Zakopane Cable Car, Oscypek Tasting and Thermal Baths from Krakow

About This Experience

KrakowDirect runs this day trip in an air-conditioned minivan, with shared groups of up to 20, and it is rated 5.0 from 572 reviews on Viator. The drive south takes about 1.5 hours, and the guide talks about Podhale traditions and the highlanders on the way.

The opening stop is Chochołów for a walk of about 45 minutes among its traditional wooden houses. Then comes a shepherd's hut, where you see how the smoked sheep's-milk cheese sold as oscypek is made and taste it with regional spirits.

In Zakopane the Gubałówka funicular ticket is included. The itinerary allows about an hour of free time on the ridge, 30 minutes at the highlander market at the bottom station and about 1.5 hours on Krupówki, where lunch is at your own cost.

The day ends with about three hours at the Chochołów thermal baths, with indoor and outdoor pools; lockers and changing rooms are on site, and the tour leader hands out the admission ticket. The inclusions list says baths entry is 'for selected option', so confirm the baths are in the option you pick. The Chochołów baths are closed 19 to 30 October 2026, so on those dates ask which baths your group will use.

Prices start from about $55 (€48 to €51) per person on the promo option from the meeting point, which the operator says runs the same itinerary as a limited offer. The standard guided tour from the meeting point is €89 (about $103), and the option with hotel pickup is €99 (about $114). The day lasts about 11 hours.

Highlights

• Walk for about 45 minutes among the traditional wooden houses of Chochołów village.
• See how smoked sheep's-milk cheese sold as oscypek is made and taste it with regional spirits.
• Ride the Gubałówka funicular and spend about an hour on the ridge looking out over the Tatras.
• Browse the highlander market at the foot of Gubałówka for cheeses, crafts and souvenirs.
• Take about 1.5 hours on Krupówki, Zakopane's main street, for lunch and a walk.
• End with about three hours in the indoor and outdoor pools at the Chochołów thermal baths.

What's Included

• ✓ Return transport in an air-conditioned minivan
• ✓ Meeting point at Wielopole 2, or hotel pickup on the hotel-pickup option
• ✓ Professional English-speaking guide
• ✓ Shepherd's hut visit with smoked cheese and regional spirits tasting
• ✓ Gubałówka funicular ticket
• ✓ Entry to the Chochołów thermal baths (the listing says 'for selected option', so check yours)

Not Included

• Lunch during free time on Krupówki
• Towel, swimsuit and flip-flops (bring your own)
• Hotel pickup on the meeting-point options (about $114 per person with pickup)

What to Bring

• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Flip-flops
• Comfortable walking shoes

Good to Know & Caveats

• Shared groups are capped at 20 travellers.
• Your exact pickup time is confirmed the day before; be ready outside at least 10 minutes early.
• If your accommodation is in a restricted traffic area, the operator arranges the nearest convenient pickup point.
• Lockers and changing rooms are available at the baths.
• The Chochołów baths are closed 19 to 30 October 2026 for works, so check which baths your date uses.
• Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and infant seats are available.

Meeting Point

Meet the KrakowDirect host at the 'Kiss & Ride' tourist bus stop at Wielopole 2, Krakow, or book the hotel-pickup option; pickup times are confirmed the day before.