Just wondering, how expensive are taxis in Krakow? Are the cabbies trustworthy and knowledgable about where are good places to go?
Taxi cabs in Krakow
If you go with radio taxi, it's very cheap. But if you take ordinary taxis, they are far more expensive.
Google for "radio taxi krakow 919". The first hit is their webpage.
Google for "radio taxi krakow 919". The first hit is their webpage.
I have number for a cabbi in Krakow, we used to text him when we wanted to go somewhere...
Ditto above about radio taxis and the 919 company; we've been using them when we are not using the ones provided for us. Also used them coming from the airport.
The cabbies do seem to know most everything in Krakow but outside the city, even a little, maybe not so much. My husband's company sent cabbies to us to go look at houses in and around Krakow this week and each got confused and turned around a couple times. Even with maps, they got confused. And they were paid a flat rate by the company, so it isn't a question of trying to rip us off or get more ooney by taking the long way.
They often stopped to call the office to see where they should be. Difficult to do while driving on Krakow's busy, narrow roads.
Two of those times were when we needed to go to Lusina, just outside the city, where the ISK school (a very well known place) is. They didn't know where it was and seemed to have no idea it existed, even when Poles at the office gave very good directions and showed it to them on the map.
So, always make sure they know when you are getting in the taxi, exacty where you want to go and show it to them on a map if they seem unsure.
Prices are reasonable and tipping is also. 5% is expected, 10% is good, or just tip up to the next whole amount. We tipped about 15%, cause we knew our cabbies could have gotten more with real paying customers all thru the day, rather than thru the company's flat rates.
Taxis are clean and well maintained that we've seen so far and no one minded us taking time to pack the trunk with stuff or our using our booster car seat for our child.
The cabbies do seem to know most everything in Krakow but outside the city, even a little, maybe not so much. My husband's company sent cabbies to us to go look at houses in and around Krakow this week and each got confused and turned around a couple times. Even with maps, they got confused. And they were paid a flat rate by the company, so it isn't a question of trying to rip us off or get more ooney by taking the long way.
They often stopped to call the office to see where they should be. Difficult to do while driving on Krakow's busy, narrow roads.
Two of those times were when we needed to go to Lusina, just outside the city, where the ISK school (a very well known place) is. They didn't know where it was and seemed to have no idea it existed, even when Poles at the office gave very good directions and showed it to them on the map.
So, always make sure they know when you are getting in the taxi, exacty where you want to go and show it to them on a map if they seem unsure.
Prices are reasonable and tipping is also. 5% is expected, 10% is good, or just tip up to the next whole amount. We tipped about 15%, cause we knew our cabbies could have gotten more with real paying customers all thru the day, rather than thru the company's flat rates.
Taxis are clean and well maintained that we've seen so far and no one minded us taking time to pack the trunk with stuff or our using our booster car seat for our child.
Thanks, everyone. I'll check out the radio taxis and the 919 company.
Angela 777
22 Aug 2007 / #6
The trams aren't too hard to figure out if you have a map. We only took a cab to the airport and back, and trams and the odd bus the rest of the way. The only bad thing is apparently you can't ask the driver for help even on where to get off the bus, even if you know Polish. Apparently it's strictly not allowed, but anyone is welcome to prove my friend wrong on that point if they wish.
i reccomend : hotelraider.com, very good and cheap privet taxis
apparently you can't ask the driver for help even on where to get off the bus, even if you know Polish.
Is this true?
generally, in Polish buses (and maybe trams too) it's prohibited to talk to the driver, because it's considered dangerous for his concentration while driving the vehicle, bu if you choose the right moment noone will shoot you for that, or put in jail :)