The balloon has moored again near the former Forum Hotel. The previous one was destroyed by a violent storm
A new balloon has been placed under the Forum Hotel – the previous one was destroyed by a strong wind. Preparations for the return of the sightseeing balloon to this place began already in mid-July. “We have replaced the shell with a new one, there is also a new gondola” – says the owner.
Coming back depends on the Civil Aviation Authority (Urzad Lotnictwa Cywilnego)
The resumption of flights depends on the procedures of the Civil Aviation Authority. “We are doing everything to resume flights within a week” – Marek Kufel from Balon Widokowy tells us. He adds that the balloon that was damaged by the wind was of course insured.
“He was excluded from air operations at the time because we expected storms and gusts of wind, but not on such a large scale. We were prepared for the wind up to 25 meters per second maximum, not 35” – remembers Kufel.
The balloon was damaged on Saturday evening – 13th of June 2020. There were hail and rain and the wind blew at over 120 km/hour!
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, bringing you the latest Krakow News
11 min walk from Torwar – 44 min walk from PGE Narodowy
Dearest hearts,
I had my heart set up on telling you about this place for such a long time. I used to go here twice a year, at least, when going to Warsaw. I usually go for day-trips to Warsaw so I don’t have to stay over, when I have some business at the Romanian Embassy, or when I want to drop by friends. But sometimes, when there is a really good concert – a leg of a tour that does not get to Krakow – then staying over the night is a must.
The usual locations of the big concerts in Warsaw are either PGE Narodowy (eg. PINK’s “Beautiful Trauma” in 2019; Ed Sheeran’s in 2018) or in Torwar Hall (eg. Sarah Brightman’s “Hymn” Tour in 2019, Brian Adam’s “The Ultimate Tour” in 2018). It is crucial to book hotels in time, just about the same time when you get the tickets for the concerts, as everything around the venues goes as fast as warm bread!
The Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum rooms are quite small but clean and well maintained. There is no separate bathroom – the sink is in the same room as the sleeping room, the shower you walk-in from the room. There is a separate small room for the toilet – obviously, there had to be a separate location for that 😉
Location, Location, LOCATION!
When I’m up to go to a concert I don’t need much – just a good place to lay my head after rocking the night, a good shower, and a decent breakfast in the morning after. But most important: I look for a place that would be walking distance away from the location of the concert.
Why you might ask (if you have never been to a concert)… Well, it is simple, both the PGE Narodowy and the Torwar Hall are huge venues with amazing capacities of thousands of people. Once the show is over, the same amount of people will spill outside to public transport, taxi, or their own vehicles, which usually renders the streets to be packed for 30-45 minutes. Who wants to be a sardine inside a bus, stuck in traffic?!I, for one, always love to walk and walking 11 minutes (if the concert is at Torwar) or 45 minutes (if the concert is at PGE Narodowy) is not that big of a deal!
Don’t feed the birds! – sign on the window
The cute minimalistic stickers on the doors
Accommodation – Warsaw: Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum
Always book several months in advance
Let’s face it, when booking up your stay in Warsaw, if you are going to a concert, it is best you buy the tickets for the concert at the same time as you would buy the hotel tickets. This way you know you will have a chance to get a good spot. I always like to make reservations for the hotel even before buying the concert tickets 😉 – prevention is key! You and other thousands of people will want to be close to the venue, so don’t fight! stay cool and book in time!
How do I get there?!
Getting to the hotel is not hard at all, no matter where you come from. Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum (ul. Zagorna 1) has easy access to the city center, main train station (Warszawa Centralna), and the Fryderyk Chopin Airport.
Use the bilingual app/website called Jakdojade.PL to search where you wish to go to and which tram/bus/train you should take. First you need to select where you are (noted with A) and then where you wish to go (noted with B) and search
It has pretty good connections by public transport – it used to be only one bus ride but I have recently checked and now you have to switch 2. The ride roughly takes 20-30 minutes and then there is a small walk around the buildings to get to the Hotel. Buses run often – every 10 min or so. There are also parking places, so if you come with your own (or rented) car you can safely park it there.
Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum has 176 double rooms!
The Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum has 176 double rooms, equipped with air-conditioning (perfect for the summertime!). The WIFI is free of charge.
You can check-in online (I always prefer that, as I never know quite when I will get there…). Otherwise, you have to be there to check-in at 12 (or later, you can let them know when booking). The Check-out is up to 12:00 middle of the day. The nice thing about this place is that the reception is open 24h/day. The people at the reception are always very nice and informative. They will always jump in with a free map of Warsaw to show you the best places around and mark them down. They are all English speakers so there is no stress if you don’t speak Polish.
