International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

23-28 August 2015

Kraków (Cracow) in Poland. Kraków used to be the capital of Poland and now is valued as the main historical, cultural and academic center (http://www.krakow.pl/english/).

By plane

The most convenient access to Kraków is through Balice International Airport (KRK) near Kraków, which offers direct connection to main European airports (http://www.krakowairport.pl/en/). The aiport is connected with the city center by taxis (for fares go here). Buses (regular and small) travel between Kraków center and the airport (for more information go here). Note that the train connections between Balice airport and Kraków is now suspended due to rebuilding.

The other option is to fly either to Katowice Airport or Chopin Airport in Warsaw and then come to Kraków by road. Katowice Airport has bus trasfers between Balice Airport in Kraków, and Warsaw is well connected with Kraków via rapid railway.

By train

Kraków is connected with neighbouring countries via train system. The trip between Warsaw and Kraków on a rapid train takes less than 3h (this connection can be used in combination with an international flight to/from Warsaw). The main train station is conveniently located in the city center, close to the old town. Time table of trains is available on line.

By road

Kraków is well connected via highways with major cities of Poland and neighbouring countries. Poland is a member of a Shengen group, which means that there are no border controls when you travel between Poland and Slovakia, Chech Republic and Germany. A trip from Berlin via Katowice to Kraków takes about 6h in a private car. You pay at most Polish highways at entrance, credit cards are acceptable. Parking in Kraków is organised in parking zones. You cannot enter the old town in a private car, and you pay for parking in Kraków center according to duration (blue machines on streets). 

Accommodation

Hotels in Kraków, ranging from luxury five stars to budget student's and youth hostels, are capable of accommodating a few million visitors per year. To find accommodation during our congress, please visit Register, Submit, Book.

Practical information

If you need practical information about your stay in Kraków before, during and after ICCPB, please refer to our guide book here.

Auditorium Maximum (virtual walk: maximum.wkraj.pl), the conference center of Jagiellonian University, is located in the old part of the city.

Kraków is the main tourist attraction in Poland, mainly because of its well preserved medieval, renaissance, and baroque architecture, and numerous historical monuments. Nicolaus Copernicus studied here at the Jagiellonian University (http://www.uj.edu.pl/en/uniwersytet/muzea/collegium-maius). Many people come to Kraków just to see the famous Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine or admire the famous wooden medieval altar of Wit Stwosz in St. Mary's Church. The old city center with the main Market Square is a unique place for both esthetical enrichment and for enjoying the tastes of Poland in hundreds of restaurants and pubs. One of the leading attractions is Wieliczka salt mine, one of the 12 objects on UNESCO's First World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Attention of many visitors has been recently directed towards the renewed Jewish district Kazimierz, and to many a "must see" place is the symbol of Holocaust - German Nazis concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau (65 km from Kraków).

Poland is also an attractive place for naturalists. About 100 km South from Kraków, on the Slovakian boundary, alpine-type Tatra mountains and limestone Pieniny mountains offer eye-catching scenery, suitable for short hiking tours. For wildlife lovers the most attractive places are in the north-eastern part of Poland, with the last European remnants of primeval forest in Białowieża, marshes in Biebrza river valley, and Masurian land of lakes.

For more information and ideas how to spend free time during your stay visit BEYOND CONGRESS on our website.