Poland - Eastern Europe - page 419

CITY LAYOUT
Kraków's Old Town is relatively compact and comprised of the main square (Rynek
G l ówny) and the streets that radiate from it in all directions (bordered by what
remains of the medieval town walls and the circular park, the Planty). Most of the
main tourist sites are situated within a 10- or 15-minute walk from the square.
The Wawel castle district comprises a second major tourist destination and is a 10-
minute walk south of the main square, following Grodzka street.
The former Jewish ghetto of Kazimierz lies about a 20-minute walk south of the
main square beyond the castle. To save time, it's possible to take a taxi from the Old
Town to Kazimierz. Expect to pay about 15 z l ($5/£2.60). A number of trams also
make the run between the two.
GETTING AROUND
ON FOOT Much of Kraków is closed to traffic, so walking is often the only option.
Distances are manageable.
BY TRAM Kraków is well served by a comprehensive tram network, and this is a
quick and easy way to reach more far-flung destinations. Try to avoid tram travel at
rush hour unless you enjoy getting pressed up against the doors like you're in the
Tokyo subway. A ticket costs 2.50 z l (80¢/45p) and can be bought at newspaper
kiosks around town. Validate your ticket on entering the tram and hold onto it until
the end of the ride.
BY BUS Like trams, buses ply Kraków's streets from early morning until after 11pm
or so and are a vital part of the city's transit network. You probably won't need to use
the buses unless your hotel is well outside the city center. A ticket costs 2.50 z l (80¢/
45p) and can be bought at newspaper kiosks around town. Validate your ticket on
entering the tram and hold onto it until the end of the ride.
BY TAXI Taxis are relatively cheap and a dependable means of getting around. You
can hail taxis on the street or at special taxi stands around town. The fare for a typical
hop, such as from the Old Town to Kazimierz, will average 15 z l to 20 z l ($5-$6.80/
£2.60-£3.60).
BY BIKE Biking is becoming increasingly popular, and there are now bike lanes
scattered around town, including a nice run along the Vistula river and through the
park, the Planty, that rings the main square. That said, biking is a better bet for an
hour or two of sightseeing rather than as a practical means for getting around. Kraków
Bike Tours ( & 0663/731-515 ) offers fun and instructional 2-hour bike tours in sea-
son in the afternoons and evenings.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The city of Kraków maintains an extensive and helpful network of tourist informa-
tion offices around town in all of the tourist hot spots, including an office in the for-
mer Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Here you'll find some excellent brochures, including
one called the Tourist Information Compendium and another Two Days in Kraków.
They also have excellent free maps, a wealth of suggestions, and can help find and
book hotel rooms. Note that the Kazimierz office is (inexplicably) closed on week-
ends. The main offices are located at the following addresses:
Town Hall Tower (Main Square) ( & 012/433-73-10; daily 9am-7pm)
2 w. Jana 2 (Old Town) ( & 012/421-77-87; Mon-Sat 10am-6pm)