Getting in by plane
Bielsko-Biała does not have its own international airport but is situated relatively near two major Polish airports. Katowice International Airport (Pyrzowice) is around 80 km or 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Bielsko-Biała. Saint Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice is slightly further, around 90 km or a 1 hour 40 minute drive.
Nearby Airports
The airport is served by Polish Airlines LOT, Lufthansa, a number of low-cost carriers such as Wizzair, Ryanair, and Eurowings, and charter airlines. There are daily or weekly flights to many destinations, mainly in Europe, as well a few in Poland.
- Distance: app. 80 km / 1 hour 20 min
- Web: www.katowice-airport.com/en
This airport is the biggest airport in southern Poland and one of the largest in the country. The airport serves numerous regular airlines including Polish Airlines LOT, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines or British Airlines, as well as budget airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Norwegian or Air Berlin.
- Distance: app. 90 km / 1 hour 40 min
- Web: www.krakowairport.pl/en
From the airports to Bielsko-Biała
Unfortunately, there are no easy and cheap transfers between the airports and Bielsko-Biała. Your option is to use public transportation, which isn’t time friendly but will save you some cash or use taxi/pick-up services, which can be expensive but comfortable and quick. You can also rent a car.
From Katowice International Airport by public transportation
1. Take an airport shuttle bus to Katowice Central Station (around 50 minutes) .
– Bus Matuszek, www.matuszek.com.pl, one-way ticket around 20 PLN
– Flixbus, global.flixbus.com/bus/katowice-airport, one-way ticket around 15 PLN
2. Take a train to Bielsko-Biała (around 1 hour)
Train to Bielsko-Biała, one-way ticket from 14 PLN
From Kraków Balice Airport by public transportation
The fastest way to reach Bielsko-Biała from Kraków Balice Airport is to take shuttle bus to Katowice Main Train Station (1 hour) and then train to Bielsko-Biała (1 hour). With good connections, it should take slightly over 2 hours to reach the city. Second option is to take train or bus to Kraków Main Train station (17-30 minutes) and then bus to Bielsko-Biała (1 hour and 45 minutes).
1. Take a local public bus or airport train to either Kraków Main Train Station (a) or to Katowice Main Train Station (b)
a) to Kraków Main Train Station
– Airport train, one-way ticket from 12 PLN, 17 minutes
– City buses 208, 209, 252, 902 (night line), one-way ticket from 4.60 PLN, 30 minutes
b) to Katowice Main Train Station
– Neo Bus, www.neobus.pl, one-way ticket from 22 PLN, 1 hour
– Flixbus, global.flixbus.com/bus/katowice-airport, one-way ticket around 15 PLN
2. Catch a bus/mini-bus or train to Bielsko-Biała
Bus and mini-bus to Bielsko-Biała from Kraków Main Bus Station, one-way ticket 13-17 PLN, 1.5-2 hours
Train to Bielsko-Biała from Kraków Main Train Station, one-way ticket from 15 PLN, 2-3 hours
Train to Bielsko-Biala from Katowice Main Train Station, one-way ticket from 14 PLN, 1 hour
Taxis and pick-up services to/from the airports
Take a taxi or pre-order one before you arrive, it should cost you around 150–200 PLN from Katowice and 170-250 PLN from Kraków. If you have somebody to share it with, your cost will be significantly lower. It takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Bielsko-Biala by car.
Uber – www.uber.com/pl
Free Now (mytaxi)- free-now.com/pl
Bolt (Taxify) – bolt.eu/en/
Jedynka – www.plustaxi.pl
Taxi Pyrzowice – www.taxi-pyrzowice.pl
Transfer Na Lotnisko – www.transfernalotnisko.pl
Taxi Bielsko – www.taxi-bielsko.pl
Taxi Lotnisko Balice – www.taxilotniskobalice.pl
Lider Taxi – www.lider-taxi.pl
Rent a car
Some major international car-rental companies and a few local ones have office at both airports in Kraków and Katowice.
Airlines flying to Kraków and Katowice Airports
If you don’t know which airlines fly to Krakow and Katowice Airports, then check the below lists for more information. The lists don’t contain seasonal and charter airlines.