A Solo Woman's Guide to Kraków

A Solo Woman's Guide to Kraków: Everything You Need to Know

This guide is written for women in their thirties and forties who are considering Kraków for a solo trip but want straight answers before booking anything. If you've never been, you're probably wondering whether it's actually manageable alone, what you'll spend, and whether those day trips everyone mentions are worth the hassle. I'm giving you exactly that clarity.

This isn't for seasoned travellers who prefer to wing it and figure things out as they go. If you're the type who thrives on spontaneity and doesn't need a plan, you'll find this overly detailed. But if you're someone who wants to know what you're walking into—how to get from the airport without stress, which neighbourhood actually makes sense, and what a realistic three-day budget looks like—then keep reading.

Kraków works brilliantly for solo travel because it ticks every box that matters when you're on your own. It's genuinely beautiful, it feels safe, and it won't drain your bank account. Everything you'll want to see sits within a comfortable walking distance, which means no complicated transport logistics or anxiety about getting lost. The bonus is that some of the best experiences—like the salt mines or a visit to Auschwitz—are easy day trips from the city center. You get the intimacy of a compact city with the option to venture further when you want something heavier or more adventurous.

Your Two-Day Itinerary (Plus a Bonus Third Day)

Day 1: Old Town and First Impressions

Kraków is a city you explore on foot, and your first day should be spent getting a feel for Old Town. Head straight to the main square and just take it in. There are performers, the energy is lively without being overwhelming, and the architecture gives you that immediate sense of being somewhere historic.

Make sure you visit the stunning St. Mary's Basilica in the square. Every hour, trumpeters appear in the tower, which is one of those simple rituals that draws a crowd every single time. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when a trumpeter was supposedly shot in the throat by a Tatar arrow while warning the city of an attack—the bugle call still stops abruptly mid-note in his honor. You'll also want to find Floriańska Gate, the medieval entrance to Old Town, which serves as a dramatic reminder that this place has serious history.

The Cloth Hall sits right in the middle of the square and is packed with souvenir stalls. Be realistic about what you're buying here—most of it is mass-produced, so if you're hoping for something truly unique or handmade, you might be disappointed. But if you want a few keepsakes or gifts, it's convenient and atmospheric.

On Grodzka Street leading toward the square, you'll pass St. Peter and Paul Church that hosts opera performances some evenings. Check the schedule and prices at the door—it's usually around 80 PLN (roughly £16), which is excellent value for a short performance in a beautiful setting. Even if you don't go in, street performers often sing opera outside, which helps you locate it and gives you a preview.

Old Town is ringed by the Planty Park that's worth a wander, especially if you need a break from the crowds. It's well maintained and gives you a bit of green space without leaving the center.

Later, walk over to the Kazimierz neighborhood and hunt down zapiekanka—the famous Polish pizza—near Plac Nowy square. These are enormous—seriously, one could easily feed two people—and they typically start from 10-15 PLN (£2-3). It's the kind of meal that feels like a proper discovery.

Day 2: Kazimierz and the Salt Mines

Start your morning exploring Kazimierz properly. The key sites here are the Old Synagogue and Remuh Synagogue, and there's Szeroka Street with plaques and information that walk you through the history of Kraków's Jewish community and the horrors of the Holocaust. It's sobering and important, and it adds real weight to your understanding of the city.

The salt mines are the big ticket item for Day 2, and getting there is straightforward once you know the system. Take the regional train from Kraków Główny station to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia, which is the last stop and where the mines are located. You can buy your ticket at the station, from the conductor on the train, or using the ticket machine onboard—it costs around 6 PLN (just over £1) one way. Technically you can book online, but it's all in Polish and unnecessarily complicated, so I'd skip that hassle.

The mines run tours at set times and in different languages, so check the schedule when you arrive. Tickets cost around 94 PLN (roughly £19) if you buy them directly at the site, and you can purchase them online in advance or when you get there. The last entry is at 5:30 PM, but if you go that late, you'll miss out on browsing the souvenir shops inside the mine.

Important warning: the tour begins with a descent of around 380 steps to start and 800 steps altogether in the tour. If you have any mobility concerns, this might not be for you, though they do offer tours with disabled access. They do have a lift to take you up (though it is quite tight) so you do not have to worry about climbing back up at the end of the tour. It's also worth noting that you're deep underground for a few hours, so if tight spaces make you uncomfortable, think carefully about whether this is something you want to do.

Day 3: Wawel Castle and the Other Side of the River

If you have a third day, or even just a few spare hours, visit Wawel Castle. You can explore the grounds for free, which is honestly enough if you're not a museum person. If you do want to go inside, exhibitions and rooms start from 25-30 PLN (£5-6). The views alone make it worth the walk up.

Don't miss the Jewish memorial at Plac Bohaterów Getta on the other side of the Vistula River. While you're over there, visit the Church on the Rock (Skałka), which is striking and often quieter than the main tourist sites.

Getting There and Getting Around

There are two airports that serve Kraków. The main one is Kraków Airport (KRK), which is close and convenient. Some budget airlines use Katowice Airport, which is about 90 kilometers away and roughly 1.5 hours from the city center, so double-check where you're actually landing when you book.

