How to travel from Krakow to Lviv
The following is a list of ways to go from Krakow, Poland to Lviv Ukraine. I live in Krakow and go to Lviv a lot for various reasons. Many people touring Eastern Europe are fine with going to Poland and EU country but are afraid to cross out of the Schengen zone. If you are in Poland for more than a couple of days you might want to consider a trip to Lviv.
The Polish city of Lvov was once the cultural capital of Poland. Krakow was considered a smaller town in comparison. Many people speak Polish in Lviv and the city is multi national and tourist friendly.
How to go from Cracow to Lvov
The return trip is easy as once you get there you can just do the reverse.
- You can get a bus from Krakow to Lviv for 70 pln or about 22 dollars. This is the simple way, it leaves every night from the main bus station in Krakow at 8 pm. The bus often does not have a bathroom so do not drink water or ask the driver to stop the bus. I have in emergencies. When nature call you can not hang up the phone. I drank 1.5 liters of water and boarder the bus. I did this as I thought the bus came in 1 1/2 hours, but just as I finished the bus pulled up for its 12 hour trip.
- Another more complicated way which I do personally as I like day travel and trains over buses. I go from Krakow to Przemyśl, a Polish town on the Polish-Ukrainian border. You can get there in 3 1/2 hours. It costs about 15 dollars or 40 Polish złoty. At Przemysl take a Marshrootka or van to the for 2 PLN there are white vans or small buses that are everywhere, just ask someone in English. Do the same to get to Lviv once you cross the Polish boarder, they come ever 20 minutes. I have been stuck there in the middle of the night because I think they stop at about midnight and had to wait until 5 am. I slept on the grass.
- Any travel in Ukraine is much cheaper than travel in Poland, about 1/3 or less the price. For example I went 26 hours on a Ukrainian sleeper train to Crimea for about 20 dollars once. This same Polish train would cost about 200 dollars.
- You can buy a ticket to Lviv for about 50 dollars in a sleeper car. This is the most comfortable way to get to Ukraine from Poland. But it is also the most expensive (I am not talking about flying or with a private car).
- If you have tons of cash many Jewish Rabbis have a private car to Lviv and this can be arranged also at the Edan hotel in Krakow.
- I have flown once but for a strange reason, no worth it generally.
- My friend who is a girl hitchhikes, I have tried begging a ride also. My recommendation is if you do this hold up a sign that says your destination like “I am going to Lviv”. Best in the Polish language of course.
Travel issues going to Lviv from Poland
Ukrainian currency – I change currency in Poland. I look for the best rate. The worst place to change money is in the Lviv train station. Just be aware. In Lviv itself there are many places, just check the rates.
Visa requirements for Ukraine - there are none if you are European or American.
Ukrainian boarder crossing - The guards are looking for illegal trade, this does not affect you, tell them you are a tourist and you can cross the boarder in 20 minutes instead of 3 hours. Really, I flash my American or Polish passport and speak English and I am hustled to the front of the line. The line is really only for people making money going from Poland to Ukraine for economic reasons.
Where to eat in Lviv – Any student cafeteria like Rodzinka or Puzata hut (hata). Three dollars a meal.
Where to say in Lviv – Hotel Lviv, cheap (12 to 18 dollars) and unfriendly but my favorite place. I also stay in the
Kosmonaut Hostel (10 dollars), very cheap but nice.
If you have any questions on how to get from Krakow to Lviv let me know. Also let me know about your experiences if you have ever been to Krakow or Lviv.
82 responses to Krakow to Lviv
Hi,
This is an interesting site you have – and very informative, too. I have family who come from the Lubin region and were landowners in L’wow when it was part of Poland.
My question though is: Why is Krakow increasingly spelt ‘Cracow’ nowadays? Is it an anglicisation?
Thanks for the comment Andrew.
I have never liked Krakow spelled as Cracow. The spelling Cracow is the old Latin form and Krakow is more the original Polish spelling. I prefer Krakow as it is closer to Polish orthography (Kraków). However, many Poles for some reason feel the need to translate everything, they feel it is more official or something, therefore, I see a lot of tour agents marketing to the UK use Cracow.
Another example of this over translation is, I see on the menus in Krakow things like ‘dumplings and fat wieners’. I was wondering what could this be. Then I realized it was ‘pierogi and kielbasa’.
On the other hand, I prefer Lviv rather than Lwow. Why? Lviv is the Ukrainian spelling and it is a Ukrainian city. Maybe the Poles ruled in the past but now it is Ukrainian and even when the Poles were there, 90% of the people in the region, that is the Lviv – Ternopil obasts were Ukrainian. While the Poles lived in certain districts in the city. Much like Podgórsze where I live now in Kraków was the Austrian district when the Austrians rules Krakow.
Poles do not like this either, but hey they had the same experience with the Germans and the Austrians. I am not going to call Gdansk, Danzig etc. I believe in the political process and for the last 70 years Lviv has been Ukrainian and Wrocłow has been Wrocłow in Poland. I am a Pole and a patriot but I believe in peace and love and more of a Christian than a nationalist.
Therefore, your question was great at it brings to the surface a lot of subtle historical issues. I am a history buff as you can tell.