The sad part is that there is no restaurant inside the Ibis Budget Warsawa Centrum, after dark. However, just next door, there is the Ibis Styles where there is a great restaurant you could check out 😉 and have a nightcap.
The IBIS Budget Room
The IBIS Budget Room
The IBIS Budget Room
The IBIS Budget Room
The IBIS Budget Room
Accommodation – Warsaw: Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum
The Breakfast Option
However, the Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum does provide the Bed & Breakfast option. You can choose to add to your bill the breakfast – which is always buffet style. It costs about 27 zlotych per person (August 2020). Breakfast is a free choice of dairy products, meat cuts, cereals, jams/preserves, fruits. They also serve beverages: orange and apple juice, teas, coffees, and the like.
No eggs, nor omelet, pancakes, and so on, unfortunately, and that always made me sad. There is, however, plenty of sausages (PL: kielbasa) and ham (PL: wedlina). It is a bit overpriced, as at that money you could go to Old Town and get something nicer. But, if you are too lazy… it is a perfect choice 😉
The rooms
Inside the Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum, the roomsare always clean and fresh toiletry (2 soaps) provided. The rooms are not soundproof but that has never been a problem. I am a light sleeper and never have I ever been woken up by any noise here. Not even when just next door they were working still on the Ibis Styles.
Beds are quite austere, but conforming to the price of the room. Mattresses are thin, beds have no suspensions whatsoever so no jumping on them! The sink is in the same room with the bed, so the first time the experience can be quite awkward. I always prefer to take the room for myself only. I do not see myself sharing it with anyone else… next to the sink and bed, there is a small place for the shower that is walk-in. The toilet is in its own closed space, thank God!
The hotel rooms have also TV/radio and I always like to put in RMF Classic to relax. The average prices, if you book in time, are about 30-35 € per night. It can get even lower nowadays, with all the #Covid19 lack of booking. People stopped visiting so the prices do go down a bit…
TIP FOR COLD WINTER NIGHTS: Coming at 12 midnight or later on from the concert, you can always make yourself a hot tea at the lobby area, for just 5 zlotych, to warm yourself up. The lady at the reception will help you out 😉 There are also shelves with books/magazines you can take away and read for the period of your stay.
Bottom line! I am waiting for concerts to happen again and for sure I shall stay there again 😉
DISCLAIMER: I was not payed in any way to do this review. I thought travellers to Warsaw might like to know more about the accommodation options. There you go 😉
Today I thought I might do something special with you: take you on a ride of 30 Typical Things One Could Do In Krakow 🙂 if ever you are in the area. These things are something that I do quite often, things that a local (a Cracovian) would do, things that you should also try (at least once) in order to feel the vibe of the city. So without further ado… here is the list:
Rynek Krakow: Sukiennice and Mariacki
Old Town and its Pigeons
Rynek Krakow and the Pigeons
Walking down Florianska Street – Krakow
St. Mary’s Church – Krakow
The Florianska Street, Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
On Florianska Street – Krakow, Poland
The Royal Route to the Wawel Castle starts on Florianska
1. Enjoy the view of the Barbakan (The Barbican) – the fortified outpost is a great spot to take many lovely pictures or just rest on a bench in the Planty area (the green park/circle around the Old Town). #DidYouKnow it is one of only 3 such fortified outposts still surviving in Europe? And it is also the best-preserved one!
2. Start the Royal Tour on the Royal Road that links the Barbakan – Brama Florianska (St. Florian’s Gate) – Florianska Street – Main Square to Grodzka – Wawel Castle. If you live in Krakow you probably lost count of how many times you want by foot on these cobble-stoned roads.
3. Enjoy the little entrances and pieces if unique architecture on the Florianska street – don’t just look at the shops (they will stay there for the next time you will pass through), but raise your eyes to the first floor or even above and see all the beautiful bits and pieces from the facade. These buildings have survived centuries and have so much to tell!
Vie of Mariacki Kosciol from the Underground Museum in Krakow, Poland
4. Make sure you get in front of the Mariacki Kosciol (St.Mary’s Church) a few minutes before the hour strikes and you listen to the Hejnal – it does have it is own legend 😉 so make sure to read it! When the trumpet stops paying, wave to the man in the tower – if he waves back it brings good luck!
5. Go inside the Mariacki Kosciol and listen to the ceremony. You might not understand it, but if you sit quietly and you pray, you might want to look up to the sky (that is… the ceiling). The ceiling is all blue, like the sky at dawn, and there are hundreds of sparkling stars on it. It was painted by the great Polish Painter: Jan Matejko.
