Krakow to Warsaw
Poland Bike Tours
Along the Vistula Cycle Path through the best of Poland
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length8 days
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Prices from€975 Rates
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Overview
This self-guided bike tour in Poland features a portion of the Vistula Cycle Route and links two important and historical cities, Krakow and Warsaw.
The Vistula Cycle Route is one of the most popular in Poland. Its development was a huge project and reflects the wonderful bike-friendly attitude that has grown and developed here. The trail covers a distance of over 1,000 km, starting from the Vistula source in the Beskid Mountains and ending at its very mouth in the Baltic Sea.
You will visit the most important towns between Krakow and Warsaw, dating back to the reign of Kazimierz the Great. Your route also includes the very beautiful and atmospheric, Kazimierz Dolny, perched high above the Vistula river and populated for centuries by artists and artisans.
Ten years after Poland entered the EU, there is still this relatively unknown treasure waiting for cyclists to discover it!
Highlights
- Mystical Krakow & guided city tour
- Vistula Cycle Path
- Guided tour of Wieliczka salt mine
- Przedbórz Landscape Park
- Kazimierz Dolny
- Warsaw & guided city tour
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Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival to Kraków
Day 2. Kraków - Wieliczka - Niepołomice - Niepołomice Forest - Nowe Brzesko, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 3. Nowe Brzesko - Uście Solne - Zalipie - Baranów Sandomierski, 33 mi. (53 km) by bike/ 44 mi. (70 km) by bus
Day 4. Baranów Sandomierski - Gągolin - Sandomierz, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5. Sandomierz - Annopol - Józefów nad Wisłą, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 6. Józefów nad Wisłą - Kazimierz Dolny, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7. Kazimierz Dolny - Nałęczów - train to Warsaw - guided tour of the Old Town, 13 mi. (21 km)
Day 8. Individual departureAll distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions.
Day 1: Arrival in Kraków
Kraków needs no introduction. The capital of Lesser Poland, is one of the oldest cities in Poland and the national cultural treasure. The Old Town, as well as Kazimierz district, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. All the most important landmarks will be introduced to you during a scheduled city tour (included), such as the main market, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Halls, St. Florian’s Gate, and Wawel.In the evening, a stroll in the Kazimierz district is recommended.
Sample accommodation: Hotel Kazimierz, located in the heart of Krakow, a stroll away from the Orthodox Jewish Old Synagogue. The city center is about a 15-minute walk away.
Day 2. Kraków - Wieliczka - Niepołomice - Niepołomice Forest - Nowe Brzesko, 33 mi. (53 km) | Elevation: 132-136 m
In the morning, you will cycle to the Wieliczka salt mine. Here you will enjoy a one-hour guided tour (included). Then, cycling further, you reach Niepołomice, with its XIVth century castle, located just next to the marketplace. Renovated, it is a true highlight of this small, medieval town. For ages, the Niepołomice castle was the royal holiday residence. You then cycle through Niepołomice forest to your destination, Nowe Brzesko.Preferred accommodation: Dom Norberta, a converted 12th-century post Morbertine monastery where an atmosphere of peace and quiet prevail.
Day 3. Nowe Brzesko - Uście Solne - Zalipie - Baranów Sandomierski, 33 mi. (53 km) by bike/ 44 mi. (70 km) by bus | Elevation: 33-62 m
From Nowe Brzesko, you follow the bike path, to eventually reach Zalipie. Highly recommended is a visit to the house of artist Felicja Curyłowa. Your driver will be waiting for you to take you to your accommodation in Baranów Sandomierski. After checking in, be sure to stroll the gardens and around the castle here.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Zamkowy, ideally located in the prime touristic area of Baranow Sandomierski, promises a relaxing and wonderful visit.
Day 4. Baranów Sandomierski - Gągolin - Sandomierz, 22 mi. (35 km) | Elevation: 23-56 m
Today’s route is a short one. Cycling along the Vistula, you will reach beautiful, medieval Sandomierz, with its picturesque old town on the hill. Once a royal residence, it was once an important trading center. Its atmosphere and architecture may remind you of Kraków, although definitely a less crowded one. Sandomierz is located on the border of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains, the Sandomierska Dales, and the Lubelska Upland. The area where the town stands is cut through by a rich network of gorges that can be explored on foot. After checking in to your hotel, you can enjoy a guided city tour which is included in your tour price.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Maly Rzym, located on one of Sandomierz's seven hills, with a beautiful view of the unique Pepper Mountains is your accommodation this evening. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, the hotel is located in a quiet setting far from the main thoroughfares of the city.
Day 5. Sandomierz - Annopol - Józefów nad Wisłą, 33 mi. (53 km) | Elevation 211-246 m
Cycling along the banks of Vistula, you have the opportunity to sight numerous bird species. The Vistula River landscape is rich in mixed woodlands and marshland, home to varied bird and wildlife. This is an ideal destination for nature lovers since the area around Józefów covers as many as three nature reserves.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Bursztynowy, situated on the border of the Wrzelowski Landscape Park, guarantees you uniqueness. It is a newly restored facility on the Vistula and Wyżnica rivers with a beautiful view of the entire river basin.
