Krakow Airport (KRK)

4.3

Rating

4.3/5

Flyctory.com Pros

Very efficient regional-style airport
Good services and processing
Surprisingly wide range of connections
Good range of transport options

Flyctory.com Cons

Demand is slowing growing over capacity
Lack of jet bridges

Krakow is one of my favorite places in Poland. While I also took the lengthy train ride from Cologne once, I typically opt for air travel. After having flights with several carriers to Krakow Airport (KRK), I felt it is time to share some thoughts about the airport with you. Here is my review.

Krakow Airport (KRK) – Location & Transport

John Paul II International Airport Krakow – Balice, which is the full name of the airport, is located West of the city of Krakow. Despite the location South of the suburb Balice feels a bit of remote at first sight, it is in fact quite nicely located and connected. The E77 motorway, which takes you to Katowice and Wroclaw, is located right North of the runways. The airport also has a local train connection, which I will review separately. There are also public bus services. An Uber ride to the city center is typically around 60 PLN / 15 Euro.

Right opposite the terminal building, there is also the Hilton Garden Inn Krakow, which you can also access by a fully covered walkway. It is one of my favorite airport hotels and has been featured in my My 15 Favorite Hotels I Have Stayed In… So Far post I published recently. Of course, you can rent a car from Krakow Airport (KRK). For example, I already shared my view about local rental company Panek.

Krakow Airport (KRK) – Connections

Krakow becomes a more and more important airport and economic location in Poland. This is also reflected by the wide range of connections. Local carrier LOT is not only covering domestic and European connections, but even flights to Newark (EWR). Ryanair is taking you to a wide range of European airports as well. Another important carrier is WizzAir. However, many European airlines have connections to Krakow (KRK), so that you easily connect in many major European aviation hubs. There are also flights to Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ) in the United Arab Emirates.

Arriving at Krakow Airport (KRK)

Krakow Airport (KRK) just does have a few jet bridges, so that quite some flights are served with bus shuttles on departure and arrival. The services are typically rather quick and reliable. The arrivals area is quite spacious. There are no arrival duty free stores in the airport.

Departing from Krakow Airport (KRK)

An architectural feature of the airport is that most check-in desks are located on the lower level / street level, just as the arrivals. The airside facilities including security control are on the upper level, though. The signage is very clear and overall the terminal building is small enough that you get around easily. There are a few stores on the landside level, including on the upper floor (e.g. a pharmacy). The shopping facilities after security are quite fine and offer a nice variety. You can also have a snack or a meal at affordable prices, compared to other locations in Europe. However, as the airport is massively growing in importance, the airside waiting facilities may be a bit of packed here and there.

Krakow Airport (KRK) – Services

Krakow Airport (KRK) has a nice observation deck, which is available for a fee. There is free WiFi, which is working out well. As part of renovation work, the airport opened the two-level Krakow Airport Business Lounge, which is really nice, compared to the size of the place. East of Krakow Airport (KRK), there is the Aviation Education Center, which is some kind of visitor center. I haven’t visited it yet, but definitely have it on my list of a future flight connection.

Krakow Airport (KRK) – My View

I really like flying to and from John Paul II International Airport Krakow – Balice (KRK). The services are rather clear and efficient. The lounge is really nice. However, the growing demand of flights might become more and more critical in the future. The master plan KRK2036 is absolutely necessary to keep the airport fit for the future.