From Kraków Airport, you have two main options. The train is easy—just follow the signs to the platform and buy your ticket before boarding. It costs around 9 PLN (roughly £1.80) and takes about 20 minutes to reach Kraków Główny station in the city center. Alternatively, the bus is cheaper and runs regularly. It's located at the far right of the bus stands as you exit the terminal. Look for bus number 300. Tickets for a 60-minute journey sufficient to cover travel from the airport cost 6zł (£1.2). It winds through the suburbs, and you can use Google Maps to figure out which stop is closest to your accommodation.

Once you're in the city, you can walk almost everywhere. Old Town and Kazimierz are both highly walkable, and most places you'll want to visit are less than 30 minutes apart on foot. Streets around Old Town are well lit at night, though some of the narrower alleys in Kazimierz can be a bit darker, so keep that in mind if you're walking back late.

Where to Stay

Old Town is the obvious choice—it's central, bustling, and puts you right in the middle of everything. You're close to all the main sights and the atmosphere is undeniably charming. You could also stay near Kraków Główny, the main train and bus station, which is about 20 minutes from Old Town and more commercial in feel.

But if you want something more affordable and with a bit more character, I'd strongly suggest Kazimierz. It's about 15 to 20 minutes from Old Town, and the vibe is younger and cooler—think Camden in London, but Polish. You're close to the Jewish synagogues, Plac Nowy square, and smaller museums like the Ethnographic Museum (around 18 PLN or £3.50 entry).

Kazimierz also gets you away from some of the tourist traps in Old Town, and honestly, it just feels more lived-in and real. The trade-off is that it's a bit quieter and less polished, but for a solo traveler who wants to feel like they're somewhere authentic, it's a better bet.

Budget-wise, expect to pay around £50-80 per night in Old Town, £30-50 in Kazimierz, and £40-60 near Kraków Główny station for solo accommodation.

What It Actually Cost

Here's the honest breakdown of what I spent over two nights and three days:

• Flight – One-way from London £49.47

• Accommodation – Hotel 2 nights Kazimirez £59.30

• Getting around (3 days) £4.12

• Food (3 days) - snacks £15.05

• Activities – Salt mines ticket & 1 museum £33.16

• Miscellaneous (3 days) £28.87

• Total £189.97

A few clarifications: the flight was one-way because I continued traveling by train afterward. This was in September, which is shoulder season, and included one 10kg carry-on (double-check Ryanair's current dimensions before you fly—they're strict).

The hotel was affordable and perfectly decent for two nights, room only. Getting around cost almost nothing because I walked everywhere—the small amount here is basically the bus from the airport and train to and from the Salt Mines.

Food is where this looks misleadingly cheap. Kraków isn't expensive, but I wasn't eating out for every meal. This figure covers mostly snacks and pastries from supermarkets. I paid for several meals in cash, which likely fell into the miscellaneous category, so realistic daily food costs if you're eating out properly would be closer to £15-20 per day.

Activities included the salt mines at around £19 and the Ethnographic Museum at roughly £3.50. Miscellaneous covered things like luggage storage (around 10-15 PLN per bag), laundry, and currency conversion—I changed about £20 to cash just to have some on hand.

Cash, Cards, and Staying Connected

Most places in Kraków accept cards, so you don't need to carry much cash. When you do pay by card, always choose to pay in the local currency (PLN) rather than your home currency—you'll get a better exchange rate.

If you do need cash, change a small amount first and compare rates between currency exchange places, because they vary wildly. Some will negotiate if you're changing a larger amount. Always sense-check the rate against what you see online so you don't get ripped off.

For data, Google Maps is essential for getting around. If your network provider doesn't include data in Europe, get a travel eSIM like Airalo, which offers affordable data bundles. Look for first-time signup discount codes to save a bit more.

Safety Notes for Solo Women

As always, stay aware of your surroundings. That said, Kraków is generally a safe city, and I felt comfortable walking around alone at night. Old Town is well lit and busy late into the evening, so it never felt dodgy.

Kazimierz has some darker alleys and quieter streets, so if you're heading back to your hotel after dark, either map out your route in advance or stick to the more populated roads. It's not dangerous, but it's worth being sensible.

Mistakes and Lessons I Learned

I took an overnight train to Prague after Kraków, thinking it would save me the cost of a hotel and give me an extra day. In theory, that's smart. In reality, being on the move for 24 hours is exhausting. The train itself was fine—the lights are dimmed, everyone sleeps, and the journey is only about six hours—but factor in the full day before and after, and you'll feel it.

If you have a late departure from Kraków, there's only so much you can do to make it comfortable. Ideally, you'd arrange a late checkout or at least have somewhere to store your luggage so you're not dragging it around all day. Luggage storage lockers are available at the train station (pay in cash) or the bus station next to it (pay more conveniently by card - and you can come back and add items), which helps.

One last thing: Google Maps at night can route you down streets that aren't well lit. If you're heading somewhere new, try to do a test walk during the day so you know what to expect. It's just less stressful that way.

A Final Thought on Planning

Keeping track of hotels, check-out times, trains, flights, and booking confirmations can get overwhelming, especially if you're visiting multiple cities. I created a simple tracker to log all the key details and monitor my budget, and it honestly saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress. If you're planning your own multi-city trip, something like that might help keep everything in one place and give you a bit of peace of mind.