Krakow is known for a reliable, resident-friendly public transport system. The tram and bus network in the Krakow municipality is operated by the city-owned company MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne w Krakowie), with part of the routes also served by the private operator Mobilis. Since March 2, 2026, a new fare schedule has been in effect in Krakow: current prices below.

Current ticket prices (as of March 2, 2026, Zone I: city)

  • single-ride ticket: PLN 6.00 (reduced fare: PLN 3.00);
  • 15-minute ticket (replaced the previous 20-minute one): PLN 4.00 (reduced fare: PLN 2.00);
  • 30-minute ticket: PLN 6.00 (reduced fare: PLN 3.00);
  • 60-minute ticket: PLN 8.00 (reduced fare: PLN 4.00);
  • 90-minute ticket: PLN 9.00 (reduced fare: PLN 4.50);
  • 24-hour ticket (Zone I): PLN 20.00 (reduced fare: PLN 10.00);
  • 24-hour ticket, all zones: PLN 25.00 (reduced fare: PLN 12.50).

For trips outside Zone I (e.g. to the airport), you’ll need an agglomeration ticket covering Zones I+II: check current prices on the MPK website, since the Zone I+II fares are updated separately from time to time.

Monthly ticket and “Karta Krakowska”

The city used to have a separate physical Krakow City Card (KKM): today, the resident discount system is built into the “Karta Krakowska” project (resident status). A monthly network ticket for Zone I for residents costs PLN 99 (reduced fare: PLN 49.50): without resident status, the price is noticeably higher. You can register for resident status and buy a ticket at ticket machines or through the app.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets can be bought at ticket machines (card payments accepted), at kiosks (Relay, Ruch), on some buses and trams, and from the driver: as long as it doesn’t distract them from driving. There are no conductors in Krakow: it’s the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid ticket; the fine for riding without one is PLN 150 to PLN 240.

Krakow’s trams

The tram network covers most of the city. As part of the “Krakowski Szybki Tramwaj” (KST) project, an underground tunnel with two stations, Dworzec Główny Tunel and Politechnika, was built beneath the city center, along with a viaduct above the Kraków-Płaszów station. The tram fleet is being gradually modernized: on the lines you’ll find both new air-conditioned trains (PESA, Bombardier) and older but well-maintained cars.

Krakow’s buses

MPK buses are low-floor, and many are equipped with route-map displays and air conditioning. Regular city bus numbers start with 1xx, agglomeration routes with 2xx, and express routes with 5xx. Public transport also runs at night (less frequently, roughly every 30 minutes): night buses are numbered 6xx, and night trams 6x. On congestion-prone stretches, dedicated bus lanes (“buspasy”) are in place.

Getting to Krakow-Balice Airport

You can reach John Paul II Airport by train with Koleje Małopolskie (KMŁ): the journey from Kraków Główny station takes about 17-20 minutes. For mixed trips (train + city transport), there’s a combined 70-minute ticket (KMK + KMŁ) priced at PLN 10 (reduced fare: PLN 5). It lets you ride the train and continue by tram or bus within a single time-based fare. The ticket can be bought at ticket machines in the airport terminal, on the platform, or from the train staff (cash only).

If you’re planning to run a business in Krakow as a JDG (sole proprietorship), convenient public transport and low commuting costs are a real plus when choosing a city.