Yes — it is possible. That doesn’t mean you won’t encounter crowds in high season, but you can significantly reduce the minutes spent waiting by planning a few simple things: time of day, day of the week, how you get there and booking tickets in advance. The key is planning and flexibility — a family trip works best when logistics are sorted beforehand instead of improvised on the spot. Instead of trying to “push through” the center at noon, use the morning, late afternoon or less popular alternatives to the busiest places. The guiding principle? Think family: shorter routes, more breaks and fewer queues.
Arrive early — aim for before 9:00 for popular trails and cable-car departures; most crowds arrive between 10:00 and 15:00.
Buy tickets online — thermal baths, cable cars (Kasprowy, Gubałówka), national park entry and some parking spaces can be reserved online; this is the easiest way to avoid queues at the ticket office.
Choose weekdays outside long weekends and holidays — if possible, avoid the May holidays, Corpus Christi, winter school breaks and long holiday weekends.
Break up the program — instead of a single “do everything” day, spread attractions across several shorter activities: a morning valley walk, an afternoon at the thermal baths, an evening on Krupówki off-peak.
Instead of Krupówki at noon — discover side streets and lesser-known sights; the crowd on the main avenue often means more queues at nearby attractions.
If you drive, plan parking in advance. City parking fills up quickly in season — use official lots and apps that let you pay ahead and extend your stay from your phone.
Consider leaving the car and switching to a local bus — public transport and shuttle buses to Kuźnice and other points often run more frequently in season and avoid parking problems.
Watch out for private, unmarked parking lots near trailheads — check the terms before parking; if there is no clear information about conditions and fees, keep driving.
If you plan to go into the mountains by car (Palenica Białczańska, Morskie Oko), reserve a parking space where possible — this can save you hours waiting for a spot.
Arriving before 9:00 is a simple trick: it’s easier to park, queues for ticket offices and cable cars are shorter, and trails are calmer.
Thermal baths and pools — most facilities offer online ticket sales and timed entries; buying in advance avoids the ticket office line and often gives access to time-based promotions.
Cable cars: Kasprowy Wierch and the Gubałówka funicular — in season check for timed tickets; online tickets or the first morning departure are the smartest choices for families.
TPN tickets and access to Palenica / Morskie Oko — at peak times there are restrictions and parking reservations; check official national park announcements and reserve ahead where paid spots exist.
Indoor attractions (museums, amusement parks) — Illusion Park, Upside-Down House, Underwater World — often limit visitor numbers; an e-ticket guarantees quick entry and usually a time slot, which helps plan the day.
If online tickets aren’t available, arrive right at opening — the first 60–90 minutes after opening usually have the shortest queues.
Morskie Oko and the Valley of Five Lakes — these are the most popular, but to avoid crowds start very early or visit in the late afternoon; alternatively choose the less crowded Kościeliska Valley, which is equally family-friendly and often calmer.
Gubałówka — the funicular can be busy, but walking up is a pleasant option and lets you skip the queue for the train; if you use the funicular, take the first run or come late afternoon.
Indoor attractions (Illusion Park, Aqua Park, interactive museums) — best visited on weekdays or later in the afternoon when some tourists return for lunch.
Lesser-known spots: Underwater World, Myszogród, RetroManiak Museum — these often have shorter queues and are great for children, mixing play with learning.
Instead of Krupówki at the busiest time, choose a walk by the Bystra stream or paths toward Willa Koliba — quieter places where kids can run without the crowd.
Short day plan: a morning walk on an easy trail (Strążyska or Kościeliska Valley), return for a late breakfast/lunch before noon, afternoon at the thermal baths or an indoor attraction. Children often do best with this rhythm.
Breaks every 45–60 minutes — bring snacks, a thermos with tea and a comfortable carrier for little ones; shorter stops mean less fussing and fewer enforced pauses in a crowd.
Choose attractions with timed entry or reserved slots — that way the whole family can prepare and avoid standing in lines.
If one parent wants a faster pace or a tougher route, consider splitting up: half the family an easier route, the other half attractions in town. Agree changes beforehand and allow extra time for logistics.
Avoid restaurants directly on Krupówki between 12:00–14:00 — lots of people and long waits. Reserve a table or arrive before 12:00 or after 15:00.
Recommended, highly rated places (best to book in advance): Bistro Kryjówka — family-friendly menu, Restauracja Staropolska — classic Polish flavors, Cukiernia Samanta — great for sweet breaks and quick snacks. (When booking, check current hours and reviews).
If you want to eat quickly without queuing, choose places offering takeaway or cafes with fast breakfasts; a picnic outside the center is also a good idea.
Many hotels and guesthouses offer extended breakfasts or early lunchboxes — use these if you plan to set off early on a trail.
Arriving without a plan for the whole day — many visitors try to “wing it” and end up in queues; a plan on your phone with times and places saves the day.
Unreserved parking at popular trailheads — leads to waiting in long lines for a spot or circling for availability.
Not buying online tickets where available — it wastes time and nerves; even if tickets can be bought on site, buying ahead gives peace of mind.
Neglecting weather and clothing — rain or wind can shorten enjoyment of a walk; always carry a rain layer and spare socks for children.
Eating at the first place on Krupówki at 13:00 — often poor value and longer waits. Check reviews and reserve if possible.
Tourist traffic in the center often drops between 14:30 and 16:30 — this is a good time to visit museums or smaller attractions that had long queues in the morning.
Not all attractions on Krupówki are equally crowded — side museums and cafes on adjacent streets can be peaceful oases.
If your accommodation includes parking — use it actively; in the morning or evening you can leave the car and move on foot or by local bus.
On rainy days thermal baths and museums are most popular — plan those visits for days with worse weather and buy tickets online.
Is it better to arrive in Zakopane in the morning or the evening? — Morning is best, before the crowds; evenings can also be calmer on Krupówki, but some attractions are closed.
How to avoid queues at Kasprowy? — Buy a ticket online, take the first ride of the day or consider hiking up (for families with older children).
Where to leave the car if going to Morskie Oko? — Reserve parking online where possible; if there are no spots, consider a bus or a transfer from Zakopane.
Are thermal baths worth it for families with small children? — Yes, especially if you buy tickets online and choose times outside peak hours; thermal baths are a great way to recover after a mountain day.
If you found this text helpful — share it with friends or on social media; you’ll give them a simple plan to enjoy Zakopane more and wait less in lines.
If you’d like, I’m happy to help plan a specific family itinerary and suggest dates and places suited to your children’s ages. Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private tours and help organizing the day — you can find contact details on her official website. Thank you for your trust and I wish you sunny, active and pleasant days in the Tatras!