My family is from the Lublin area and Western Ukraine also. Where in the Lublin area are they from? My family is from the famous and infamous city of Frampol (as mentioned in Issac Singers novels and for other reasons). But my family ultimately comes from the Biernats of Lubin of course. Biernat z Lublina was one of the fathers of the Polish language.
Krakow to Lviv
Hey, stumbled across your site and thought I’d ask you a question. I live in Philadelphia but will be in Poland for Euro 2012. I actually have tickets for a match in Lviv for sat night the 9th June. I will be in Warsaw and was wondering how long it would take to get to Lviv by train. It seems quite long so I will probably release my tickets. I don’t even arrive in Warsaw until Friday the day before.
Thank you. I really enjoy the sight.
Krakow to Lviv
Warsaw to Lviv is 12 hours. If you have a car I think you can do it faster but I can not imagine that with all the Euro 2012 activity, even if they have a special bus for Euro 2012 it would be much less time. They bth Poland and Ukraine are not well prepared as all the big wigs are too busy shaking hands and not focused on something simple like getting the roads done.
I know that the Ukraine and Poland have had a very turbulent history together, especially during Poland’s third republic period. One of my relatives even said (to my aunt) how the Ukrainians she employed on the estate told her from time to time that the “Poles would get their come-upannce” and were all happy to welcome the bolsheviks and na__s because of the universal anti-Polish sentiment…
All that said, I personally don’t have any animosity for the Ukraine since I consider them fellow Slavs and because the past is, well, the past. I really just said L’wow for fun.
Have you never read books by a Polish-American called WS Kuniczak? Look for a book if his called Valedictory which is about a Polish nobleman, turned RAF fighter pilot, whose family estate was also in the Lublin/Ukraine area. It’s very well written and incredibly atmospheric. It’s part of a trilogy about Poles in the second world war.
I’m looking forward to returning to the area sometime this summer, actually. I’m going to visit Krakow and want to see everything, especially Wawel Castle, since my cousin said it was the biggest castle in all continental europe – though I wonder if that was just a bit of Polish exaggeration?
Krakow to Lviv
Actually I kind of knew you said Lwow for fun and when I am in Poland this is how I say it and spell it. Not for political reasons or anything but, that is the Polish spelling. The Polish spelling of Warsaw is Warsawa, I use this too
And Filadefia, for Philly. I thought I would rant on as it was topic.
You have to come out here and find your relatives towns and villages and history. It is an very interesting place. If you have any questions about travel or anything just ask, I have lived here a long time.
I an kind of a pan-Slav also, I think Slavic culture is very interesting and my world is anything East of the Oder river.
Hi, and thank you for this great and informative article.
I’m visting a friend in Lviv, then will have to catch a flight from Krakow to Canada (through Frankfurt). My flight from Krakow is at 10:00 AM. So I thought of taking the fast night train from Lviv to Krakow.
Does that sound a good plan? Does the train stop at the border for checking? I heard else where that crossing borders by car of bus can take very long time. Does that apply to the train as well?
When I get to Krakow, is it an easy ride from the train station to the airport?
I’m sorry for asking so many questions, but at first I thought it is a straightforward thing, but after reading few posts I started to panic.
Thanks!
Krakow to Lviv
The train does not stop like a bus or car at the boader, rather the boarder guards board the train and check it this way during transit from Lviv to Krakow or Krakow to Lviv. When the train gets into Krakow station, they have a direct express to the airport which leaves every 20 minutes or something. So go right from the Lviv train to the aiport express. You can take a taxi if you want but the train is faster.
You will be cutting it close but you should make it. Polish trains are pretty much on time. I think the bus gets in about 8am in the morning even with the boarder crossing. Check the time the train arrives in the station at Krakow. The Krakow aiport is very small and once there you can board pretty easy.
Krakow to Lviv
Omar, My question is what passport will you be traveling with, if you have a US or Canadian it should be OK? If you are travelling with a non EU passport or a non US passport, expect the Polish army to check you out, I have seem them arrest people many times as they are very strict with rules with Schengen visa and entering the EU. Since the Polish Army has is a border country on the Schengen border from east to west they are very strict. Also if you have a Ukrainian passport you should be OK also. Just have you papers in order if you do not have a US or EU or Canadian passport or you could miss you flight.
Krakow to Lviv
Hello,
I was thinking of doing the trip between Krakow and Lviv, I am only in Krakow for 5 days but would like to try and see Lviv for a day, is this a good idea? Van you give me some idea of the price of the train and how long it will take, I imagine it will be easier to take the direct, is the other train route more complicated?
There are many one day trips to Lviv arranged and on your own. I wold go on my own. You do not need a hotel as they are night trips. You get there in the morning like 7 am and have until 8 pm to see the city.
How you got from Krakow to Lviv depends on if you have money. I would take the train ( 65 dollars) to Lviv if you have money and a bus for about 25 dollars if you do not. It is a night bus and train so you can sleep.
I would go to Lviv. You only live once and might as well see it all. They have a old town larger than Krakow. I go to Lviv a lot. Its a nice city.
Krakow to Lviv
Lviv - Ukrainian girl in Krakow
I just foud your comments about krakow-lviv, I am a Ukrinaian girl and will be in krakow 06/02/12 about 12 30 do you think I can teke a sleeper car and it will be better for me to go to Lviv? How much it will be cost and how long?
