If you arrive in Krakow with an organized group, the key is to plan the drop-off so it is legal, safe and as close as possible to your tour’s starting point. In the city centre most short-term drop-off spots are marked "K+R BUS" (Kiss&Ride for tourist coaches) and are meant only for a quick stop to let passengers on or off. In practice this means: drop off the passengers, the driver moves the coach away and either returns to an agreed pick-up point later or parks in a designated coach car park.
The most useful Kiss&Ride locations around the Old Town and Kazimierz include: Wielopole Street (near the Main Post Office), Jan Matejko Square (behind the Barbican), Pawia Street (by Galeria Krakowska) and Dajwór Street in Kazimierz. These spots are convenient but parking time is limited (usually a few minutes, often up to 10–20 minutes where extended rules apply).
Sometimes additional or temporary Kiss&Ride bays are activated near Wawel or Grunwaldzki Bridge depending on road works and traffic organisation — it’s worth checking current local information before you travel because the city updates Kiss&Ride locations and access rules periodically.
Practical note: do not drop off a group at a random place (a regular bus stop, tram bay, or cycle lane). That’s unsafe and illegal and can lead to fines or towing. Plan the drop-off in advance and agree a clear meeting point with the driver.
The centre of Krakow is not friendly to long coach stops — pedestrian zones, narrow streets and limited capacity mean drivers usually need to move to a coach car park after dropping off the group or to park just outside the strict centre.
Convenient options include official coach car parks listed by the city: Kopernika Street (by the Dom Turysty PTTK) with several bays, stadium car parks (al. 3 Maja / Reymonta) and the lay-by on Podgórska Street next to Galeria Kazimierz (2–3 bays, municipal fees may apply).
In practice many drivers use private parking sites near Kazimierz: privately operated coach parks near Miodowa / Daszyńskiego are often open 24/7 and allow leaving the coach for a few hours or a full day — a handy solution for longer tours. Private parking is also a good alternative when city spaces are full.
If you’re trying to save money there are informal spots near Kościuszko Mound, but the driver usually must stay nearby (parking off official areas carries risk and discomfort). Most operators agree that the driver drives to a nearby parking lot while the group tours with the guide, and they meet again at a prearranged pickup point.
The driver is responsible for the safe arrival and stopping of the vehicle, while the organiser (trip leader, teacher, or chaperone) should know the route plan, the meeting point and any traffic restrictions downtown. Best practice: agree the drop-off point, the driver’s parking place and give the guide the driver’s phone number.
If you expect delays (traffic jams, accidents), the leader or driver should inform the guide as soon as possible so you can decide whether to postpone entrances or shorten the route. In practice a late arrival usually shortens the tour time unless other arrangements were made in advance.
Forbidden behaviour: dropping passengers at a regular public transport stop, driving into restricted-access streets, or blocking narrow lanes. Avoid these — fines start from modest amounts and can escalate, plus you may have trouble with police or city services.
A few places to consider when planning coach parking: stadium car parks (al. 3 Maja / Reymonta) have many bays; Kopernika Street (Dom Turysty) offers about 7 bays near the Old Town; Kamienna Street (Fort Kleparz) has municipal options with multiple bays; Podgórska Street (by Galeria Kazimierz) has a lay-by with 2–3 spaces; private parking near Miodowa (around Galeria Kazimierz) often offers 24/7 coach spaces.
If you want the driver to rest comfortably it’s worth booking a private parking spot for the full day. Private parking prices vary — from a few dozen to a few hundred PLN per day depending on location and season.
Remember: some locations (for example hotel car parks) only accept hotel guests and may not allow coaches without prior arrangement. Call a few days ahead to confirm access for large vehicles.
The guide usually helps with ticket purchases and organising group entrances (buying on the spot or booking online depending on the venue). Some attractions, however, require prepayment or advance reservation — check and arrange these with the tour organiser well before the visit.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory and certain branches of the Kraków Museum have changed ticket rules in recent years (for example named online tickets and limited-day allocations) — for popular sites it’s safest to buy tickets in advance. Smaller museum branches sometimes keep a small allocation for same-day visitors, but availability is not guaranteed.
The Rynek Undercroft (Podziemia Rynku) uses timed-entry reservations — buying online lets you enter without a long queue; on free days or special promotions availability is limited and queues can form.
Wawel: guided groups follow separate booking procedures — many castle interiors must be reserved in advance and audio guide rental at the Castle is usually an extra fee. When planning visits to Wawel, contact the Castle Reservations ahead of time.
Audio sets (a transmitter for the guide plus receivers and headphones for participants) make touring large groups much easier. They let everyone hear the guide without shouting, reduce the need to stop frequently and are especially useful during busy seasons or in crowded cathedrals and sacred sites.
When to order? For groups above 25 people they are almost essential; for groups of 10–20 they are a major convenience. Many local companies and guides offer rental; costs typically amount to a few złoty per person for several hours (or flat daily rates).
Organisation: the guide usually distributes and collects sets at the start and end of the tour; devices are light, water-resistant in basic terms and easy to use. For schools and seniors an audio set reduces chaos and improves concentration.
Ideal duration depends on the group: kindergarten groups 1–2 hours; school groups typically 3–4 hours (maximum about 4 hours for teenagers); seniors often feel comfortable with 4–5 hours including a break. Two hours is a quick overview of main sights, three hours allows one entrance to a church or museum, while four hours gives a more relaxed and fuller tour.
For any walk longer than three hours plan a short break for restroom use and coffee — participants appreciate these pauses. The guide adapts to the group’s needs, so please tell the guide about mobility limits or health concerns in advance.
Arriving by coach in the busiest season (May, June, September) in the middle of a weekday often means crowds of school groups — consider off-season weekends or early morning hours to avoid large crowds.
Buying a ticket from an unfamiliar person “at the gate” near Wawel without checking credentials — instead call a trusted guide or reserve entrances online.
Assuming the driver can leave the coach “anywhere” in the centre without a reservation — lack of parking causes stress and fines. Always verify parking availability and agree on a driver parking place before arrival.
Many tickets to Wawel Cathedral also include access to the Cathedral Museum or entry to the Sigismund Bell or the Crypts for several days — check details at the ticket desk as packages sometimes cover more than one attraction.
There is a café on Wawel with a terrace overlooking the cathedral — a pleasant spot for a short group break and photos. Around the Market Square well-reviewed and convenient cafés include Noworolski (Sukiennice) and Cafe Szara.
For very large groups (for example over 60 people) it’s useful to split into two smaller groups and have two guides or extra audio sets — the comfort and quality of the visit improves significantly.
Q: Can the driver wait at a Kiss&Ride? A: Usually no — these spots are for short stops (drop-off/pick-up). Drivers typically move to a nearby parking lot and return to collect the group.
Q: Do I need to reserve audioGuides? A: For groups over about 25 people it’s recommended; for smaller groups it’s a comfortable option. The guide can help order them or do it on your behalf.
Q: What if the coach is stuck in traffic and we miss a museum entry time? A: In most cases a delay shortens the tour — museums and guides rarely extend programmes without prior agreement. Notify the guide as early as possible.
Q: Where is best to arrange pickup after the tour? A: Agree a clear map point (for example Wielopole Street or Matejko Square) — these are relatively close to the Market and easy for the driver to find.
Planning a Krakow tour and want it to run smoothly? I’m a private guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). I organise tours so they are comfortable: I can help plan the drop-off point, suggest parking for the driver, reserve tickets and provide audio sets if needed. Details and contact information are available on the site zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If you found this guide helpful — share it with friends or on social media. Good planning = relaxed sightseeing :)
