Station Layout and Rail Connections
Kraków Główny has five platforms serving ten tracks, accessed via three main entrances. The main entrance runs through the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall, giving travelers a direct route between shopping, dining, and the platforms themselves. The station's ticket hall is open 24 hours a day and includes 20 ticket windows, alongside a newer underground ticket hall for additional capacity.
Kraków Główny serves as a critical junction for domestic and international rail travel, connecting to major Polish cities and international routes. Kraków Główny connects to Warsaw in about 2 hours 20 minutes, and PKP Intercity operates many of the long-distance polish trains and intercity trains departing from the station. Kraków Główny also serves as a commuter train connection to Kraków Airport, giving travelers a direct rail link between the city centre and the airport without needing a taxi or bus.
Tickets can be purchased online or via a mobile app, at ticket machines that accept cash, cards, and contactless payments, or purchased onboard from train guards if you haven't bought one in advance. Kraków Główny provides direct access to the MDA Bus Station next door via a covered walkway, and a main passageway connects different parts of the station, including the link to the adjacent bus station.
History and Architecture
Kraków Główny is the largest railway hub in Kraków, Poland, and one of the busiest railway terminals in the country. The station is located next to the city centre and the Old Town, serving as a critical junction for domestic and international rail travel, and a key transportation hub for both tourists and locals alike.
Kraków Główny station opened on 13 October 1847, with the original station designed in a neo-Renaissance style. The station was rebuilt and modernized between 1869 and 1894 as rail traffic through the city grew, and during the Second World War, the station was renamed "Krakau Hauptbahnhof."
A major reconstruction began in 2012 and was completed in 2014, transforming Kraków Główny into the modern station seen today. The old station building has housed a museum since 2014, preserving part of the site's original architecture even as the working station moved into a new, modernized structure.
Pawia 31, 31-154, Krakow, Poland
Popular questions
Check the electronic departure boards for the train number, destination, platform (Peron), and track (Tor).
Yes. The station contains cafés, bakeries, convenience stores, fast-food outlets, and is directly connected to a large shopping mall.
Yes. Elevators, escalators, ramps, and step-free access are available throughout the station.
Yes, "Krakow Glowny train station," "Kraków Główny train station," and "Kraków Główny station" all refer to the same railway station — Kraków's main and largest rail terminal, often written without Polish diacritics in English.
Kraków Główny is a railway station, but it provides direct access to the adjacent MDA Bus Station via a covered walkway, making it a combined rail and bus hub in practice, even though they're technically two separate facilities.
Yes, Kraków Główny is Kraków's main and largest railway station, serving as the primary hub for domestic and international rail travel in and out of the city.
Kraków Główny connects to Kraków Airport via a direct commuter train, offering a fast and convenient alternative to a taxi or bus for reaching the airport.
Yes, Kraków Główny is located next to the Old Town, putting the Main Square, Royal Castle, and other popular destinations and main attractions within easy walking distance of the station.
Yes, public transport is easily accessible from Kraków Główny, with tram lines 3, 5, 19, and 50 serving the station directly, alongside buses and the adjacent MDA Bus Station.
Yes, Kraków Główny station is open 24 hours a day, including late evening and overnight hours, making it accessible for early departures and late-arriving trains alike.
Train services from Kraków Główny cover both short regional hops and longer intercity journeys, so whatever kind of train journey you're planning, there's likely a direct or connecting service available. A typical train journey begins with checking the departure boards to confirm which platform your train leaves from, and buying a train ticket in advance — whether purchased online or at the station — can help you avoid a queue before your train leaves.
The station hall sits at the heart of Kraków Główny, connecting the main passageway to each of the station platforms. Just outside, a station square provides an open area near the main entrance, useful for meeting points before heading into the station itself.
A car park is available near Kraków Główny for travelers arriving by car. Since the station operates 24 hours a day, the first train and last train times vary by route, so it's worth checking the specific timetable for your destination rather than assuming a fixed schedule applies to every platform.
Platform number information is displayed on departure boards throughout the main passageway, and depending on your platform, you may need to head toward the east side or the eastern side of the building rather than the main west-facing entrance. Some signage also directs passengers to keep to the left hand side or take the left hand route through busier sections of the station.
Yes, left luggage lockers are available throughout the station, and staffed left luggage offices offer an alternative for travelers who'd rather leave bags with staff rather than use a locker. Left luggage offices generally accept card payments, making the process straightforward even without cash on hand.
While standard toilets at the station charge a small fee, some free toilets may be available in specific areas such as within the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre. Free wifi is available throughout Kraków Główny, and comfortable waiting rooms give travelers a place to sit near the platforms while they wait for their train.
Yes, the new station section built during the 2012–2014 reconstruction includes an upper level above the main concourse, along with an information office where staff can help with directions, tickets, or general enquiries about services from the station.
The old station building closed as a working terminal once the new station opened, though it didn't disappear — it now houses a museum instead. The Galeria Krakowska entrance remains one of the easiest ways to reach the new station from the surrounding streets.
Kraków Główny is located at 31-154 Kraków, Poland, and the station serves a high number of passengers daily, reflecting its role as one of the busiest railway terminals in the country.
Yes, PKP Intercity operates a large share of the long-distance polish trains from Kraków Główny, and tickets can be purchased online in advance or bought at the station on the day of travel.
Yes, taxis are readily available outside Kraków Główny, and the station is located close to the town centre and Old Town, making it a convenient base for exploring Kraków on foot once you arrive.
If you're checking whether trains run on a specific day or route, buying a train ticket in advance through the app remains the simplest option before heading to Krakow Glowny station. Krakow Glowny station sits at 31 154 Kraków, Poland (also written 31-154 Kraków), easy to find on any map, whether you approach from the north side of the city or from the town centre to the south, since Kraków Poland's rail network converges here from every direction, including routes reaching well north of the city.
As the main railway station and main station serving the region, this train station and railway station handles a wide mix of services, and the ticket hall — alongside the newer underground ticket hall — remains the best place to confirm your ticket hall queue number or ask about a specific platform among the station's many platforms. With platforms spread across both the upper level and ground level, checking platforms carefully before boarding helps avoid confusion, since Kraków Główny, Kraków Poland's busiest terminal, keeps multiple platforms in simultaneous use throughout the day at this train station, with additional platforms occasionally added during peak periods.
Kraków Główny station features luggage lockers accessible 24/7, along with a left luggage office that accepts card payments for travelers who prefer a staffed option. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station, and several ATMs are located inside for convenience. Toilets at the station cost 3.50 PLN to use. The station is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, escalators, ramps, and step-free access available throughout. A Biedronka supermarket and a Burger King are among the food and retail options at the station, alongside stalls offering traditional Polish food for travelers wanting a local bite before their journey.
Kraków Główny sits right next to Kraków's Old Town, putting popular destinations and main attractions within easy walking distance. The Main Square and Royal Castle (Wawel) are both a short walk away, and the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine is reachable as a day trip from the station. Nearby streets including Lubicz Street and Pawia Street connect the station to the surrounding city, alongside the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre attached to the main entrance.