Submit your enquiry
Tell us your preferred date, group size and interests (Gubalowka, Kasprowy, Morskie Oko, regional cuisine). We respond within 2 hours with a tailored plan.
PREMIUM TOURS
Private Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Tour from Krakow
The Tatra Mountains in premium comfort. Mercedes transport straight from your hotel to the winter capital of Poland — Krupowki Street, Gubalowka funicular, panoramas of Giewont and the Tatra range. 9 hours of freedom without timetables, parking searches or stress.
- Door-to-door Mercedes transport
- Driver who knows Zakopane & the Tatras
- Gubalowka funicular ticket included
- Availability confirmed within 2 hours
Plan Your Visit
We confirm availability within 2 hours
ABOUT THE TOUR
The Tatras without compromise — your pace, your day
Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland and the gateway to the Tatra Mountains — mountains that have inspired artists, athletes and seekers of quiet for a century. 110 km from Krakow, but a world away: 800 metres above sea level, Witkiewicz-style highlander architecture, memorable regional cuisine and panoramas that simply do not fit in a single frame.
Our package covers everything you need to fully enjoy your day in the Tatras. We pick you up from your hotel in Krakow and drive the comfortable Zakopianka S7 expressway with no transfers or fatigue. Your driver knows Zakopane, helps with orientation and waits in a convenient spot while you ride the Gubalowka funicular, stroll Krupowki or take a short hike to Siklawica Falls.
There is no rush, no group schedule. Want to linger over a regional lunch at Bakowo Zohylina? We stay. Weather right for Kasprowy Wierch? We go. This is your tour — we simply deliver the comfort.
HOW IT WORKS
From enquiry to the Tatras in four steps
Receive confirmation
We book tickets for your chosen attractions, match a vehicle to your group and prepare a day plan adapted to the weather and your preferences.
Hotel pickup
On the day, your suited driver arrives at your hotel at the agreed time. Water, snacks and WiFi await in the vehicle. We take the S7 Zakopianka expressway south.
9 hours in the Tatras at your own pace
Explore Zakopane, ride the Gubalowka funicular, walk Krupowki, taste oscypek cheese, take in the panorama. Your driver waits — no time limit.
INCLUDED
Everything you need in a single package
Door-to-door Mercedes transport
Pickup and return directly from your hotel or apartment in Krakow. About 2 hours each way.
Driver-guide in Zakopane
Experienced driver knows Zakopane, the best restaurants and viewpoints. Helps with orientation and reservations.
Gubalowka funicular ticket
Funicular ticket to Gubalowka (1126 m) included. Additional tickets (Kasprowy, thermal baths) on request.
9–10 hours without rushing
A full day: ~2h each way, 5–6h in Zakopane and the Tatras. No group schedule, no watching the clock.
Regional cuisine recommendations
Your driver knows trusted highlander inns — Bakowo Zohylina, Gasienica, Obrochtowka. Table reservation if needed.
Professional driver
Equipped with route knowledge, vehicle serviced and respect for your time. Silence or conversation — you decide.
Water, snacks, WiFi
Glass-bottled water, snacks and fast WiFi on board. In winter — a warm drink in a thermos for the return.
COMPARISON
Why a private tour
RECOMMENDED
Our package
Transport
Mercedes with private driver
Driver knows Zakopane
Yes — recommendations & advice
Tickets
Gubalowka included
Pickup
Your hotel door
Flexibility
Full — change plan on the fly
Travel time
~2h door-to-door via S7
Stops on the way
Any — view, coffee, photos
Return comfort
Quiet privacy in Mercedes
Group bus tour
Transport
Minibus, 20–30 people
Driver knows Zakopane
Group guide
Tickets
Usually included
Pickup
City meeting point
Flexibility
Fixed schedule
Travel time
~2h 30min + collection
Stops on the way
Only scheduled
Return comfort
Bus with group
On your own
Transport
Train / PKS coach
Driver knows Zakopane
You figure it out
Tickets
Self-booking required
Pickup
Train / bus station
Flexibility
Depends on timetable
Travel time
~3h + connections
Stops on the way
Logistically hard
Return comfort
Public transport
YOUR DAY
What the day looks like — sample itinerary
08:00 - 08:15
Hotel pickup in Krakow
Your driver arrives at your hotel. Water and snacks on board. We head south on the S7 Zakopianka expressway.
08:15 - 10:15
Drive to Zakopane
110 km of comfortable driving on S7/E77. A short stop for coffee or views near Nowy Targ if you wish.
10:30 - 11:30
Gubalowka and Tatra panorama
Funicular up to Gubalowka (1126 m). Panorama of Giewont, Czerwone Wierchy and the main Tatra ridge. Time for photos and local specialties.
