Krakow to Zakopane: Snowmobile Ride, Cheese Tasting & Thermal Pools

Summary

Snowmobiles, cheese and hot springs from Krakow to the Tatras

You’ll start with hotel pickup in Krakow and taste fresh oscypek cheese at a mountain hut before riding snowmobiles across snowy valleys near Zakopane with your local guide. After warming up by a bonfire meal, you’ll relax in Chocholow’s famous thermal pools surrounded by mountain views—ending your day feeling both exhilarated and oddly calm.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried real oscypek?” our driver asked as we left Krakow behind, his hands loose on the wheel. I hadn’t, and honestly didn’t know what it was until we pulled up outside this little wooden hut near Chocholow. The air smelled like woodsmoke and sheep — not in a bad way, just earthy. Inside, an old highlander with a thick mustache handed us slices of this salty, smoky cheese straight off the fire. I tried to say thank you in Polish (failed), but he smiled anyway. That first bite was weirdly comforting — chewy, warm, a bit nutty. I still think about that taste when I see smoked cheese at home.

The drive into the Tatra Mountains took longer than I expected — maybe two hours? — but it was worth it once those peaks showed up through the mist. Our guide Marek met us by the snowmobiles, grinning like he knew we were nervous. “Don’t worry,” he said, “you’ll get used to the noise.” He was right; after five minutes roaring through snowy valleys near Zakopane, my hands were frozen but my brain was buzzing. The snowmobile tour felt both wild and oddly peaceful — sometimes all you could hear was the engine and your own breathing under the helmet. We stopped for a bonfire halfway through and Marek handed out mugs of something hot (not sure what) while everyone thawed out their fingers.

I didn’t expect to end up floating in a steaming pool with mountains all around me at Chocholow’s thermal baths — but that’s where we landed after the ride. My skin tingled from the cold air meeting hot water; there were families laughing nearby and some teenagers daring each other into colder pools. It’s funny how quickly you forget about emails or deadlines when you’re just drifting there, watching steam curl into grey sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snowmobile tour with thermal pools

• Hotel pickup in Krakow
• Transfer to Zakopane
• Visit Bacówka for oscypek cheese tasting
• Snowmobile or quad ride with guide
• Bonfire with regional meal and wine
• Relax in Chochołów thermal pools
• Transfer back to Krakow

Top questions

How long does the snowmobile tour from Krakow take?

The full day trip lasts around 10-11 hours including transfers between Krakow and Zakopane.

Is snowmobile rental included in the price?

No, snowmobile rental is extra—400 PLN per two-person vehicle paid directly at the rental site.

What happens if there’s no snow for snowmobiling?

If there’s no snow, quads are used instead of snowmobiles for the ride.

Are hotel pickups available anywhere in Krakow?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from your chosen address in Krakow.

Can children join this tour?

Children aged 5 and up can ride as passengers on a snowmobile with an adult.

Is food provided during the tour?

You’ll have traditional cheese tasting at a shepherd's hut and regional food by a bonfire after riding.

How long do you spend at Chocholow thermal pools?

Your ticket includes 3 hours access to Chocholow’s hot baths complex after snowmobiling.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, your driver/guide speaks English throughout the day trip from Krakow to Zakopane.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Krakow, transfers to Zakopane and back, entry to Chocholow thermal pools for three hours, gloves and helmets for riding (plus balaclava), an English-speaking driver-guide throughout, plus visits to traditional mountain huts for oscypek cheese tasting before heading out on your snowmobile adventure.