Tourist Card

Slogans like 'Poland's 'cultural capital' get bandied about a lot when pundits are trying to plug Cracow. However, in this particular case, there's plenty of truth in the hype. On arriving in the city, it quickly becomes apparent that there are as many churches and museums in Krakow as there are craters on the moon. In this light, the Krakow Tourist Card is worth knowing about for all you dedicated culture vultures out there.

The Krakow Tourist Card allows you to travel at will on buses and trams across the city, as well as granting free access to over thirty of the city's museums. Prices for a two or three-day card come in at a very reasonable 100 and 120 zlotys respectively.

Hang on a moment I hear you say, Cracow's not the biggest city in the world, what's wrong with walking?

Well, if you're trying to see a lot you'll find that the tram is in fact incredibly handy. And besides key museums in the centre of town such as the Czartoryski, Wyspianski and the National Museum itself, the card also includes several gems that are further afield. These number such intriguing options as the Aviation Museum, Manggha, Rydlowka, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle and the fantastic Kosciuszko Mound, which offers a wonderful panorama of the city. Let’s not forget about Wieliczka Salt Mine – Krakow card includes 304 bus route which leads directly to this wonderful place, with no transfer fees.

The Krakow Tourist Card also allows free access to the old Barbican as well as to the chancel of St. Mary's Church, where you can savour Veit Stoss's legendary altar-piece. The card does not allow free access to the Royal Castle itself, but of course there's no perfect happiness....

For all you wayfarers who are coming to and from the airport, you'll be pleased to know that the 208 and 292 bus routes are included in the card, as well as the night 902 route. You can actually buy the card from the stand at Balice Airport, but if you miss it first time round you can also snap one up from all the city information points across town. It’s also available online at www.krakowcard.pl or in many hostels (ask at reception).

All in all, purchasing just one Krakow Card gives possibility to save up to 260 zlotys in as little as 2 or 3 days not to mention saving your precious time! What is more, the card guarantees convenient, stress- and queue-free sightseeing. Remember, Krakow is the most memorably charming when taken slow and with no rush - and that’s another reason to buy Krakow Card.

Tourist Information Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), Rynek Glowny 1/3 ul. sw. Jana 2 ul. Szpitalna 25 ul. Jozefa 7.

How it works: Krakow Card is personal and not transferable. It is valid from 00.00 on the day indicated on the reverse side of the card, and expires at. 24.00 on the second or third day, dependent on the selected option.

Card issuer: City Tour Poland Sp. zoo with its headquarters at 31-109 Kraków, ul. Pilsudskiego 6/9.