Welcome to Kielce: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Planning your arrival in Kielce as an international student, staff member or guest of Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce? This guide will walk you through everything step by step – from getting ready before your trip, to your arrival day, and your first formalities at the university.
💡 Pro Tips for a Smooth Trip (Read first!)
- Apps to download: KOLEO (for intercity train tickets) and Jakdojade (for city buses in Warsaw, Kraków, and Kielce). Both are available in English.
- Station names: In Poland, “Główny/Główna” or “Centralna” means the Main Station.
- Platform vs Track: Look for “Peron” (Platform) and “Tor” (Track) on the electronic departure boards.
- Validation: If you have a paper ticket for city transport, you must validate it in the machine immediately after boarding the bus or train.
- Stay connected: You can buy a Polish SIM card at the airport (e.g., at “Relay” kiosks). You must show your passport to register it.
Step 1:
Get in touch with the Welcome Centre – no matter if you’re a student, employee or guest. We’ll help you with the paperwork, finding your way around the campus and settling in during your first days in Kielce.
Let us know you’re arriving
Step 2:
Get ready for your arrival in Poland Before you travel, there are a few important things you need to take care of – documents, insurance, accommodation, finances and more. We’ve prepared a simple checklist with tips to help you get ready without stress.
Download the pre-arrival checklist (PDF)
Step 3:
Getting to Kielce from the Airport The most convenient airports for getting to Kielce are Cracow (Kraków) and Warsaw (Warszawa). From there, you can travel by train, bus, or taxi (though we don’t recommend the taxi option💸).
Cracow
Due to the way transport is organized in Kraków (Cracow), after landing at the airport you first need to get to the city center (by train or bus) and only then transfer to an intercity bus. The MDA bus station is located right next to the main train station. We recommend taking the train because it offers a direct connection between the airport and Kraków Główny station, from where you can travel to Kielce. Kraków Airport Station The train stop is located directly next to the terminal, behind the multi-level car park. It is connected to the terminal by a covered pedestrian bridge.
Timetable The train timetable is available on the Małopolskie Railways website.
Ticket prices
- single ticket for the route Kraków Airport – Kraków Główny: 20.00 PLN
- single ticket for the route Kraków Airport – Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia: 24.00 PLN
- luggage transport: free of charge
- dog transport: 3.00 PLN
Tickets can be purchased
- from the ticket machine in the passenger terminal, level 0 (cash or card payment)
- from the ticket machine at the train station (cash or card payment)
- on the train from the staff (cash or card payment)
Passengers with disabilities
- Kraków Airport station is fully adapted to the needs of passengers with disabilities
- a person with a disability can receive assistance from the moment they exit the train until they reach their seat on the aircraft
Małopolskie Railways ticket point A ticket point is available from 8:00 to 18:00, where you can buy train tickets, snacks or drinks. Payments can be made by cash or card.
After arriving at Kraków Główny station, you need to change to a train that goes directly to Kielce, getting off at Kielce Główne station. From Kraków Główny station, you can also switch to a bus going to Kielce (for example, FlixBus).
The buses depart from the MDA bus station, which is located right next to Kraków Główny. To get there, follow the signs for Dworzec Autobusowy / MDA. The entrance is connected to the main train station building, so you can reach it on foot in just a few minutes.
Warsaw
From Chopin Airport, you can reach the city centre using Warsaw Public Transport (WTP) – by buses and SKM rapid urban trains, as well as by Koleje Mazowieckie trains. You can use WTP services with the following tickets: 20-minute, single-ride 75- and 90-minute, daily, 3-day, weekend, and long-term tickets. Tickets must be purchased before starting the journey and validated immediately after entering the vehicle or bought from an onboard ticket machine right after boarding (only 20-, 75-, and 90-minute tickets, card payment only).
All of Warsaw is within ticket Zone 1, and luggage is carried free of charge. Timetable All connections from the airport to the city centre can be found on the Warsaw Public Transport website, which is also available in English.
Check Warsaw Airport connections
Where to go? Departures from the airport take place from the “Lotnisko Chopina – Przyloty 02” stop, located on the lower level of the terminal, as well as from the “Terminal Autokarowy 02” stop. Boarding buses on the upper level near the departures hall for leaving the airport is not permitted. You need to go to Warsaw Central Station. After arriving at Warsaw Central Station, you need to change to a train that goes directly to Kielce, getting off at Kielce Główne station. Likewise, as in the case of Kraków, you can also choose to travel by FlixBus.
Katowice
Katowice Airport (KTW) is located in Pyrzowice.
- From the Airport to Katowice Center: Take the AP bus line (Airport Bus) which goes directly to the main bus/train station area (Katowice Sądowa or Katowice Dworzec). Alternatively, take a train from Pyrzowice Lotnisko station to Katowice station.
- From Katowice to Kielce: Once you reach the main station in Katowice, take a direct train to Kielce Główne (journey takes approx. 1.5 – 2h) or check FlixBus departures from Katowice Sądowa.
Step 4: Arriving at UJK Campus & Dormitories
Once you arrive at the train station (Kielce Główne) or the bus station (ul. Czarnowska 12), here is how to reach your final destination:
How to find your bus stop after arrival:
- If you arrive by train (Kielce Główne): Exit the main station building. Walk to the bus stop named “Dworzec Kolejowy” located on Żelazna Street (near the Post Office).
- If you arrive by bus (Dworzec Autobusowy/UFO): Exit the bus station and go to the stop named “Czarnowska / Dworzec Autobusowy”.
Getting to the Main Campus (ul. Uniwersytecka 10):
- Take bus line 8 or 114.
- Get off at the stop: “Uniwersytecka UJK”.
Getting to the Dormitories (ul. Śląska / ul. Żeromskiego):
- From the station area, take bus line 13, 114, or 8.
- For dormitories on Śląska Street (Fama, Melodia, Asystent, Łącznik, Odyseja), get off at the stop: “Sandomierska / Śląska”.
- For the Rector’s Office / Żeromskiego area, take line 13 and get off at: “Żeromskiego / Seminaryjska”.
By Taxi / Uber / Bolt (Fastest with luggage):
- The taxi rank is directly in front of the Kielce Główne train station.
- For Uber/Bolt, set your destination to your specific dormitory address or “Uniwersytecka 10”.
- Cost: 15–25 PLN.