Greg & Tom Hostel

Greg & Tom Hostel is a sociable backpacker place near Krakow's main station, a short walk from the Old Town. It has a long-standing reputation among travellers, helped by the home-cooked dinners it includes on certain nights. This is a hostel built around meeting people rather than a quiet private stay.

The draw is the social side and the included home-cooked dinners, a feature that regulars single out. It is a backpacker hostel, so expect a friendly, communal feel. For current dorm and room types, rates and which meals are included, check the hostel's official channels directly rather than any figure quoted elsewhere.

Being near the main station makes arrivals and departures easy, whether by train, the airport service or the bus terminal alongside. The Old Town is a short walk away past the Barbakan and the Planty. For onward transport and day trips, see the Krakow guide.

This suits solo travellers, backpackers and anyone who wants an easy, sociable base close to the station and the transport links. People arriving late or leaving early will value the position. Those after quiet, privacy or hotel service will be happier elsewhere.

The station is close, and the Old Town is a short walk through the Planty:

• The Barbakan and the Florian Gate, at the northern edge of the Old Town.
• The Planty, the green ring you cross on the way in.
• Main Market Square, a walk on through the centre.

The hostel is at ul. Pawia 12, roughly a three-minute walk from Kraków Główny, the main railway station, which puts the Old Town within easy reach on foot. Note that Greg&Tom runs more than one property in the city, including a Beer House Hostel on Floriańska, so it is worth checking you are booking the Pawia address.

The kitchen puts out a free breakfast as well as the dinners, both served buffet style, and the sign-up dinner is pitched as much as a way to meet other guests as a meal. Room types, rates, meal times and the daily sign-up cut-off are best confirmed through the hostel's official channels.