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.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