Krakow’s Main Market Square and its pigeons
6. Do not feed the pigeons! Only the foreigners, the visitors do that, and it is something that is very much frowned upon nowadays. They are called “Flying rats” as they love to spread the diseases…
The view from Cafe Szal (Sukiennice) – Krakow, Poland
7. Get on the 1st floor of the Sukiennice (The Cloth Hall) – the entrance on the Mariacki Church side, close to the middle. Take the stairs/lift up to the 1st floor and enjoy a szarlotka (that is Polish for apple pie) at Cafe Szal. The view is AMAZING!
8. If you are at the Main Square at lunch, you need to drop by the Pod Sukiennice and have a traditional meal. Sundays the specialty of the house is rosol (that’s is Polish for chicken soup/broth with noodles).
They also have a mean Creme Brulee in Charlotte 😉 – Plac Szczepanski, Krakow, Poland
9. If you are around the Main square at breakfast time you can queue for something really nice at Charlotte, on Plac Szczepanski. The place does not take reservations and it is always full so you will have to stand in line… but they do have homemade goodies!
10. You should take a small detour to the Jagiellonian University quarters and listen to Gaudeamus Igitur and typical Polish song played by the clock inside the Collegium Maius courtyard. It plays at 11, 13, 15 o’clock each day. Not many know about it, it is a hidden gem. It is not like the Prague astronomy clock but still, it is worth your time 🙂
Hot chocolate at Nowa Prowincja – Krakow, Poland
11. If the weather outside is gloomy, raining, or freezing cold… I always like to head over to Nowa Prowincja. It has the best hot chocolate in town! They come with whipped cream and sour cherry alcohol inside!
12. Many locals also prefer the Pijalnia Czekolady Wedel when they wish for chocolate or they have a sweet tooth. You can order chocolate to go, or you can have it on the spot at the Main Market Square or in Galeria Krakowska.
13. As we are still on the topic of food, I believe it is worth mentioning one of the best homemade food places in Krakow: Babcia Malina (that is Polish for Grandmother Raspberry). There are 2 places: one on Slawkowska and one just in front of the Juliusz Slowacki Theater. You can always order take-away (we do that often…). They have the best deep-fried meat pierogi & the best zurek in town!
St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Grodzka – Krakow, Poland
14. Have a look at the only baroque church in Krakow: St. Peter and Paul’s Church (Sw. Piotr i Pawla) on Grodzka. The front always remained me of the Vatican DO let me know if you get the same vibe from it 🙂
15. Go visit the “Kings of Old” – The Wawel Cathedral holds the tombs of all the Kings and Queens of Poland. It is worth your while, just for the history lesson alone.
16. Go see the biggest bell in Krakow (probably of all Poland!): Sigismund Bell. It rings only on special occasions. The Bell used to ring when a King would die or when a new one would be coronated; it also did for the death of Pope John Paul the 2nd. It is said that if a young maiden touches it, then luck will come upon them and they shall be married within the year! The bell takes at least 4 grown men to start moving it…
A view of the Wawel Cathedral – Krakow, Poland
17. If it is summertime, take a stride in the inner garden and courtyard of the Wawel Castle. In springtime, when the magnolia blossoms, it is indeed a sight for sore eyes!
18. If you are a yoga/pilates enthusiast, you might like to know that one of the 7 chakra points in the world is located inside Wawel’s Castle inner courtyard. There are many people who come visit, lean against the wall, touch it, stroke it, and “get inspired”!
19. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love museums. Every Sunday the Krakow National Museum branches are open for free. Mondays they are usually all closed down, resuming the activity fresh Tuesday morning. Visiting museums for free, on Sunday’s, is a very local thing 😉
The mummies at the Czartoryski Museum – Krakow, Poland
20. If you are in love with paintings, you should know that “The Lady With The Ermine” by Leonardo Da Vinci (his second most famous painting after the “Mona Lisa”) can be found at the National Museum in Krakow. And you can see it way more up-close-and-personal than the Smiling Mona. It is not crowded and miles away!
21. In love with history and especially ancient history? Then you should definitely drop by and check out the mummies (including one of a cat!) & read parts of The Book of Dead at the Czartoryski Museum.
22. A stroll along the Vistula River is always a very pleasurable thing to do. You can admire the sunset over the water and feed the swans or the seagulls.
23. Visit the KładkaOjca Bernatka – the “pedestrian bridge only” in Krakow. It also is named Love Locks Bridge as people tend to put locks and throw away the key (in the name of love). At nighttime it is very colourful and the artistic sculptures/installations make it even more attractive.
