REVIEW · KRAKOW
Krakow – Zakopane: Funicular, Cheese and Highland Highlights
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Cable cars and cheese in the Tatras. This day trip links Krakow with Zakopane’s mountain culture, from the UNESCO-listed village of Chochołów to the included funicular up Gubałówka Hill at 1,126 meters. I love the Gubałówka views and the Oscypek tasting. One catch: meals and any add-ons like Wielka Krokiew admission are not included, so you’ll want some cash for extras.
I also like how smooth it feels: hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle keep the 2-hour ride each way from feeling like punishment. The day stays structured with timed stops, yet you still get real breathing room to wander around central Zakopane at your own pace.
Finally, the mix works well for first-timers. You’ll see classic Highland architecture, hear the story of the region through an English-speaking driver/tour leader, and end up with that classic Zakopane-and-mountains perspective that makes people start planning their next trip.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- The big idea: Zakopane at the foot of the Tatras
- Krakow to Zakopane without the headache
- Chochołów’s wooden highland houses (and why UNESCO matters)
- Jaszczurówka chapel: a quick hit of highlander style
- Krupówki Street free time: the heart of Zakopane’s everyday life
- Gubałówka Hill funicular: the view stop you’ll remember
- Oscypek cheese tasting: the regional flavor anchor
- Wielka Krokiew ski jumping hill: famous, but admission is extra
- Spending time in the Tatras area around Zakopane
- Price and value: what you really get for $54.84
- Who this Zakopane day trip suits best
- Should you book this Krakow–Zakopane day trip?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- Where does pickup happen?
- How long is the day trip?
- Is the transportation air-conditioned?
- Is the Gubałówka Hill funicular ticket included?
- Is Oscypek cheese tasting included?
- Which attraction has an admission fee not included?
- Is food and drinks included?
- What language is the guide?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- Is there a limit on group size?
Key things to know before you go
- UNESCO Chochołów village: original wooden houses tied to the highlanders’ traditional way of building
- Included Gubałówka Hill funicular to 1,126 m for classic Tatras views
- Oscypek cheese tasting: a hands-on stop centered on regional food
- Zakopane free time on Krupówki Street: time to browse, snack, and wander
- Wielka Krokiew ski jumping hill: admission isn’t included, but it’s a famous stop
- A comfortable ride: air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide
The big idea: Zakopane at the foot of the Tatras
Zakopane is the kind of place that instantly changes your pace. From Krakow, you move into a mountain resort setting where wooden architecture and highland traditions take center stage. The day is built around that contrast: a long drive to reach the mountains, then several short stops that each explain a different side of the region.
What you’re really buying with this tour is time saved. Instead of figuring out transportation and tickets on your own, you get a guided route with the funicular ticket handled, plus a guided cultural stop at Chochołów. That matters if you only have one day to spare, or if you just don’t want to spend your morning wrestling with schedules.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Krakow.
Krakow to Zakopane without the headache
You start at 9:00 am, with pickup from your hotel. The trip from Krakow to Zakopane takes about 2 hours, and the return is about the same. That’s a pretty reasonable rhythm for an 8 to 10 hour day trip: you get time in the mountains without turning the whole day into driving.
The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide is English-speaking. In plain terms, this is the kind of setup that helps you follow what you’re seeing while staying comfortable during the ride.
Two practical notes for your own planning:
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking in Zakopane and at village stops. Even when stops are short, cobbled or uneven areas can pop up.
- Plan meals for on your own time. Food and drinks aren’t included, so build in a lunch stop during your free hours.
Chochołów’s wooden highland houses (and why UNESCO matters)
Chochołów is one of the best reasons to do Zakopane as a day trip with guidance. The village is under UNESCO protection, and that label isn’t just for decoration. It signals that the wooden architecture and traditional construction methods are preserved because they represent something real and specific.
When you visit Chochołów, you’re looking at highlander wooden houses in the village setting, not just a quick photo stop. This is one of those cultural stops that can feel brief if you rush it, so it helps that the tour gives you a dedicated window to see the buildings and take in the atmosphere.
Why it works:
- Wooden architecture is easier to appreciate when someone can explain what makes it distinct.
- You’ll leave with a clearer sense of the highlanders’ lifestyle, not only the resort vibe of Zakopane.
If you’re the type who likes buildings, crafts, and everyday history, this is the stop that rewards you the most per minute.
Jaszczurówka chapel: a quick hit of highlander style
After the long ride, it’s a nice reset to hit smaller, specific landmarks. Jaszczurówka includes the chapel of St. Sacred Heart of Jesus, and this stop focuses on the region’s classic highlander style.
The time is short, but that’s actually a good thing here. You get a quick look at a signature piece of Zakopane-area architecture without eating up your whole day before you reach the more open wandering zones like Krupówki Street.
If you enjoy religious architecture or local craftsmanship details, don’t treat this like a throwaway stop. The power of places like this is that they’re tied to the community, not just the view.
Krupówki Street free time: the heart of Zakopane’s everyday life
Krupówki Street is Zakopane’s main street, and the tour gives you about 2 hours there. This is where you shift from guided learning to self-guided wandering.
Use this time well. You’re not just shopping, even if that becomes part of the plan. Krupówki is where you feel the town’s rhythm: seasonal resort energy, mountain-town snacks, and plenty of people watching.
A good way to structure your 2 hours:
- Walk a loop first so you know where you are.
- Then pick one or two things to do: a snack, a souvenir that feels local, or a slow browse with breaks.
If you’re trying to beat crowds, go early within your window. This is also a great time to grab lunch since meals aren’t included.
