Planning a trip to Czestochowa
Czestochowa's helpful City Information Center is located in the center of town (Al. Najswietszej Maryi Panny 65; tel. 34/368-22-50; www.czestochowa.pl). This office tends to have more information in English on the town and the Jasna Góra monastery than the smaller Jasna Góra Information Center located in the monastery itself (Kordeckiego 2; tel. 34/365-38-88). If you plan on doing a thorough tour of the monastery, consider renting audio headphones from the Jasna Góra info center (15 z), which takes you on a long but helpful tour of the monastery and its many rooms and chapels.
Getting There
By Train -- Czestochowa lies on main train lines, with hourly train service to Katowice and several fast connections a day to Wrocaw, Warsaw, and Kraków. The train station, the Dworzec PKP (Al. Wolnosci 21/23; tel. 34/376-14-00), is situated in the center of town, about 2 blocks off of the Al. NMP and about 25 minutes on foot to the Jasna Góra monastery.
By Bus -- The main bus station, the Dworzec PKS (Al. Wolnosci 45; tel. 34/379-11-49), is about 183m (600 ft.) beyond the train station, about 10 minutes walk to the center of town, and 25 to 30 minutes on foot to the Jasna Góra monastery. It's a big bus station with regular bus service to most regional towns and cities, as well as longer-haul service to Lódz, Wrocaw, Warsaw, and Kraków.
By Car -- Czestochowa is easy to reach by car. From Kraków, take the E40 west to Katowice and then the E75 north to Czestochowa; from Warsaw, first follow the E67 south out of town, then the E75 to Czestochowa.
Getting Around
The Jasna Góra Monastery is situated just off Aleja Najswietszej Maryi Panny, about a 15-minute walk from the tourist information center. Unless you're staying far from the center, you'll be able to walk everywhere you want to go.
On Foot -- The monastery lies atop a smallish hill, so you'll have to climb a little. Otherwise, Czestochowa is mostly flat and easy to negotiate.
By Bus -- Czestochowa has a good public bus and tram system, but you'll probably never have to use it. Tickets (2.50 z per ride) are available from news agents.
By Taxi -- Taxis are easy to find and relatively cheap. Use only cabs that are clearly marked.