11:30 - 13:30
Krupowki and Zakopane centre
Walk along Krupowki Street, Witkiewicz-style Zakopane architecture (Villa Koliba), Old Church and the Peksowy Brzyzek cemetery.
13:30 - 15:00
Lunch at a highlander inn
Trusted regional inn — kwasnica soup, moskole potatoes, oscypek cheese with cranberries, zbojnicki-style pancakes. Your driver knows the best spots.
15:00 - 16:30
Optional: Kasprowy Wierch or Straznyska Valley
Cable car up to Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m) in good weather, or a gentle walk to Siklawica waterfall in Straznyska Valley.
16:30 - 18:30
Return to Krakow
A peaceful return to your hotel or another address in Krakow. A warm drink in a thermos for the road.
VEHICLES & PRICING
Choose the vehicle for your group
The base fee covers the 9–10-hour Mercedes round trip with driver (Krakow → Zakopane → Krakow, ~220 km). The per-person fee covers the Gubalowka funicular ticket and a surcharge for Kasprowy Wierch or other attractions chosen on the day.
Mercedes S-Class
Up to 3 guests
840 EUR
+ 42 EUR / person
e.g. 2 guests = ~924 EUR total
- Flagship limousine
- Leather seats
- Dual-zone climate
- WiFi & snacks
Mercedes E-Class
Up to 3 guests
560 EUR
+ 42 EUR / person
e.g. 2 guests = ~644 EUR total
- Business class
- Leather seats
- WiFi
- Water & snacks
Mercedes V-Class
Up to 6 guests
650 EUR
+ 42 EUR / person
e.g. 4 guests = ~818 EUR total
- Spacious interior
- Leather seats
- WiFi
- Water & snacks
The price consists of a base vehicle fee (9–10-hour round trip with driver) and a per-person fee (entry tickets, surcharge for Kasprowy). Amounts shown are indicative — you will receive an exact quote after submitting the enquiry form.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
What to know before your trip
Seasonality
Zakopane is a year-round destination. December–March: skiing, snowboarding, ski passes (Kasprowy, Szymoszkowa, Harenda). April–October: hiking, Tatra valleys, Morskie Oko. Autumn gives golden Tatras — the most beautiful season for photography.
Mountain weather
Weather in the Tatras changes quickly and affects cable car operations. We check forecasts on the morning of your tour and adjust the plan. For high-altitude cable cars, have a backup plan ready (Gubalowka, Straznyska Valley, Koziniec).
Clothing & footwear
Comfortable shoes with good soles — Zakopane streets and valley paths can be stony. Layered clothing — temperature differences between Krakow and the Tatras can be significant. In winter: jacket, hat, gloves (even on Krupowki).
Tickets & cable cars
Gubalowka ticket included. Kasprowy Wierch: ~99 PLN/person in peak season (online reservation required, often sold out). Morskie Oko: Tatra National Park entry ~12 PLN/person + optional horse carriage.
Morskie Oko (optional)
Morskie Oko adds ~3 hours to the tour (drive to Palenica Bialczanska + 9 km walk or horse carriage). This is a full-day attraction — we recommend it as a separate day or an extended tour.
Children & families
Zakopane is very family-friendly. Gubalowka, toboggan runs, thermal baths (Chocholowskie, Bukowina Tatrzanska). Children under 6 may find longer hikes difficult — we adapt the plan.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is Zakopane from Krakow?
Zakopane is 110 km south of Krakow. The route follows the Zakopianka S7/E77 expressway through Myslenice, Lubien, Rabka-Zdroj and Nowy Targ. The drive by private car takes about 2 hours depending on traffic and season.
How long does the Zakopane tour from Krakow take?
The entire tour with hotel pickup and return takes 9–10 hours. About 2 hours each way on the drive, with 5–6 hours spent in Zakopane and the Tatras. We can extend or shorten the plan as needed.
How to get from Krakow to Zakopane?
Options include: private car with driver (~2h, door-to-door), group bus tour (~2h 30min + collection), TLK train (~3h 30min), PKS coach (~2h 30min). A private transfer offers the greatest flexibility and comfort — your driver waits and you can change plans on the fly.
What is worth seeing in Zakopane?
The essentials are: Krupowki (the main street), Gubalowka (funicular, Tatra panorama), Old Church at Peksowy Brzyzek, Villa Koliba (Witkiewicz architecture). Beyond that — Kasprowy Wierch, Morskie Oko, Straznyska Valley, Koscieliska Valley.