Vistula River & Kładka Ojca Bernatka- Krakow, Poland
24. Do go and pay your respects at the Plac Bohaterow Ghetta (The Square of The Heroes of the Ghetto). #DidYouKnow that each chair there signifies 1000 of people that were killed in the labor camps of Auschwitz and Plaszow? Do not sit on them – it is disrespectful!
25. If you enjoy StreetArt, Krakow has some amazing pieces to offer for the eye – most of them are in Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgorze. Take the stroll along the Vistula River, as I have mentioned, and you will for sure see the floating pink pig on the waters… funny thing 😉
Kazimierz Mural – Krakow, Poland
26. A very local thing to do, when going out to part in Kazimierz, is to drop by and eat sausage from the communist blue van. Located in front of Hala Targowa, the van can be found during the weekends – it is hard to miss out on it, just follow the people queueing in! They may not be the best ones, but they are a 40+-year-old tradition. The place has been there since the 80s!
27. Partying in Kazimierz is a must, and the fast-food of choice is always the same: zapiekanka at Plac Nowy. That is kinda like a pizza… a baguette sliced in half – the long way – and with a lot of toppings. People say that Endzior makes the best, but I have found that others in Plac Nowy make great ones too. Also… when you are hammered… they all taste the same!
28. There are 4 mounds in Krakow – Polish people name them Kopiec.My favourites are Kopiec Koszciuski and Krakusa – pick one that you would like and make sure you get there before sunset. Sunset on Kopiec gets you a large view of the city and peaceful surroundings where you can enjoy the sun setting down – great photo opportunities also!
29. Enjoy one of the smaller movie theatres and forget those Multiplex, Multikino, Cinema City huge spaces. Go local and enjoy a more intimate space, smaller and different from the rest you can choose from Kino Ars, Kino Pod Baranami, Kino Agrafka, Kino Kijow… They show European selection of movies as well 😉 in Kino Pod Baranami I was even able to see Romanian movies with Polish subs!
Mushrooms hand-picked locally – Nowy Kleparz Market – Krakow, Poland
30. Shop locally – at least while in Poland, make sure you try out the local markets. Don’t go buying things from big chains (Carrefour, Auchan) but support the local economy by purchasing products from the local farmers. Make sure you have change though, as you cannot pay by card there. In Krakow, I recommend 2 markets very close to the Old Town: Stary Kleparz and Nowy Kleparz. In Kazmierz you can try Plac Nowy or Hala Targowa.
Wild City – Mural in Krakow – Rondo Mogilskie // Photo courtesy of 101 Murals for Krakow
The Wild City – The Nature up close
The “Wild City” mural is yet another artistic piece in Krakow’s cultural landscape – located on Rondo Mogilskie. The new mural is designed to divert the attention of passers-by from the concrete city and show how various species of wild plants and animals live around us. They are the main heroes of the new work. On the painting you can see, among others wolves, lynxes, bears, bats and bison.
We do not forget about the huge threat to the continued existence of these beings in the world. Therefore, the mural is supposed to cause reflection on the place of nature in the city and make the recipients aware that if we give it more space, it will repay us with colors, smells, sounds, fresh air, beauty and unique aesthetics.
Agnieszka Słabowska from the project “101 murals for Krakow”
Wild City – Mural in Krakow – Rondo Mogilskie // Photo courtesy of 101 Murals for Krakow
How did the Mural “Wild City” came to life?
The mural created at the Mogilskie roundabout (Rondo Mogilskie) is part of the cooperation of the “101 Murals for Krakow” project, councilor Małgorzata Jantos and the Medicine brand. The project was prepared by graphic designers who design clothes every day – Olga Mulica, Joanna Short, Paulina Czak, and Piotr Jakób.
I would like the Mogilskie roundabout to be a gallery under the open sky. Once I organized there mosaics of Wyspiański and Mehoffer, then more murals of Beata Śliwińska, Natalia Rak and Mikołaj Rejs were created. We also want to renew the demolished mural showing poster paints.
Councillor Małgorzata Jantos
The “Wild City” bag in Medicine Online Shop 🙂
Buy your own “Wild City” bag from Medicine!
As Medicine is the sponsor of the lovely mural, you can “buy” a piece of art from their shop – be it socks or cotton bag – with the graphics from the “Wild City” mural. Have a look here.
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, Bringing You The News In Krakow 🙂
More than 100 million PLNis needed for the Fast Agglomeration Railway in the direction of Nowa Huta (7 stops). This cannot be built without EU subsidies. Councillors will therefore appeal to the prime minister, ministers and the EU commissioner for transport to provide financing for this investment from EU funds planned for 2021-2027.