Thank you very much,
Irina.
It depends on you, but I recommend a bus or day train as the night sleeper car is expensive, like 200+ pln while he bus is 80 pln and the day train less. It depends on your budget. I am a foofy American and maybe only once took the night sleeper train. It is more comfortable and the best way to travel but it is all the same time about 10 hours the only difference is you sleep better. What are you in Krakow for? Where are you from in Ukraine? I think you will like Krakow.
Krakow to Lviv
Hi mark thank you for your answer, I am from Berezany its about 90 km from Lviv, I came from spain its more cheaper to go to Ukraine in this moment, I take a flights from Alicante to Krakow its cost me 100 € both way, and my friends told me that there are many bus which I can take to go to Lviv its coast about 50 €, because I will be in Krakow about 13 00 in the morning. Sorry for my English grammar.
Irina.
Krakow to Lviv
Yes agreed. To Krakow will be cheapest then a bus over night to Lviv will be like 20 Euro at most. If you take a day train to the boarder then walk across or with a van even cheaper. Please do not write in all caps and try to grammar check.
We are travelling to Lviv to visit my girlfriends father next week and I just have a few questions to ask.
How many trains a day travel to Lviv from Kraków train station?
How long are we looking to be on the train until we arrive at Lviv?
Does the train change wheels at the border of Poland? resulting in few hours wait?
any reply to any of these questions would be really helpful.
Bus every night to Lviv, however, train I think most but not all nights. There is no wait at the boarder on a train, if you do not mind paying extra get a sleeper car.
If you want simple take a train to the boarder to Przemyśl Polish trains go there several times a day.
Its a very easy trip with many options. Here is the Polish train site rozklad-pkp.pl they have it in English also.
We are planning to stay in Krakow for 4 days and going to Lviv for one day. Please tell me which one is the most recommended way to go to Lviv-no matter the cost-and the most safe way. Also please tell me what is the “Jewish Rabbis” matter in Edan Hotel. Thanks a alot.
Well you can go to the Eden hotel and they can arrange a trip for you by car. But that is really pricey. I recommend a night train. It is very safe. The USA is not safe. Poland is safe. I am an American and live in Poland and go to Ukraine. Unless you have a sign on your back that says please hit me, there is no reason you will have any problems on a night train, you can even get the whole compartment.
Krakow to Lviv
I need some advice, I arrive at the airport in Krakow at 8:45, what would be the best way to go to Lviv? Thank you very much.
Olena, in my opinion to land and then get your bags, then go to the bus or train station you will not make it that night to Lviv. There is a train directly from the airport to the center but still I do not think you could make the train to Lviv that night. So you will have to do it the next day. If you have cash just buy a ticket at the train station to Lviv. If you have less cash do some of the things I advice in this post.
Krakow to Lviv
Hi,
Is there any problem if we buy a train ticket from Krakow to Lvov (sleeper train) just the day before? We plan to do this on the 2nd or 3rd of August and we are afraid about all the tickets sold by the time we arrive in Poland….
We found a travel agency who offers to buy it in advanced but ask us 90 euros each (in two people department) but I find it still too expensive…am I rigth?
Thanks a lot for all the information and for this very interesting article,
Nuria
Krakow to Lviv
The train does not run on every night. 90 euro is too much I think. I would work with Orbis or you can even check PKP the Polish train website, it is in English. But to answer your question, I have never had a problem going to Lviv. If I can not get a train, I take the bus or take a train to the boarder.
Take a bus – it leaves every night and it is very cheap, always room on the bus. You buy it right from the main bus station.
Krakow to Lviv
Hey! I arrive at 9.50 to the airport of Krakow, and then i want to go to Lviv as soon as possible. What should I do? There´s a bus at 11.30 to Lviv, do I have enough time to get to the bus station? or maybe you can advise me something else?
Thank You so much.
Your saying there is a bus at 11:30 at night or day? If your plan is on time and it is day, no problem. But at night when everyone is tired and things are closed down I would not do it.
However, I speak Polish and have done this before so I could make it. But that is me, I live here. You as a tourist might be stressed.
But if it is a day bus, it is OK. Plus there are local trains to the boarder all the time. Walk across the boarder and you are all set.
Krakow to Lviv
In my opinion it is all very safe.
Hi Mark
I just found your site through a search.
I hope you can help me.
I am travelling with a group of about 12 people
from Krakow to Lviv next month.
We are planning to travel on the overnight sleeper train which leaves Krakow Glowny at 10:34pm and arrives in Lviv about 5:20am the next morning.
What I am trying to find out is..
Can we pre-book our train tickets in advance online?
(If so can you please tell me which site I can book on please)
Will we need to be present at the train station early to make sure that we all get a place on the train?
What time would you recommend we arrive at the station?
Can we get a group discount?
Hope you can help…
Thank you
Krakow to Lviv
pkp.pl/cop/biletprzezinternet they have an English version if you navigate it. But this is ‘by train tickets though the Internet’. In English it has all the information, but I have never heard of a group discount on 12 people to Lviv. Just normal people go there every night. I arrive at the station 1/2 before it leaves to get all set. It is easy, you go under this tunnel. There are 5 train platforms with two sides each. Everyone under 30 speaks English (almost). I do not recall which number is for Lviv. If it is too complex try Orbis in Krakow they book these and are pretty fair.
