Krakow to Budapest via the Tatras

Head south from Poland's ancient capital, cross the Tatra Mountains, travel through eastern and central Slovakia, and finish in Budapest.

A classic multi-country route often taken by small groups: spend two nights in Krakow, travel through the Dunajec River Gorge and past Spis Castle to the High Tatras, then head south via a wooden village and mining towns to Budapest. Perfect for first-time visitors wanting to combine cities and mountains. This route is best done by private transfer or tour, as public transport transfers can be time-consuming.

Dunajec rafting and Spis Castle are seasonal and not available in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Krakow Old Town

Kraków（Main Market Square & Cloth Hall、St. Mary's Basilica）

Check in to your hotel in the Old Town. The Main Market Square and churches are within walking distance. Spend half a day exploring.

Stay: Old Town

Day 2 · Wawel, Jewish Quarter, and Salt Mine

Kraków（Wawel Castle & Cathedral、Kazimierz、Wieliczka Salt Mine）

Walk to Wawel Castle and Kazimierz in the morning. Take a train or bus to the salt mine in the afternoon (approx. 30 minutes).

Book tickets in advance for the salt mine and certain exhibition halls at Wawel.

Stay: Old Town

Day 3 · Dunajec rafting and Spis

Dunajec River Gorge → High Tatras（Spiš Castle）

Drive from Krakow to the gorge (approx. 2 hours), then to Spis and Tatranska Lomnica (each approx. 1+ hours).

This is a long driving day, so start early. Rafting is subject to water levels.

Stay: Tatranská Lomnica

Day 4 · A day in the High Tatras

High Tatras（Skalnaté Pleso、Lomnický štít Cable Car、Hrebienok）

Walk from your accommodation to the cable car station. Hike to Hrebienok after going up, and return by electric railway.

Book the summit cable car online in advance, and choose your time slot based on the weather forecast.

Stay: Tatranská Lomnica

Day 5 · Wooden village to the copper mining town

Vlkolinec → Banská Bystrica（Banská Bystrica Old Town、Museum of the Slovak National Uprising）

Drive to Vlkolinec (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Banska Bystrica (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Old Town Square Area

Day 6 · Wooden church, mining town, and on to Budapest

Banská Bystrica（Wooden Articular Church of Hronsek） → Banská Štiavnica（Holy Trinity Square、Open-Air Mining Museum） → Budapest

Drive to Hronsek (approx. 20 minutes), then to Banska Stiavnica (approx. 1 hour), and continue to Budapest (approx. 2.5 hours).

Keep your travel documents handy. Hungary uses the Forint (HUF).

Stay: Belváros and Lipótváros

Day 7 · Highlights of Budapest's two banks

Budapest（Hungarian Parliament Building、St. Stephen's Basilica、Buda Castle、Fisherman's Bastion / Matthias Church）

Explore the Pest side on foot, then cross the river and take the funicular or a bus up Castle Hill. Spend the full day sightseeing.

You must book a tour slot for the Parliament Building in advance.