Gubałówka Hill funicular: the view stop you’ll remember
Here’s the centerpiece: Gubałówka Hill funicular. The funicular ticket is included, and the hill rises to 1,126 m. For many people, this is the moment when Zakopane and the Tatras click together into one picture.
Even if you’re not a big “amazing viewpoint” person, do this stop. The entire tour is built around getting you to the mountain perspective without making you plan transportation and ticketing on your own. You come up, you look out, and you connect the town to the Tatras Mountains that surround it.
A small tip: bring something warm. Funicular rides and mountain tops can feel cooler than you expect, even when the town is comfortable. And if the weather is clear, don’t waste your first glance. Start with the broad overview, then look for details—where the slopes drop, how the town sits below, and how the ridgelines frame the view.
Oscypek cheese tasting: the regional flavor anchor
One of the strongest parts of this experience is the food element, and it’s not just a random stop. You get testing of traditional highlander cheese called Oscypek.
What makes this worth your time is that it’s treated like a real regional tradition. In practice, it’s a hands-on break from walking and scenic stops, and it’s a chance to try a flavor that fits the mountains.
In some cases, the cheese is prepared in a way that turns it into more of a mini performance, and people talk about smoked mountain cheese and being served alongside Polish vodka options. That’s not something you get from every tour, and it helps explain why this stop tends to be the one people remember in conversation later.
What to do with it:
- If you don’t drink alcohol, you can still enjoy the cheese. Just keep your water nearby.
- If you do drink, go slow. A tasting can turn into a long lunch if you let it.
Wielka Krokiew ski jumping hill: famous, but admission is extra
Wielka Krokiew is the ski jumping hill where the world ski jumping cup happens every year. It’s a short stop, and the admission ticket is not included.
So what does that mean for you? You’ll likely be able to see it from outside and get the context of why it matters. If you want to go inside or pay for additional access, you’ll need to budget for that separately.
Should you pay extra? Only if ski jumping is a true interest for you. Otherwise, treat it as a well-known landmark you’ll recognize from sports coverage and keep your energy for the funicular and free time.
Spending time in the Tatras area around Zakopane
Zakopane sits at the foot of the Tatras Mountains, and the tour includes a block of time connected to the Tatras Mountains (Tatry). The total time given here is about 3 hours.
Use this window as your flexibility buffer. Some people spend it looking for scenic spots, while others prefer a slower walk and a break from the more structured stops. Because the tour has already hit key highlights, this portion is where you can match the day to your own energy level.
If you like photos, prioritize the first part of your Tatras time. If you’re tired, use the time for light walking, then head back toward town for warmth and food.
Price and value: what you really get for $54.84
At $54.84 per person for a 8 to 10 hour day, this tour is priced like a full day experience, not a quick drive-by. The biggest value points are:
- Hotel pickup plus air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking driver/tour leader
- Included Gubałówka funicular ticket
- Chochołów village visit with UNESCO-listed context
- Oscypek cheese tasting
- Several stops that are either free or included as part of the day plan
What’s not included is also important: food and drinks are on your own, and Wielka Krokiew admission costs extra. If you’re the kind of traveler who doesn’t mind paying a little for one or two add-ons, the overall price feels fair because most of the heavy lifting is done for you.
My practical take: this is a solid buy if you want a guided “greatest hits” day without spending hours figuring out transport and tickets. If you love planning and you’re confident with public transit and local ticketing, you could DIY it—but if you hate logistics, this tour is built for you.
Who this Zakopane day trip suits best
This is a strong match if:
- You have one day in Krakow area and want mountain highlights.
- You enjoy local food traditions like Oscypek.
- You want the view from Gubałówka without planning the funicular yourself.
- You like guided context for cultural stops like Chochołów.
It may be less ideal if:
- You’re allergic to driving days and want fewer transfer hours.
- You’re specifically focused on ski jump access and are set on paying for Wielka Krokiew admission.
- You want a fully free-flow day with no set stops.
One more detail I appreciate: guide experience tends to matter a lot on tours like this. In past descriptions, guides such as Dawid, Krystian, Artur, Thomasz, and Mariusz are mentioned as attentive and willing to adjust timing when needed. That’s a good sign if you care about comfort and pacing.
Should you book this Krakow–Zakopane day trip?
If you want a day that mixes UNESCO wooden architecture, authentic mountain flavor, and the “wow” view from Gubałówka, I’d book it. The included funicular ticket and the cheese tasting do a lot of work for you, and hotel pickup keeps the day from feeling like a solo mission.
If you’re the sort of traveler who will skip views and snacks to chase one big attraction, then you may find the add-on costs (like Wielka Krokiew admission) and independent meals slightly annoying. But for most first-timers, the structure is exactly the point: you get the essentials in one smooth day.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 9:00 am.
Where does pickup happen?
Pickup is offered from your hotel in Krakow.
How long is the day trip?
It runs about 8 to 10 hours.
Is the transportation air-conditioned?
Yes. The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport.
Is the Gubałówka Hill funicular ticket included?
Yes, the funicular ticket to the top of Gubałówka Hill is included.
Is Oscypek cheese tasting included?
Yes. The tour includes tasting traditional highlander cheese called Oscypek.
Which attraction has an admission fee not included?
Admission to Wielka Krokiew ski jumping hill is not included.
Is food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
What language is the guide?
The tour includes an English-speaking driver and tour leader.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Is there a limit on group size?
Yes. The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.
If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer early viewpoints or slow lunches, and I’ll suggest how to pace your free time in Zakopane and on the Tatras portion.
