First, the good news and the basic rule: there are no places inside the immediate area of the Main Market (Sukiennice) where coaches can park for more than a very short time. The Old Town is a restricted-traffic zone and coach movements in the narrow historic centre are tightly regulated.
The city has designated so-called tourist stops (marked with a special sign and the horizontal inscription K+R BUS) where a coach may stop only to drop off or pick up a group — usually for up to 10 minutes. In practice this means: drop off the group, switch off the engine and leave — then the coach must find a parking place or exit the centre.
So it’s useful to split the question “where to stop the coach nearest Sukiennice” into two: 1) where to drop off passengers close to Sukiennice (short stop), and 2) where to park the coach for a longer time (coach parking). This guide answers both and offers practical solutions.
The city has marked short-stay places in the centre intended specifically for tourist coaches. These are legal tourist stops with a time limit (usually up to 10 minutes) and may be used only by a coach bringing an organised group accompanied by a representative of the organiser (tour leader or guide).
Which spots are most convenient if your destination is Sukiennice? Here are the most commonly recommended locations right next to the Market:
- Grodzka Street — very close to the south-west corner of the Market and Floriańska Street; frequently used to drop off groups heading to the Market and Wawel. Very convenient for groups planning to walk the Royal Route.
- Pawia Street (between Worcella and Kurniki) — on the north-west side of the centre, near the Main Railway Station and Galeria Krakowska; ideal when a group arrives by train and wants quick access to the Market.
- Jan Matejko Square — north of the Market, handy for groups starting from the Planty and Basztowa Street; close to Kanonicza Street and the Old Town.
- Dajwór Street — useful for groups planning to visit Kazimierz or Szeroka Street first; especially good when the programme starts with synagogues and Kazimierz monuments.
- Straszewskiego Street and the area around the Ghetto Heroes Square — recommended drop-off spots on the west side of the Planty.
Remember: these stops are for very short stays. After dropping off the group it’s important to have a plan for where the driver will park the coach for a longer period.
After dropping off passengers the driver should move to one of the officially designated coach parking areas. The city maintains a list of coach parking sites — locations range from parking spots closer to the centre to larger terminals near the stadium.
Commonly mentioned parking options close to the centre include: Kamienna Street (various numbers of bays, e.g. Kamienna 2–4 and Kamienna 8), Kopernika Street (near the Tourist House / Dom Turysty — a few bays), Aleja 3 Maja / parking by the stadium (larger capacity) and other municipal coach parking lots. Some of these operate as paid coach terminals.
Important note: some spots that used to serve coaches have been removed from the coach network — check the current availability and any temporary traffic changes (roadworks, events) before arriving.
Using tourist stops is legally regulated: the spaces are intended only for dropping off or picking up organised groups (the presence of a person representing the organiser is required). The allowed stop time must be respected.
While stopped at a tourist stop you should: switch off the engine (for environmental reasons and out of respect for nearby residents), not exceed the permitted stop time (usually up to 10 minutes) and depart immediately after completing the drop-off or pick-up. Failing to follow the rules can result in fines and other penalties.
Drivers should also pay attention to vehicle access restrictions on some streets (weight and height limits) — the historic centre has many narrow streets and small bridges where larger coaches may have problems. Plan the route with restrictions in mind.
Plan to arrive with time to spare. Access to the centre can be difficult during peak hours, roadworks or cultural events. Reserving a parking bay (if possible) gives peace of mind and saves time.
Check your coach’s height and weight for the planned route. Some streets in the historic centre have restrictions or bans for heavier or taller vehicles.
Agree a meeting point and times with the tour leader/guide. Clear communication between the driver and the person responsible for the group helps avoid exceeding the stop time and prevents confusion during drop-off.
Plan the walking route from the drop-off point to Sukiennice. Walking time from the nearest tourist stops is usually just a few minutes — give the group clear directions (for example: from Grodzka Street enter via Floriańska; from Jan Matejko Square walk through the Planty).
Stopping a coach without observing regulations — for example on the Market, inside the Planty or in tram bays — is a quick way to receive a fine. Always use designated tourist stops.
Leaving the engine running while dropping off passengers is common and annoys residents; a city patrol may react. Turn off the engine and keep the stop as short as necessary.
Not planning where the coach will go after drop-off. If no parking has been arranged, the driver may get stuck in traffic or be fined for improper parking. Always plan coach parking in advance.
Can a coach drive into the Market? No — there are no long-term coach parking spaces in the immediate Market area; drop-off must happen at designated tourist stops outside the centre of the Market.
How long can I stop at a tourist stop? Usually up to 10 minutes. The stop is intended only for dropping off or picking up a group accompanied by the organiser’s representative.
Do I need to reserve a parking bay? Not always mandatory, but in high season or with large groups a reservation or using a paid coach terminal is highly recommended.
What if a parking spot that used to exist (e.g. on Powiśle) is no longer available? Some places that were once open to coaches have been excluded from coach traffic — check the city’s current information before arrival.
There are many restaurants and cafés around Sukiennice to suit different tastes — from classic Polish cuisine to cosy cafés for a quick break. Choose places with good reviews and experience handling large groups.
A few names that are traditionally popular with visitors: Wierzynek (a historic restaurant on the Market Square), Noworolski Café (Market Square), Szara Gęś (near the Market), Café Camelot (Old Town) and Pod Aniołami (near Grodzka). For larger groups it’s wise to make reservations in advance.
If your time is limited, choose a café close to the drop-off point (for example on Grodzka Street or near St. Mary’s Square) — this lets the group start sightseeing quickly without long walks.
In some city locations there is only one or two coach bays. During big events or the holiday season these can fill up quickly, so have a plan B.
Not all parking spots listed online are current — the city updates its list of tourist stops and coach parking, so always check official announcements before arrival.
Many museums and attractions work with official guides or staff who can help coordinate group entries. For museum visits it’s recommended to schedule and confirm group entry in advance.
As a tour guide Malgorzata Kasprowicz helps not only with guiding in Krakow but also with organising the logistical side of the trip: planning the best drop-off point near Sukiennice, reserving coach parking, contacting the driver, reserving museum tickets and booking tables at restaurants.
If you wish, Malgorzata will advise the best solutions for your group — taking into account coach size, route restrictions, sightseeing preferences and programme length. Contact details for Malgorzata are shown on the site so you can discuss details and reserve a date.
Working with Malgorzata makes arrival organisation easier: she can handle formalities so you can focus on looking after the group and enjoying the tour.
If this guide was helpful, share it with other trip organisers or drivers — post it on social media or send it to colleagues.
If you plan to come to Krakow with a group and want to remove any uncertainty about logistics, write to Malgorzata Kasprowicz — she can plan the drop-off near Sukiennice, reserve parking, cater and tickets, and lead an engaging city tour. Contact details for Malgorzata are on the article page and are the best way to get personalised help when organising your visit.
