Kraków 2025-04-23
Balice Airport Railway Station.
Geographic coordinates: 50.078N 19.786E. Elevation 241 m.
Koleje Małopolskie.
On December 2, 2013, Koleje Małopolskie was established by resolution No. XLIV/705/13. The founding body was the Małopolskie Voivodeship Self-Government. For the needs of the carrier, the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolskie Voivodeship purchased three PESA Acatus Plus EZT EN-64 trains, which were leased by Koleje Małopolskie. PESA is a Polish manufacturer of modern trams and trains, which is headquartered in Bydgoszcz. Currently (2025), Koleje Małopolskie has 30 EZT (Electric Traction Units) trains. All trains were built by Polish factories PESA Bydgoszcz and NEWAG Nowy Sącz. The trains are certified for a speed of 160 km/h, although in fact they could travel at a speed of 220 km/h. Additionally, Koleje Małopolskie has buses that transport passengers on sections where track or other rail infrastructure is being repaired.
On October 1, 2024, a contract for 6 EZTs was concluded between the Małopolskie Province and NEWAG. The total value of the contract was PLN 341 million. The trains will be delivered in 2026.
In 2025, Koleje Małopolskie will launch 190 train journeys daily. These include the following connections: SKA1 Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia – Kraków Główny – Kraków Lotnisko. SKA2 Sędziszów – Kraków Główny – Oświęcim. SKA3 Tarnów – Kraków Główny – Oświęcim. Kraków Główny – Nowy Sącz. Kraków Główny – Jasło. Jasło – Krynica Zdrój. Kraków Główny – Zakopane.
SKA1 Kraków Airport – Kraków Główny – Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia is the first line launched by Koleje Małopolskie. On 14 December 2014, the Kraków Główny – Wieliczka section was launched, and on 28 September 2015, the Kraków Główny – Balice Airport section was launched. This shift resulted from the deep modernisation of Railway Line No. 118 Mydlniki – Balice. Travelling by train is definitely the most effective, usually the fastest and cheapest way to get from Kraków Airport to the centre of Kraków or vice versa. Almost the entire route is double-track, with the exception of the Kraków Bieżanów – Wieliczka section. Additionally, the Kraków Główny – Kraków Zabłocie section is four-track. Thanks to this, SKA1 trains run on schedule, without delays.
SKA1 route: KRAKOW AIRPORT – Krakow Olszanica – Krakow Zakliki – Krakow Młynówka – Krakow Bronowice – Krakow Łobzów – KRAKOW GŁÓW – Krakow Grzegórzki – Krakow Zabłocie – Krakow Płaszów – Krakow Prokocim – Krakow Bieżanów – Krakow Bieżanów Drożdżownia – Wieliczka Bogucice – Wieliczka Park – WIELICZKA RYNEK MINE.
Tickets can be purchased from machines at stations and on trains, from the conductor (cash or card) online and traditionally at Customer Service Points. Currently, on the Krakow Główny – Airport section, a single ticket costs PLN 7, and a monthly ticket costs PLN 145. Travel time 20 minutes. On the entire SKA1 route, a single ticket costs PLN 24, and a monthly ticket costs PLN 170. Travel time 40 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes. There is no fee for luggage. There is a fee of 3 PLN for transporting a dog. The trains are equipped with air conditioning, power sockets, WiFi and ticket machines. All trains also have places for disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility (PRM).
Written by Karol Placha Hetman