How to get to the Morskie Oko Trailhead by Bus
- Margaux
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re visiting the Polish Tatra Mountains, you won’t want to skip the Morskie Oko hike. As it is the most popular hike in the area, it is very easy to get to by bus from Zakopane. This blog post will go through exactly how to get to the Morskie Oko trailhead (and back) by bus, including bus schedules, ticket prices, and my best advice.
For a complete guide to the Morskie Oko hike, see my post here.
Contents
Where is the Morskie Oko Trailhead?
The trailhead of the Morskie Oko hike is Palenica Bialczanska, a parking lot where you would need to park to start the hike to Morskie Oko. It is very easy to get there by bus and they go so often that it makes perfect sense to. There are toilets (porta loos) in the parking lot, and you can also buy your entrance fee for the National Park here.
Where do you get the bus from for Morskie Oko?
All buses from Zakopane to Morskie Oko start at the Zakopane central bus station, which is right next to the train station. There are several bus stands, and the Morskie Oko bus goes from number 2. It is a white bus that has a big ‘Morskie Oko’ sign in the front of it, so you cannot miss it.
The bus to Morskie Oko also stops at a few other places along the route, including Jaszczurowka. If you get on at any of the other bus stops, just wave to flag the bus down as it approaches. They will stop for you.
What time do the Buses go to Morskie Oko?
The first buses in the summer leave from Zakopane central around 6am. It varies depending on the day, and there is no set timetable, as the buses leave when they are full. My best estimate is that every 20 minutes there will be another bus, so you won’t wait long. They fill the buses up completely, so you may be standing or even sitting in the doorway (as I was). This is especially the case if you get on later on the journey. The whole ride is about 30 minutes long.
How much does the Bus to Morskie Oko Cost?
The bus costs 15 PLN (approx. £3) one-way, and they only accept cash. Normally you pay when you get off the bus, and the driver has plenty of change.
How to get back from Morskie Oko to Zakopane
Getting back from Morskie Oko to Zakopane is very simple. The buses leave from the parking lot and there are people directing you to the buses. The signs in the window will say ‘Zakopane’. If you need to get off the bus earlier than Zakopane central bus station, tell the driver, and be prepared to shout when it’s your stop. The drivers don’t speak much English, so you need to be confident! It is again 15 PLN (approx. £3), cash only, and you pay when you get off the bus. The time of the last bus back depends on the time of year, but in June/July it was around 9pm.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Morskie Oko. It is absolutely gorgeous and a must-do when visiting the Polish Tatras. If you are looking for a complete guide to the Morskie Oko hike, look no further than my post here which contains everything you need to know about the trail and my best advice. As always, look after the places you visit and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)
Looking for more on the Polish Tatras? See some of my other hiking guides below:
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