If you arrive in Krakow with a coach group — remember: the historic centre has special short-stop places for coaches (Kiss&Ride), where you can drop off or pick up passengers for about 3–10 minutes. The driver may not stay longer in such a spot — after dropping off passengers they must move the vehicle to a parking area or stand.
If you want the main locations right away: around the Old Town and Kazimierz there are designated Kiss&Ride places (for example Dajwór, Wielopole Street, Jana Matejki Square, Pawia Street), and just outside the centre you will find several coach parking areas for longer stops.
This article expands on all these topics: where to safely and legally drop off a group, where the driver can wait for a few hours, how to plan tickets and reservations, and why using audioguide sets is often worth it.
In the centre there are short-stay places intended only for dropping off or picking up passengers. These are not parking lots — they are marked as "K+R BUS" with horizontal markings and a sign. The stop is time-limited (usually up to 10 minutes) and is intended for coaches delivering organised groups accompanied by a person responsible for the group.
Commonly used locations around the Old Town and Kazimierz: Strażewskiego Street (by the Maltański hotel) — good for a quick drop-off; Wielopole Street (by the Main Post Office) — convenient and close to the Market Square; Jana Matejki Square (behind the Barbican) and Pawia Street by Galeria Krakowska; on Kazimierz — Dajwór Street (one spot). Remember: on Dajwór you must not drive further in than the designated place — fines are real.
If your tour starts at Wawel, the group should be dropped off as close to Wawel as possible — the guide (or tour leader) should agree with the driver about the best meeting point so you don't waste time on long, unnecessary walks in the centre.
There really are few large coach stands in the centre — so many drivers, after dropping off passengers, drive to nearby paid parking near Kazimierz, under Galeria Kazimierz (Podgórska Street) or to bigger parking areas by the stadium or forts. One of the few spots nearer the Old Town that offers several coach spaces is Kopernika Street (by the Dom Turysty PTTK).
Practical driver options: parking outside the centre is usually cheaper and gives peace of mind; returning later to pick up the group reduces costs. If the driver wants to stay closer and keep an eye on the coach informally, a popular choice is the area around Kościuszko Mound (there are coach parking places below the mound — often free).
If you plan for the driver to wait in the centre for many hours, it's better to reserve a place at a dedicated coach parking lot (for example parking by the Reyman stadium or other commercial coach parks) rather than trying to leave the vehicle in an unauthorised spot.
Do not drop off the group anywhere: avoid ordinary bus stops, junctions or bays meant for city transport. It's not only dangerous but also illegal — fines and towing are possible, and it may cause traffic problems. Always use official Kiss&Ride spots or parking areas.
Good practice: send the driver the route and meeting plan in advance (addresses and approximate coordinates), coordinate arrival time with the guide/tour leader and call the guide if there is a delay. If there are traffic jams — patience and quick communication usually save the tour schedule; delays typically shorten sightseeing time unless you agree otherwise.
Be careful when entering Kazimierz or the Old Town — narrow streets and weight or size restrictions apply. Drivers should avoid entering side streets unless they are sure the coach will fit.
A few practical points (as of 2025/2026 — always check availability before your trip): coach parking places can be found at al. 3 Maja (Reyman stadium), Kopernika Street (by Dom Turysty PTTK), various commercial parking lots in Kazimierz (Miodowa/Kamienna), and commercial parking providers that offer all-day coach spaces.
The parking under Wawel has long been a convenient solution for many organisers, but due to reconstructions and changes in traffic organisation its availability can be limited — always check the current status of the car park before your visit.
If you travel with a school or very large group, it's worth booking coach parking in advance (commercial parking companies offer reservations and fixed daily rates).
Audioguide sets (a transmitter for the guide plus receivers/headsets for participants) are a huge convenience for groups of 15–20 people or more: everyone hears the guide without shouting, the tour flows more smoothly and faster, and in churches or crowded places they are practically essential. This lets the guide avoid stopping at every crossroad and allows the group to walk at a pace set by the programme.
Rental prices vary by supplier — in practice they are often modest (a few to a dozen zlotys per person). Audioguides speed up sightseeing and are especially recommended for school groups, seniors and when time is limited. If you want, the guide will usually arrange, distribute and collect the sets at the end of the tour. Note: the exact price is agreed at booking and may change with season and operator.
If you have a VIP or small private group — you can rent audioguides even for just a few people. For very large groups (for example 60–150 people) devices are shared between guides and the group is often split into smaller subgroups, each with its own guide.
