If you arrive in Krakow by coach with a group of tourists, the most important thing is to plan a drop-off spot that is legal, safe and close to the attraction. In the city centre there are designated tourist stops (marked horizontally as "K+R BUS" or with a B-35 sign with the note "Does not apply to tourist coaches up to 10 min.") and only there or on official coach parking lots may you stop to drop off or pick up passengers.
In practice: stopping briefly in an undesignated place — for example at a public transport stop or in a narrow street — risks a fine and creates danger. After leaving the designated stop the driver should depart immediately - remember that parking time in coach spaces is limited (municipal information usually allows up to 10 minutes).
The driver is responsible for approach and parking of the bus. The organizer (tour leader, teacher) cooperates with the driver — if the tour starts at Wawel, agree on where to approach Wawel; if you start at St. Mary’s Church, get off as close to the Market Square as possible. Never ask the driver to drop the group "quickly somewhere" at a tram stop or another illegal place — it is unsafe and illegal.
In the centre there are marked "Kiss & Ride / K+R" bays and tourist stops commonly used when visiting the Old Town and Kazimierz. The most practical locations are: Strażewskiego (by the Maltański Hotel), Wielopole (by the Main Post Office) — often chosen as a stop close to the Market, Jan Matejko Square (behind the Barbican) and Pawia Street by Galeria Krakowska. In Kazimierz drop-off is most often organised at Dajwór Street (one bay).
Remember that many of these places are short-term "K+R" stops intended mainly for drop-off/pick-up. The allowed parking time and rules are shown on the signs at each spot — it is not always 3 minutes, and for coach bays the limit is often up to 10 minutes. Always check the local signage or plan an alternative parking spot for the driver.
Practical tip: Dajwór Street in Kazimierz has a single K+R bay and driving deeper into the side streets with a coach can lead to a fine — stay within the marked drop-off area.
There are few coach parking spaces in the historic centre, so drivers usually leave after dropping off the group and go to parking lots outside the busiest Old Town area. Commonly mentioned options are the coach parking by Dom Turysty on Kopernika Street (several coach bays) and the lay-by on Podgórska Street near Galeria Kazimierz — there are 2–3 bays and a parking fee applies.
For a full-day stay, popular choices are large coach parking areas: the Wisła Stadium parking (al. 3 Maja), parking at Kamienna Street or coach parking near Wawel (these can sometimes be temporarily closed due to works). Check parking availability before arrival, because closures or reconstruction of nearby streets can change access.
To save money some drivers park in cheaper zones outside the centre (for example near areas around Kopiec Kościuszki), but then the driver often has to remain on the coach. This is an economical solution but less comfortable for the driver.
A few locations frequently used by organisers: Kopernika Street (by Dom Turysty) – several coach bays; Podgórska Street (by Galeria Kazimierz) – lay-by with 2–3 bays (paid, short walk to Kazimierz); al. 3 Maja 17 (Wisła Stadium) – large coach parking (good for whole-day stays); Kamienna Street (Fort Kleparz and other bays) – various parking options; pl. Braci Dudzińskich (near Kraków Płaszów rail station).
Before planning a stop – check current updates with city sources or contact the parking operator by phone. In the season and during works availability changes dynamically, so always have an alternative planned.
Note about the coach parking under Wawel: some parking facilities in that area have been temporarily closed or limited in recent years because of reconstruction in the neighbouring streets. Always confirm whether a particular parking lot is operating before scheduling a drop-off at Wawel.
Wireless headset systems (AudioGuide / tour-guide sets) save a lot of time and make it easier to work with a group. For groups of about 20–25 people or more, these sets become nearly essential: the guide speaks into a transmitter and participants hear clearly without loud shouting or constant stopping.
In practice renting such sets in Krakow usually costs from about 7 PLN to 14 PLN per person, depending on the provider and device standard. Some commercial offers start around 7 PLN/person, while audioguides rented directly at some attractions (for example certain services at Wawel) may have different rates — at times an audioguide fee at Wawel has been 14 PLN. If you plan intensive touring with many entrances, include the cost of sets in your budget.
Organisation of audio sets: the guide normally hands out and collects the devices (either included in the guiding fee or charged separately) — just request them when you make reservations. For school groups, seniors and VIPs audio sets significantly improve the experience — children hear more, seniors benefit from clearer narration, and people with hearing aids may use adapters. Some suppliers deliver sets to a hotel or meeting point.
General rule: the guide often helps with on-site ticket purchases and group reservations — this saves time. Some tickets must be reserved and paid in advance (for example special temporary exhibitions or certain branches), and for the busiest attractions it is always worth checking online sales rules before arriving.
