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Getting in
The most convenient and quickest option to get in from the airport is via Uber or Bolt. If you're able to carpool with at least one other conference attendee, it's definitely worth it over public transit. Alternatively, you can take the public transit, preferably by train. Note that the hotel is a bit far out of the city, so it ends up being much longer to take public transit and not significantly cheaper. You can purchase your tickets at the airport train station.
If you're coming via train, public transport is the best bet. There is tram (no. 52 direction: Czerwone Maki P&R) going from the main train station directly to the hotel. You can purchase your tickets from the machines at the tram spot, or on the tram itself.
Weather
Krakow is remarkably bleak in January, with little sun, occasional heavy snow, and low temperatures (in 2024, there were a few days with a low of -18 degrees Celsius). Please pack some warm clothes!
Getting around
Public transit is a great option. There are many trams going directly to the city. You can purchase tickets from the ticket machines, and often directly on the tram itself. The hotel is essentially at the end of the line, and it takes two stops to get to the university, so you are unlikely to be controlled, but please buy a ticket anyway to avoid a nasty fine. You can use the app Jakdojade (the name means something like "how will I get there?") to preload tickets. Alternatively, if you are travelling with a local, it is easy for them to purchase tickets for you via local apps and you can pay them back.
The cute logo of the tram is the "Lajkonik", one of the symbols of the city (the story behind it is perhaps less cute).
Please note that trams generally stop running after 11pm. After 11pm, taxis will be generally your only option. Uber or Bolt are convenient ways to do this, and are relatively inexpensive, particularly once you carpool with others.
Breakfast
This should be included as part of your hotel. Alternatively, there are bakeries en route to the university as well as supermarkets.
Lunch
The most convenient options are the cafeterias on campus. It's a fixed price menu: you get a soup, a main dish, a salad, and kompot (a simple cordial-like drink). The cafeteria workers often do not speak English, but you can easily get by with pointing.
Another option is the supermarket (Kaufland) next to the campus. There is a bakery as well that sells wraps.
The conference will have a lot of attendees, so please try to avoid flooding the cafeterias! There are several of them on campus that you can find with Google maps.
Dinner
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Las Weges: only 15 minutes walk from the department, you can find a vegan restaurant.
📍 Roberta Jahody 2, 30-348 Kraków -
Industrialna: small pizza restaurant 15 minutes walk from the department.
📍 Zygmunta Miłkowskiego 21/U3, 30-349 Kraków. -
Cafe Zakrzówek: cafe with spectacular views over the Zakrzówek park, 20 minute walk from the department. They serve sandwiches and cakes.
📍 Wyłom 22, 30-373 Kraków.
Food delivery
Another convenient option is food delivery services. There are many apps, such as Uber Eats, Glovo, Pyszne (Just eat).
Pierogi
These are the iconic dumplings of Poland. You must not leave Krakow without trying them! Note that the most popular varieties are vegan, so there's truly no excuse. You can purchase them uncooked from many vendors and cook them in the hotel, as they just need to be boiled. Note that the supermarket ones (particularly the frozen ones) are of much lower quality than from other vendors or restaurants.
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Obi-Wan Pierogi: small pierogi joint 15 minute walk away form the department. They do not have tables inside but you can take away both boiled and raw.
📍 Kobierzyńska 113, 30-382 Kraków -
Pierogi Mr. Vincent: small pierogi restaurant in Kazimierz. The offer ranges form the classics to some innovative options.
📍 Bożego Ciała 12, 33-332 Kraków
Zabka
A local institution is Zabka (the name means "little frog"). This is the analogue of 7/11 and the franchises are remarkably numerous. They are convenience stores and sell food, snacks, drinks, alcohol, and cigarettes. If you're looking for a snack, try one of their hot dogs.
Pharmacy
There is one between the university and the hotel, and one next to the Kaufland near the campus. Note that prices can be inexplicably high even for basic medicines, so it is recommended to stock up before you get to Poland.
Online delivery
It's remarkably fast in Poland, and extremely convenient due to the package collection spots. If you purchase something online, try to use a Polish website and choose a package machine as the delivery option (Allegro boxes, InPost, DHL). You may need a Polish number in order to actually collect the box. In that case, try to coordinate with a local to help you out — they just need to give you a code to collect your package.