How much does a private Zakopane tour from Krakow cost?
The price consists of a base vehicle fee plus a per-person fee. For example: Mercedes E-Class for 2 guests is approximately 644 EUR total, V-Class for 4 guests around 818 EUR. The larger the group, the lower the per-person cost. We provide an exact quote after receiving your enquiry.
Is Zakopane worth visiting in winter?
Yes — Zakopane in winter is an entirely different experience. Snow-covered Krupowki, ski passes (Kasprowy, Szymoszkowa, Harenda), toboggan runs, fireside dinners in highlander inns. From December to March it truly is the winter capital of Poland.
Can I combine Zakopane with Morskie Oko?
Yes, but Morskie Oko adds about 3 hours to the tour (drive to Palenica Bialczanska + 9 km walk or horse carriage to the lake). We recommend it either as a separate dedicated day or an extended tour with an earlier Krakow departure (around 7:00).
Is the Kasprowy Wierch cable car included?
The Gubalowka funicular ticket is included in the package. Kasprowy Wierch (cable car) is an additional ~99 PLN per person in peak season and requires online reservation several days in advance. We are happy to reserve Kasprowy tickets before your arrival.
What is the best time of year for a Zakopane trip?
Every season has its character: summer (July–August) brings warm days and busy valleys, autumn (September–October) offers golden Tatras and fewer tourists, winter (December–March) is snow, skiing and Christmas markets, spring (May) gives blooming crocuses in the Chocholowska Valley.
Where to eat in Zakopane?
Trusted highlander inns include: Bakowo Zohylina, Gasienica, Obrochtowka, Karczma Po Zboju, Zakopianka. Regional cuisine: kwasnica soup, moskole potatoes, oscypek with cranberries, zbojnicki pancakes, bryndza pierogi. Your driver is happy to reserve a table.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes — Zakopane is very family-friendly. Gubalowka funicular, toboggan runs, thermal baths Chocholowskie/Bukowina Tatrzanska, ice cream on Krupowki. Children under 6 may struggle with longer hikes — we adapt the plan to their age.
Is the driver also a guide?
The driver knows Zakopane and the Tatras well and is happy to recommend cuisine, viewpoints and attractions. He is not a licensed Tatra mountain guide (required for high-altitude expeditions), but for a typical Zakopane, Krupowki and Gubalowka tour his knowledge is more than sufficient.
Can I change the plan during the day?
Yes — this is one of the main advantages of a private tour. If the weather changes, you find an attraction to add or you change your mind about lunch — we adapt on the fly. The driver waits without a limit.
Which car is used for the transfer?
We offer Mercedes S-Class (up to 3 guests — flagship limousine), Mercedes E-Class (up to 3 guests — business class) and Mercedes V-Class (up to 6 guests — spacious interior). All vehicles are air-conditioned and equipped with WiFi, glass-bottled water and snacks.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before the scheduled tour. For Kasprowy Wierch reservations, fees for unused tickets may be non-refundable.
Is the winter road to Zakopane safe?
The S7 Zakopianka is an all-year, well-maintained expressway. In difficult winter conditions travel time can extend by 30–60 minutes. Our vehicles are equipped with winter tyres and drivers are experienced in mountain driving.
TESTIMONIALS
What our guests say
Zakopane done differently — instead of a crowded bus we had a quiet morning on Gubalowka and a highlander inn we would never have found on our own. The driver knew everything and let us sit in silence when we just wanted to look at the Tatras.
We left Krakow at 8:00, reached Gubalowka by 10:30, the kids were thrilled. Lunch at Bakowo Zohylina recommended by the driver — the best kwasnica soup they have ever had. We came back rested, not tired.
I had been to Zakopane by train and bus many times. The first private Mercedes trip showed me the difference — 2 hours of comfort, a plan adjusted to the weather, a driver who knew the best panorama from Polana Szymoszkowa. Different league.
We organised a corporate team outing. Mercedes V-Class, 5 people, professional driver, reservation at Gasienica inn and Kasprowy cable car booked. Everything handled. The team was impressed.
TRUST
Experience you can rely on
VIP Transfers is a licensed passenger transport operator established in 2017. Over 5,000 completed transfers, a 5.0 Google rating and years of experience serving the most discerning clients — diplomats, government officials and public figures.
CONTACT
Plan your Tatra day with us
Have questions? Need help choosing a date, vehicle or attractions? Write to us or call — we are happy to plan a Zakopane tour that is exactly right for you.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Private Zakopane & Tatras Tour
Mercedes transport, driver-guide and tickets in one package. 9 hours in the Tatras without timetables. Availability confirmed within 2 hours.