The SKA Project: Balice – Nowa Huta line – Krakow, Poland
Fast Railway is a priority for Krakow Public Transport
The development of the Fast Agglomeration Railway is one of Krakow’s transport priorities. One of the variants assumes the extension of SKA by the Balice – Nowa Huta Przyczesości line. There are 7 stops to be built along the route: Prądnicka, 29 Listopada, Prądnik Biały, Jagiełły, Kocmyrzowska, Lubocza and Nowa Huta Przyside. Over PLN 100 million is needed for their construction.
EU Help Is Needed!
“Further development of the SKA network in Krakow depends on the city’s ability to raise funds for the construction of new stops. That is why it is fundamental to place this task in the new EU financial perspective for 2021-2027” – we read in the motion for a resolution which will be adopted by the Krakow City Council at the next session. The project was submitted by the councilors of the Platforma club. Modern Civic Coalition.
Construction of railway stops is not the task of the city. But Krakow co-finances their construction as part of Integrated Territorial Investment Strategies for the Krakow Functional Area. This is how stops are built in Swoszowice, Prądnik Czerwony, and the estate Piast. The cost of their construction is about 82 million PLN, 70% covered by the EU subsidy from the Regional Operational Program of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship for 2014-2020.
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug Bringing You The Latest Krakow News
In Krakow, there are mobility points where it will be possible to rent and put away electric scooters. However, there are still no national regulations that are supposed to sort out the issue of riding e-scooters.
Info taken from Gazeta Krakowska (Online News Page in Polish Language)
Currently there are no e-scooter regulations in Krakow
There are still no nationwide regulations on using electric scooters. Therefore, among others there are dangerous situations with their usage in the public places. E-scooter riders can now drive at any speed, and sometimes pedestrians are hit. The issues that the inhabitants of Krakow point out, among others, is the fact that in Krakow people leave the scooters anywhere: on sidewalks, in rubbish bins, etc. You can even trip over them and get badly injured!
That is why the officials of the City of Krakow have decided not to wait for nationwide regulations, but rather take the matter into their own hands!
New regulations for e-scooters in Krakow will come soon!
There are several companies in Krakow that rent scooters. We have consulted with them on the provisions that are to make the capital of Małopolska safer.
Sebastian Kowal from the Public Transport Authority
There are even Tours in Krakow – e-Scooter Tours – that give you the option to drive safely (helmet included) and learn more about this Magical City 😉
What would the new regulation entail?
Speed Limit
The new regulation includes limiting the speed at which it will be possible to travel in places with heavy pedestrian traffic.“This includes Planty, where you will be able to drive at a maximum speed of 15 km/hour. Most scooters have special devices installed, thanks to which – if someone exceeds speed in such a place – the vehicle will automatically slow down” – emphasizes Kowal.
Mobility Points
In addition, there are so-called mobility points – “there will be over 150 in total, and maybe more. Locations mostly duplicate those where Wavelo bicycle stations used to function (no longer available in Krakow). They have already been designated in Śródmieście, but they will be in every district. It will be possible not only to rent but also to leave an electric scooter” emphasizes Kowal. Thanks to this, scooters should disappear from sidewalks, rubbish bins, lawns, etc.
Special Application for the e-scooters in Krakow
The user of an e-scooter must have a special application downloaded to use it. This is where we find a map that will show where the nearest point of mobility is. “We hope that if we set the mobility points, the problem with the clutter in the road lane due to scooters will be eliminated” – officials are acknowledging.
Still waiting on nationwide regulations
We still have to wait for nationwide regulations.
“Due to the increasing popularity of personal transport devices (such as scooters) in road traffic, the Ministry of Infrastructure is working on legislative work to define road traffic rules for these devices”
Ministry of Infrastructure
The draft regulations assume that the scooter will be rideable at a maximum speed of 25 km/hour. Scooters are to be treated as bicycles.
Have you ever took a ride on a e-scooter in Krakow, or anywhere else in Poland? Have you also noticed them lying anywhere the rider stopped? I also find it rather infuriating… I wonder of the developments fo this new way of public transport…
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, Bringing You The Latest Krakow News
The 20-minute ticket, which now costs 3.40 PLN, will be converted into a 10-minute ticket for 3 PLN. A 50-minute ticket for 4.60 PLN will be replaced by an hourly ticket for 6 PLN. However, a monthly ticket for all lines on the Krakow Card, which has so far cost PLN 69, will cost PLN 96. Gazeta Krakowska was the first to write about the fact that officials will consider increasing the ticket prices in June. Now they know the details.