But the reality is it is very easy and clear.
Krakow to Lviv
I will fly to Krakow soon and I would like to learn that what is the earliest way to go to Lviv ?
Because I will sleep in a hotel in Krakow and I have to go to Lviv in the earliest time next morning ? Train or bus? I hope there are some buses in the morning or trains.
Thank you .
Take a Polish PKP train to the boarder and then walk across, then take a van. I have done this. There are no direct connections from Krakow to Lviv in the morning. You can check the PKP website here (rozklad-pkp.pl), it has an English version. Go to the Polish town Przemyśl. There are many trains that go there.
How much is the price with a Taxi from Krakow airport t0 Lviv?
Do the the taxi drivers speak English ?
More on Krakow to Lviv:
Polish taxi drivers do not speak English usually but you can be understood. You have money they will do anything, drive you right to Moscow. In fact I once hire a car (a friend drove me) from Kiev to Lviv, long ago before I knew what I was doing, but would never do that now. It is safe. I have meet young American and Polish girls traveling alone through Ukraine this way, that is by train.
1) There should be no problem with just a passport. I have an American and Polish passport, never a problem on either In fact, if I tell them I am a tourist they bring me to the front of the line on the days I walk across as to avoid the crowd of merchants making money going back and forth. But this is only if you walk. Passport should be fine if you are traveling from Krakow to Lviv.
2) You do not want to take a taxi from the airport. I can not imagine you want to take a taxi, it is like 500 dollars I would think, and then you have to go across the boarder and get a taxi on the Ukrainian side. If you go to the Edan hotel to the front desk, in Kazimesh they are arrange it for you with an English speaking taxi and honest etc.
But man, just take a train or taxi to the train station and get a train. You can get a day train to the boarder. Hey if you really want to pay me I can take you there
3) Cracow to Lvov by commuter train – Poland and Ukraine are very safe countries. I travel this way all the time. You have so many options. Lviv is a beautiful city and worth the trip. If you want to tip me a little I can even meet you in Krakow and put you on the right day train to Lviv or my wife who is Polish and father worked for the rail will show you and tell you exactly. I have done this as my friends countless times.
It is safe and much better than a taxi, I think. But that is up to you.
Boarder on a night train they check passports on the train, which makes boarder crossing fast. Day train you walk across and wait about 1 or 2 hours at the boarder depending, some days its like 20 minutes.
You take a van on the other side to Lviv. Its cheap and during the day I think they run every 20 minutes. Again all very safe.
Please write back and let me know what your concerns are etc.
Krakow to Lviv
Mark < Im in Krakow now and hope to go to Lviv tomorrow morning. My plan is to get the 11.05 train to Przemyl. Is it far to the border from there? How much would the minibus / taxi cost to the border from Przemyl ? And how much does it cost to get the minibus from the Ukrainian side of the border to Lviv?
Also I see you advise to change money in Poland before crossing into Ukraine. Is it ok to go and just and find an ATM (bankomat) on the Ukrainian side ( that's what I usually do — and what I did when I arrived in Krakow yesterday — as the exchange rates offered by many of the kantors are quite bad)
Sorry for all the questions! Peter
Krakow to Lviv
The mini bus is cheap. Lets say free. It is like a dollar or something, maybe 5 on the Ukrainian side. On the Polish side maybe 5 pln. Ask people and they will know. Przemyl is a nice peaceful little town. Ask at a hotel if you are totally lost.
I use ATMs (I think there are many Citibank or Deutsche banks that give good rates or exchange in any place but the train station for example. The rates at train and bus stations are the worst.
Let me know who things go or if you have questions. Sorry I do not know if you will get this in time.
Krakow to Lviv
Mark , just realised I havent given you much time to see my mail! Sorry about that! Im sure I’ll find it out the answers to my questions as I go along tomorrow! Peter
Hi Mark,
I found at rozklad-pkp.pl/ there is the night train leaving Krakow at 22:34 and arriving to Lwow/Lviv Central Station at 06:03. Is it possible to find out the roughly price for a sleeping place in this train?
Thank you, your information will be very appreciated.
I think it was about 65 dollars, if I remember. Next time I am at the train station I can ask. I prefer the cheaper day train experience because you see more and more action, but nigh train is good if the timing is right, that is you are in a hotel in Krakow or with friends and you can leave at 10:30 at night. I live here so I can just walk to the station.
thanks for the information Mark, i arrived in Lviv earlier today. 9:34am Train from krakow to przemysl was about 46z.I had to wait for an hour for the bus from the bus terminal outside the train station (bus platform 1 at 15:30) direct to lviv for 20z The queue at the border crossing was about 15mins
Thank you for the information. I have gone from Krakow to Lviv many times and never had a major problem. I like this method the best. That is the train to Przemysl.
hi mark; beem reading ur forum,intresting could you please help me flying to krakow 27 dec 2010 hoping to catch the overnite sleeper to lviv comming back 7 jan are the trains running as it is christmas day in ukraine someone tould me poland have two christmases have beem to ukraine many times i have family there,normally catch train from rzeszow thank you.by the way last bus from ukraine border leaves 9.00pm 15hyr very cheap.
