Krakow and Vienna are two very popular destinations for travellers visiting Europe. Both cities ooze old-world charm and tourist attractions waiting to be visited. You can easily travel from Krakow to Vienna with a number of options available to you.
If you are visiting Europe and want to get another country into your vacation in Europe itinerary then a trip from Krakow to Vienna is the perfect way to do this. The distance from Krakow to Vienna is easily done but what are the best ways to get to Vienna from Krakow? Luckily we have the 5 best ways right here.
How to get from Krakow to Vienna
Departing from Krakow there are many ways to travel to Vienna. You can travel by train from Krakow to Vienna and find cheap train tickets if you are travelling on a budget in Europe.
Online you will find cheap flights from Krakow for your chosen departure date. The best way to get to Vienna could be by car or you could find cheap bus tickets for this journey for a few Euros.
Popular things to do in Kraków before you head to Vienna
- Visit Wawel Castle, which was the residence of Polish kings and a symbol of national identity
- Walk through the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many historical buildings, including St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall
- Take a tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, which is a sobering reminder of the Holocaust and the atrocities committed during World War II
- Explore Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter, which is now a vibrant and trendy area with many restaurants, bars, and shops
- Visit the Main Market Square, which is the largest medieval town square in Europe and home to many landmarks, including the St. Mary’s Basilica and the Town Hall Tower
- Take a day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an intricate network of underground mines and chapels carved out of salt
- Enjoy some traditional Polish cuisine and sample some local beers and vodkas
- Take a boat trip on the Vistula River
- Visit the Oskar Schindler’s factory and learn about the history of WWII and the Holocaust
- Visit the Czartoryski Museum, which is home to many priceless works of art and artefacts, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine.
- Find a boutique hotel and stay in Krakow.
Driving from Krakow to Vienna
The fastest way to drive from Krakow, Poland to Vienna, Austria would be to take the E40 and E77 highways. This route will take you through the Czech Republic, at a distance of around 465 kilometers, the Krakow to Vienna distance takes around 5–6 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
The Poland to Austria distance means driving from Krakow to Austria very easy. Car travel means you will not pay for excess luggage, you’re not held to a timetable, you don’t have to book online, or book cheap and the best prices do not matter.
Do not head to Vienna from Krakow without all the necessary documents such as a valid driver’s license, registration papers for your vehicle, and proof of insurance. You may also need to pay tolls on certain roads.
It’s also recommended to check the road conditions before starting the trip, as well as the regulations for each country regarding speed limits and safety measures.
Planning a trip to Poland: 15 reasons to visit Poland right now
Catching a train from Krakow to Vienna
Catching a train from Krakow, Poland to Vienna, Austria is a convenient and comfortable option, the Krakow Vienna train journey time between the two cities is around 6-7 hours.
The main international railway station in Krakow, Poland is the Krakow Główny railway station (Kraków Główny in Polish). It is located in the City Centre, near the Main Market Square and accommodation options.
The station has many facilities including ticket offices, waiting rooms, a left-luggage office, and various shops and restaurants. The station is also accessible for disabled passengers.
The station lets you depart to major cities in Poland and also to other European countries, including Vienna, Berlin, Prague and Budapest. Kraków to Vienna by train serviced by Europe’s leading train companies such as the Polish railway operator PKP Intercity and Austrian company Nightjet trains.
You can easily buy a train ticket from Krakow to Vienna at the station but the cheapest fare option is to book the Krakow to Vienna train in advance online. The train Krakow to Vienna ticket prices will be calculated based on travel dates, times and tickets, train journey time, and seat types such as couchettes or sleeper cabins. Book your train tickets with Omio.
The Krakow to Vienna train typically stops at several intermediate stations (there is no direct Kraków Vienna train) along the way at towns such as Ostrava, Brno, Břeclav in the Czech Republic and Wien Meidling in Austria before pulling into Wien Hbf, Austria, the main railway station in Vienna, located in the City Centre.
