Visiting the Division of Theoretical Physics at the IFJ PAN

Division seminars are usually scheduled for Thursdays at 14:00, room 4402 (building 4/tower, floor 4, room 02). Past and future seminars are listed here: https://indico.ifj.edu.pl/category/38/

Institute Colloquia (Institute “Seminars”) are usually scheduled for Thursdays at 11:00, main Aula. Past and future colloquia are listed here: https://indico.ifj.edu.pl/category/41/

The secretary of the IFJ's theory division is Paulina Kiełt
paulina.kielt@ifj.edu.pl
NO4.sekretariat@ifj.edu.pl
+48 (12) 662-8221

Her office is room 4201 (building 4/tower, floor 2, room 01).

While the IFJ is a civilian laboratory, it is still a national nuclear laboratory. You will need to present your passport/national ID card at the security gate when entering.

The institute's address is:

Institute of Nuclear Physics – Polish Academy of Science (IFJ PAN)
ul. Radzikowskiego 152,
31-342 Krakow, Poland

https://goo.gl/maps/2W2gn2ksRxnLyvib7

Our local airport is Krakow-Balice (KRK): https://krakowairport.pl/en/homepage/

The airport's address is:

Kapitana Mieczysława Medweckiego 1
32-083 Balice, Poland

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZKmp3PBLnTNDembe8

The IFJ is halfway between the airport and the city's main train station. Travel time between KRK and the institute is 20-30 minutes (train + walking) and 20ish minutes via Uber/Bolt.

Costs to/from the airport (circa 2026):
- 1-way train ride from the airport to city center (Glowny) is 20 PLN (~5 EUR)
- Uber/Bolt to the IFJ is 35-65 PLN (10-15 EUR)
- Taxi from tax stand to the IFJ is 100+ PLN (25ish EUR)
- In Krakow, all Uber/Bolt drivers must be licensed taxi drivers. 100 PLN is profiteering and may not reflect true pricing (is probably a scam).

The airport train (SKA-1) departs every 20-30 minutes from the airport in the direction of Wieliczce (salt mine). It stops at Kraków Bronowice (1 bus stop or ~10 minute walk to the IFJ) and two stops later at Krakow Główny (main station). The SKA-1 is the only train to/from the airport.

Train tickets can be purchased from kiosks on the train platform or inside the train.
https://kolejemalopolskie.com.pl/en/timetables/train-timetables/wieliczka-rynek-kopalnia-krakow-glowny-krakow-airport

To reach the airport's train station, leave luggage area, go up one level, cross the sky bridge, and keep walking until the end. The trains are one level below. There is good signage. You can buy tickets from the kiosk on the platform *OR* from a kiosk on the train (this is the recommended option). Kiosks take cards and have an English option. Tickets are 20 pln.

The main train station of Krakow is Krakow Główny (gw-oo-vny, like groovy). The main station attached to the “Krakow Galleria” shopping mall. The IFJ and the main station are connected by many bus, bus+train, and bus+tram combinations. Please check Google Maps for timing and availability.

Ulica Pawia
31-154 Kraków Poland

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZwmhYpsBr8zGsoVK6

Krakow has great and cheap public transportation, consisting of an extensive network of trams and busses.

You can buy transportation passes (20 min for 4 pln , 60 min for 6 pln) for buses/trams from kiosks at bus/tram stops, on newer trams/buses, or with mobile banking apps. It is recommended that you buy a handful of paper tickets when you have an opportunity as not all buses/trams take card (older ones only take coins). Paper and electronic tickets must be validated on the bus/tram. Electronic tickets require a code (XX-000) that can be found on the vehicle or inside on the ceiling.

For train, tram, and bus times, check Google maps. It is reliable in Krakow!

The standard hotel for our visitors is the QHotel (Bronowice). Note that there are multiple branches in Krakow. Our branch is “Bronowice” (like the train station that is 10 minutes away by foot). The hotel's address is:

Q Hotel
Eljasza Radzikowskiego 142
31-342 Krakow, Poland

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QR1ksMaTSkqNCeyy5

Distance to the IFJ: 6 minutes walking https://maps.app.goo.gl/y3w8Hie2S4wJSZpp8

Paper tickets for trams and busses can also be purchased in advance from kiosks at bus and tram stops. There is a kiosk at the bus stop in front of the QHotel and KFC. Language options include English and Italian (even Polish!). Kiosks accept bank cards.

Ticket prices (circa 2026):
- normal 20' travel pass for all busses and trams - 4 PLN (~1 EUR)
- normal 60' travel pass for all busses and trams - 6 PLN (~1.5 EUR)
- 72h travel pass for all busses and trams - 50 PLN (~12 EUR)
- 50% “reduced/ulgowy” prices available for senior citizens (65+; 100% for 70+), former POWs, and former resistance fighters

All paper tickets must be validated on busses/trams. More details available from Krakow municipality's travel page: https://ztp.krakow.pl/en/kmk-public-transport/kmk-ticket-guide

Poland is in the EU, in Schengen, but remains on the Polish złoty (PLN) ``z-wo-ty''. It means gold/golden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_z%C5%82oty). The exchange rate with EUR (GBP) [USD] is about a 4:1 (5:1) [3.5:1] +/- perturbative corrections.