Info taken from Gazeta Krakowska (Polish Site for News in Krakow)
MPK_Tram-line-for-11-November_Krakow_Poland
There is no topic today.
This is a city council topic, and they also need data. I don’t think anyone would want to talk about the new fare today. It is known that tax revenues dropped in April and May, but we must see what June frostbite will look like.
Łukasz Franek, director of the Public Transport Board, told Gazeta Krakowska firmly in June when they asked about increases.
Officials are thinking about increasing the ticket prices
From Gazeta Krakowska’s unofficial information from several sources, it appears that officials were considering the issue of increasing ticket prices. These would cover season tickets. The idea of eliminating tickets for one line or even two comes back. Single tickets would also increase in price or stay at current prices, but with less time. Gazeta Krakowska now has confirmation of this.
The New MPK Ticket Fare Proposal – Krakow, Poland
New Ticket prices – see below
The single ticket for 6 PLN (now 4.6 PLN)
10-minute ticket for 3 PLN (now 20-minute ticket for 3.6 PLN)
90-minute ticket for 8 PLN (now 6 PLN)
There will be no more monthly tickets for 1 or 2 lines!
Current monthly ticket for all lines (with Krakow Card) in Strefa I = 69 PLN. It will cost 96 PLN (Strefa I) and 110 PLN (Strefa I and II).
This is a preliminary proposal, for now, nothing binding. Councilors will make the final decision, they will be able to agree on different variants or not. We do not impose any variants
Sebastian Kowal from the Public Transport Board, who prepared a preliminary draft of increases
MPK – Trams in Krakow – The Valentine’s Special Tram
New ticket proposals – see below
A new feature that may appear is the possibility of buying a half-year ticket for all lines on the Krakow Card (i.e. for people paying taxes in Krakow) for 480 or 550 PLN (Strefa I and II).
Zone III is also to be a novelty – these are the farthest regions outside the city, where now public transport is coming from Krakow. A monthly ticket for the 1st zone, excluding KK, will cost 128 PLN, for the 2nd zone – 96 PLN, for the third – 69 PLN. On the other hand, a ticket without Karta Krakowska for Strefa I and II will cost 146 PLN (the same for zones II and III), and for all zones 166 PLN.
Additionally, the tariff will include a monthly social ticket for 30, 50, and 70 PLN (for zones I, I and II, I, II, and III) and an activation ticket for the unemployed for 50 and 100 PLN (zones I and II and II).
MPK_Trams In Krakow_The New Lajkonik Tram – Poland
Why will the prices increase?
Officials explain that increases are necessary because of the coronavirus epidemic that plowed urban transport systems.April data shows the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the ticket sales – only 4.12 million PLN, compared to 23.76 million PLN in April 2019. It was a bit better in May – 8.89 million PLN (over PLN 16 million less than in May last year).
Now data from June is available. At the end of the second quarter, monthly revenues from ticket sales (this applies to both one-time and network tickets purchased this month) in Kraków amounted to 13.2 million PLN. It is over 4 million PLN more than in May, but it is still very little. In June last year, this amount was 22.7 million PLN.
We estimate that by the end of the year, the revenues from tickets will be at the level we forecast, i.e. in autumn they will reach 70 % of the amount before the pandemic and we will lose 100 – 140 million PLN by the end of the year.
Łukasz Franek, the director of the Public Transport Board
Already in this year’s city budget, a public deficit of PLN 300 million was planned for public transport. If the above assumptions are met, then at the end of the year the budget hole in public transport will start to reach half a billion zlotys.
A resident ticket for all lines would increase in price from 69 to 96 PLN (for Strefa I), by almost 40 %. The people of Krakow are under shock and already started to protest the incoming changes. How are they to blame for the Global Pandemic?! Why should the prices rise and were there any changes brought by MPK to the Public Transport of Krakow? Of course there are a couple of new trams and investments are being made, but does that reflect the huge changes in the prices of the tickets!?
In Poznań, for a monthly ticket for all lines within the city limits you have to pay about 150 PLN, in Wroclaw 90 PLN, in Gdańsk 99 PLN, in Łódź 96 PLN. In Warsaw, as in Krakow, residents can count on a discount – they pay 98 PLN for a ticket for the near and distant zone, while the standard ticket price for zone 1 is PLN 110.
What do you think of these incoming changes? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, Bringing You The Latest Krakow News
District I Council – Old Town passed a resolution with a request to introduce an electronic passenger counting system in public transport vehicles. Councilors argue that such a solution would be very helpful during the coronavirus pandemic.
