The overnight train journey from Prague was quite comfortable and I slept well. A small breakfast box was served around 5:30 AM. Our train stopped at Kraków Płaszów Railway Station a little after 6:00 AM and we were asked to move to other forward compartments because only a part of the train would proceed all the way to Kraków Główny Railway Station.
My cabin mate thought it would be better if we took a tram to the main station from there rather than wait for the train to move. So we got down and walked up to the Estakada tramwajowa, a modern elevated tram bridge that offers a unique view of the Płaszów rail yards. We took the tram, but it was going the wrong way and we ended up reaching the last stop. I had time on my hands, so I didn’t mind waiting for the tram to go back. However, my cabin mate decided to take a taxi to his destination and insisted on dropping me off at Kraków Główny, the city’s central station.
Outside the station, I encountered the Monument to Ryszard Kukliński at Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Square. The monument’s striking design—a massive stainless steel arch cutting through concrete slabs—symbolizes the “sword” of freedom breaking through the Berlin Wall.
After reaching the station, I looked for luggage storage and dropped off my duffel bag. Taking only my backpack, I started my day in Kraków. I walked along the Kraków Planty, the lush circular park that replaced the city’s old defensive walls, toward the Old Fire Station. Nearby, I saw the Church of St. Giles adn then reached the Cross of Katyń. I joined the World War II in Kraków tour 🔗 at 10:30 AM.
After finishing the first tour, I enjoyed a nice stroll across the Planty and decided to go to Szalone Widelce for lunch.
I ordered Pierogi, traditional Polish dumplings that were perfectly pan-fried, and a Żywiec draught beer, one of Poland’s most famous brews, to go with them.
After a nice meal, I joined the Old Town Kraków tour 🔗 at 2:00 PM followed by the Jewish Kraków tour 🔗 at 5:00 PM. In the town square, I passed the Miasta partnerskie Krakowa (Partner Cities) signpost, which displays distances to Kraków’s global “sister cities”. I eventually walked back to Kraków Główny and picked up my bag. Feeling quite tired after a full day, I visited Polskie Smaki inside the station for a final authentic Polish dinner.
My bus to Budapest was at 10:50 PM from the Kraków Główny bus station. It was difficult to figure out where the bus would arrive and even when buses got there it was not easy to find out where they were going. Eventually, my bus arrived, and I settled in for the overnight journey to Budapest.