Overview
Krakow is Poland's cultural heart and one of Europe's most rewarding short-break cities — a walkable medieval capital of cobbled squares, Gothic churches and a lively café scene, at prices that still feel gentle on the wallet. It pairs a weekend in the old town with the sombre, essential day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the underground world of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, both within easy reach. For UK travellers it is an easy hop, well served by budget and full-service airlines from airports across the country.
Best time to fly to Krakow
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are the sweet spots: mild days, long light and thinner crowds than the July–August peak, when the city is warmest and busiest. Winter is cold and often below freezing, but December brings an atmospheric Christmas market on the Main Square. Fares tend to climb around the Christmas markets, Easter and the school holidays, so check the When to book chart above to see how prices move across the year.
Airlines and routes
Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2.com all operate UK–Krakow flights, with British Airways flying from London Heathrow. Ryanair and easyJet serve Krakow from London (Stansted, Luton and Gatwick), while Jet2.com and Ryanair connect regional airports including Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Bristol. Most routes are direct, taking roughly 2 hours 20 minutes from London and about the same from Manchester. Connecting options via hubs such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Warsaw exist but are rarely worth the extra time on this route.
Things to do in Krakow
The old town is compact and made for wandering, with the headline sights a short walk apart.
- Main Market Square: Europe's largest medieval square, ringed by the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica with its hourly trumpet call.
- Wawel Royal Castle: the hilltop seat of Poland's kings, with a cathedral, state rooms and views over the Vistula.
- Kazimierz: the historic Jewish quarter, now full of synagogues, vintage shops and some of the city's best bars and food.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of chapels and chambers carved entirely from salt, about 30 minutes from the centre.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: a moving, important day trip roughly 90 minutes west; book timed entry well ahead.
At Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)
The airport sits at Balice, around 11km west of the centre. The quickest way in is the SKA train, which reaches Kraków Główny main station in about 20 minutes. City buses (including routes 208 and 252, plus night service 902) also serve the airport, and a taxi or ride-hailing car takes 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Krakow
- Book around 6–10 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice; last-minute city-break fares rarely fall.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Avoid the Christmas market weeks, Easter and UK school holidays if your dates are flexible.
- Compare the budget carriers against Jet2.com and British Airways with baggage added, and use the price charts on this page to time your booking.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport should be less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave; a European travel authorisation (ETIAS) is expected to be introduced, so check the current rules before you travel. The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN) — Poland is in the EU but not the euro. Carry a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) alongside travel insurance for medical cover.
