
Yes, there is an airport in Krakow. The Krakow John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, about 11 km west of the city centre. It is the second busiest airport in Poland, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024. The airport offers both domestic and international flights and has good road and rail connections to the city centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kraków John Paul II International Airport |
| Other Names | Kraków Airport, Kraków–Balice Airport, John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice |
| Location | 11 km (6.8 mi) west of Kraków's city centre, in the village of Balice, Poland |
| IATA Code | KRK |
| ICAO Code | EPKK |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Runway Length | Extended by 400 meters in the 1970s |
| Annual Passenger Volume | Second-busiest airport in Poland; handled over 9.4 million passengers in 2023 and over 11 million in 2024 |
| Transport to/from Kraków | Buses, trains, taxis, rental cars |
| On-site Facilities | Information points, ticket machines, ATMs, currency exchange, toilets, escalators, banks, car hire outlets, phone booths, recharging points, shops |
| Nearby Airports | Pyrzowice (Katowice Airport) |
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What You'll Learn
- Kraków John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, 11km west of Kraków's city centre
- The airport is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born near Kraków and spent many years of his life there
- It is the second-busiest airport in Poland, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024
- The airport is accessible by bus, train, taxi, and car
- The airport features an information point, which doubles as a tourist information centre, providing materials and answering questions

Kraków John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, 11km west of Kraków's city centre
Yes, there is an airport in Krakow, Poland. The Kraków John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, 11km west of Kraków's city centre. It is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born in nearby Wadowice and spent many years of his life in Kraków. Construction of the airport began in 1964, and it opened for civil aviation in 1967. It was a military site until 28 February 1968, and the first passenger terminal was built in 1971. The airport has undergone several developments and renovations since then, including an extension of the runway by 400 meters in the 1970s and the construction of a new terminal in the 1990s.
The airport is easily accessible by road, with a paid multi-level car park located opposite the passenger terminal. It also has good public transport connections to the city centre. Public buses operate during the day and night, connecting the airport to the main railway and bus station in Kraków. The SKA1 suburban line also provides a direct rail link to the city centre, with a journey time of approximately 17 minutes. Additionally, Kraków Airport runs its own taxi services at fixed prices, with fares to the city centre ranging from PLN 69 to PLN 89.
The airport is well-equipped with various facilities and services for passengers. It has a 24-hour information point located to the left of Arrivals, providing assistance with airport facilities and transportation. During the day, it also serves as a tourist information centre, offering help with accommodation and providing guidebooks and KrakowCards. There are also yellow phones throughout the airport that allow free calls to Polish landlines and mobile numbers, which can be useful for contacting hotels or other local services. Recharging points can be found in cafes and waiting areas, and an app is available for smartphones to help passengers navigate the airport and access useful information.
Kraków Airport is the second busiest airport in Poland, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024. It has good growth prospects due to its favourable location and the large population within a 100 km radius. In 2023, it became the first regional airport in Poland to surpass 9 million passengers annually, and new terminals have been constructed to accommodate the increasing passenger volume.
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The airport is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born near Kraków and spent many years of his life there
Yes, there is an international airport in Kraków, Poland. Kraków Airport, also known as Kraków John Paul II International Airport, is located in the village of Balice, about 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) west of Kraków's city centre. It is one of the two airports in the vicinity of Kraków, the other being Pyrzowice's Katowice Airport, which is approximately 110 kilometres (70 miles) west of the city.
The airport in Kraków is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born in the nearby town of Wadowice and had a significant presence in the city throughout his life. Born in 1920, Pope John Paul II, or Karol Józef Wojtyła, spent his early years in Wadowice, about 45 kilometres (28 miles) from Kraków. He later moved to the city to study philosophy at the Jagiellonian University and remained there during World War II, working in a quarry and then a factory.
After the war, he resumed his studies and was ordained a priest in 1946 at the Kraków's Wawel Cathedral. He continued to maintain a close connection with the city, even after becoming a bishop and cardinal. When he was elected Pope in 1978, he remained dedicated to Kraków, returning multiple times during his papacy. His visits included a nine-day pilgrimage in 1979, a visit to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Jagiellonian University in 1964, and a final visit in 2002.
Given Pope John Paul II's deep roots and enduring relationship with Kraków, it is only fitting that the airport bears his name. The honour of naming the airport after him was bestowed in 1995, changing its previous name, Kraków–Balice Airport. The airport first opened for civil aviation in 1967 and has since undergone significant developments, including the construction of passenger terminals, runway expansions, and modernisations to accommodate the growing number of passengers it serves each year.
