If you intend to travel to Lviv, an amazing city in western Ukraine, and continue to Krakow, Poland, there are some important things you should know beforehand.
Traveling between the two can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect. I’ll give you the basics on getting from Lviv to Krakow as smoothly as possible. You definitely don’t want any surprises popping up when you’re trying to get to your next destination.
Spoiler: The bus journey takes two to three times longer than what you read on the internet.
Bus From Lviv To Krakow
Lviv, located about 325 kilometers from Krakow, Poland, offers several transportation options connecting the two cities. There are multiple daily train lines and over 10 bus routes available for commuters traveling between Lviv and Krakow. Online sources and Google Maps indicate that the total travel time between the cities is less than 7 hours.
The bus service operates non-stop, without stopping in other cities along the way. The bus does make brief stops at a gas station before reaching the Ukrainian-Polish border, and then again at each border crossing.
The cost of the bus journey ranges from around $13 to $40. Unfortunately, not every bus is equipped with amenities like a toilet, wifi, or USB ports. From my own experience, it seemed no one on the bus spoke English, which made communication really difficult.
Border Crossing? Nightmare!
In light of the current circumstances with the influx of Ukrainians crossing borders, I’d recommend alternatives to taking the bus if possible. While Google Maps may estimate travel times of less than 7 hours, the reality is delays of over 20 hours can occur.
When I took the bus from Lviv to Krakow recently, it ended up being a much longer journey than anticipated. My bus departed Lviv right on schedule at 11:05 am, but it wasn’t until 1:30 am that I arrived in Krakow, over 14 hours later. Even before reaching the Ukrainian border we had an unexpected stop of almost 4 hours at a gas station. Then at each border crossing we faced delays of over an hour and a half.
Not having prepared for such a lengthy trip, I didn’t pack enough food and drinks, which left me exhausted by the end. Plus, my mobile data cut out before the border, so I had no choice but to get off the bus and wait in a huge queue at the petrol station with a dozen other buses. All in all, it was a much more tiring experience than I expected given the current conditions. So, if possible, I’d look at alternative transport options that may involve less waiting around.
When we arrived at the Poland border and while we were waiting, I started checking out what people said about it on Google Maps. That’s when I saw that some folks apparently have to wait up to 17 hours before they can even get into Poland! Can you believe that? No matter if you’ve got old people, pets, or kids with you, you’re looking at a long haul, no matter what.
I get that it’s a busy border and everything, but sheesh, you’d think they could find a way to speed things up! It isn’t just me either – all the reviews on Google Maps are saying the same thing. It seems like especially the Ukrainian border guards really take their sweet time plodding through.
Alternatives
If you find yourself needing to travel from Lviv to Krakow, don’t take the bus – there’s a better way to make the journey. Do you want to know what it is? The train! Opting for the train will give you way more comfort and get you there faster than dealing with long border crossings or worrying about bathroom breaks along the way.
Now, there could still be a hitch with this plan. Because so many Ukrainians have moved west lately, the trains are always packed to the brim. To up your chances of scoring a seat, you have to book your tickets way ahead of time.
Booking in advance is crucial to reserving your spot, since cancelations sometimes open up last-minute seats. Whether it’s a month out or just the day before, taking advantage of those openings is like hitting the jackpot. So it’s always smart to plan ahead and make your reservations as early as you can.
While the train ride won’t give you scenic countryside views, it can save you precious time and avoid the frustration of sitting at the border for hours on end!
Bottom Line
As tempting as it may be to take the bus from Lviv to Krakow and enjoy the scenic beauty along the way, you should be aware of the potential pitfalls that come with this choice. Those border stops can really add to your travel time. What should be a fun trip can turn into a real frustration fest. Hours just sitting and waiting will have you pulling your hair out! If a smoother, faster ride is what you’re after, you may want to consider other options like the train.
Believe me, I had to suffer through the grueling bus ride myself. But hey, dealing with issues is all part of the travel experience, right?
Happy travels!
Oh, and if you have any plans to travel and need trustworthy and high-quality mobile data, why not use my AIRALO voucher code DENISA2225? By doing so, you can save 3 euros!
