Passport and Visa

Each participant is responsible for obtaining a passport and a visa when applicable. Please check with your local Polish Embassy or Consulate which documents are required. Please contact the Organizing Committee in advance if an invitation letter is required.

Travelling to Kraków

By Plane:

The John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport offers many convenient airline connections with major destinations in Europe, such as: Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Chicago, Cologne/Bonn, Copenhagen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stuttgart, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Zurich and Warsaw. If you intend to take a plane to Warsaw, we recommend that you also fly to Krakow. Further information concerning the timetable as well as the airlines operating at the airport (among them there are also low-cost airlines: SkyEurope and EasyJet) can be found at http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng/.

Transport from the airport:

Bus 192 runs from the airport to the city centre. A taxi to the city centre costs approximately PLN 53 and the recommended taxi service is 9191 (0048 12 9191), which is available at the front door of the airport. There are also car rental companies operating in Krakow, such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar.

By Train:

If you plan to travel by rail, please consult http://www.krakow-info.com/travel.htm or http://www.pkp.pl/. Kraków is one of Poland's most important rail junctions, and its main railway station (Dworzec Glówny) is situated conveniently in the city centre, close to the Old Town historic district. Every day express trains arrive from Germany (Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt/M, Frankfurt/O, Leipzig), Austria (Vienna), the Czech Republic (Prague), Hungary (Budapest), Rumania (Bucharest), Slovakia (Bratislava and Kosice), and the Ukraine (Kiev, Lvov and Odessa). There are also express trains to all major cities in Poland, and the shuttle express service to and from the capital Warsaw, departing every hour, is particularly convenient (the 300-km trip takes two-and-a-half hours, non-stop).

By Coach:

Cheap long-distance bus fares to Kraków are available, eg. Eurolines: www.eurolines.com.pl

By Car:

Krakow is located close to important roads, highways and at the crossroad of E 77 (linking the North with the South) and E 40 (linking the West with the East). One may also travel to Cracow along the A4 highway running from the West of Europe through Silesia. In Poland, you are legally required to carry a warning triangle and fire extinguisher in your car. Toll has to be paid (in Zloty or by credit card) on the A2 (ca PLN 10) and A4 (ca PLN 35). Much of central Kraków is pedestrianised and has parking restrictions.

Money

The standard unit of currency of Poland is the Zloty (PLN). ATMs (cash machines) are widely available in Kraków. Money can also be exchanged at airports, banks and currency exchange offices (kantor). You will get a better deal by using a kantor. In the hotels and restaurants only Polish Zlotys or credit cards will be accepted. (The present day (17.02.2006) exchange rates are the following: 1 euro = 3.76 PLN, 1$ = 3.17 PLN)