Your practical guide to Kraków for WCEU 2026
Welcome to Kraków! We’ve put together everything you need to know for your trip to WordCamp Europe 2026, happening from the 4th to the 6th of June.
Getting here and getting around
The easiest way to reach Kraków is by flying into John Paul II Airport, just 11 kilometres from the city centre. If you’re budget-conscious, you might find cheaper flights to Katowice airport, though you’ll need to add 1.5 hours for the bus transfer. Warsaw’s airports are another option, with trains to Kraków taking about 2.5 hours.
Coming by train has its charm too. From Warsaw, it’s a comfortable 2.5-hour journey starting at 39 złoty. Prague is 7-8 hours away, Vienna takes 6 hours, and Berlin takes around 8-10 hours.
Once you’re in Kraków, public transport is included with your WordCamp ticket; just show your badge. Trams run from 5am to 11pm, with night buses operating later.
Download Jakdojade (iOS – Android) for journey planning, and keep Uber or Bolt handy for ride-hailing. Google Maps works perfectly well for transit as well. Most attractions are within a 30-minute walk, and you can rent bikes through Wavelo (the city bike system) or grab a Lime or Bolt scooter.
We have prepared a detailed transportation guide for your reference if you need more information.
Where to stay
Your choice of neighbourhood really depends on your budget and what you’re after. The Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the most convenient, with everything walkable, and costs 80-150 euros per night. Kazimierz sits close to the venue and buzzes with restaurants and nightlife, with prices running 60-120 euros nightly and just 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by tram. For something quieter with a more local feel, try Podgórze at 50-90 euros, or go budget-friendly in Krowodrza or Prądnik at 40-70 euros with good transport connections.
Book by March if you can. June is peak season, plus there’s a long weekend during the conference dates. If you’re staying outside the centre, check how close you are to tram lines. Besides the usual Booking.com and Airbnb, try the local site Noclegi.pl.
Hostels like Mosquito Hostel or Greg & Tom cost 15-30 euros per night. Budget hotel chains like Ibis and B&B Hotels are reliable options too.
Did you know? We’ve partnered with some Kraków hotels to offer special discounts to WCEU attendees.
Money matters
You’ll be paying in Polish złoty (PLN). Current rates are around 4.3 złoty per euro and 3.6 złoty per US dollar. Exchange your money at in-town kantors (exchange offices) rather than the airport for better rates. ATMs are everywhere, though be aware of withdrawal fees.
Cards work almost everywhere; both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, as are Apple Pay and Google Pay. That said, keep some cash for small vendors, markets, and tipping.
What to eat
You can’t leave Kraków without trying pierogi (dumplings, obviously), obwarzanek (our twisted bagel sold by street vendors), and zapiekanka (an open-faced baguette pizza found at Plac Nowy in Kazimierz). Give żurek (sour rye soup) a try, along with bigos (hunter’s stew) and zalewajka (bread soup).
Vegetarian and vegan options are available almost everywhere now. Most modern restaurants handle gluten-free requests too, just ask for “bez glutenu.” Halal and kosher options are limited but can be found in the Kazimierz area.
Do you want to know more about Polish cuisine? We’ve prepared a guide to the most popular traditional foods you shouldn’t miss.
Practical stuff you should know
While Polish is the main language, you’ll get by fine with English in tourist areas. A few phrases help though: “cześć” (cheshch) for hello, “dziękuję” (jen-koo-yeh) for thank you, “proszę” (pro-sheh) for please, and “przepraszam” (pshe-pra-sham) for excuse me. If you need to ask “Do you speak English?” the phrase is “Czy mówisz po angielsku?” (chi moo-vish po an-gyel-skoo).
Kraków is very safe with low crime rates. Just keep an eye on your belongings in crowded tourist spots like the Main Square and on trams. Avoid unlicensed taxis at the airport and station, stick with Uber or Bolt instead.
For mobile connectivity, tourist SIM cards are available at the airport from Play, Orange, or T-Mobile. Expect to pay 30-40 złoty for 10GB of data plus EU calls. You can also buy an eSIM through Airalo or Holafly before you arrive. Free WiFi is available in most cafés, restaurants, and main squares.
June weather averages 22-26°C (72-79°F). Pack light layers, a rain jacket or umbrella for occasional showers, and comfortable walking shoes because those cobblestones are no joke. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat.
You’ll need European two-pin outlets, 230V. In emergencies, dial 112 and speak English to an operator.
What to see and do
The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is free to explore, with the Cloth Hall sitting in the middle. Wawel Royal Castle charges 30-450 złoty, depending on what you want to see and whether you get a guide, so book online in advance. Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, is free to wander. Schindler’s Factory costs 40 złoty and requires online booking. St. Mary’s Basilica charges 10-18 złoty for entry.
For day trips, the Wieliczka Salt Mine sits 30 minutes away by bus or minibus. Entry costs 103 złoty, book at kopalnia.pl. Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, is 1.5 hours away by bus or organised tour. Entry is free, and guided tours cost about 130 złoty, but you need to book months in advance at auschwitz.org/en. Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains are 2 hours by bus, offering hiking, mountain views, and traditional highlander culture.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Kraków for an unforgettable WordCamp Europe 2026. See you there, or as we say, do zobaczenia!
