Many people wonder whether it’s worth driving into Kraków’s center to visit Wawel. The answer depends on your day plan and preferences — if you want to leave the car for a few hours and not worry about public transport or luggage, the most convenient and quickest option is an underground car park right next to the hill. For visitors on a budget, Park & Ride and a short tram ride or a walk from a slightly cheaper, more distant lot can be better. This guide will show which places are truly closest to Wawel, the pros and cons of each, and how to avoid common mistakes.
If your priority is the shortest possible walk to the castle — counting from the Powiśle entrance — the closest option is the underground car park by Na Groblach square, from which the walk takes about 5 minutes. This is comfortable but usually more expensive than parking outside the center. If you don’t want to risk no spaces being available, it’s worth booking a spot online in advance.
Below I describe: the underground parking at Wawel, nearest on-street spots, Park & Ride options, parking for coaches, solutions for people with reduced mobility, and practical tips to help you park quickly and without stress.
The simplest way to park as close as possible to Wawel is to use the guarded underground car park at Pl. Na Groblach. It is directly next to the hill, so the walk to the castle entrance is only a few minutes. The parking operates 24/7 and offers a large number of spaces, including zones for people with disabilities and electric vehicle charging points.
Advantages: minimal walking time to Wawel, security (monitored guarded parking), the possibility of online reservations (guaranteed spot) and short-stay options for sightseeing. In practice, this is the best choice for visitors who want to leave the car for a few hours and start exploring immediately without using public transport.
Disadvantages: higher prices than parking outside the center, especially during tourist hours; occasional height restrictions at the entrance (check the maximum vehicle height before driving in); and during heavy traffic there can be entry queues. If you plan a longer stay, check online reservation promotions.
If you prefer to park on the street, the nearest streets to the hill include Smocza Street and Bernardyńska Street. These are the closest to Wawel entrances, but remember that the Old Town area is covered by Paid Parking Zones and parking meters usually operate Monday to Saturday (typically around 10:00–20:00). Sundays are often free, but check current signs before arrival.
Payment: different subzones (A/B/C) have different hourly rates; you must pay at the meter or via mobile payment apps. Pay attention to signs and the specific subzone — a ticket bought for one subzone does not allow parking in another.
Practical tip: if you can’t find a space immediately by Wawel, don’t try to park illegally on sidewalks or in no-parking zones — checks, fines and towing are common. Instead, consider a short drop-off to let passengers out or park at a nearby public lot and walk the rest of the way.
For those who want to save money, Park & Ride facilities located near major public transport hubs are a good choice — for example at the large tram termini and stops in Czerwone Maki, Kurdwanów or Bieżanów. From these points a tram or bus takes 15–30 minutes to the center.
Advantages of Park & Ride: lower parking fees, no stress of driving in the dense center, and easy transfer to public transport. This is a good solution when you plan to spend the whole day sightseeing and don’t need a parking meter right at the castle.
How to plan it: leave the car at a P&R, check tram and bus timetables and buy a public transport ticket (conveniently available via mobile apps or from the driver). Often the trip from a P&R is faster and cheaper than hunting for a space in the Old Town and paying for central parking.
Designated coach parking and short-term drop-off spots are located near ul. Powiśle 11 — this is the closest place to disembark tourists at Wawel. It’s recommended to reserve a spot in advance and to confirm whether the coach park is open, as closures for street works have occurred in the past.
If you are traveling with a large group, a good practice is to plan drop-off and pick-up just below the hill for a quick unload, then park the coach in a dedicated, slightly more distant lot. This avoids blocking traffic and reduces the risk of fines.
Wawel and its surroundings offer designated parking spaces for people with reduced mobility — some of the nearest are on Bernardyńska Street, Smocza Street, Koletek Street and in the “Pod Wawelem” car park. If you need to drive directly onto the hill (for example when traveling with someone who has mobility difficulties), it’s a good idea to contact the Royal Castle’s staff in advance to arrange details of drop-off and any special assistance.
In practice: bring a document proving entitlement to disabled parking and observe the markings. Even if you see an available spot by a gate, follow regulations — some spaces are reserved and regularly checked.
1) Assuming that “someone will park and everything will be OK” — Kraków’s center is often crowded, especially on weekends and in high season. Solution: book a spot (underground Parking Wawel) or arrive early, outside peak hours.
2) Not reading traffic signs and parking meter rules — the fine for unpaid parking is real. Solution: check which zone you are in and pay at the meter or via an app.
3) Stopping briefly in prohibited places — this often ends with a fine and towing. Solution: use designated short-stop areas or plan quick stops outside the strict center.
4) Ignoring height limits in underground car parks. Solution: check the maximum vehicle height before entering and be mindful of entrance barriers.
- Check availability and prices of the Parking Wawel in advance — if comfort matters, reserve a spot online.
- If you plan to park on the street, have payment ready for the meter or download a popular city parking app so you can buy a ticket without standing at the machine.
- Consider leaving the car at a P&R and taking the tram if you prefer a lower price and a less stressful drive.
- When visiting on weekends or during city events (markets, concerts) expect more traffic — allow extra time to find a spot.
After you park it’s worth planning a coffee or lunch break nearby. A few well-known, well-rated places close to Wawel and the Market: Restaurant Wierzynek (historic and elegant, great for traditional Polish dishes), Pod Wawelem (friendly place serving Polish cuisine), Pod Aniołami (regional flavors, atmospheric interiors) and cafes such as Cafe Camelot — all popular with visitors. For accommodation near Wawel you’ll find options from the Sheraton (luxury) to small boutique hotels around the Main Market Square.
Remember to reserve a table or a room in advance during the tourist season — the best places fill up fast. If you’d like, I can recommend specific venues tailored to your food preferences and budget.
Can I reserve a spot in the underground Parking Wawel? Yes — the underground car park at Pl. Na Groblach offers online reservations, which is especially convenient during season and large events.
Are there electric vehicle charging points nearby? Yes — some central car parks, including the parking under Wawel, have charging stations for electric vehicles.
Is parking at Wawel cheaper on Sundays? Many parking meters and city zones use a rule that Sundays are free, but local regulations may change — always check the signs on site.
Where is the best place to drop off a person with reduced mobility? The safest drop-off spots are on Bernardyńska Street and at the entrance to the Parking Wawel; for direct access to the hill it’s advisable to contact the Castle staff in advance to arrange details.
- The large underground Parking Wawel can hold hundreds of cars and sometimes runs short visitor promotions — it’s a good solution when you want to get onto the hill quickly and not worry about your car.
- Despite proximity, parking right at Wawel is often more expensive than parking 15–20 minutes’ walk away — sometimes it’s worth parking a bit farther and enjoying a short, picturesque walk through the Planty park and along the Vistula embankment.
- If you arrive by coach or with a large group, reserve coach parking in advance — spaces are limited and can be temporarily closed for street works.
I hope this guide helps you choose the best place to park during your visit to Wawel. If you would like a guided tour of Wawel and the surroundings — contact me, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz), tour guide — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I’ll gladly help plan your route, advise where to park and share stories that will make your visit even more memorable.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can save time and nerves during their trip to Kraków. Wishing you a smooth journey and a great visit!
