This guide on getting from Munich to Krakow is here to help you find the best ways to travel between these two European cities. Whether you’re a fan of train journeys around the old continent or you would rather do the trip as quickly as possible, there is no shortage of ways to get from the hometown of Octoberfest to the former residence of Polish monarchs.
We have outlined all possible ways to travel from Munich to Krakow. This guide includes detailed info on costs, times and comfort on different modes of transport. So, read on…
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What’s in this guide to traveling from Munich to Krakow
Munich to Krakow by plane
Time: 1h20m
Cost: From €97
Comfort: 5/5
Airlines: Lufthansa
If you’re looking for ways to get from Munich to Krakow, then flying is your quickest and most convenient option. It only takes an hour and twenty minutes to travel from the land of Octoberfest to the Polish city by plane. In fact, even if you add time spent at the airports, there is no other mode of transport, which could get this journey done faster. However, flying on this route isn’t the cheapest option.
At the time of writing, there are no direct connections with any low-cost airlines from Munich to Krakow. Your only option is to fly with Lufthansa, which isn’t as budget-friendly as the likes of Ryanair or Wizzair. On the flip side, you can count on more comfort here.
There are usually two or three flights a day on this route, and prices start at around €97 if you book your tickets in advance. The cheapest rates don’t include checked-in luggage, though, so you have to spend about €25 extra if you don’t travel light. That said, a small snack is included, so there is that little more than you get on low-cost airlines.
Munich to Krakow by train
Time: 13h07m+
Cost: From €44
Comfort: 4/5
Getting a train from Munich to Krakow might not be the fastest, nor the cheapest option to travel, but it’s a good balance between the two. We think it’s the best option if you’re not in a rush. It’s more comfortable and more eco-friendly than any other option. Plus, you’re not restricted to luggage, which is something you have to think about when you fly.
There are no direct train connections from Munich to Krakow, so you will always have to change at least once. It’s not a problem, though, because you will get a chance to explore some of the most popular cities in Europe, which include Prague and Berlin. Not bad, especially since you will have the option to stay in one of these cities if you wish so.
Train via Prague
Time: 15h03m
Cost: From €44
Comfort: 4/5
The route via Prague is the quicker option and the one you can do in as little as 15 hours. You won’t have much time to explore the Czech capital but should have plenty to sit down for some food. You can also choose longer layovers if you want to go sightseeing.
All you have to do is get a train from Munich to Prague, which can cost as little as €15 (if you get an early bird deal) and then hop on an overnight sleeper to Krakow. To make the second train, you have to leave Munich no later than on the 2.43 pm train, which arrives in Prague an hour and forty minutes before the overnight train to Krakow (it leaves at 10.05 pm and arrives at 5.46 am the following day).
You will have to buy your tickets separately, but luckily both are available online. You can book the first one on the Czech railway website, and the second one on the Polish railway website (90 and 60 days in advance respectively).
Train via Berlin
Time: 13h07m
Cost: From €45.80
Comfort: 4/5
Your second railway option from Munich to Krakow is to go via Berlin. Bear in mind that this route is less direct, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it usually takes longer than going via Prague, even though you only have to cross one border on the way. You will also have to stay a night in the German capital if you want to get a direct train to Krakow from there.
However, the fastest option on this route is to change trains twice, go from Berlin to Warsaw or Poznan, and go to Krakow from there. This way, you will be able to avoid forking out for a night’s accommodation and reduce your travel time. That said, this option isn’t as reliable because you can’t buy the connecting tickets for the Polish leg online (unless you bought the tickets separately and risked the connections).
The easier and also the cheaper way to travel is to stay a night in Berlin and get a direct train to Krakow from Berlin at 10.39 am. When it comes to trains from Munich to Berlin, there are multiple connections a day available to buy at the Deutsche Bahn website.
Munich to Krakow by bus
Time: 12h+
Cost: From €32
Comfort: 2/5
Company: Flixbus or Sindbad
If you want to travel from Munich to Krakow overland, then going by road is usually quicker than by rail. That’s also true if you decide to go by bus, which is also usually the cheapest way to get from the hometown of Octoberfest to Poland’s most beautiful city (in our view). The other reason why buses might trump trains is that you can travel on this route directly without sweating over your changeover times.
The bus journey on this route takes at least 12 hours, so comfort might be the main issue. The operators on this route are Flixbus and Sindbad, and both offer pretty tight coach seats, which is why traveling by bus is our least favourite option here. That said, you can find tickets for as little as €32 so if you’re on a tight budget, the coach is your best bet.
Munich to Krakow by car
Time: 8h40m+
Comfort: 3/5
If you have access to a car, there is no faster way to get from Munich to Krakow than by driving. You should bear in mind though, that it’s still a very long journey, so it’s worth making a couple of stops along the way. Even though Google says you could do it in around nine hours, in our experience you should account for around 12 hours or so.
That’s because you will likely need to stop along the way, and the roads are not up to scratch, especially as you get closer to Poland. The quickest and shortest route goes via Austria and the Czech Republic. We also think this is the best way if you want to make some interesting pitstops en route. Linz, Vienna and Brno are only a few of the fantastic cities you’d be passing.
How do you get from Krakow to Germany?
There are many different ways to get from Krakow to Germany. You can fly to destinations such as Munich, Frankfurt, or Berlin, but you can also get to these cities by train or bus.
Is there a train between Krakow and Warsaw?
Yes, there are lots of direct trains between Krakow and Warsaw every day. You can travel on a high-speed Pendolino or opt for a slightly slower but cheaper train.
How long is the train journey from Krakow to Warsaw?
The fastest trains from Krakow to Warsaw can take as little as 2 hours and 20 minutes. Slower trains take anywhere between 2 hours 40 minutes and 3 hours 50 minutes.
