Krakow Half-Day Alternative Tour

Oh how we laughed when our little blue car came down the road, we heard it before we saw it. 600CC of two stroke engine working hard as it approached us. A great guide who took us around some of the communist areas of Krakow of the past. He was lighthearted, friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. But the Trabant! Ha ha! You really have to experience a ride in one! A truly awful car yet brilliant fun to travel in. Drum brakes, that worked surprisingly well, the old car smell, the cramped seats, misting up windows and the noise. Trust me when they designed it all expense was spared!! There was something that resembled a heater I think, but that's your lot. Pedestrian reactions were mixed. Some people wouldn't step out onto a pedestrian crossing in front of us on the assumption we couldn't stop? Some older locals looked at the car with nostalgia and many tourists looked and just grinned as we drove passed. We knew they WANTED to have a go in one. Small, noisy and not particularly environmentally friendly, PC it ain't but it's a shedload of fun, plus you'll see parts of Krakow that you might have otherwise missed. So do yourself a favour and book a trip and I guarantee you won't stop grinning from ear to ear from the moment you get (crawl?) into the car until you get out. Just do it.

Mavik picked us up in a 1986 Trebant. We drove first to Kościuszko Mound for a scenic overlook of Krakow. Then we headed thru the Jewish Quarter and on to the Nowa Huta district. It is interesting to see what life was like under Soviet domination. And even more interesting to see they changes that have been made since they left!

Very enjoyable trip in Trabant. Our guide Urich could not have been more helpful and had a great knowledge of history.

Excellent tour! Maciek was the perfect guide. His English was excellent, and easy to understand. Pick-up was punctual, and the tour was customized to our interests. Having lived in Nowa Huta, he provided insight into life under the Soviets, and told fascinating stories!The Trabant was a squeeze in the back seat, but lots of fun! Be sure to ask for a peek under the hood.MOBILITY TIPS - We went to the fort, but didn't climb the burial mound. The "two hour walk" sounded concerning, but was not taxing. We hopped out of the Trabant to see some sights. The walk around Nowa Huta was a leisurely stroll. (Maciek knew we couldn't walk quickly, and accommodated perfectly.) We were never out of breath, nor were we exhausted at the end. Perfect!

My brother and I did not fully know what to expect on this tour, but when a communist era vehicle pulled up in front of our hotel in central Krakow, and a wonderfully friendly and down to earth woman got out and told us to hop in, we knew it was going to be an unforgettable experience. We went to Nowa Huta, explored the Kazmierz, enjoyed a flea market and got some pretty cool tips for off the beaten path Krakow! It was laid back and very refreshingly different than the average tourist sightseeing. The car is not a luxury vehicle by any means, it’s definitely an adventure and if you need luxury, this is prob not for you. Five stars all around.

Great fun and our guide was very knowledgeable. A great way to see the sights.

This tour was definitely a highlight of our time in Krakow. Absolutely fascinating and fun trip which lets you see a whole different side to the city. Our guide (Goshka?) was excellent and we had a lot of laughs. The 'private museum' in an old apartment was a nice touch. Not your standard tour!!

My husband had a pot of fun in this car that he heard about only.

Superb fun..Our guide was a lovely man with so much knowledge and enthusiasm for Krakow. He made the history of the city come alive and his green Trabant was so much fun to ride in. A brilliant tour.

Guide very enthusiastic and personable but a little over talkative. I was disappointed not to get a drive of the Trabant, a walk in the Jewish Area or a visit to the Milk Cafe that the guide said was closed. Great to experience a drive in the Trabant but the visit to the ex-communist area was uninteresting. Like the 50's in Ireland. No visit to the actual steel works - only outside. THe guide, helpfully stopped briefly at Wawel Castle for me to get a photo and he left me off at a convenient point in Krakow. Not worth the extra for the Half-day Tour!