Quick answer
Katowice Airport (KTW) is in Pyrzowice, north of Katowice. To reach Katowice, take the metropolitan bus line AP from outside the terminal; any Transport GZM ticket is valid, and a 120-minute ticket costs 7 zł (6.60 zł bought electronically). To reach Kraków, take a private airport shuttle timed to flight arrivals, or go to Katowice first and continue by train. The airport also has its own railway stop, Pyrzowice Lotnisko, with regional trains towards Tarnowskie Góry, Częstochowa and, on weekdays, Katowice and Gliwice.
Katowice Airport serves the whole of Upper Silesia and is a popular, often cheaper alternative to flying into Kraków. It is not in Katowice itself but in Pyrzowice, in the countryside to the north, so plan your onward journey before you land. This guide covers buses, trains, shuttles and taxis to Katowice and to Kraków.
From Katowice Airport to Katowice
Bus AP: the standard way
The metropolitan public transport authority, Transport GZM, runs line AP between the airport and central Katowice (stop Katowice Sądowa, by the city’s bus station). The journey takes about 30–40 minutes. Other metropolitan lines connect the airport with nearby cities:
| Line | Route |
|---|---|
| AP | Katowice (Sądowa) – Katowice Airport |
| M11 | Katowice – Siemianowice Śląskie – Piekary Śląskie – Ożarowice |
| M14 | Gliwice – Zabrze – Bytom – Tarnowskie Góry – Mierzęcice |
| M19 | Sosnowiec – Będzin – Mierzęcice |
Which ticket to buy
All Transport GZM tickets are valid on the airport lines. For a single trip to Katowice, choose a 120-minute ticket:
| Ticket | Paper | Electronic |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 4.60 zł | 4.20 zł |
| 40 minutes | 5.60 zł | 5.20 zł |
| 120 minutes | 7.00 zł | 6.60 zł |
| Day ticket (Dzienny) | 13.00 zł | – |
| Metrobilet 24h (also valid on regional trains in the metropolis) | 24.00 zł | – |
Electronic tickets bought in the Transport GZM app are slightly cheaper and are valid from the moment you buy them. A paper ticket from a machine must be validated when you board. More on fares, apps and the Metrobilet in our guide to public transport in Katowice.
Taxi or ride-hailing
Bolt and Uber operate at the airport, and taxi firms take bookings in advance. Expect to pay well over 100 zł to Katowice: one taxi company quoted about 130 zł for the trip. Give your flight number when booking so the driver can track delays.
By train from the airport station
Since December 2023 the airport has had a railway stop, Pyrzowice Lotnisko, served by Koleje Śląskie, the Silesian regional rail operator.
- S9: Częstochowa – Pyrzowice Lotnisko – Tarnowskie Góry, about ten pairs of trains a day.
- S14: Gliwice – Tarnowskie Góry – Pyrzowice Lotnisko, Monday to Friday, five pairs of trains a day.
- A weekday line via Katowice and Katowice Załęże to Gliwice, with two pairs of trains a day since July 2025.
Trains are handy for Tarnowskie Góry, where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Historic Silver Mine, or for Częstochowa. For Katowice itself the bus usually runs more often. Check the current timetable in the Koleo app.
From Katowice Airport to Kraków
Many visitors to Kraków fly into Katowice. There are two practical ways to continue:
- Airport shuttle bus. Private operators run coaches timed to flight arrivals, waiting outside the terminal after baggage claim and ending at the main bus station in Kraków. The road journey takes around two hours. Book in advance, because seats bought from the driver depend on availability; check the operator’s website for current prices and times.
- Bus AP to Katowice, then a train to Kraków. Regional trains and PKP Intercity trains run between Katowice and Kraków Główny throughout the day. Modernisation of the Katowice rail hub means some trains take longer or are diverted, so check the journey time in Koleo when you book. See our guide to trains in Poland.
A taxi to Kraków is possible but expensive; it only pays off for a group sharing the fare.
Tips for arrival
- Install the Transport GZM app and the Koleo app before you fly, so you can buy tickets with your card as soon as you land.
- Late arrivals: check the last departures of the AP line before booking a late flight, or plan a taxi.
- Need a Polish SIM card? See our practical guide to Poland.
FAQ
Is Katowice Airport in Katowice?
No. It is in Pyrzowice, north of the city. By bus it takes about 30–40 minutes to central Katowice.
Can I use a Kraków ticket on the airport bus?
No. Katowice Airport is served by Transport GZM, the Silesian metropolitan network, which has its own tickets.
Is there a direct train from Katowice Airport to Kraków?
No. Go to Katowice first, by bus or by the weekday train, and change there.
Last checked: 17 October 2026. Timetables and fares change; check Transport GZM and Koleo before you travel.
Sources
- Transport GZM: lines to the airport (in Polish)
- Busy Śląsk: line AP and which ZTM ticket to choose (June 2026) (in Polish)
- Katowice Airport: Koleje Śląskie launch new routes to the airport (July 2025)
- University of Economics in Katowice: travel information
- In Your Pocket: Katowice Airport to Kraków shuttles
- PKP Intercity: 2025/2026 timetable for Lesser Poland (in Polish)