Krakow Private Tour Guide

My name is Marta Chmielowska.   Since 1999 I have been a licensed private guide in Krakow (Cracow), Poland.  As a historian I like to connect history and everyday life, thus I offer my knowledge of Polish history in walking and private driving tours in a six person van.  If you wish to spend more individual time in Krakow (Cracow) I am very flexible and open to your suggestions.

My City- Krakow (Cracow), one of the oldest cities in Poland, regarded by UNESCO as one of the world's twelve most significant historic sites, was also chosen to be one of the cultural cities of Europe in 2000.  It is a place rich in historic sites such as the Royal Castle with its Cathedral, the biggest medieval Market Square in Central Europe, and the former Jewish quarter -Kazimierz.  There is the oldest university in Poland - the Jagiellonian University founded in the 14th century.  Krakow (Cracow) is known for its many avant-garde underground pubs, theatres and a romantic park surrounding the heart of the downtown.

About Me- I am a licensed Cracow guide in English.  I have graduated from a Pedagogic Academy of Cracow with a Master's Degree in History.  I have always enjoyed many different cultures, and therefore, I would like others to enjoy mine.  How do I do this? By being a city guide I come into a direct contact with people and reciprocally I allow them to grasp the culture of the place they are visiting, the scents, features, you name it...

Special Interest Tours- My walking and driving tours are designed for groups of one to six persons, however I can also organize larger groups. My tours are not merely limited to the city of Cracow.  I also provide country sightseeing, tour escorts to Auschwitz Birkenau, Zakopane (Tatra Mountains), Wieliczka Salt Mine, or Dunajec River Gorge-rafting.

My Prices

Walking Tour- Prices are per private group of 1 to 7 people:
half day (4h-5h): 250 PLZ (about 60 EUR, 80 USD)
full day (8h-9h): 320 PLZ (about 80 EUR, 110 USD)

Driving Tour- Prices are per private group of 1 to 7 people:
half day: 320 PLZ (about 80 EUR, 110 USD)
full day: 400 PLZ (about 100 EUR, 130 USD)
Tours outside of the city up to 200 km (about 140 miles) are for 600 PLZ (about 150  EUR, 200 USD)

Auschwitz- Birkenau tour: Prices per private group of 1 to 7.
500 PLN (125 EUR or 170 USD)
Tour duration 6-7 hours including driving time via comfortable van (VW Sharan or VW Transporter) with air conditioning.
Price includes: transport, tour leader's service, guide's service in The Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau, tax.

Tour to Zakopane: Prices per private group of 1 to 7.
 500 PLN (125 EUR or 166 USD)
Tour duration 7-9 hours including driving time via comfortable van (VW Sharan or VW Transporter) with air conditioning.
Price includes: transportation, my tour leader's service and guide's
service, tax.

Wieliczka Salt Mine: This price includes tour leader's service and transportation.  Maximum group size is 7.
150 PLN (40 EUR or 50 USD).

Extra costs : Each person has to pay also the entrance ticket to the mine.  I suggest two options :
1. A private tour with English speaking guide 240PLZ (about 60 EUR, 75 USD) plus 30 PLZ (about 8 EUR 10 USD) for ticket per person.
or 
2. Group tour with about 30 people 55 PLN (15 EUR, 17 USD) per person.
Tour duration 6-7 hours including driving time via comfortable van (VW Sharan or VW Transporter) with air conditioning.
Price includes: transport, my tour leader's service, tax.

Dunajec Gorge River: This price includes tour leader's service and transportation.  Maximum group size is 7.

450 PLN (113 EUR , 150 USD)
Ticket on rafting cruise: 40 PLN/person (10 EUR or 13 USD) per person.
Tour duration 8-9 hours including driving time via comfortable van (VW Sharan or VW Transporter) with air conditioning.
Price includes: transport, my tour leader's service, tax.

Private Airport Transfer: Maximum group size is 7.
100 PLN (30 EUR , 35 USD)
Price includes: transport, and luggage assistance

Currency exchange rates may vary and prices are negotiable for individual tours.

How to Contact Me

Click to Email Marta: martachm@op.pl
Phone: +48 603 668 008
Marta's Web Site:

Please mention "Private Guides in Europe".

If you have trouble opening the above email, please copy the address and paste it into your email "to Box". Don't forget to mention Private Guides in Europe.

My Past Guest's Comments

"Marta Chmielowska was our guide for two days in May 2007 to visit ancestral towns to the east and west of Krakow.  She was very friendly and efficient with excellent English skills.  In addition to her personal attributes, her vehicle was clean and comfortable.  Marta was an excellent guide for the region."  Jack & Maureen, Carmichael, CA

"My first stay in Krakow was made very pleasant with the aid of guides Marta
Chmielowska, and her husband Chester. Marta is extremely knowledgeable
aqbout Krakow history and geography and Chester was born and raised in
Zakopane, so he is familiar with the mountain villages, historic sites and
recreational areas. They are very dependable, trustworthy, and honest. I
can't imagine having better qualities in a friend. If you want more than a
guide in southern Poland, I would highly recommend this couple."  Dr. Joseph
M. Gronka,  Nanticoke, Pa. USA

"I want to express my gratitude towards one of the guides featured on your website - Marta from Krakow, who was our guide and mentor for our recent trip to Poland for the Auschwitz tour and Krakow city history walking tour.

Marta met us at Krakow airport, her command of English was good, her knowledge of history and economics was excellent and the tours of Auschwitz and Krakow city were without problem. She also arranged the booking for our hotel stay.

Our trip was memorable, and without Marta, we would have struggled - a first class guide !"  Bob Keable, November 2006

"We spent 3 days with Marta visiting Krakow, Auschwitz, Zakopane, the Salt Mines and more.  You truly made our visit outstanding and we feel like we have family in Krakow now.  Thank you so much! "  Steven H., Elk Grove, CA, September 2005

"My family and I visited Krakow on 30/8/2005 for 4 days and booked Marta as a guide to Auschwitz.  Thank goodness for your web-site as she was absolutely first class.  She was a very friendly person and we felt as though she was one of our family, she even was more than helpful in regards to the slight disability I have.  She was extremely knowledgeable and you can rest assured that when we return to Krakow (which we will - I hope) we shall use her services again."  Ann M., Kettering, England UK

"Marta made our visit to Krakow in November 2004 exceptional!  I had been to Krakow once before and was very impressed then, but Marta really helped the city come to life.  You can tell she has a passion for guiding and it was nice to have someone with you who knows the city inside out.  She is completely charming, resourceful, energetic, and outgoing.  You feel like you have a long lost relative showing you her hometown.  It is evident that she is well educated in the history of Krakow.  Her rates are very reasonable, too."  Peter Tadin, Austin, Texas USA

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