Practical information
How to get around the region?
Guide
Transport system in Poland
Studying at the University of Silesia in Katowice is not only about education, but also about living in the heart of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. Our faculties are located in four cities: Katowice, Sosnowiec, Chorzów, and Cieszyn. Each of them offers a well-developed public transport network that will help you quickly get to classes, student dormitories, or the city centre.
To make your daily travel easier, we have prepared this short guide.
Public Transport (ZTM and ZGK)
Timetables and ticket prices for public transport in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Chorzów, and other cities of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis can be found on the website of ZTM.
For Cieszyn, this information is available on the website of ZGK Sp. z o.o.
Trains (PKP and other operators)
The Polish railway system is commonly called PKP (Polish State Railways). The fastest way to check nationwide train timetables is on the PKP website.
- Where can I buy a ticket? Online, at ticket offices in larger railway stations, or from yellow and blue ticket machines.
- Important note: Train connections are operated by different independent companies, such as Koleje Śląskie, PKP Intercity, and Polregio. Always check which company operates your train — a ticket bought from one carrier is not valid on another company’s train!
Long-distance buses and private minibuses
Road transport in Poland includes both large coaches and smaller passenger minibuses.
- PKS and Large Coaches
If you are travelling from Katowice to another city or abroad, go to the International Bus Station at Sądowa 5 in the city centre. Large coach companies such as FlixBus operate from there. Bus connections to and from Katowice can also be checked on the PKS Katowice website.
- Private buses
There are also many private transport companies in the region operating under different names (such as Bus Brothers, Matuszek, FlixBus). These smaller buses, commonly called busy or busiki in Polish, usually operate regional routes. They use their own bus stops located in different parts of the city. In Katowice, many of them depart from Plac Andrzeja near the main railway station. Always check the departure location with the transport company before travelling.
Airport in Pyrzowice
The nearest airport is Katowice Airport, located about 30 kilometres from the centre of Katowice – in Pyrzowice.
- Getting to and from the airport
The easiest way to reach the airport is by special ZTM express bus lines marked with the symbol “AP”. These buses depart directly from the railway station in Katowice. Private transport companies also operate on this route.
