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Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow: Zakopane and Gubalowka in a Day
A Tatra Mountains tour from Krakow is an 8 to 9 hour guided day by coach to Zakopane, usually with the Gubalowka funicular for the view. Prices run from $19.50 to $25 per person. Zakopane lies 100 km south of Krakow, so the road eats most of the day. This page compares the tours, shows which fees you pay on top and explains what is closed right now. If you want the wider range, start with a zakopane day trip from krakow.
Quick answer Price, length, what is extra
A Tatra Mountains tour from Krakow takes 8 to 9 hours and costs from $19.50 to $25 per person. Expect about 2 hours each way on the road, which leaves 5-7 hours on the ground. The funicular and park fees are usually paid in zloty on the day.
Key takeaways
- Compare the Tatra Mountains tours by price, length and rating.
- See which fees come on top of the tour price.
- Check what is closed in November, including the Gubalowka funicular.
- Weigh a tour against the train before you book.
Which Tatra Mountains Tours from Krakow Can You Book?
Every card is a coach day from Krakow to Zakopane. They differ in what gets added: the Gubalowka funicular, a cable car, or the Wielka Krokiew ski jump, and in how long you are away.
from $25
Lowest price on GYG
Zakopane, Tatra Mountains and Gubalowka Day Trip
A classic Zakopane day without the pools: 2 hours on Krupowki and an hour up on Gubalowka.
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from $25
Ski jump included
Zakopane and Tatra Mountains Tour with Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump
The classic day plus the Wielka Krokiew ski jump, with the funicular ticket and the tasting in the price.
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from $19.50
Lowest price
Zakopane and Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow with Cable Car
The lowest price here for a guided Zakopane day with the cable car ticket and a cheese tasting included.
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from $20.84
Longest free time
Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Gubalowka Funicular and Hotel Pickup
Three hours of free time in Zakopane, the most on any classic day here, with the funicular ticket included.
Check AvailabilityHow Do the Tatra Mountains Tours from Krakow Compare?
Prices run from $19.50 to $25 per person and every tour offers free cancellation 24h.
The table sets the tours side by side by price, length, rating and the extra the title adds to Zakopane.
Price, Length and Rating
Prices are per person, and each rating and review count is the operator's own. The day lengths run from 8-9 hours to 9 hours, so the choice rests on the add-on and the price.
Zakopane, Tatra Mountains and Gubalowka Day Trip has the most reviews at 1,781. Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Gubalowka Funicular and Hotel Pickup is the one to pick if you do not want to walk to a meeting point.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zakopane, Tatra Mountains and Gubalowka Day Trip | $25 | 9 hours | 4.7 (1,781 reviews) | Gubalowka in the title |
| Zakopane and Tatra Mountains Tour with Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump | $25 | 9 hours | 4.8 (1,038 reviews) | Wielka Krokiew ski jump |
| Zakopane and Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow with Cable Car | $19.50 | 8-9 hours | 4.8 (1,323 reviews) | a cable car in the title |
| Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Gubalowka Funicular and Hotel Pickup | $20.84 | 9 hours | 4.8 (520 reviews) | funicular and hotel pickup |
Source: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka.
Giewont and the Zakopane foothills seen from a viewpoint above town. Photo: Janusz Maniak (rndr_foto), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
How Many Hours Do You Actually Get in the Tatras on a Day Trip from Krakow?
With about 2 hours each way, you have 5-7 hours on the ground.
The drive is the biggest cost of a Tatra day from Krakow, and it decides what you can fit in.
Road Time and Ground Time
Zakopane is 100 km south of Krakow, about 2 hours by bus or tour coach. That leaves 5-7 hours on the ground if you want to be back for a reasonable evening. That is enough for the Gubalowka funicular, Krupowki Street and a tasting, but not for a long hike.
The Gubalowka funicular ascent takes approximately 3-4 minutes, and tickets are valid all day with unlimited stay time. The funicular runs non-stop on busy days and otherwise every 15 minutes, so queues are short.
On your own, direct buses from the Krakow MDA Bus Station run every 30-60 minutes, and the PKP Intercity Pendolino takes 1 hour 57 minutes to Zakopane. Either one hands you a few more minutes in town, but not the tour's pickup and coach.
Sources: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, PKP Intercity.
What Does a Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow Not Include?
The tour price may not cover the Gubalowka funicular, the park entry or a cable car, so budget for them in zloty.
Local fees are set by the official bodies and paid on top unless the tour card says they are included.
Fees You May Pay on the Day
The table lists the official fees in zloty. On a similar Zakopane day with Discover Cracow, the funicular at 42 PLN per person is paid on the day. Check each card for what the operator includes, since inclusions differ.
