Free parking in Krakow - comprehensive guide 2024

If you are planning to visit Krakow and are looking for information on where to park your car at no extra cost, this guide is for you. In this article, we will present the most up-to-date information on where to park for free near the city centre and how to avoid high parking fees in the capital of Malopolska.

Paid parking zone in Krakow - what you need to know

Krakow has an extensive paid parking zone, which is managed by the Cracow City Roads Authority. The parking system in the centre of Krakow has been divided into sub-zones and the fee for parking varies depending on the location. In the paid parking area of Krakow, the charge applies from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 20:00.

Current parking sub-zones in Kraków:

• Subzone A (inner city) - highest fee
• Subzone B (centre vicinity)
• Subzone C (adjacent areas)
• New subzone P (Kazimierz and surroundings)

Where can you park for free in the centre of the Malopolska capital?

Although the entire centre of Krakow is covered by a paid parking zone, there are places where free parking can be found:

Surrounding the centre:

1. Parking at the National Museum in Krakow (free parking on Sundays and other days after 20:00)
2. Parking by Galeria Krakowska (free of charge for customers)
3. Designated sites in the vicinity of Adam Mickiewicz Avenue
4. Parking at the Market Hall (free at weekends)
5. Cracow's Blonia area (selected zones)

Free seats at shopping centres:

1. Parking at Galeria Kazimierz (for customers)
2. Bonarka City Center (not limited in time)
3. Galeria Bronowice (24/7 monitoring)
4. Zakopianka Shopping Centre
5. Factory Krakow (large outdoor car park)

Expanded Park and Ride (P&R) system

There is now an extensive Park and Ride system in Krakow, which offers free parking spaces for people using public transport. P&R locations:

1. Kraków Mydlniki Wapiennik

• 200 parking spaces
• Direct connection to the centre by public transport
• 24/7 monitoring

2. Krakow Swoszowice

• 150 parking spaces
• Bus connection to the centre
• Illuminated and guarded car park

3. P&R Maly Plaszow

• Newly opened facility
• 180 parking spaces
• Quick access to the centre by tram

4. P&R Czerwone Maki

• Largest P&R car park
• 300 parking spaces
• Direct connection to the city centre

Free parking at tourist attractions

1. The area around Kosciuszko Mound:

• Upper car park (80 spaces)
• Lower car park (120 spaces)
• Free at certain times

2. Wolski Forest:

• Parking at the Zoo
• Parking area at the Camaldolese monastery
• Several smaller forest car parks

3. Bagry Lagoon:

• North car park
• Parking at the beach
• Places on Bagrowa Street

How do I avoid the surcharge?

If you have entered a car park in a paid zone, you must pay immediately at the parking meter. There is strict monitoring of the parking zone on weekdays in Krakow:

1. Methods of paying the fee:

• Parking meter (payment by card or cash)
• Mobile applications
• Monthly subscriptions

2. Amount of fees:

• First hour: PLN 6 (subzone A)
• Second hour: £7
• Third hour: £8
• Each consecutive one: 6 zł

Alternative parking solutions

Car rental with parking space

1. Slawa Rent - professional car rental offering cars with guaranteed parking space
2. Contact with the rental company - possibility to reserve a parking space

Parking subscription

1. For residents:

• Annual subscription
• Discounts for registered persons
• Possibility of parking in a designated subzone

2. For companies:

• Quarterly subscriptions
• Restricted areas
• Special zones for deliveries

Car parks at stations:

1. Kraków Główny:

• Underground car park (payable)
• Surrounding free zones (after 20:00)

2. Bus station:

• Short-stay parking
• Drop-off points

Transport to the centre from external car parks

Once you have parked in one of the free car parks, you can get to the centre on Krakow's public transport vehicles:

1. From P&R car parks:

• Trams (lines: 3, 6, 11, 18, 52)
• Agglomeration buses
• Possibility to change to other lines

2. From shopping centres:

• Free bus lines
• Regular MPK services
• Stops at car parks

Useful information about parking in Krakow

1. Fee hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 10:00-20:00
• Sundays: free of charge
• Public holidays: free of charge

2. Documents entitling to discounts:

• Krakow Card
• Pass for a disabled person
• Large Family Card

Planned changes to the parking system

The Public Transport Authority of Krakow is planning:

1. New P&R locations:

• Bronowice
• Prądnik Czerwony
• Bieżanów

2. Extension of paid parking zones:

• Dębniki
• Krowodrza
• Grzegórzki

The most common questions about parking in Krakow

Where can you park for free at weekends?

1. All paid parking zones on Sundays
2. Shopping centre car parks
3. Residential areas outside the centre
4. P&R car parks

How do I find out if a place is payable?

1. Vertical markings (D-44, D-45 signs)
2. Information in the parking application
3. Parking meters in the vicinity
4. Map of zones on ZDMK website

Summary

Although parking in Krakow's city centre is a challenge, there are many opportunities to park your vehicle for free. The key is good planning and knowledge of alternative parking locations in Krakow.

If you still have doubts about parking in Krakow or need a car with a guaranteed parking space, please contact our rental company Slawa Rent.

Additional parking tips for tourists

If you are planning a visit to Krakow by car, it is worth bearing in mind a few important points:

1. Peak hours in Krakow:

• Morning: 7:00-9:00
• Afternoon: 15:00-18:00
• Recommended to avoid entering the centre during these hours

2. Popular tourist sites and parking:

• Wawel Castle - car park on Powiśle Street (paid, but close by)
• Main Market Square - recommended car park next to Krakow Gallery
• Kazimierz - car park next to Galeria Kazimierz
• Manufaktura - its own car park for visitors

Alternative forms of transport from P&R car parks

Krakow's public transport system offers a variety of options for getting to the city centre:

1. Fast tram:

• Frequency of service every 4-8 minutes
• Dedicated track
• Air-conditioned vehicles

2. Bus lines:

• Express connections
• Electric buses
• Air-conditioned vehicles

3. Urban cycling:

• Stations at P&R car parks
• Cycle paths to the centre
• Connectivity with public transport

Useful parking apps

To make parking in Krakow easier, it is worth using the tools available:

1. Official application ZDMK:

• Map of available places
• Information on charges
• Payment options

2. Commercial applications:

• Navigation to vacant sites
• Reservation systems
• Mobile payments

Parking at special events

Additional car parks are organised during major events in Krakow:

1. Events at TAURON Arena:

• Temporary buffer car parks
• Special bus routes
• Additional signage

2. Festivals and concerts:

• Dedicated parking zones
• Increased frequency of communication
• Diversions information

Ecological aspects of parking

Krakow relies on environmentally friendly parking solutions:

1. Zero-emission zones:

• Special places for electric vehicles
• Charging stations
• Lower charges for green cars

2. Green car parks:

• Use of permeable materials
• Tree planting
• Water retention systems

Final guidance

1. Parking best practice:

• Arrival at off-peak times
• Planning the venue in advance
• Preparation of alternative sites

2. Emergency solutions:

• List of spare car parks
• Numbers for roadside assistance
• Contacts for municipal services

Remember that the parking situation in Krakow is dynamic - it is always worth checking the up-to-date information before you arrive. If you want to avoid parking problems, consider renting a car with a guaranteed parking space from Slawa Rent - our fleet i customer service are at your disposal.