Getting to Katowice
Katowice is located about 300 kilometers from Warsaw (Poland capital) and 34 kilometers from the Katowice International Airport (KTW). Advanced Information Technology Center (Polish acronym: CNTI) is situated 2km from the Katowice city centre. The city map with the pinned Faculty location can be seen here .
By Plane
Travelers by plane can arrive at Katowice International Airport (KTW), known also as Pyrzowice. The airport is 34 km (21 mi) from the city center. Katowice is one of the major hubs for Wizzair, as well as a major destination for Ryanair. There is also limited service provided by Germanwings. Major airlines, including Polish national carrier LOT and German carrier Lufthansa also operate routes to Katowice.
Bus connection Katowice Pyrzowice Airport - Katowice City
By Train
Katowice Dworzec PKP is the city's major railway center, and is a hub for rail transport throughout Silesia and much of southern Poland. The station serves as a hub for national rail operator PKP Intercity, regional rail company Przewozy Regionalne, and provincial operator Koleje Śląskie.
In Katowice
Public transport
All public bus and tram transport in Katowice is supervised by KZK GOP, a comprehensive transit system that serves nearly the entirety of the Silesian Metropolis, with one of the largest tram networks in Poland. A twenty-four hour free hotline for the system can be found by dialing: 0 800 16 30 30.
Taxi
Taxi-stops are situated in several places in Katowice:
- at the entrance of the railway station on the ground floor from 3 Maja St.
- Plac Oddzialow Mlodziezy Powstanczej
- the "Silesia" hotel
- ul. Piotr Skargi
- the "Katowice" hotel
- Korfantego Av.
- Dworcowa St.
When you take a taxi, always ask for the price beforehand unless you are willing to pay anything. Different types of taxis can charge very different prices which can vary up to 5 times the regular fare depending on location and time.
Service information
Some useful information:
- Currency: złoty (PLN) - (1 EUR ~ 4.4 PLN)
- Language: Polish, but most locals will speak English, particularly younger ones.
- For emergency calls (police, emergency, fire service etc.) please dial 112. It's free of charge.
Street Maps
For street maps and route itineraries visit OpenStreetMap or Google Maps .
Weather
The weather in Katowice in late August is moderately warm, partly sunny with occasional rain.
Click for weather forecast
Accommodation
When looking for accommodation in Katowice, you can select between several hotels, guesthouses and a hostel. To get detailed information and images on the belowmentioned accommodation options in the Katowice, as well as the options not listed here, please follow respective links or check
Booking.com
.
Hotel Novotel Katowice Centrum
Recommended for ISD 2016 Conference Participants!
For discounted rate, please, book directly through the hotel reservation form
Single room 160 PLN (36 EUR)/night (Breakfast included)
Double/twin 180 PLN (41 EUR)/night (Breakfast included)
Web:
http://www.novotel.com
Distance from the CNTI: 900m - 11-minute walk
Hotel ibis budget Katowice Centrum
Double/twin room: 141 PLN (33 EUR) / night
Web:
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-6601-ibis-budget-katowice-centrum/index.shtml
Distance from the CNTI: 800m - 10-minute walk
Qubus Hotel Prestige Katowice
Single room 127 EUR/ night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/qubusprestigekatowice.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 1.5km - 18-minute walk
Hotel Diament Plaza Katowice
Single/double room 102 EUR/night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/hoteldiamentkatowice.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 18-minute walk
Hotel Diament Spodek
113EUR/night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/olympia-spodek.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 20-minute walk
Quality Silesian Hotel
Single/double/twin room 77EUR/night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/systempremiumkatowice.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 2.7km - 33-minute walk
Economy Silesian Hotel
Single room 47EUR/night, twin room 54EUR/night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/pophotelkatowice.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 2.7km - 33-minute walk
Hotel Katowice
Single room 31EUR/night, double/twin room 47EUR/night
Web:
http://www.hotel-katowice.com.pl/
Distance from the CNTI: 1.8km - 21-minute walk
EuroResidence Apartament Home
Single room 43EUR/night, standard double/twin room 54EUR/night
Web:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/euroresidenceapartamenthomekatowice.en-gb.html
Distance from the CNTI: 2.4km - 29-minute walk
University of Economics hotel room
Building P, Pulaski Street 25
25EUR/night (no meals, 2-3 beds in room)
Distance from the CNTI: 1km - 12-minute walk
Optional Events
If You stay longer in Katowice, there are several places worth visiting!