The Kasprowy Wierch Tourpass includes the Tatra National Park entrance. Children up to 4 years old ride the Gubalowka funicular free on the guardian's ticket.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gubalowka funicular, return, low season | PLN 42 at the ticket office, PLN 37 online | PLN 34 reduced at the office |
| Tatra National Park entry, single day | PLN 11 | PLN 5.50 reduced |
| Kasprowy Wierch cable car, return, low season | PLN 129 | PLN 109 reduced, includes park entrance |
| Morskie Oko e-bus, Palenica Bialczanska to Wlosienica | PLN 69 | Suspended for snow |
Sources: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, Tatra National Park, Polskie Koleje Linowe, Kasprowy Wierch, Tatra National Park.
What Is Closed on a Tatra Mountains Tour in November?
The Gubalowka resort is closed from 16 to 27 November and the Morskie Oko e-buses are suspended for snow.
Check these closures before you pick a date, because they change what the day looks like.
Funicular, Cable Car and E-Buses
The Gubalowka resort is closed for technical maintenance from 16 to 27 November, with replacement coaches to the summit from 9:30 to 19:00. Ask your operator what replaces the funicular on those days. The Butorowy Wierch chairlift is closed from 16 to 28 November.
The Kasprowy Wierch cable car is taken out of service for maintenance every May and November, and it does not run in wind above 20 m/s, icing or temperatures below -28 °C. The halny wind blows on average 80-100 km/h with gusts often reaching 140-150 km/h, and it blows mainly in spring and autumn. A view or a ride is never guaranteed.
Because of snow on the road, TPN suspended all e-bus rides to Morskie Oko from 14 November until further notice.
Sources: Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka, Tatra National Park, Tatra National Park, Tatra National Park.
The Tatra Museum building in Zakopane, dedicated to Tatra nature and Highland culture. Photo: Igor123121, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Can You Reach Morskie Oko on a Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow?
Not on the coach days above, because TPN recommends at least 7 hours for the Morskie Oko trip alone.
Morskie Oko needs a different tour type from a Zakopane day.
What the Lake Day Needs
TPN recommends planning at least 7 hours for the Morskie Oko trip: about 2.5 hours each way on foot plus about 2 hours at the lake. The walk from the trailhead is an asphalt road of about 8 km. From Zakopane to the trailhead at Palenica Bialczanska it is more than 20 km one way.
With 2 hours on the road each way, a lake day from Krakow is a long one. Look at the tours with a lake stop in the similar-tours list, such as Morskie Oko and Zakopane Tour from Krakow at $258.39 for 12 hours. Those prices are private or small-group, so they are not comparable to the coach days.
Source: Tatra National Park.
Is a Tour Better Than the Train for a Tatra Mountains Day Trip?
A tour is better if you want transport and the funicular sorted, and the train is better if you want your own hours.
Both reach Zakopane in about 2 hours, so the real difference is what you do after arriving.
What Each Option Gives You
The Pendolino takes 1 hour 57 minutes and PKP Intercity runs 9 daily pairs plus 2 seasonal pairs of trains between Krakow and Zakopane. You then pay the funicular, 42 PLN at the office, and walk to the lower station yourself.
A tour with hotel pickup such as Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Gubalowka Funicular and Hotel Pickup removes the walk to the station and the return timing. Skip a coach tour if you plan a full hike, since 5-7 hours on the ground is too short.
Sources: PKP Intercity, Polskie Koleje Linowe, Gubalowka.
Tatra Mountains Tour Questions
How long is a Tatra Mountains tour from Krakow?
The tours here run 8-9 hours or 9 hours. See the comparison table.
How far is Zakopane from Krakow?
Zakopane is 100 km south of Krakow, about 2 hours by bus or tour coach. Read how many hours you get.
Is the Gubalowka funicular open in November?
It is closed for maintenance from 16 to 27 November, with replacement coaches from 9:30 to 19:00. See the closures.
Do I need a Tatra National Park ticket?
Anyone entering the park on any trail must buy an entry ticket, which costs PLN 11 for a single day. See the fees table.
Can dogs go on a Tatra Mountains tour?
Dogs are banned in Tatra National Park, and a dog on the Gubalowka funicular needs a PLN 5 ticket one way with leash and muzzle. Read the fee notes.
Is the Tatra Mountains tour from Krakow worth it?
It is worth it for a first Zakopane day with the funicular, not for a serious hike. See the tour list.
More Guides
- Gubalowka Funicular: Tickets, Hours and What to Do on Top
Gubalowka funicular in 2027: return ticket PLN 42 at the office, closed 16 to 27 November. See what to do on top and check dates.
- Things to Do in Zakopane on a Day Trip from Krakow
Things to do in Zakopane in 2027: day tours run 9 to 11 hours, so pick two or three stops. See lifts, baths and Morskie Oko.
- Oscypek: What Is Zakopane's Smoked Sheep Cheese and Where to Taste It
Oscypek in 2027: the protected cheese must hold at least 60% sheep milk. Learn to spot a real one and where to taste it.