The golden rule: where possible, buy or reserve tickets in advance — it saves time and nerves (and sometimes guarantees entry). The most crowded places include the Rynek Undercrofts and the Schindler Factory. The Schindler Factory has, in recent seasons, a strict sales system — check reservation rules and capacity limits before arriving.
For Wawel: the castle interiors and some exhibitions often require reservations and entry at specific times. If you visit with a guide — the guide helps organise entry and often facilitates group access (buys or reserves tickets; using a group guide often allows comfortable group entry without queuing at the ticket offices).
Wieliczka Salt Mine: organised groups usually reserve times in advance and group ticket rules apply — some groups must book and confirm earlier (sometimes a prepayment or confirmation is required).
In practice the guide often reserves tickets or goes with a group representative to the ticket office and buys tickets on site — this is convenient because it frees up tour leaders and supervisors from standing in long queues. Exceptions: places that require prepayment or named tickets (for example certain sales systems at the Schindler Factory or bookings for Wieliczka) — then the organiser must sort this out before departure.
For reduced-price tickets: the organiser should prepare a list of names, surnames and identification numbers (PESEL or other required documents) if the venue requires age verification for discounts (for example seniors). It's good to have identity documents on hand to speed up discounted ticket purchases. Museum regulations vary — check the rules of the particular venue before visiting.
If online tickets are sold out — sometimes there is a small allocation of tickets on site, but it's a lottery. Don't count on that during the high season.
1) Send the driver and the transport company the exact drop-off spot (address, building number, best approach for the bus) and the guide's contact. - 2) Book coach parking if the driver will wait several hours. - 3) Plan a short toilet and coffee break on trips longer than three hours — that's standard. - 4) If the group is over 25 people — take audioguides; they help the guide and increase participants' comfort. - 5) For senior groups plan a maximum of 4–5 hours of sightseeing; for school groups 4 hours is usually the norm. - 6) Agree in advance who buys tickets (guide or organiser) and what booking rules apply at visited sites. - 7) Inform participants not to wander away from the group without permission — in crowds that often ends badly.
If you want, I can prepare a short message to send to the driver (SMS/email) with the most important information: drop-off place, parking location, guide contact number, and approximate sightseeing length. This greatly improves logistics.
- Sending the driver 'on their own' without clear instructions about the meeting place and time — this leads to chaos. It's better to send a map and a contact number. - - Counting on buying tickets on site during high season — often fails (Rynek Undercrofts, Schindler Factory, some Wawel exhibitions). Book in advance. - - Leaving the coach in a random spot 'because the driver will wait' — may end with a fine, towing or damage to the coach (narrow streets). - - Not using audioguides with large groups — causes constant stopping, shouting by the guide and general disorder.
How to avoid them: plan, book early, communicate and use the places designated for this purpose.
- In many places (for example some viewpoints around Wawel) there are museum cafés where it's worth reserving a table for the group — a good spot for a short break with a view of the cathedral. - - Wawel - a ticket to the Cathedral often also includes access to the cathedral museum and the possibility to descend to certain crypts at specified times; it's worth remembering because tickets can sometimes be used within a few days of purchase in selected cases (check the rules of the specific branch). - - Not everyone knows that Kościuszko Mound has coach parking below the mound, which for some organisers is a free and convenient solution outside the centre.
- If you plan a group lunch and then continue sightseeing: usually the guide goes with the group to the meal and this is included in the guiding fee (agreed with the organiser). Longer breaks (>1 hour) may be treated as separate parts of the tour and require additional arrangements with the guide.
Q: Is the driver required to know Krakow? - A: The driver is responsible for driving the vehicle and taking the group to places indicated by the organiser/pilot; they do not have to know all the historical details of the city. The pilot/guide indicates the drop-off point and the programme.
Q: Can I request audioguides for a small group? - A: Yes — audioguides can be rented even for a few people; providers usually serve orders from very small to very large groups.
Q: Where is it hardest to buy tickets during the season? - A: Usually the Rynek Undercrofts and the Schindler Factory have limited ticket allocations and sell out quickly. Book ahead.
Q: Will the guide take the group in without queuing? - A: Many organised group visits operate on a reservation basis, which simplifies entry and shortens queue time; arrange this when booking.
If you want, I will prepare: - - a "to-send-to-driver" message (short text with the drop-off address, parking spot and the guide's contact number), - - a version of the itinerary with Kiss&Ride spots and suggested parking marked, - - a check of coach parking/stand availability for a specific date (I can do this for you before your arrival).
If the article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media; it will help other organisers and tour leaders. And if you want to tour with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact information is available on the site. Thank you and see you in Krakow!