The new Lajkonik trams already have an electronic passenger counting system. Hence the idea to use it in other public transport vehicles in Krakow. This would help in these times of pandemic, where there are restrictions on the number of people who can ride trams and buses. One could display how many seats are available in vehicles
Jacek Balcewicz, the councilor from the District I Council – Old Town, initiator of the resolution in which councilors from the first District requested the Public Transport Board (Zarządu Transportu Publicznego) to implement an electronic passenger counting system in public transport.
MPK – Trams in Krakow – The Valentine’s Special Tram
How could this help?
“Such a system in trams and buses would also help a lot in creating timetables. Based on the data, it could be determined what number of vehicles is needed on given routes to meet passengers’ expectations” – adds Councillor Balcewicz. In his opinion, it is better to spend money once to install an electronic passenger counting system than to commission such tests every time.
“It should be borne in mind that manual counting of passengers by employees may be affected by an error. It is not always easy to accurately count the number of people getting on and off eg a tram when there are many passengers. For this, you still need to employ people controlling whether people to count passengers do it in accordance with the contract. Later, such results go to analysis, everything lasts a long time, and having data from electronic counting you can react faster” – emphasizes Councillor Balcewicz.
How could it help in the case of a pandemic?
In the justification of the resolution, the councilors from District I emphasized that the lack of a passenger counting system was apparent during the restrictions imposed by the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. “It happened that the police intervened by ordering the number of passengers to leave the tram. In turn, passengers getting into the vehicle were not aware of exceeding the allowed limit, because no one informed them about it, and the individual counting of passengers inside during a short stop at the bus stop was practically impossible” – stressed councilors from District I.
MPK Special Tram Line for the 11th of November – Krakow, Poland
How could it help the Municipal Transport Company – MPK?
“An efficient passenger counting system will also contribute to the rational management of rolling stock and substitution of vehicles with the capacity expected by passengers, and thus the rationalisation of the costs of public transport, which is a priority in the current budget situation.”
What do officials say?
At ZTP, we were told that they would “work out a position in this matter”.
In the Municipal Transport Company, which buys new trams and buses, they admit that some of these vehicles are already equipped with an electronic passenger counting system. Technically, this means that sensors are installed in the door that records how many people get in and out of the vehicle at a given stop.
“More than 120 buses are equipped with this type of system. As for trams, such a system is in new Lajkonik vehicles and one NGT6 tram” – informs Marek Gancarczyk, spokesman for MPK Kraków.
As for the new Lajkonik trams, 50 such vehicles are expected to reach Kraków – 35 this year and 15 in the first quarter of 2021. Six copies of Lajkonik have arrived so far (the seventh is on the way), and four are already driving on Krakow’s tracks.
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Yours always sincerly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug That Likes Public Transport in Krakow
From July to October, undiscovered corners of the city and well-known cities are waiting for Krakow, which can be visited with a guide and learn their history. 70 free walks as part of the “Be a tourist in your city” campaign will take place on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months.
Monuments, cafes, synagogues, Wawel rulers, Nowa Huta, Young Poland, and Jewish cemeteries – a total of 70 thematic walks with professional guides have been prepared by the City of Krakow and Krakow Festival Office as part of the “Be a tourist in your city – visit Krakow” (PL: „Bądź turystą w swoim mieście – zwiedzaj Kraków”) and “Krakow undiscovered” (PL: „Kraków nieodkryty”).
When will they take place?
Free walks will be organized on Saturdays and Sundays twice a day until October. This weekend they will happen for the first time.
Jacek Majchrowski – President of The City of Krakow – Poland
“Our action aims both to support guides in a difficult time for them, as well as to show Krakow and Krakow residents how beautiful and diverse Krakow is. Even if it seems to us that we know the city where we live every day, I am sure that each of the walks will surprise us with something. That is why today I encourage you to download free tickets for one of 70 walks” says President Jacek Majchrowski.
The first walks will take place this weekend, July 11 and 12.
Each of the walks lasts 2 hours and is conducted in Polish. Free tickets apply. A maximum of 20 people can participate in each of them – of course with all sanitary requirements (disposable headphones will be distributed to participants).
Check the latest news and events over the “Be a tourist in your city – visit Krakow” (PL: „Bądź turystą w swoim mieście – zwiedzaj Kraków”) Facebook page and don’t forget to tag your photos and videos with #badzturystawswoimmiescie and #zwiedzajkrakow 👣👣
Holidays began, more and more people in the mountains. Experienced tourists wander the trails, but also those who are just beginning their adventure with the mountains. They should remember that everything is not allowed in the mountains. There are prohibitions for which you can pay a penalty ticket. This will be issued to us by the Tatra National Park Guard. When breaking several bans, hiking in the mountains can be extremely expensive for us. See what not to do so that you don’t get a ticket.
