Formerly known as Krakow-Balice, the airport’s name was changed to John Paul II International Airport (KRK) in 1995 in honour of Pope John Paul II, who lived in the city for many years. Located in the village of Balice, approximately 11km (6.8 miles) west of Krakow, the airport is Poland’s second-busiest hub.
Flights to John Paul II International Airport arrive from major European cities such London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Prague, Berlin, Munich, Warsaw, Vienna, Helsinki, Alicante and Paris.
In spite of recent expansions, John Paul II struggles to handle the number of passengers transiting the facility each year. Queues are often extremely long and operations tend to be chaotic. Child care facilities, restaurants and shops are minimal. Don’t let this dissuade you from travelling to Crakow, though, as the city itself is full of charm and fascinating historical attractions.