Getting to Katowice

Katowice on the map of Europe

1. Location

Katowice is a major academic and business center located in southern Poland, in the heart of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Area. The city is well connected with other European destinations and can be easily reached by air, train, or car. Its convenient location makes Katowice an accessible meeting point for both domestic and international participants.
More information about the town may be found at the official Katowice website: Katowice – for a change.

2. By Air

The two nearest airports, Katowice International Airport (KTW) and Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK), offer good connections to many European cities as well as to major European transfer hubs.

  • Katowice International Airport (KTW)
    • About 30 km north of Katowice city centre.
    • Direct bus connections to the city via metropolitan lines such as AP (Airport–Katowice), M14, M11, and M19, included in the local ZTM ticketing system (tickets valid on regional transport). For details see ZTM website
    • Shuttle services and private bus transfers (e.g., Matuszek Transport, Flixbus) operating between the airport and Katowice city centre.
    • Taxi and ride-hailing options (e.g., Uber, Bolt) available at the airport.
    • Travel time to the city centre is typically 30–40 minutes.
  • Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)
    • Around 70 km east of Katowice.
    • KRK is a larger hub with a wide range of European connections.
    • You can reach Katowice by direct coach services (e.g., FlixBus and other operators) between KRK and Katowice (bus station or direct regional links).
    • Alternatively, from KRK take a train to Kraków Główny Station and then a train to Katowice (frequent regional and intercity services). Trains are operated by PKP – Polish National Railways.
    • Typical coach travel time from KRK to Katowice is roughly 50 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the service and route.
3. By Train

Katowice is well connected by rail with major Polish cities. The main railway station is Katowice Główne (Central Station), located in the city centre.

  • Long-distance trains: Fast and express services operated mainly by PKP Intercity connect Katowice with Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk and other major cities. Tickets and schedules are available in English at: https://www.intercity.pl/en/.
  • Regional trains: Frequent regional connections are provided by Polregio and Koleje Śląskie, linking Katowice with cities in the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Area.Journey planning and ticket booking: use Bilkom (English version available): https://bilkom.pl/
  • Typical travel times:
    • Kraków – Katowice: approx. 1 hour,
    • Warsaw – Katowice: approx. 2.5 hours,
    • Berlin – Katowice: approx. 6 hours,
    • Vienna – Katowice: 5–6 hours,
    • Prague – Katowice: 5–6 hours.
4. Visa Information
  • Poland is a member of the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU and Schengen countries do not require a visa to enter Poland.
  • Participants from non-EU countries may need a short-stay Schengen visa. Visa requirements depend on the participant’s nationality and country of residence.
  • Conference participants are advised to check visa requirements well in advance at the official website of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the nearest Polish consulate or embassy.
  • We strongly advise participants to check specific requirements and their eligibility for online application through the official e-Konsulat system: https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/.
  • Invitation letters: Upon request, the conference organizers may provide an official invitation letter to support the visa application process. Please note that the organizers cannot intervene in visa decisions made by consular authorities.
5. Practical information about Poland and Katowice
  • Offical language is Polish, English is commonly spoken, in Silesian Metropolitan Area many people may also speak German.
  • Currency is Polish złoty (1 EUR = 4,20 PLN), credit and debit cards, and contactless and mobile payments are widely accepted.
  • Electricity: 230V / 50Hz, Type E sockets (same as in most EU countries).
  • Time zone: Central European Summer Time (CEST / UTC+2) in summer.
  • The most efficient travel within Katowice is using trams operated by ZTM (tickets bought through mobile application), or using Bolt or Uber services.
  • Everyday costs in Katowice:
    • A one-day public transport ticket costs 13 PLN, similarly to coffee (at Starbucks averages 17 PLN).
    • Lunch sets in casual restaurants are around 40 PLN. A main dish from the menu will be more expensive – e.g. traditional Silesian beef roulade at Tatiana Restaurant costs 70 PLN.
    • Beer in pub: 10-12 PLN.