Krakow to Lviv
Trains run 365 days out the year in Poland and I think the same in Ukraine. Even on Christmas. I can not say for sure if – check this site it has an English version. rozklad-pkp.pl – Poland do not worry about. It is all very easy. It is like the USA for me. Ukraine, I think will be OK on this day, but I wish I could say for sure but to not have experience with this.
Hi i’m thinking of going to Krakow after xmas and want to go to Lviv. I’ve read all your comments but i want to get to Lviv as quickly as possible as i will only be in Krakow for a few days and I do not really want to spend 12 hours on a train. Are there direct flights from Krakow to Lviv?
Yes there are flights if you do not mind paying. But you could take a train to the boarder and then a bus on the Ukrainian side. It would be 6 hours if you timed it right. I have flown, train, bus, walked. Done it all. I prefer the day train to Lviv.
Hello Mark, thanks for all the tips. We are planning to go from Krakow to Lviv and would rather take the train but one appears to take from 1pm ish to midnight owing to a three hour delay at the border and the later one arrives at an antisocial 5am. If we take the train to Przemsyl, bus to the border and bus to Lviv the other side, how far will we have to drag our luggage in total (we always have too much)? When is the last bus from the border to Lviv roughly ? We are a bit old to sleep on the grass if we miss it. And does the bus arrive at Lviv fairly centrally?
Thank you for your time.
Krakow to Lviv
The bus arrives right in the center of Lviv. That is the good news. More good news the boarder is very peaceful, and safe. I have ‘slept on the grass’ at the boarder no problem.
When you get to Przemsyl (it means industry in Polish) you take a van right to the boarder so no problem with the luggage. And on the other side the same.
However, the real issue ‘ are you a traveler’? Which means if you need door to door taxi it will be a hard trip. But if you are willing to explore and ask questions it will be safe and an adventure.
Krakow to Lviv
Hello,Mark! I was happy to find your site. Hope you’ll help me with my questions:) It would be perfect if you tell me main things about imazing city, but not about Lwow. I’m going to visit Krakow from 05-01-2011 to 08-01-2011.
Firstly I need to get useful info from the first hand. Meaning where can I stay for 3 nights? You know I’m travelling together with my boyfriend, we are students, so this place must be chip, cosy and clean. Maybe you know hostels with discont by ISIC card.
How do you think about the most convinion location to stay?
And you’ll do a great favour for us if tell the most imazing places to go in Krakow for 3 days, or some nearest places full of interests. By the way what events will taking place there in the period of our staying? maybe what night club you are advise to visit?
Also I ask you to repeat with more details (as it’s possible ofcourse) the way of getting from Krakow to Lwow.
Hope It’s not difficult for you.
Thanks a lot
Truly yours
Ukrainian students
Olena and Vladimir
Krakow to Lviv
If you are cheap like me, I think you will have no problem staying at a youth hostel. There are many. I can give you a name of one or two in a good location, no problem. But even as you get off the train or bus they have many people giving flyers for hostels in Krakow. In my experience these are established and trust worthy. There are many many students visiting and I have not herd of a problem. The only people I have herd that ever got ripped off was British drinking tourists and these were at specific places and they do not do this any more, not students. It is all fair and honest.
Night clubs are countless clubs from Pozacs, Shadow – Cien, Hedonic, ministerstwo, in blankoevents many, but for 3 days, see the castle, the churches some Jewish sites, the market square, even Las Wolski. I like the Jewish quarter to hang out, like Alchenia is interesting.
Go to kopieć there are a couple in Krakow hike them, you can see the whole city, I live by the one in Podgorze.
Going to Lviv, I prefer the day train to przemyśl, then a bus to the boarder and to Lviv. It is the cheapest and it is day travel. But other’s prefer to take a night bus and it is direct, you sleep on the bus. Train directly cost to much for students.
Krakow to Lviv
Hi Mark, first of all thanks for all of the useful info you’ve given so far, it’s been a real help!
I am travelling to Lviv via Krakow on the 27th December and returning on the 2nd January. My question is: How often are the trains disrupted by the weather (snow and ice)? I know that Poland and Ukraine are used to harsh winters but do the trains still manage to run in most conditions or do they get delayed or cancelled on a regular basis?
It could be a real problem for me if this happened as I am meeting friends in Lviv then heading off to to Bukovel on the 28th to go Skiing for New Year. If the train is delayed on the way to Lviv, it’s not so much of a problem I guess, as it would only mean that I would make my own way to Bukovel. But if the trains do not run on the 1st/2nd January I would miss my flight home.
Obviously you cannot guarantee the trains will run but can you just advise what the “normal” situation is.
Thanks again,
Graham.
Krakow to Lviv
I have never been delayed because of cold or snow. These are massive trains, not little beep beep cars. Although I was delayed once because someone took parts of the cables from the railroad and most likely sold it. But this was unconnected to weather. From time to time trains are delayed but on an International train like to Lviv I have never had a problem. Weather is very rarely connected to trains times, it can be something else like they are waiting for another train. Also in my experience and I travel by train a lot in Poland and Ukraine they are not bad at all. But like I said, you get 1 delay and everyone complains real loud as Poles love to complain. But compared to Metro North back in the USA, they are much better with time. This has been my personal experience with trains from Krakow to Lviv and beyond.
