Planning a trip to Katowice
Despite not drawing many tourists, Katowice does have a useful, centrally located tourist information office (Rynek 13; tel. 32/259-38-08; www.katowice.eu; Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm). The office doesn't book rooms, but it's a one-stop source for maps and info about eating, what to see, and what's going on in town.
Getting Around
Katowice is a large city, but just about everything you'll want to see or do is situated in the compact city center. Walking is usually the best option.
On Foot -- Much of the immediate area around the central train station is a pedestrian zone, with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants (including maybe the city's only decent coffee at Costa Coffee) situated along Stawowa.
By Tram/Bus -- As you would expect from a Polish city of this size, Katowice has an excellent public transportation system of buses and trams: Katowice Public Transport Company (tel. 32/743-84-46; www.kzkgop.com.pl). Tickets cost 2.40 z for a standard trip within the center and are available from newsagents.
By Taxi -- Taxis are easy to find and relatively cheap. The meter starts at 5 z and heads north from there. Use only well-known companies. Two reputable firms are Hallo Taxi (tel. 32/196-27) and Radio Taxi (tel. 32/191-91).
Getting There
By Plane -- Katowice International Airport (Wolnosci 90; tel. 32/392-72-00; www.katowice-airport.com) is located 35km (22 miles) northeast of Katowice near the village of Pyrzowice. The small airport has two terminals, with most services for incoming visitors, including a small tourist information office, situated in terminal A. You have two options for getting into town. A special airport shuttle bus leaves every hour and costs 20 z to 25 z per person each way (buy tickets directly from the driver). The bus drops you at Katowice's train station (some buses include a stop at the Novotel hotel; ask the driver). Catch the bus here for getting to the airport, as well. The second option, a taxi, costs around 120 z to destinations in the center, but be careful to use only clearly marked taxis.
By Train -- Most trains arrive and depart from Katowice's central station Katowice Dworzec Kolejowy (Pl. Szewczyka 1; tel. 32/710-14-00; www.pkp.pl). The station is conveniently located in the middle of the city, with hotels, restaurants, and sights just a short walk away. Departures to Kraków are frequent, and the journey takes 90 minutes. There are also four trains daily to Oswiecim (Auschwitz). The trip takes about an hour, meaning it's possible to go out and back in a day. The only hitch is that to do this, you'll have to catch the first train out, which leaves at 6:58am. Katowice is also well served by international trains, with regular daily service to Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava, among other major cities.
By Bus -- Katowice's bus station, Dworzec Autobusowy Katowice (Skargi 1; tel. 32/253-83-14; www.pkskatowice.internetdsl.pl), isn't much of a station, more of a drop-off and pick-up point. Bus destinations are displayed on the front end of the bus above the driver. In most cases, simply signal the bus to stop and buy the ticket from the driver.
By Car -- Katowice lies at the center of Poland's best superhighway, the A4, connecting Wrocaw in the west with Kraków in the southeast. Kraków is about a 1 hour drive, and Wrocaw 2 to 3 hours by car.