CITY MAPS
Katowice Railway Station (Dworzec PKP Katowice Główny)
Katowice Bus Station (PKS Dworzec Autobusowy)
ISD2016 Katowice
KATOWICE – KRAKÓW
TRAIN (direct)
Schedule:
Approximately every 2 hours from Katowice Railway Station (Polish: PKP Katowice Główny).
Where to find the schedule:
Information panels at the Railway Station. Information Desk at the Railway Station. Direction – Kraków Główny. On-line schedule.
Travel time:
2 hour 02 minutes – 2 hours 20 minutes
Price of the ticket:
13 PLN = approx. 3 EUR – one way
BUS (direct)
Schedule:
Every 15 minutes from Katowice Bus Station (Polish: PKS Dworzec Autobusowy) Direction – Kraków Główny.
Travel time:
1 hour 15 minutes
Price of the ticket:
14 PLN = approx. 4 EUR – one way
KATOWICE – AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MEMORIAL
TRAIN (direct)
Schedule:
Approximately every 2 hours from Katowice Railway Station (Polish: PKP Katowice Główny).
Where to find the schedule:
Information panels at the Railway Station. Information Desk at the Railway Station. Direction – Oświęcim. On-line schedule.
Travel time:
1 hour 10 minutes
Price of the ticket:
6 PLN = approx. 1.5 EUR – one way
MEMORIAL
Price of the entrance ticket:
Admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge. The fees are charged for engaging a guide.
Visiting hours:
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Web-page of the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau:
KATOWICE – PSZCZYNA
Pszczyna Castle (Polish: Zamek w Pszczynie), sometimes referred to as the Pless Castle, is a classical-style palace in the city of Pszczyna. Constructed as a castle in 13th century or earlier, in a Gothic architectural style, it was rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the 17th century. During the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, the exterior of the castle was partially changed into a Baroque-Classical style. In its history the castle was a residence of Silesian and Polish nobles. The castle has been state-owned since 1936, after the death of the last Prince of Pless. In 1946 it was turned into a museum operating until today. In 2009 it was voted as one of the "Seven Architectural Wonders of the Silesian Voivodeship" by the Silesian authorities and is often described as one of the most beautiful castle residences in Poland. Pszczyna Park (Polish: Pszczyński Park) is one of the most beautiful parks in the Upper Silesia. Its are is 156 ha. The park is situated along the river Pszczynka, which flows through artificially created ponds and canals.
TRAIN (direct)
Schedule:
Approximately every 30 minutes from Katowice Railway Station (Polish: Dworzec PKP Katowice Główny).
Where to find the schedule:
Information panels at the Railway Station. Information Desk at the Railway Station. Direction – Pszczyna. On-line schedule.
Travel time:
30 minutes
Price of the ticket:
11 PLN = approx. 3 EUR – one way
CASTLE
How to get to the castle:
Approximately 20 minutes walk from Pszczyna Railway Station (Polish: Pszczyna Dworzec PKP) – see the map above.
Price of the Pszczyna Castle entrance ticket:
XIX – XXth Century Interiors: 14,50 PLN = approx. 4 EUR
The Armoury: 5,00 PLN = approx. 2 EUR
Miniatures Collection: 3,00 PLN = approx. 1 EUR
Known and Unknown: 4,00 PLN = approx. 1 EUR
Portrait Gallery: 5,00 PLN = approx. 2 EUR
Prince's Stables in Pszczyna: 5,00 PLN = approx. 2 EUR
Visiting hours:
Monday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.