Krakow Airport

Forget earlier comments about leaving it until the last minute before you go through into boarding and the departure lounge. We have just come back from a brilliant trip to Krakow but it did take us 2 hours to get through airport security. Our plane eventually took off one hour late. First there was a mad 'crush' to get to the boarding area followed by long queues to the baggage x-ray machines. This took about an hour and twenty minutes. We then had to queue through passport control. Because all flights were being delayed because of security priority started to be given to certain flights meaning we were being queue jumped making us even later. We didn't clear passport control until 5 minutes after our flight was supposed to leave which caused us a lot of concern especially as there were no announcements telling us the flights were being delayed. Once through passport control we then had to queue to go through another security check during which they checked our hand luggage all over again. I've no problem with all the security but the time to get to the departure lounge took us by suprise. Yes there is nothing in the departure lounges make sure you take something with you to eat/drink and keep occupied with but go through boarding just as soon as you possibly can after checking in. Krakow is wonderful don't be put off by the leaving arrangements incoming was superbly efficient.

I arrived to check-in 2 hours prior to my flight on 29/06 and yet had still to clear passport control at the scheduled time for my aircraft departure! The departure hall was completely full of people and luggage check-in took over an hour. The check-in lady having to physically lift the luggage off the scales. I have never seen such a slow performance. But worse was to come - absolute chaos at the security section. And when I finally got within 1 meter of the security machine it still took 10 minutes to get through. At this stage I had 15 minutes before my depature time (so 105 minutes from arrival to clearing security. My only comfort in these hot crowded conditions was seeing fellow travellers on my flight in the same predicament. Then to join the Passport clearance queue. Cleared that 2 hours after first arrival and at time of my scheduled departure. Plane finally took off 45 minutes late having waited for all its passengers to get through the "airport from hell". Never again for me which is a great shame as Krakow is a beautiful city.

The airport is small but little inviting. It really fulfils all the basic requirements for all international passengers. Check in staff extremely friendly and helpful but unfortunately the immigration officer was a bit weird in a way but he didnt give a hard time. Wide selection of bars and restaurant with reasonable price. Departing from Krakow airport is an unforgetful memory. The best part is going from Krakow city centre to the airport where you have to pay for your luggage too (reminds me of recent Ryanair policy).

Have been through this small and efficient airport many times in the last 6 months. Upon arrivals baggage is usually on the belt within 10 minutes. Staff are courteous fast and efficient. Prices in the shops and cafes are quite reasonable. Getting through the security checks when there is more than 1 flight departing can take its time. After security there is still not much to do except sit and wait for your flight so as mentioned previously try to hold on for as long as possible. Anyhow its always a pleasant experience at this soon to be expanding airport.

As of March 2006 there is still not much past security so don't go through until you have to. It can get incredibly crowded there especially if flights are delayed. In our case there was no announcement that our Ryanair flight had been delayed so we all trooped through as instructed. The check-in staff were very courteous but overwhelmed. The snack bar is quite small for the number of passengers passing through but inexpensive. Baggage handling was quick. Ladies note that the toilets in the baggage hall are very limited so you may have quite a queue. My wife says in future she'll go there as soon as we arrive and by the time she's out the bags should be there.

The renovations in the terminal building have been completed and that the "other-side" through security checks is much larger and more spacious. However there is still far too little to keep a traveller entertained or occupied - one lousy duty-free shop with a poor selection and a couple of coke machines. Also note that there are no screens displaying your gate - check your boarding pass.

This airport seems to be suffering from the success of Krakow as a city break destination. It is ill equipped to deal with multiple departures with not many check-in desks and a barely adequate gate area where seats are at a premium. There are a couple of reasonable restaurants and a few shops landside but hardly anything once you have passed through security and immigration. It doesn't pay to be early at the gate as all the chairs will be taken by those waiting for eralier flights and there is nothing to help you pass the time. To be fair I was there on a Friday lunchtime in the middle of summer - at quieter times the airport would be a pleasant enough experience. Everyone is bused to the aircraft despite the fact that your plane might only be a few yards from the terminal. I suspect that with Krakow marketing itself as the new Prague airport expansion will be not long in coming.

Unless it's been changed since November (2004) you might have a small problem finding the easyjet check in. There were no signs to direct you also the staff did not have on the usual easyjet uniform. It's not a large airport but if you are tight for time (NOT a good thing on easyjet flights!) you could have a problem. As you go through the departure's entrance turn left and go right to the end the check in is on the left.

Fantastic regional airport located a short bus ride from the city. Check-in is generally quick and efficient (there are only transatlantic flights once a week in the summer) and there are enough amenities to keep you busy until your flight leaves. There is a nice observation deck which looks out across the apron however it costs 3zl. A final note; there is nothing to do once you've passed passport control so hold out as long as you can in the main area or on the mezzanine level where there are shops cafes/restaurants.

Small and efficient a nice regional airport. It becomes crowded at times of a widebody transatlantic service departure/arrival (daily service during the summer). Check-in staff friendly and helpful. The business class lounge is on the small side. There is a small snack bar and a duty-free shop in the departure area. A few other shops a restaurant a bank and car rentals in the general public part of the terminal. Boarding is done by busses often they use both front and rear doors to board/de-board a Boeing 737-500 which makes it incredibly fast and easy. Parking is just in front of the terminal frequent public bus service to downtown Krakow (about 12 km the trip on the bus takes 20-30 minutes). Also the airport is 0.5 km away from a motorway exit the A4 motorway brings you into the city of Katowice in about 40 minutes (less than 70 km). This makes the airport a good choice for both Krakow and Katowice bound travellers.