Krakow to Lviv
Thanks for that Mark! I thought that everything would run normally despite the weather but it’s nice to have some reassurance of that.
I’m based in Dublin, Ireland and we had about 30cm of snow last week (very unusual for here, especially before Christmas) and the whole country ground to a standstill! So guess I’m just a little paranoid after that.
Thanks again for all of the info,
Graham.
I have been reading about it, that is very unusual for you guys. Snowand cold in Poland, Ukraine and Russia is normal and would not stop the trains. Let me know if you have any questions or need guidance on other matters. Lviv is great.
Mark, thanks for the comprehensive information. May i also ask you a question. I’m planning to get from Krakow to IvanoFrankovsk(former Stanislawow). I assume that all the options you described so good to get to Lwow, are valid here as well. Do you know if there is some direct commute there from Krakow, or from Przemysl (to bypass Lwow), and if not – are there frequent “marshrutkas” from Lwow to IF (i know there are trains but they are infrequent and slow).
Thanks a lot. Keep doing great job.
Krakow to Lviv
If you do not take the night train to Lviv you have to go across the boarder, by bus or on foot. There is no other way or train. The train rails are a different gage or size so tracks are restricted to special trains. Ukrainian and Russian rails do not match Polish rails. You will have no problem getting to Ivano Frankovsk once in the grand Lviv train station.
The Polish city of Lvov was once the cultural capital of Poland.*
Wake up – Ukrainian city Lviv.
The city had many Polish residence and it was a great time for Lviv as Polish intellectuals lived there. But in the area it was always over 90% Ukrainian in populations. Only the main city center was Polish. I live in Krakow and in the section I live in was the Austrian district, but that does not mean it is an Austrian city.
The good news is today, small minded nationalists are going he way of the dinosaur and a new openness with free movement of labor and capital is the new way.
Krakow to Lviv
Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for your advices and information.
I am going to Krakow the 18th February at 10am and I wanto to go to Lviv to see the town and also to visit a friend, but also I would like to stay, at least, one day in Krakow. My return flight is the 23rd February at 10,20 am.
I would like to know what you recommend me, if going fist to Lviv and return to Krakow the day before I live, so I have one day to visit the city or the opposite?
I have read your information about the day train, but I think that now in winter I will arrive at Lviv by night, so I will spend all day travelling and will lost one day!!! Do you suggest me the day bus?
Other question is about the weather. Whatt would be the temperature in February? Very, very, very…. cold? I do want to take a very light luggage but if the weather is very cold, I will need more clothes! I am from Spain and those temperatures sound to me horrible!
And the last question is about hotel or accommodation. What do you recommend me? I want to stay in the centre in both towns.
Should I change some polish money with me from Spain to buy the bus/ticket, or they accept visa card to pay?
Thank you in advance. I really need your help!
Raquel
Krakow to Lviv
I think the temperature for me will be fine, lets say 0 degrees Celsius at night and up to 10 during the day at the end of February. But for you it might be a little chilly if you are from Spain.
In Lviv stay at hotel Lviv, it is in the center, its cheap and fine. It is not of course a four hotel but a communist retro hotel but for me it is fine. In Krakow, stay at a youth hostel like Hostel Anna for example. But there are a million of them on every street corner. In Poland you are in the EU so Euro or Złoty will be accepted or at least some exchange places are everywhere or use your Visa or debit card. Poland is trustworthy and safe. I use my bank card in Ukraine but you can change cash, but the train and bus stations have horrible rates of course.
Lviv just focus on the old town. I think there is more to see in Krakow even though Lviv is a bigger city. This is because Krakow is set up more for Tourists. Lviv has a wonderful old town too.
I think go to Krakow and take a trip to Lviv. Krakow is pure civilization, like London or Paris or Madrid. Everything is fine and orderly there. Ukraine is fine and safe but more chaotic.
If you do not mind a night bus, it is the cheapest way. You can see the whole city in a day in Lviv, then return at night and do not need accommodations, but it will be tiring. I recommend try to take your time in both cities and take a morning day train, a local to the boarder and walk across.
There are free English tours in Krakow. You can look them up online.
Ask any questions you need to. I can guide you depending on your purpose. If it is to see religious things, I can make recommendations, if it is too meet people, I can make recommendations also. People have positive thoughts about Spanish people here.
Krakow to Lviv
Thank you Mark for your quick reply.
I have been talking with my friend just a few minutes ago, and I think I will spend the 18th on Krakow and then take a night bus to Lviv because the told me that the daily train to the border take so long time. He took a train in Krakow at 13pm and arrived to the border at 21pm, so I do not want to waste a whole day in the train.
How can I find the Lviv hotel in Internet, could you send me the url?
Your comment about that Lviv, and Ukraine, are more chaotics liked me very much and helped me to take a decision. I really like the chaotic places at least in my holidays to disconnect the normal life!
I am going to try to find the Lviv Hotel and I will let you know. I suppose you can book it online!
Thanks again,
Raquel
Krakow to Lviv
It is funny, I can not find this easily, I have always just walked there from the train station. It is behind the Opera house. There are many nice places, but I think that is a cheap one and more for Ukrainian and Russian travelers which for me is a plus, it makes it more interesting. They are nice there, just very Ukrainian looking.
