Krakow is a safe city, but like any popular destination it pays to keep your eyes open. The best rule is less stress, more planning: clear travel routes, a short daily plan, a few checkpoints saved in your phone, and awareness of small common traps. Below you'll find practical tips that let you enjoy the city without surprises. (Author: Małgorzata Kasprowicz)
Her friendly guided tours combine safety with interesting stories—if you want a relaxed visit with local context, consider booking a guided walk. (See contact details on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
The busiest spots are the Main Railway Station, the passages between the station and Galeria Krakowska, the Main Square area, Floriańska Street and crowded tram transfers. Keep documents and cards in an inside pocket, move your backpack to your front in a crowd, and zip your bag and hold it under your arm. Keep your phone deeper than the outer jacket pocket, and don’t leave it on a bench while taking photos.
A classic trick is a staged crowd at a door, a distraction question, or a spilled drink. If someone comes too close, take half a step aside and face them. In trams stand with a wider stance and brace the elbow on your bag strap. In restaurants don’t leave your phone on the edge of the table toward the street.
Central areas have restricted traffic zones. You cannot drive into zone A as a tourist; zone B has time restrictions and access only for authorized vehicles. Paid parking requires using a parking meter or an app. Watch the signs at entrances to the Old Town and Kazimierz and look for yellow lines that mark a no-parking zone.
The municipal police respond firmly to illegal parking. Common consequences include wheel clamps for leaving a car in a prohibited place or on the sidewalk. If you need to drive to the center, consider parking in multi-storey car parks or using Park and Ride facilities near tram hubs such as Czerwone Maki or Kurdwanów and then continuing by public transport.
Pedestrians should cross only on green lights and at crosswalks—fines for jaywalking are real. Cyclists and e-scooter users must respect bans on riding on the Planty and on sidewalks crowded with pedestrians, and observe speed limits in pedestrian zones.
Buy a ticket and validate it immediately or activate it in the official app. Inspections are frequent, discreet and efficient. You can usually pay by card at tram ticket machines and at most tram stops; buses often accept card payments too. Riding without a valid ticket results in a penalty that can be reduced by quick on-the-spot card payment.
Choose a ticket for the correct zone and travel time. If you transfer within a short window, a time-based ticket can be more economical. Keep the receipt or the confirmation from the app until the end of the day.
Order rides via apps or use licensed taxis that display a tariff on the window and have a working meter. Avoid offers from people approaching you at the station. If you’re leaving the center at night, ask the driver to pick you up on a side street next to the Square instead of in the middle of the crowd—that’s usually faster and safer.
Use bank ATMs rather than independent cash machines. If the terminal offers to charge your card in your home currency, choose to pay in PLN—this is usually a better exchange rate. In exchange offices look for clearly displayed buy/sell rates and no small-print extra fees. If the spread between buy and sell is very large, look for another place.
Around the Main Square and Kazimierz there are venues of many kinds. The safest practice is to pay after each order and keep your receipt. If your card is taken out of sight, ask for a terminal at the table. Set limits for contactless and online transactions in your mobile banking. Avoid spontaneous invitations to bars you didn’t plan to visit—those can lead to unexpectedly large bills.
Ride on bike lanes, on the road, or on a designated cycle path; push your e-scooter on the sidewalk. Park equipment so it does not block walkways or ramps. On the Planty and in the densest pedestrian routes it’s better to get off and walk—it’s quicker and safer than weaving through crowds. Use lights and reflective elements after dark.
Do not drink alcohol in public places or on the street. Smoking at stops and in their immediate vicinity is prohibited. The city discourages feeding pigeons on the Main Square and nearby areas—this is about hygiene and there is a real risk of a fine. If you want to relax with a drink, choose a restaurant terrace or café area.
You may encounter people offering fortune-telling, surveys or collection tins near the station, the Square and main pedestrian routes. A polite "no, thank you" and a calm walk away work best. Don’t pull out your wallet on the street, don’t hand cash to strangers and don’t sign anything you don’t understand. If you feel pressured, move toward a staffed venue or a group of people and ask staff for help.
For popular attractions buy tickets in advance from official channels. Avoid street resellers and last-minute offers with extra fees. Arrive 10–15 minutes before timed-entry gates open, keep your purchase in your phone and, if needed, keep a printed copy as backup.
In winter the stone pavements can be slippery, especially on bridges and at the edge of the Planty. Wear shoes with good tread and bring thin gloves and a hat. In summer wear a hat, drink water regularly and take shade breaks. After storms, old district paving slabs can hold water longer than asphalt—watch your step.
Carry ID and one card on you; leave the rest in a safe place at your hotel. Take photos of your documents and store them in a secured cloud. For urgent help call 112—the emergency number works across the EU and operators will connect you to the right service. The city center has 24-hour pharmacies and first-aid points, and most hotel receptions will help you call medical assistance.
Agree on a meeting point before entering a dense crowd. Pin a note with a parent’s phone number to your child, and share location with a teenager. Teach a safety password in case a stranger approaches and a simple plan if you get separated: everyone stays in place for 5 minutes, then goes to the nearest information point or security.
In places of worship and memorials keep quiet, turn off your flash and dress appropriately—cover shoulders and knees. Photograph only where allowed. Synagogues may have additional entry and dress rules—respect them without argument, as they are part of the site’s order.
Keep documents and a card close to your body; don’t leave your phone at the edge of a table. Park only legally; avoid zones A and B by car and consider Park and Ride. Buy and activate transport tickets immediately and keep your receipt. Pay in PLN, avoid DCC and independent ATMs. After dark limit spontaneous bar choices, pay after each order and keep card limits in place. If someone is intrusive move toward staff or a group and ask for help. Call 112 in case of emergency.
If you want to explore Krakow safely and with a head full of fascinating stories, book a guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and booking information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com—arrange your date and enjoy the city with a local expert.
