Kraków and Zakopane are two different stories about Poland: the historical, compact Old Town surrounded by the Planty parks and - a few hours away - the rugged mountain nature of the Tatra Mountains. For young people it’s a great pairing: a lesson in history, art and urban culture on the first day, and then an experience of nature, local tradition and outdoor activity on the second day. Planty are also an ideal place for a short, safe walk with regular rest stops for a group and are often a sensible starting point for the Kraków part of the trip.
Planty cover over 20 hectares and surround the entire Old Town - walking them quickly familiarizes the group with the area and helps settle the young participants into the day’s plan. If you’re planning a 2-day trip with youth, keep a sensible pace and clear checkpoints (meet every 30–60 minutes, give participants an emergency contact number to save). That prevents dispersion and leaves time for the highlights - and for a proper group meal break.
08:30–09:30 - Arrival, check-in (if possible) and a short briefing. Meet at a clearly designated spot (for example near the Main Train Station), remind everyone of the rules and give the day’s schedule.
09:30–11:00 - Walk through the Planty to St. Florian’s Gate and the Royal Route. Planty are a great warm-up: benches, green alleys and monuments. During the walk briefly explain that the Planty were laid out on the site of former defensive walls and point out several of the small gardens and monuments.
11:00–12:30 - Main Market Square: St. Mary’s Basilica (exterior or a quick interior visit if tickets are booked), the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), a short talk about medieval trade. Keep young people engaged with short tasks: find a specific statue, count columns or locate the hejnal (trumpet call) legend.
12:30–13:30 - Group lunch. Restaurants that accept groups work best - a la carte orders or set group menus. Recommended places for larger groups: Pod Wawelem (large portions, traditional cuisine) or booked tables at trusted restaurants around the Market Square - reserve in advance.
14:00–16:00 - Wawel: exterior tour of the Castle, the Cathedral (enter crypts or selected chambers if tickets are reserved). For a shorter option focus on the Wawel Hill story - royal tombs and Sigismund’s Bell.
16:00–17:30 - Kazimierz: walk around the district, give basic information about Kraków’s Jewish history, show interesting corners and safe squares where young people can rest. Alternative: a short visit to a chosen museum (remember group prices and visitor limits).
Evening - free time or a short walk in the Planty at dusk; remind everyone of meeting points and sleeping arrangements.
Depart in the morning - preferably by charter coach or arranged train; the journey usually takes roughly 1.5–3 hours depending on transport and traffic. Practically, count on 2–2.5 hours as a safe travel time.
Option 1 (for classes seeking views and easy attractions): Gubałówka + Krupówki. The funicular to Gubałówka is quick and scenic; afterwards walk Krupówki and visit the Tatra National Park education center or the Tatra Museum. It’s a mix of entertainment and nature for young people.
Option 2 (for active groups): a short, safe walk in Strążyska Valley or Kościeliska Valley (easier trails, mostly flat). Avoid ambitious hikes like Morskie Oko for school groups unless you have experience and a sufficient number of chaperones.
Afternoon alternative: pools/thermal baths (if the group needs relaxation after travel) or a nature lesson at the Tatra National Park Education Centre. Finish the day with dinner in a karczma (traditional inn) - Zakopane has many group-friendly places such as Karczma Zapiecek, Gazdowo Kuźnia or Watra; reserve tables ahead of time.
A coach gives the greatest flexibility and simplifies logistics for school groups (baggage storage, punctual departures). Trains are often a good choice in high season because they avoid road traffic, but reserve seats early for larger groups.
Always meet at an agreed point (for example the main exit of Kraków Main Station). Carry an attendance list, chaperone phone numbers and a shortened participant list in both paper and digital form. Build buffer time between attractions - traffic on Zakopianka is frequent, especially on weekends and holidays.
Buy attraction tickets online in advance when possible. That saves time, avoids queues and helps control the budget. With larger groups you can often secure group rates or reserved entry.
In Kraków choose restaurants experienced with large groups: quick service, set menus and spacious interiors. Two examples with good reputations are Pod Wawelem (traditional, hearty portions) and the historic Wierzynek - the latter for groups with a higher budget who want a more upscale experience.
In Zakopane, karczmas on Krupówki such as Karczma Zapiecek, Gazdowo Kuźnia or Watra commonly serve many guests and offer regional dishes (oscypek, kwaśnica, moskole). When booking for a group ask about group menus and the possibility of seating everyone in a single room.
Accommodation: for school groups choose hotels or hostels near Kraków Main Station - that simplifies arrival and departure. In Zakopane consider lodging near the center if you plan an evening walk on Krupówki, or closer to valley trailheads if mountain activity is the priority.
For organized school trips remember required parental permissions, up-to-date medical/accident insurance cards and emergency contact details for parents. Ensure an appropriate number of chaperones according to school regulations or internal rules - it’s better to have a few extra adults than too few.
In the mountains always check the weather forecast and adapt the plan to conditions. Even easy trails can become harder in bad weather. In an emergency call 112; if you plan routes inside the Tatra National Park check whether additional notification or a licensed mountain guide is needed.
When traveling by coach check seat belts, driver working times and parking conditions in Zakopane - some parking is paid and fills up quickly in season. Keep travel documents and reservation confirmations together in one place.
Planning “to the last minute” - an overpacked schedule doesn’t work with young people. Always leave a 30–60 minute buffer between items to allow for delays and short breaks.
Failing to reserve group meals and tickets - in season this quickly leads to stress and wasted time. Book in advance and reconfirm the day before departure.
Inappropriate footwear and clothing for Zakopane - even a short route can take longer than expected. Make sure students have comfortable shoes and a rain jacket or poncho in case the weather changes.
Are 2 days enough? Yes - if the goal is a taste of Kraków and a short Zakopane adventure. It’s an intense pace but doable with good organization. If you want more hiking time, consider 3 days.
What’s the best way to travel? A coach is comfortable for groups; a train is a good alternative in high season when roads are clogged. A private car offers flexibility but remember possible traffic on Zakopianka.
What should youth bring? Comfortable shoes, a rain jacket, a small backpack, a water bottle, a little money for souvenirs and snacks. For mountain outings add a basic first-aid kit and participants’ documents.
Planty once replaced the city’s medieval fortifications - walking the alleys today means you’re following the line of former walls and moats. It’s an easy way to start a history lesson in the open air.
In Zakopane try oscypek - it’s sold widely in season, but prefer stalls and restaurants with good reviews. If you plan to eat in popular karczmas during high season, reserve tables well ahead, especially for groups.
Small logistical trick: if the group stays overnight in Kraków and leaves early for Zakopane, arrange coach pickup at the accommodation instead of the crowded station - it saves time and nerves.
A well-planned 2-day Kraków + Zakopane trip combines culture, history and adventure - perfect for young people if you keep a realistic pace and take care of logistics. Booking tickets, pre-ordering meals and clear rules for participants are the keys to success.
If you like this plan, share it with colleagues or on social media - you’ll help other teachers and chaperones. If you’d like the route tailored to your group, consider working with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - she offers customized programs for school groups. Good luck and safe travels!