A shepherd and his flock, up high in the Tatra Mountains – Poland
1. Never Leave The Trail!
Everyone who loves the mountains and has been to the mountains at least once in their life knows that this is rule number 1: DO NOT LEAVE THE TRAIL!
Same goes for Tatra Mountains: stick to the marked hiking trails and don’t go all brave and adventurous. Don’t show off on the mountain or else the mountain will fight back! The mountains are home to wild animals and you need to understand that and protect their homes! The Tatra National Park Guard (PL: Straż Tatrzańskiego Parku Narodowego) always pays attention so do not break the rules!
2. Don’t make loud noises!
Noises are not allowed in the mountains – no shouting, no loud singing, talking loud on the phone, or listening to music with speakers at high volume. This can bother other tourists but will also frighten away wild animals. Pay respect to nature! The deers and squirrels don’t go partying in your home – neither should you party in theirs!
View from the top of the Pieniny – Poland
3. No swimming in the lakes or rivers in the Tatra Mountains!
This ban is broken every year and many pay huge fines, so this rule makes the top 3 – we know it is hot outside and you wish to cool down, but use the shade of the trees and drink some water. Do not take a bath in the nearby stream or lake! You are disturbing the fragile ecosystem with your bodily odors! Besides that, if you are overheated and you jump in the cool water you might even get a thermal shock – and even die due to that!
4. Using drones in the Tatra mountains is forbidden!
Every year, there are people who want to take drones to take photos or films of the Tatra peaks. It is forbidden. Drones fly at low altitudes, make noise, and scare away the animals. This is not allowed, so if you wish to take photos and videos bring your own hand-held camera.
Winter on top of the Gubalowka, Zakopane – Poland
5. Do not open fire in the Tatra Mountains!
It is forbidden to create an open fire (smoke bonfires included) in the Tatra Mountains as – uncontrolled – it can quickly spread and pose a threat to the flora and fauna of the mountains.
6. Dogs are not allowed in the Tatra Mountains!
Dogs are not allowed in the Tatra National Park. People are not allowed to walk with their dogs, no matter how thoroughly trained they may be. We don’t know how our quadrupeds will react at heights. In addition, they can pose a threat to wild animals living in the Tatra Mountains.
A flock of sheep in the Pieniny – Poland
7. Do not litter!
The Tatra Mountains have a ban on littering.
You must not leave garbage on or off the trails. There are no trash cans on the Tatra National Park. Therefore, there are rules in the mountains that what we bring to the trails, we bring back with us.
There are no trash cans because the packaging for food products attracts wild animals – e.g. bears. Romania has plenty of bears, for example, coming to the cities/towns near the forests, and eating away from the trash bins…
Mushroom Picking in Limanowa County – Poland
8. Do not pick mushrooms!
In the Tatra National Mountains it is prohibited to go on mushroom / blueberry picking trips. Collecting undergrowth is prohibited in the mountains. It is an area of strict protection, and therefore mushrooms are protected.
9. No night-travel in the Tatra Mountains!
From March 1 to November 30, it is forbidden to walk the trails at night. When we think of animals leading a night life, we usually imagine owls and bats. Meanwhile, the list of “nocturnal” species is very long. Among them are also those that we see during the day: most rodents, martens, stoats, weasels, shrews, hedgehogs, badgers, wolves, bears, wild boars, roe deer and deer. For “daytime” species, including the majority of passerine birds, the night is sometimes not only rest, but also increased vigilance due to natural hazards (high level of predation). In this situation, a particularly important task of the Park is to provide wild animals with the best possible protection against people disturbing their peace. In the early spring period, the issue of protection is even more important!
Morskie Oko – Tatra Mountains – Poland
10. Scooter ban – as of June 2020
This is the latest ban that came into force in June 2020. The ban applies to the entire Tatra Mountains, although it actually comes down only to the road to Morskie Oko, where it would be possible to move on an electric scooter. According to the park, electric scooters on this route may pose a threat above all to others moving along this route.
So if you are planning on visiting the Tatra Mountains make sure you respect the 10 Tatra Mountain Commandments above, else you will get a fine! Respect the mountains, dress accordingly(comfortable and according to the temperature in the mountains – do some background check of the weather forecast), bring plenty of water (hydration is important), and have a great time!
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