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It is the second-busiest airport in Poland, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024
Yes, there is an airport in Krakow. The Kraków John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, about 6.8 miles (11 km) west of the city centre. It is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born in the nearby town of Wadowice and spent many years of his life in Krakow.
The airport is the second-busiest in Poland, after Warsaw Chopin Airport, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024. Construction of the airport began in 1964, and it opened for civil aviation in 1967. It continued to serve as a military site until 28 February 1968. The airport has undergone several developments over the years, including the construction of its first passenger terminal in 1971 and further expansions in the 1970s, such as increasing the runway length by 400 meters.
Krakow Airport offers both domestic and international flights and has good growth prospects due to its favourable location. Almost 8 million people reside within 100 km (62 mi) of the airport, and it is easily accessible via existing and planned motorways in the region. The airport is well-connected to the city centre, with a travel time of around 20 to 40 minutes by taxi and 45 minutes by bus.
The airport provides various facilities and services for passengers, including an information point, tourist information services, an airport smartphone app, yellow phones for free local calls, recharging points, and a Relay store for books, snacks, and travel essentials. The airport also has modern and accessible amenities, including a 'blue path' to aid mobility and ample clean toilets.
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The airport is accessible by bus, train, taxi, and car
Yes, there is an airport in Krakow. The Krakow John Paul II International Airport is located in the village of Balice, about 6.8 miles west of the city centre in southern Poland. It is named after Pope John Paul II, who was born near the village of Wadowice and spent many years of his life in Krakow. The airport is easily accessible by bus, train, taxi, and car.
If you're travelling by bus, you can take lines 252 and 208, or the 902 night bus, which operate from several stops in the city centre and depart from the terminal Dworzec Glowny Wschod (Main Railway Station East). The journey takes approximately 45 minutes, and you can use regular city tickets, which cost PLN 4.60 for a standard ticket and PLN 2.30 for a reduced ticket.
For train travel, the SKA1 suburban line connects the airport to the Kraków Główny (Main railway station) and continues to Wieliczka. The journey to the city centre takes about 17 minutes, and an additional 20 minutes to reach Wieliczka.
Taxi services are also available at the airport, offering fixed prices for travelling to the city centre, ranging from PLN 69 to PLN 89, regardless of the time of day or day of the week. The journey time is approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
If you prefer to drive, there is a paid multi-level car park opposite the passenger terminal, where car rental companies are also available. The airport can be reached via the A4 motorway to the Kraków-Północ exit and then along the No. 7 dual carriageway via Modlniczka and the Rondo Ofiar Katynia roundabout.
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The airport features an information point, which doubles as a tourist information centre, providing materials and answering questions
Yes, there is an international airport in Krakow, Poland. The Krakow John Paul II International Airport, located about 11km west of the city centre, is the second-busiest airport in the country in terms of passenger traffic, handling over 11 million passengers in 2024. The airport has undergone significant development since its construction began in 1964, and it now offers both domestic and international flights.
The information point at the airport ensures that travellers can easily access the information they need. Whether it's inquiring about airport facilities, transportation options, or tourist attractions in Krakow, the information centre is well-equipped to assist visitors. This service enhances the overall airport experience and helps travellers feel more prepared as they navigate their way through the city.
In addition to the information point, the airport also provides other amenities and services to cater to the needs of travellers. There are yellow phones located throughout the airport that allow free calls to any Polish landline or mobile number, which can be convenient for contacting hotels or other local services. Recharging points can also be found in various areas of the airport, enabling travellers to charge their devices while they wait.
The Krakow Airport takes a minimal yet functional approach, ensuring that travellers can find most of what they need within the airport premises. It provides modern and clean facilities, including easily accessible toilets, and seems to prioritise accessibility with a dedicated 'blue path' to aid mobility. Overall, the airport is well-equipped to handle the high volume of passengers it receives each year, offering a range of services to make travellers' experiences as smooth and efficient as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Krakow John Paul II International Airport is located about 11 km west of the city centre.
You can get to the city centre by bus, train, or taxi. The SKA1 suburban line operates from the airport to Kraków Główny (Main railway station). Public buses also link the airport to the main railway and bus station in Krakow. By taxi, the travelling time to the city centre ranges from 20 to 40 minutes and costs PLN 69 or PLN 89.
Krakow Airport has an information point, toilets, ticket machines, ATMs, a currency exchange, and car hire outlets. There are also yellow phones that allow you to call any Polish landline or mobile number for free, recharging points, and a Relay store that sells books, toiletries, luggage, toys, and stationery.
The IATA code for Krakow John Paul II International Airport is KRK.











































