries that must be visited at least once. Its historic cities are home to architectural gems, art and culture. I've already told you about what to see and do in Krakow, and if you decide to follow the route, I highly recommend Wroclaw, a city where science and modernity converge and, interestingly, served as the location for the film The Chronicles of Narnia.

If you've made up your mind, take note because in this article I'll tell you about your options for travelling from Krakow to Wroclaw and which one I consider to be the most recommendable.

The best way to get to Wrocław: an organised excursion

Streets of Wrocław| ©Loris Silvio Zecchinato
Streets of Wrocław| ©Loris Silvio Zecchinato

You'll find a variety of options for organised trips to Wroclaw from Krakow. Most of these trips include transport to and from your accommodation or central meeting point, as well as a private guide and a meal, which is usually lunch.

Details of interest

  • Price: approximately €100-€120 per person.
  • Duration: it can take half a day, approximately 14 hours.
  • Advantages: transport and logistics are taken care of, so all you have to worry about is being on time and enjoying the activity. You avoid spending time searching and making reservations, as everything is already included. In addition, organised tours also provide expert guides who offer relevant and useful information so that you can get to know the place in depth. In many cases, you will have access to audio guides in your native language, so you won't miss a thing.
  • Disadvantages: you have less freedom to see the destination, as you are very restricted by the schedule, according to the logistics of each tour operator. Although most organised excursions include transport and entrance fees, you should bear in mind that many of them do not include food, so before booking your excursion, make sure you ask what is included and what is not so that you can adjust your budget. If you are travelling with pets or children, it is also important to find out about any restrictions before booking your excursion.

Compare the best excursions from Krakow

How to get there by plane

Plane landing| ©ERIC SALARD
Plane landing| ©ERIC SALARD

If you are in Krakow and have enjoyed everything this city has to offer, but want to experience more of magical Poland, you can also take a plane from John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice, which offers flights to Wroclaw.
Something very important to bear in mind when choosing the air option is that there are no direct flights from Krakow to Wroclaw, and you will always have to stop over in Warsaw, at Warsaw Chopin Airport.

Useful information

  • Price: you can find flights available from £80. Remember to check travel and baggage policies for any additional charges. In this case, I recommend checking low-cost options through the airline LOT.
  • Duration: 3 hours.
  • Advantages: travelling by plane will always be a comfortable and practical option for connecting to a nearby destination. You have on-board service and can sit back and take a break from your busy travel itinerary while you prepare to enjoy a new place.
  • Disadvantages: in this case, you will have to make a connection, as there are no direct flights to Wroclaw from Krakow, so the speed of air travel loses out to other options that take the same amount of time.

Wrocław Airport is approximately 12 kilometres west of the city, and you can reach the city centre by car in 20 minutes.

Compare the best excursions from Krakow

How to get there by car

Car journey| ©Thibault Penin
Car journey| ©Thibault Penin

For driving enthusiasts, travelling by car is a movie-like experience. Feel like you're in a road movie and enjoy a relaxed journey at your own pace, with the option of stopping at any time to eat, rest and explore along the way. This opportunity could be the perfect complement to your travelling adventure in Poland.
The distance by car between Krakow and Wroclaw is approximately 270 kilometres. The journey takes around 3 hours, whether you are travelling in your own car or a hire car.

Details of interest

  • Price: if you are considering the car option and need to hire one for this journey, you can find different rental companies with prices starting at £45. Don't forget to include the cost of fuel in your budget.
  • Duration: 3 hours.
  • Advantages: you have more freedom to manage your time, making stops as you see fit to eat and rest, as well as being able to enjoy the journey at a more leisurely pace.
  • Disadvantages: if you are travelling alone, it can be a tiring and somewhat boring trip. You will also have to take into account aspects such as a vehicle service, fuel costs and any restrictions or changes to the route that may affect your travel plans.

If travelling by car is your choice, here are some car rental companies you can consider for your travel plan:

  • Sixt, a company that offers vehicles from approximately £45, which you can pick up at Krakow Central Station.
  • Europcar, which has cars available for hire from £55 and can be picked up either at the airport or at specific locations in the centre of Krakow.
  • Rentalcars, a search engine that helps you compare options from different rental companies so you can choose the one that best suits your budget and needs.

Car sharing

I like to include this option because we often travel alone, decide to rent a car, but something is missing to fully enjoy the trip. Yes, a co-pilot! I also think it's a good idea to have someone to help with driving, share travel experiences, and save money while enjoying the Polish roads.

Useful information

Apps such as Blablacar can be helpful in finding travel companions for this getaway in Poland.

Compare the best excursions from Krakow

How to get there by bus

Bus from Krakow| ©Chido-Fajny
Bus from Krakow| ©Chido-Fajny

An economical option offering a variety of schedules to suit your budget and travel plans. Krakow's bus station is known as the Krakow Regional Bus Station (RDA, Regionalny Dworzec Autobusowy w Krakowie) and is no more than a 20-minute walk from the city centre.
From this station, you can take a bus to Wroclaw and other destinations in Poland, as well as international connections to Berlin, Cologne and Munich in Germany, Rome, Naples and Milan in Italy, and many other European countries.

Useful information

  • Price: you can find tickets starting at £7, depending on the day and time you decide to travel.
  • Duration: the bus journey from Krakow to Wroclaw takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.
  • Advantages: undoubtedly the cheapest option, with many alternatives to suit your travel plans, as there are frequent departures throughout the year.
  • Disadvantages: it may be an economical alternative, but it can be tiring. If you are travelling with young children or a lot of luggage, you will have to take more things into account, which can cause unnecessary stress.

My recommendation when deciding to take a bus is to travel very early in the morning or at night if the journey is very long. By travelling early, you can reach your destination faster and make the most of your time. When the distance is longer, it is best to travel at night to avoid spending extra money on accommodation.

How to get there by train

Train from Krakow| ©Melinda van den Brink
Train from Krakow| ©Melinda van den Brink

I like this option because you can visit Krakow Glowny, the largest railway station in Krakow. From there, you can take a train to Wrocław Główny in Wrocław, which is inexpensive and runs frequently. The railway connecting these two Polish cities is about 300 kilometres long.
Without a doubt, a train journey has a certain magic and can be a great way to explore Poland. Keep in mind that trains are very punctual, so you'll need to check your itinerary carefully to avoid any mishaps on your trip to Wrocław.

Useful information

  • Price: from £14
  • Duration: the train journey takes 3 to 4 hours.
  • Advantages: an economical and very comfortable option. You can also enjoy beautiful views during the journey.
  • Disadvantages: connections and frequencies are usually very punctual, so any change in your plans that affects your arrival at the station will cause you to miss your train.

Comparison of the different options for travelling from Krakow to Wroclaw

  • Excursions
  • From £115
  • Advantages: Transport and tickets included.
  • Disadvantages: Less freedom to organise your itinerary.
  • Plane
  • From £90
  • Advantages: Comfortable travel.
  • Disadvantages: No direct flights and not the most economical option.
  • Car
  • From £45
  • Advantages: Freedom to make stops and enjoy other places along the way.
  • Disadvantages: The journey can be tiring.
  • Coach
  • From £7
  • Advantages: Variety of timetables and a very economical option.
  • Disadvantages:Dependingon the traveller, it may not be a comfortable option.
  • Train
  • From £16
  • Advantages: Comfortable and with beautiful views along the route between both destinations.
  • Disadvantages: May have strict schedules that do not fit your itinerary.

Now that you know your options, don't miss the opportunity to take a trip to Wrocław and continue exploring everything Poland has to offer. Have a great trip!