Important: the Oskar Schindler’s Factory introduced changes in its ticketing system (including named tickets and different online sale schedules) — because of this it is sensible to verify current reservation rules and sale windows for that museum before your visit.
If you plan to enter religious sites: in many places (Wawel Cathedral, St. Mary’s Basilica) there are tickets for specific areas (for example the Zygmunt Bell, crypts, cathedral museum) and concessions apply. For reduced-group tickets the organiser should have documentation prepared (proofs of age, student IDs) — in practice you are often asked for a participant list with details to document entitlement to discounts. Always ask the guide or the ticket office about required documents before purchase.
Wawel is often the first stop on a tour — so when planning an approach you must clearly agree where the coach will drop off the group. If you want to visit the castle interiors as an organised group, reservation and a guide with castle authorisation is required (large groups may be divided into smaller subgroups).
A small tip: a ticket for Wawel Cathedral may include access to the Cathedral Museum and, in certain cases, the ability to enter the crypts. Some tickets allow entry to several spaces and can be valid for a few days — check conditions when buying at the ticket office or online. During very busy periods plan Wawel for early hours or the afternoon after 14:00, when school group traffic usually decreases.
The pace of touring should match the group: preschoolers usually manage 1–2 hours, school classes 3–4 hours, and seniors often enjoy tours of 4–5 hours with short breaks. I always plan a short restroom break and (if possible) a coffee break during longer routes — usually right after the most demanding point (for example after the Cathedral).
If you plan a long lunch break (more than 60 minutes) and want the guide to wait, arrange this in advance — waiting time is usually included in the service price. Alternatively treat it as two separate parts of the tour (a break longer than 60 minutes will often incur additional costs).
Asking the driver to drop the group in a random place (tram stop, narrow street) — this is illegal and unsafe; use designated K+R bays or coach parks. Notify the driver and guide about special route requirements before arrival (for example start at Wawel).
Not having a prepared participant list and documents for reduced tickets — it is best to have a list and ready IDs, especially with large groups of seniors; this speeds up ticket offices and avoids misunderstandings. During the season not reserving tickets when required (for example some exhibitions, Oskar Schindler’s Factory) — check reservation rules and online sale windows in advance.
Not booking headset sets for larger groups — then the guide must shout and the tour slows down; for groups above ~25 people an audio set is highly recommended. In individual cases it is also worth splitting a very large group into two smaller ones with two guides.
If you plan a quick coffee with a view, consider well-rated cafes near Wawel and the Market. By Wawel there is a cafe with a view of the cathedral (the Wawel cafe / terrace in the administrative building) — a good spot for a quick break, though prices can be "museum-like". In the Old Town and Kazimierz choose highly rated venues: cafes and small restaurants on Floriańska Street, Grodzka Street and in Kazimierz.
If you have seniors or VIPs and want assured quality, book a restaurant in advance. The guide usually accompanies the group at lunch, which simplifies logistics. In the season reservations are necessary or you must expect longer waits.
A ticket for Wawel Cathedral often includes access to the Cathedral Museum and in some cases the crypts — check the purchase terms, because you do not always have to use all parts on the same day, and some tickets are valid for several days.
During the season there are many groups inside some attractions (the cathedral, St. Mary’s, some museums) at the same time; using headset sets greatly improves comfort and preserves silence in sacred and museum spaces (the guide speaks into a microphone and does not disturb other visitors).
Not every "Parking pod Wawelem" operates continuously — because of repairs and redevelopment the availability of that particular parking lot has changed in recent years, so always confirm its operation before planning a drive there.
Can the driver wait under Wawel all day? Usually not - parking near Wawel has restrictions; if the driver must wait a long time, plan the stop at a large coach parking lot outside the busiest centre (for example the stadium or Kamienna Street).
Can I drop the group "for a moment" at a tram stop? No. Use only designated tourist stops (K+R BUS) or coach parking lots; stopping in an unauthorised place risks a fine and disrupts traffic.
When should I book audioguides? If you have more than 15–20 people — definitely; for groups of 25+ they are practically necessary, and for very large groups (50–100 people) split into subgroups with two guides or two sets.
Always: 1 - agree the meeting point and drop-off location with the driver before arrival, 2 - make sure you have plan B (an alternative parking), 3 - ask participants to prepare documents if you expect reduced or group tickets.
If you want to explore Krakow without rush and with comfort, I will gladly help plan your route, reserve tickets and organise audio sets. Contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Share this article with friends if you find it useful — let other organisers benefit from these practical tips!
Good luck planning your trip and safe travels - may Krakow be an enjoyable experience for your whole group!