Let me know how you do on your trip from Krakow to Lviv. I am curious about your impressions of each city and how they compare.
That´s good! I want to feel the real Ukranian life!
But, how can I book the hotel in advance? Could you send me some information about how to find it in Internet? Or maybe you can give me the address… although if is written in ukrainan I will not understand anything!!!
You say that is cheap. How much it cost? The only thing I would like is that the bedrooms has a private bathroom, and of course I want to be in the centre!
Of course I will tell you my impressions…
Krakow to Lviv
Dear Mark,
We go in may with eight motorbikes and one car to Poland. We consider to travel from Krakow to Lviv, and then the next day from Lviv to Lublin.
The question is how long it will take us to cross the border.
Would be great if you could answer this.
Kind regards,
Ben Rogmans (Netherlands)
Since you are foreigners, that is not Ukrainian or Polish they will move you ahead of the line in many cases if you travel on foot. I on my US passport and even my Polish passport was advanced in the line. The reason is many people in line travel back and forth daily to sell things. These are the people that really cause the lines. By road on the other hand it all depends. I have moved as fast as 1/2 hour and as long as 3 hours. Some people tell me nightmare stories of 5 hours or more, but never had that problem.
Krakow to Lviv
Quick question about this journey. I will be traveling with a medium sized suitcase because I am doing some trainings in Poland, but will be going to Lviv for fun. Will I have enough room on the buses or will it be too cramped or too much of a hassle to hold/pull my luggage at the border?
Thank you.
Well you are asking the wrong person. I travel with nothing but the clothes on my back and small laptop size bag. Even when I was a consultant and traveled five days a week for business, this is how I traveled. I packed really only a change of underwear. I use one good bar of high quality soap and a toothbrush.
When I first hitchhiked around Europe in the 80s I learned that luggage or my back became my worst enemy. So yes it is no problem at all to have luggage on the bus etc, but do you really want to? They have a luggage compartment underneath. I bring back groceries in fact, there is a food store by the bus station in Lviv and you can get all kind of good Ukrainian food cheap.
Krakow to Lviv
Thank you Mark. I understand and I can travel that way, but I will be presenting in 2 cities and need to be prepared for that. I think I will still go via bus rather than overnight train, but I was just curious to how big those buses were.
Sadly, it isn’t a question of want, but it will, in fact, be the way it is.
The bus from Krakow to Lviv is like a normal tour bus. There is plenty of room in the over head storage and under the bus for luggage. Some will have a bathroom but the older ones might not. But you will have a stop at the boarder and one other place and if you really need to go, tell the bus driver he will stop. Just do not drink a lot of water before the trip.
But it is comfortable and everything is fine and easy. Once you get there you will be in the Lviv bus station and have to take a van to the center, which is about 10 minutes lets say. Everything is possible. I remember hiding my pack in some bushes and exploring the city without my pack. I have done this many times when traveling if I take too much junk.
Krakow to Lviv
Mark,
Thank you for your help. I am looking forward to going to Lviv. It should be fun! Any suggestions outside of the usual?
David
You will love it. My friends just got back and they said it was amazing. If you are going to Lviv all I can say is got to the chruches, eat local food at the student bar the Polish cemetary has so many famous Polish people there. If you have any problems contact me directly via e-mail or on skype.
If you have lots of time take a train to Ternopil and you can take tours of the Ukrainian countryside etc. Anything you want to know ask me.
Krakow to Lviv
travel
What is the quickest way to get from Lviv to Lublin to Warsaw? Is there a bus?
Yes there is a bus from Lviv to Warsaw and one to the Polish boarder to Lublin. Not a problem, trains, bus, vans, taxi, hitchhike. I know people who have safely and cheaply done all. You can even pay some guy with a car and he wll be happy to drive you. Many options. But why not a bus? It is cheap and direct. If you need more flexibility take a van to the Polish boarder and from there in Przemyśl you can go anywhere in Europe.
Krakow to Lviv
Do you know if there is a bus in Lviv that goes to lublin? Is there a website?
You can get to Lublin one way or the other, there are plenty of Busses that go there in Poland. I do not know directly from Lviv. You can check pks.pl it has an English page. I do not think there is a direct Ukrainian connection but you can check Ukrainian sites and use a translate tool.
Comment on Krakow to Lviv
Hi Mark,
I am planning for a trip
1 July 2011 from Zamosc to Lviv
4 July 2011 from Lviv to Krakow.
What is your recommedation to go from Zamosc to Lviv ?
I read from many forum that there is a long queue at the border going from Krakow to Lviv, but is there also a long queue for the opposite direction from Lviv to Krakow ?
I may wanna take a direct bus from Lviv to Krakow. Do they check the passport on the bus or we have to get down the bus for passport check ?
Krakow to Lviv
The only transport they check your passport onboard is the overnight train. All others there will be a line at boarder contol. On a bus they have a line for buses and you have to get out of the bus and walk though a boarder check.
I like to take a van to the boarder and to walk across and flash my US passport and they let me go ahead as a tourist of the other people in line who go back anf forth everyday to trade. Most of the delay are peddler doing small trade in tabacco. So if you can take a bus to the boarder, walk across and say you are a tourist and show a US or UK passport, you can cut in line. I normally never cut in line for anything but this is different. The other people go back and forth everyday.
