For some people, it may be confusing how to get to Bielsko-Biala from the airports of other Polish cities, such as Warsaw, Krakow, and Katowice. For this reason, this guide has been created.
It will include information regarding how to get from Bielsko-Biala from the airports of Warsaw, Krakow, and Katowice, through the use of primarily train transportation. Most up-to-date information regarding the timetables and train connections (including the extraordinary situations) can be accessed on the official passenger portal of the Polish State Railways (PKP).
Warsaw:
Arriving at the Warsaw Chopin Airport, make your way to the train station (named Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina) which is practically a part of the airport complex. Guidance marks at the airport should facilitate achieving the station. As the station is a terminus, choosing the right train should not be much of a problem. Most of the trains heading to Bielsko-Biała can be boarded at the Warszawa Zachodnia (Warsaw Western) station, although if you have some time to visit a city, Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central) is also a considerable option.
Trains from the Polish capital to Bielsko-Biała depart a few times a day from both of those. If you need to get there faster and any direct train to Bielsko-Biała is not departing soon, you can take any train going to Katowice and there change to any train heading for Zwardoń, Żywiec or Bielsko-Biała, as all of them stop at your destination. Do mind, however, that such a change will most likely result with switching the train operator to the regional Koleje Śląskie (Silesian Railways) in Katowice – and that you need a separate ticket for that train is of different category. For more information regarding the train departures, you can refer to the timetable posted on each platform or to the passenger portal linked above.
Most of the direct trains from Warsaw to Bielsko-Biała end their route at the Bielsko-Biała Główna (Bielsko-Biała Main) station, so in most of the cases you do not need to worry about missing your stop. Moreover, most of the PKP Intercity trains use voice messages informing the passengers about each stop in Polish and English. Congratulations, you have reached Bielsko-Biała from Warsaw!
Kraków:
Arriving at the Kraków John Paul II International Airport, make your way to the train station, which can be easily accessed from the terminal. The train station Kraków Lotnisko is a terminus and any train going from there can take you to the Kraków Główny (Kraków Main) station.
From the main station, direct regional trains operated by Polregio depart a few times per day. All of them end their route at the Bielsko-Biała Główna (Bielsko-Biała Main) station, so there is no worry about missing the right stop –unless you want, for some reasons, to get out of the train at the Bielsko-Biała Wschód (Bielsko-Biała East) station, which is just one stop before. The train from Kraków to Bielsko-Biała passes through such notable places and cities as: Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (with baroque monastery and pilgrimage park), Wadowice (known as the birthplace of saint Pope John Paul II) or Kozy (the largest village of Poland).
It is also possible to reach Bielsko-Biała using an indirect connection, changing trains in Katowice or Oświęcim – that option might come in hand, as trains there from Kraków depart more frequently than ones to Bielsko-Biała. To choose a connection most suitable for you, we invite you to use the passenger portal linked above.
Adjacent to the Kraków Głowny train station, there is also a regional bus station from where you can take a bus to Bielsko-Biała, if you prefer that mean of transport.
Congratulations, you have reached Bielsko-Biala from Kraków!
Katowice:
As the train line from Katowice main train station to the airport in Pyrzowice is yet under construction, the bus operated by the Metropolitan Transport Authority is currently a default option of accessing the city of Katowice by means of public transport. Arriving at the Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport, make your way to the bus stop which is located near the airport. From that stop, Pyrzowice Port Lotniczy (Katowice Airport) the bus should take you to Katowice and you should get out at the stop Katowice Dworzec. It is recommended that you check the available connections using the official website of the Metropolitan Transport Authority, entering the corresponding date and time that you will be at the Pyrzowice/Katowice airport bus stop.
Once at the Katowice railway station, make your way to the platforms and find a train to Bielsko-Biała. Typically, it will be a regional train operated by Koleje Śląskie (Silesian Railways) with its destination station either as Bielsko-Biała, or Zwardoń, or Żywiec. Usually, they all depart from the platform 1. Make sure to verify the type of the train that you are boarding. Although Bielsko-Biała is destination for both regional and long distance trains, the tickets for the latter can cost several times more. You can find more information on the trains operated by the Koleje Śląskie (and buy tickets online) on their official website.
In order to reach Bielsko-Biała, you should stay on the train until it reaches the Bielsko-Biała Główna (Bielsko-Biała Main) station – unless you want to get out in the northern districts (served by the stops: Bielsko-Biała Komorowice and Bielsko-Biała Północ) or the southern part of the city (served by the stops: Bielsko-Biała Lipnik, Bielsko-Biała Leszczyny and Bielsko-Biała Mikuszowice – 20 minutes on foot to the UBB campus)
Congratulations, you have reached Bielsko-Biala from Katowice!
Important:
In case you are lost or unsure of something, do not being afraid to use the Internet (specifically, Google Maps), as it really is a valuable tool which can not only tell you where you are, but also can inform you about railway and bus connections. Airport and railway staff will also help you if you have any questions.
Below, there are the links to official websites of the transportation companies mentioned above, useful for getting the most up-to-date information and buying the tickets online:
Upon reaching Bielsko-Biała, you may use the official trip planner of the MZK – Municipal Transport Company of Bielsko-Biała. Also, the passanger portal operated by the PKP offers information on all the trains in Poland.
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