Lounge Review: Schengen Lounge at Krakow Airport
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We visited the Schengen area lounge at Krakow Airport. The lounge was somehow hidden but after getting in we were amazed. The atmosphere and the catering were much better than we had expected. Read from the review, how the lounge could be made even better.
Covered in the Article
Krakow Airport
Krakow John Paul II International Airport is located 11 kilometers fro3m the Krakow center in the village of Balice. The airport is a destination of multiple airlines bringing more and more travellers to Krakow. The airport is modern and works efficiently.
Schengen Business Lounge
Krakow Airport has only two lounges: One for non-Schengen passengers and the other one for people travelling to Schengen destinations.
The Schengen lounge is small and the same lounge is shared with airlines' customers, lounge program members and walk-in guests. Even though the lounge is fairly small, it is still surprisingly comfortable compared to many other small lounges we have visited. Walls have been decorated with nice posters and the view to the tarmac is great.
Location and Service Hours
The lounge is located on the air side between Gates 9 and 10. It is meant mainly for Schengen passengers, but in the mornings, also non-Schengen passengers are allowed to get in. The entrance of the lounge may be difficult to see from far but after getting closer the signs are clear.
The lounge is located next to the tarmac which makes the lounge a perfect place for plane spotters. During our visit, windows were clean so spotting and photographing planes was easy. The airport is quite compact and reaching your gate after a lounge visit is fast no matter from which gate your flight is leaving.
The lounge opens early in the morning and closes at 9 or 10 PM depending on the weekday. In the mornings, the lounge accepts also non-Schengen passengers. Non-Schengen travellers need to reserve time for passport control when visiting this lounge.
Access Methods
The lounge welcomes Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Lounge Club and DragonPass members. Also, a Diners Club card is accepted. Because there are no airlines' lounges in Krakow airport, this lounge serves as a business lounge to airlines' premium passengers.
The walk-in price is 120 Polish zloty which is about 28 euros. The price is affordable but for frequent visitors we recommend Priority Pass. It pays itself back fast.
Services
The service selection in the lounge is better than in many other similar lounges. There are all basic services: Wi-Fi, flight information screen, English and Polish magazines and enough power sockets for charging devices. In addition to the basic services, the lounge has a stylish toilet, a shower and computers for its customers.
Our Visit to the Lounge
We visited Schengen Business lounge before our flight from Krakow to Copenhagen by Norwegian. The lounge was easy to find even though the door was quite hidden. The receptionists were friendly and we got in without any issues. The lounge was almost full but we still found free seats close to the windows.
Rating
Foods and Drinks
This lounge had a better food selection than many other Priority Pass lounges. During our visit, the lounge offered salad, fruits, bread with cheese and ham, yoghurt, cornflakes, fruits and desserts. Cold drinks were available in the fridge and hot drinks from a coffee machine. There wwasalso wine, beer and many kinds of strong spirits.
Comfyness
The decoration of the lounge made it comfortable. It was also bright inside and the view to the tarmac was good. A well-maintained and stylishly decorated toilet was a nice surprise.
The crowded atmosphere was a small minus. With fewer people, the lounge would have been more comfortable.
Services
The lounge had all the basic services and more. The availability of shower service and many power sockets are small things that increase the rating for this category.
Customer Service
The first impression of the reception staff was really friendly. We could not have wished more. The lounge was also cleaned well and the food tables were filled on time. We had nothing to ask more.
Overall Rating
This is one of the best Priority Pass lounges we have visited. There were more food and service options available than we were used to. The service was friendly and the lounge was well located. Unfortunately, the lounge's premises are too small because it is serving (too) many customer segments. While Krakow Airport is getting busier every year, this lounge will need expansion soon.
Bottom Line
We can recommend you visit the Schengen Business Lounge at Krakow Airport. If you are not a business class passenger, having a Priority Pass is one of the easiest ways to get it. Luckily, the lounge accepts also many other membership options.
Have you visited this lounge? Comment below.
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Comments (1)
Really nice review of this airport! I loved your criteria and grading scale ... only problem is that now I really want to visit this airport just to spend time in the lounge :)