But either way, it takes a couple of hours max even if you do not cut in line, in which case it should take only 1/2 hour. All depends on the day and time you cross, but it is part of the process and an experience in itself. It is the same thing if you go to Mexico from the USA or to Canada or ten times worse. So if you cross an international boarder do not expect to go right though. But the good news is it is not that bad and can even be a fun experience. I would take a bus to the boarder and walk across then take a van. That is how I do it, but all options are good.
Krakow to Lviv
Krakow to Lviv to Ireland
Hi Mark,
I’d like to travel to Krakow from Lviv. Then in Krakow I’ll take a plane to fly to Ireland. The question is my luggage, can I bring any alcoholic drinks and some packed food over the border? Would they check it and maybe take it off me in the airport when passing through the security point or not? I usually fly from Ukraine and there was never a problem with this, saying this I took about five bottles of different drinks.
Thanks for any suggestions
Krakow to Lviv
Crossing International boarders, limits and customs Ukraine, Poland
Crossing the border to Ukraine you can bring:
Food is never ever a problem in Eastern Europe. They have laws on the books but they care nothing about food. All they care about is alcohol or antiques and tobacco.
About alcohol:1 liter of wine, 2 liters of beer, 2 liters of strong alcohol.
Food 50 Euro – Never had a problem with any food.
Out of Ukraine to Poland it is about the same.
.5 liter of the hard stuff, 5 beers, 2 liters of wine. This is legal and duty-free.
The exiting countries do not care of course what you bring out it is only the countries that you are bringing things into. It is important you understand that.
You can fill your suit case with things from Ukraine and the Ukrainian customs could care less, they might even help you load it to the plane.
However, on the way into another country, people do care as the laws are set up to generate duty or taxes on luxary or pleasure items.
In fact, this use to be the primary way countries made money.
I have never had a problem personally. I have taken all kinds of things over all kids of international boarders in large quantities. The one and only time I ever had a trouble was I had one Pomegranate when entering the USA and they gave me a hard time about it and of course confiscated it with a harsh warning.
However, I one time had a whole large suitcase full of olive oil and it was leaking across the airport and not one cared.
That being said
I know there is a limit, but if you are from Ireland they are checking you. Who they are checking is Ukrainians and Poles who make a living from crossing the border and selling things.
I think two bottles are for sure OK. Five bottles, I still think it is OK or you pay a small tax. But I have seen them take things from people but these are smugglers.
But the reality is they do not check foreigners, more Ukrainians. In fact when I walk over the border many people ask me to carry things across.
I do not as I do not know what else could be included. Let me know if I am wrong, but when I fly out of Ukraine they do not check anything. Polish border guards are more strict and they do check everything. They are very set up for this as this is a EU border and they have the responsibility of the whole EU.
However, when I fly into Poland from Western Europe they have never checked me. It is only boarder guards to and from Poland on the Polish side.
Krakow to Lviv
Krakow to Lviv to Gorodnek
Want to thank you for all the great advice on this website. Thinking of travelling to Lviv and Krakow in October. What kind of weather do you think we should expect. I hear you are having a warmer than usual fall. Also, do you have any advice about getting from Lviv to Gorodnek.
October is like New England or cooler, do not go by what we are having now. It is still summer. October can be cool and wet, but not always, some days are warmer and sunny. It is so hard to predict but I would say that this area of the world is cloudy and damp so be prepared for cool damp weather in the upper 40s.
Ask me any questions about this if you need more detail.
Gorodnek is close to Lviv there is a bus and maybe even a train that goes there, then take a cab to the village of your family or what you want to explore, But I am pretty sure there is a train that does though there or close enough.
Krakow to Lviv
At the border
Hi Mark,
I am going from Krakow to Lviv on the 27th and I will use the Przemysl method. My dad explained me how to get there and cross the border by foot and he also told me to cut the line and say I’m a student. My question is about the line-cutting. What am I really meant to do? Do I just walk in front all the people who wait in line, tell them all they should let me pass first becquse I’m a student/tourist/whatever and then take the first spot? I hope you have enough time to answer. If I leave Krakow airport at 1 pm, how safe do you reckon it would be to do this trip (knowing the fact that I travel alone, am a girl and have only some elementary knowledge of the ukranian language)? Thanks!
Krakow to Lviv
Your Dad is right, listen to your father
We cut in line because most of the line are Ukrainian and Poles who cross the border everyday selling things. They make their living bringing lower priced Ukrainian products to the Polish border and crossing back again. They do this everyday of the week and really slow the crossing down for students and tourists. You can just say you are tourists and they move your up. It is total chaos at the border with people asking you if you can carry things across for you or people waiting. But do not be intimidated. I have no problem asking to be moved ahead.
I have two passports and speak Polish and English and I just spoke in English and played like an innocent tourist. But I think they will let anyone, students and Poles move ahead as you are not part of the daily tobacco trade. I have no problem cutting morally as these people are selling things that I can not agree with. I know they are making their living this way but it promotes something bad.
So just talk to one of the people in charge and so can we please move through the line.
Even if you have to wait it is not that bad.
Krakow to Lviv
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