*If you need to catch the Vienna to Krakow train back to Poland make sure you take the time to visit the Vienna Train Station and make sure you have all the information about the Vienna Krakow train as it may differ from Vienna to Poland
Navigate like a pro: Local tips for the Main Krakow Train station
Catch a flight from Krakow to Vienna
Flying from Krakow, Poland to Vienna, Austria is a quick and convenient option, as the flight time is usually around 1 hour.
You can check the flights from Krakow to Vienna schedule and buy tickets on the website of the airline companies such as Ryanair, Lufthansa, Wizzair, Lot, Austrian Airlines and others. You can often pick up a cheap Krakow to Vienna flights and purchase tickets with one-way tickets from Krakow.
When you travel from Krakow by plane, the main airport in Krakow is John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice (airport code KRK), located approximately 11 km west of the city center. You can easily organise a transfer to Kraków Airport and from the airport in Vienna to your hotel.
The main airport in Vienna is Vienna International Airport (airport code VIE), located 18 km southeast of the City Centre. For the best deals, search Sky Scanner
You can reach Kraków and Vienna airports by bus, train or taxi. Please keep in mind that you will need to arrive for your travel from Krakow to Vienna at least 2 hours before the departure time, to allow enough time for check-in, baggage drop, security and immigration procedures.
*Don’t forget if you want to find Vienna to Krakow flights it’s just as easy as this just in reverse!
Quick checklist for your trip to Europe
Accommodation in Europe
Never leave home without
Bus from Krakow to Vienna
There are several companies that operate bus routes from Krakow to Vienna, including FlixBus, Eurolines, and PolskiBus. The Krakow to Vienna bus journey typically takes around 7 hours, and tickets can be purchased in advance on the company websites or at bus stations.
Some buses make stops along the way, so the travel time and services may vary on your Krakow to Vienna road trip. Companies such as Busbud allow you to compare prices with the fare calculated on the best routes for the cheapest tickets.
Visiting Auschwitz: Everything you need to know before you go
Ridesharing from Krakow to Vienna
How to reach Vienna by road? Ride-share! Ridesharing refers to the practice of sharing a car journey with others, typically through a mobile app or website.
There are several ride-sharing companies that operate in Europe, including BlaBlaCar, Uber, and Liftago, which may have routes from Krakow to Vienna. With ride-sharing luggage space may be restricted so you will really need to make sure you find out all the options for this Krakow travel service.
Popular things to do in Vienna
Now that you have found your way to Vienna from Krakow you can start exploring the capital of Austria. Here are a few popular things to do in Vienna today to make your vacations to Vienna memorable.
- Visit Schönbrunn Palace, a magnificent baroque palace and one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria.
- Take a stroll through the historic centre of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Opera House, and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. This is a great way to save money of you aim to have cheap Vienna vacations
- Visit the Belvedere Palace, which houses the largest collection of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present, including works by Gustav Klimt
- Explore the Museum Quarter, which is home to many world-class museums such as the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts
- Take a walk along the Ringstraße, a grand boulevard lined with historic buildings, monuments, and museums
- Visit the Vienna State Opera, one of the most famous opera houses in the world and home to the Vienna Opera Ball
- Take a tour of the historic coffeehouses in Vienna, which have played an important role in the city’s cultural history and are known for their traditional pastries and coffee
- Visit the Prater, a large public park and amusement park that features the iconic Ferris wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad
- Visit the Stephansplatz, one of the most famous squares in Vienna, where you can find St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the city’s symbol and one of the most important gothic buildings in the world
- Visit the Hundertwasserhaus, an extraordinary apartment building designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, a famous Austrian architect and artist.
It’s just so easy to travel around Europe, with a large number of transport options you will be able to easily get from Krakow to Vienna. See the best of Poland before moving on to the other amazing destinations on your European vacation.
Poland Travel Expert is your ultimate guide to all things Poland. Your next trip to Poland will not be complete without our detailed Poland guides, Poland itineraries and Poland travel tips.
More reasons to visit Poland
Author Bio: Mark Wyld
Mark Wyld is a Father, husband, traveller, and writer at Poland Travel Expert and other blogs. I have accumulated a wealth of experience over multiple visits to Poland. Thanks to our friends in Poland, we stay connected to the pulse of the nation, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.