Page 228 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

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GETTING AROUND KRAKOW

Central Krakow is small and compact so passengers in Krakow’s historic Market
moving around on foot, by bike or by public Square. If you are visiting attractions
transport is best. Children in particular will outside the city centre, using the public
enjoy a sightseeing ride on one of Krakow’s transport system is more environmentally
blue trams, and tours in a horse-drawn cab friendly than hiring a car or using taxis. This
are very popular with visitors too. A small guide lists the bus and tram routes which
electric “meleks” vehicle can also be hired you can use to get to the sights described
for group sightseeing, with qualified guides in the Krakow Area by Area section. Maps
who speak foreign languages. Both meleks of Krakow’s tram and bus systems can be
vehicles and horse-drawn carriages await found on the inside back cover.

Green Travel Walking be unnerving. It is permissible
There are a great many private Krakow is ideal for exploring on to cycle on the pavement,
cars in circulation in central foot. Much of the city centre is although pedestrians have
Krakow, leading to traffic pedestrianized and distances right of way. The broad
congestion and a shortage of between the main sightseeing avenues of Planty Park are
parking spaces. Foreign visitors areas are small. an ideal way of getting
should try and refrain from Walking from the Old Town around the Old Town by bike.
adding to this pressure on to the Kazimierz quarter There are several rental
the local infrastructure and takes around 20 minutes outlets around town
consider alternative ways and there is much and your hotel or
of getting around the city. to see on the way. hostel will know
Krakow’s centre is easy to The Planty runs round where the nearest
navigate on foot and the three sides of the Old one is. Prices depend
city is also bike-friendly – Town, and the tree- on the type and age
the local authorities are shaded paths offer a of the bike you are
trying to extend the number pleasant walk from A stop and give hiring, but you should
of cycle lanes in busy areas. one part of the centre way road sign expect to pay 50–80zł
Otherwise, the electric- to another. per day. A scheme
powered meleks vehicles Pedestrians should take care called Vavelo allows you to pick
available for hire in the Market at zebra crossings as drivers do up rental bikes from one
Square provide an emissions- not always stop. of 16 automated bike parks
free alternative to hiring a located throughout the city,
taxi within the Old Quarter. although registering online is
When exploring further afield, Cycling required. If you are hiring a bike
the public transport network Cycling is a wonderful way to for just one day or if you prefer
is a perfectly adequate see Krakow, and the number to pay by cash, use Krakow
way of reaching suburbs of bike-rental outlets is Bike Tour or Bike Trip.
such as Nowa Huta or increasing. Beware that marked
recreation areas such as cycle lanes are not widespread
Las Wolski forest. and cycling on main roads can Driving
Visitors are advised to walk,
cycle or use public transport
as access to the historic centre
is limited to licenced taxis,
delivery vans and local
residents. Outside the
Old Town traffic is busy and
parking places are hard to find.
If you do drive, note that
congestion is common during
rush hours, especially on Friday
afternoons. Main roads into the
city have numerous traffic lights
and junctions causing frequent
tailbacks. A ring road runs
around the west and south
sides of the city, but is yet to be
Tourists cycling by the Vistula River extended all the way round.