Zakopane & Thermal Baths Day Trip from Krakow
At a glance
What makes this tour different
Zakopane and the thermal pools in one relaxed day, with the transport, tickets and timing taken care of.
Your day, step by step
A sample plan with approximate times; we confirm the exact times after you book.
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8:00
Pickup from your hotel in Kraków and the drive south to Zakopane.
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10:00
Zakopane: a walk along Krupówki and a look at the Zakopane style, the town's own wooden architecture.
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11:30
Tasting of highland cheeses: oscypek and other cheeses from Podhale.
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12:30
Free time and lunch (at your own expense).
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14:00
Thermal pools, usually at Chochołowskie Termy in Chochołów, about 20 km from Zakopane.
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16:00
Departure for Kraków.
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18:00
Back at your hotel in Kraków.
Before you go
A few practical things for the day.
Pack a swimsuit, a towel and flip-flops, plus a bag for wet things.
Zakopane is cooler than Kraków and mountain weather changes quickly. In winter, wear warm shoes with a good grip.
There are plenty of places to eat on and around Krupówki. Market stalls and small eateries often prefer cash (PLN).
If you would like to ride the funicular up Gubałówka in your free time, the ticket is extra, at the PKL fare.
Thermal baths sometimes close for maintenance. In that case we take you to other thermal baths in the area and let you know before the trip.
Who is this tour for?
A great fit if you
- Want Zakopane and an afternoon in warm thermal pools in one day
- Enjoy regional food, especially cheese
- Prefer a relaxed day to a mountain hike
- Want a private tour just for your group, with door-to-door transport
Perhaps reconsider if you
- Are mainly after a proper mountain hike
- Would rather not spend around 2 hours in the minivan each way
- Do not enjoy swimming pools
Meet your guide
In Zakopane your guide shows you the town: Krupówki, the Zakopane style created by Stanisław Witkiewicz and the food of the górale, the highlanders of Podhale, from oscypek to the other cheeses you will taste.
Plan the rest of your trip
Ready for Zakopane and the thermal baths?
Book your date for a private day of highland culture, cheese and warm water. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Full details & FAQ
About this tour
A private day trip from Kraków that pairs Zakopane, the mountain town beneath the Tatras, with an afternoon in thermal pools. It is only for your group: we pick you up at your hotel in Kraków in a private minivan and bring you back in the evening.
In Zakopane your guide takes you along Krupówki, the town's lively pedestrian street, and shows you the Zakopane style, the wooden architecture that Stanisław Witkiewicz developed at the end of the 19th century. Then you taste oscypek and other highland cheeses, and there is free time for lunch and a look around the stalls.
In the afternoon we drive to Chochołowskie Termy in Chochołów, about 20 km from the centre of Zakopane, which the operator calls the largest thermal pool complex in Podhale. Your entry tickets are included in the price. If the baths are closed, for example during a maintenance break, or if it is needed for another reason, we take you to other thermal baths in the area. From the pools we drive straight back to Kraków.
Highlights
- Thermal pools at Chochołowskie Termy, entry tickets included
- Krupówki, the lively heart of Zakopane
- Zakopane-style wooden villas and the story of Stanisław Witkiewicz
- Tasting of oscypek and other highland cheeses
- Private tour for your group only, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kraków
What's included
- Private minivan transport from Kraków
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kraków
- Guided sightseeing in Zakopane
- Tasting of oscypek and other highland cheeses
- Entry tickets to the thermal pools (Chochołowskie Termy, or other thermal baths if needed)
Not included
- Meals (apart from the cheese tasting)
- Gubałówka funicular (optional, at the PKL fare)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
Hotel pickup
We pick you up from your hotel or apartment in central Kraków. Exact time after booking.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
What to Bring
- Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops
- A bag for wet swimwear
- Warm layers and comfortable shoes (with a good grip in winter)
- Cash (PLN) for lunch and small purchases
Accessibility
If walking is difficult for you, write to us before booking and we will check what can be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Are the thermal bath tickets included?
Yes. Entry tickets to the thermal pools are included in the tour price, together with private transport, the guided walk in Zakopane and the cheese tasting. You only pay for your own lunch and extras.
Which thermal baths do we go to?
Usually Chochołowskie Termy in Chochołów, about 20 km from the centre of Zakopane. According to the operator, the water in the pools is 32 to 38°C. If the baths are closed, for example during a maintenance break, or if it is needed for another reason, we go to other thermal baths in the area and tell you before the trip.
Is the tour private?
Yes. Only your group travels in the minivan with the guide; we do not add other guests.
What should I bring?
A swimsuit, a towel and flip-flops for the pools, and a bag for wet things. For the walk in town, wear warm layers and comfortable shoes; in winter, shoes with a good grip.
When is the best time to go?
Any season works, because the afternoon is spent in warm water. Winter adds snow, skiing and horse-drawn sleigh rides (kulig) around Zakopane, while spring and autumn are the quietest.
Is there much walking?
Not much. The walk in Zakopane is flat and easy, and the rest of the day is the drive, the tasting and time in the pools.