Day 6: Józefów nad Wisłą - Kazimierz Dolny, 25 mi. (40 km) | Elevation 111-124 m
Your destination today was once an important river port, dating back to the 11th century. You pass first through the Kazimierza Landscape Park. In fact, the entire area of the town is within the area of the park. You can observe many rare animal and plant species here. Kazimierz Dolny is an atmospheric town, known for its rich history, charming old town, renaissance residences, and is surrounded by loess ravines of the park. In the last century, it has been a favorite destination of various artists, whose work is displayed in numerous private galleries. We recommend strolling the streets of Kazimierz, soaking it all in, or take a ferry to the other bank of the river and visit the ruins of Janowiec castle.Preferred accommodation: Hotel Dwa Księżyce
Day 7. Kazimierz Dolny - Puławy - train to Warsaw - guided tour of the Old Town, 13 mi. (21 km) | Elevation 118-164 m
The last day of your cycling adventure brings you to the town of PuławyAt the scheduled time, you will meet your representative at the railway station, receive your luggage and turn over your bikes. You will then take the bus or train to Warsaw. After check-in to your hotel, you will be offered a guided tour of the Old Town in Warsaw. Your tour price includes both the train ticket to Warsaw and the guided tour there.
Preferred accommodation: Hotel Metropol or Hotel Gromada, very conveniently located in the center of Warsaw.
Day 8: Departure
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Map
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Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels and guesthouses. On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. Please note that your final hotel list will be based on availability
Bicycles
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights in local hotels/pensions
- Breakfast
- Bike rental
- Detailed route descriptions
- GPS tracks (if you prefer to use your own smart device)
- Luggage transfer
- Transfer from Zalipie to Baranów Sandomierski on Day 3
- Guided tours in Kraków, Wieliczka, Sandomierz, & Warsaw
- Train ticket from Puławy to Warsaw
- Entrance to Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Local tourist taxes
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- Sightseeing in Zalipie
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
May 18, June 8, June 29, July 20, August 3, August 24 & August 31, 2024
Minimum number of participants: 4
If you are interested in any of the above dates and are less than 4 people, let us know and we will check on the status of your preferred departure.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Twin/double $ 1635 £ 822 $ 1,481 € 975 Ft 407307 kr 145308 ₪ 3717 ¥ 158948 Mex$ 21046 NZ$ 1805 kr 11638 zł 4252 S$ 1403 kr 11473 CHF 929 $ 1,042 Single supplement $ 277 £ 139 $ 251 € 165 Ft 68929 kr 24591 ₪ 629 ¥ 26899 Mex$ 3562 NZ$ 306 kr 1969 zł 720 S$ 237 kr 1942 CHF 157 $ 176 Extra Options
7 gear electric bike rental $ 159 £ 80 $ 144 € 95 Ft 39686 kr 14158 ₪ 362 ¥ 15487 Mex$ 2051 NZ$ 176 kr 1134 zł 414 S$ 137 kr 1118 CHF 91 $ 101 Upgraded electric bike rental $ 300 £ 151 $ 272 € 179 Ft 74777 kr 26677 ₪ 682 ¥ 29181 Mex$ 3864 NZ$ 331 kr 2137 zł 781 S$ 258 kr 2106 CHF 171 $ 191 Dinners included $ 352 £ 177 $ 319 € 210 Ft 87728 kr 31297 ₪ 801 ¥ 34235 Mex$ 4533 NZ$ 389 kr 2507 zł 916 S$ 302 kr 2471 CHF 200 $ 224 -
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This self-guided tour is rated easy to moderate. On each day’s details, you will find the daily distances and elevation gains. The terrain is mostly flat however you will occasionally have hills to contend with.
Airport Info
Because Kraków, your starting destination, and Warsaw, your last destination both have international airports, it is quite practical to fly into John Paul II Internal Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) and out of Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW). However, there is good train travel options between both cities so if you do prefer to fly into and out of the same airport, that is possible as well.
Local Travel
John Paul II International Airport in Krakow is served by three regular Agglomeration Bus Lines; 208, 209, and 252. To get from Warsaw city center to the Warsaw Chopin Airport, you can utilize the air link between the railway station in the city and Warsaw Chopin Airport. If you decide to fly into and out of the same airport, train travel between Krakow and Warsaw on the EIP (Express InterCity Premium) train is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. This is a direct train. There are also IC (InterCity) trains which take much longer (close to 5 hours) and require transfers en route.
Climate
Poland has a moderate climate with both maritime and continental elements. Please see below for average temperatures and rainfall!
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Please check on the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Nature Travel Poland.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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