Katowice Airport to the High Tatras: crossing from Poland

Route A: via Zakopane and the Polish side

This works if you are sleeping in Zakopane or going on to Morskie Oko and Kasprowy Wierch, both on the Polish side. From Katowice Airport a car heads south toward Kraków or Chabówka and on to the mountains. Public transport options include the airport rail link and bus lines; connections to Zakopane typically pass through Kraków or Chabówka. Zakopane is a twin town of Poprad, which hints at the cross-border ties, but there is no simple rail line across.

Route B: into Slovakia for Poprad, Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica

For Slovak resorts, a car crosses the border either through a Tatra border crossing near Zakopane or by going south from Katowice through the Czech Republic and Žilina, then east along the D1 to Poprad. Which road is quicker varies with traffic. Estimates are three and a half to four and a half hours; we could not verify an exact figure, so check a map app on the day. From Poprad, the narrow-gauge Tatra Electric Railway connects the resorts. See Poprad, Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica.

Border crossing facts

Poland and Slovakia are in Schengen, so there is normally no passport control, but temporary checks have been introduced at various Schengen borders from time to time. Carry your passport or ID card, and for drivers, the rental agreement allowing travel to Slovakia. You also need the Slovak vignette for motorways; see Slovak vignette and driving in Slovakia. Poland uses the złoty, Slovakia uses the euro, so keep small euros for lifts and huts.

Choosing a side

Zakopane suits visitors who want a livelier town and Polish mountain food. The Slovak side suits hikers who want higher peaks and quieter resorts: the Gerlachovský štít is about 2,655 m, and the area has 29 peaks over 2,500 m. Read High Tatras, things to do and Kraków to High Tatras, which covers a neighbouring route.

Airport and flights

Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport is in Pyrzowice, about 30 km north of Katowice, near the A1 motorway and S1 expressway. Wizz Air has a main base, with Ryanair and LOT also serving the airport. If you fly with a low-cost carrier and your flight is cancelled, see Wizz Air delay compensation and Ryanair delay compensation. For flights within Slovakia, see flights to Poprad-Tatry.

Tips

• Ask for a driver who has made the Slovak crossing before in winter.
• Tell the driver your resort and which side of the mountains you want.
• Buy mountain insurance before you leave, see hiking insurance.
• Pack cash in small euros and a power bank for the phone.