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General Information

We are looking forward to seeing you in Kraków for the 16th Symposium on Biodegradable Metals Conference!

We invite you to visit this website regularly, as more information becomes available.

In the meantime, here are some tips & tools to better prepare for your stay:

Venue

The 16th Biometal 2024 venue is the:
Forest Hotel - Jodłowa 13, 30-251 Kraków, Poland
Hotel phone number (for communicating travel delays, for example) +48 798 667 722

Website: https://www.foresthotel.pl/

Language

The official language of the conference is English. All abstract submissions and presentations must be in English. 

Simultaneous translation will not be available. Furthermore, the official language of Poland is Polish.

Visa & Letter of Invitation

Some participants may require a visa to enter the European Union. For more information click here.

Letter for visa can only be sent by email (free of charge).

Insurance

The Conference Secretariat and organizers cannot be held liable for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of the conference participants and accompanying persons, either during or directly arising from the Biometal 2024 Conference.

Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Clothing & Weather

The dress code for the conference is informal for all occasions. 

The average temperatures in Kraków during the month of August are generally 24 °C (day) and 13 °C (night). Be prepared for temperatures reaching 30-32 °C during the day, with potential showers and thunderstorms.

The temperate transitional climate is typical of Krakow and the surrounding area, with frequent weather changes, as dry air masses from the Eurasian continent and moist ones from the Atlantic clash over Poland.  The warmest and most sunlit months of the year are  July and August.

Travel Information – Getting Here

It is easy to get to Krakow – for centuries it has lain at the intersection of important trade routes, at the meeting point of cultures and political influences. It is considered to be the most important tourist destination in Poland.

The network of rail, road and air connections makes Krakow one of the most accessible cities in this part of Europe. Its facilities – from the A4 motorway, through the attractive connections provided by numerous airlines, to a special railway line, taking travellers from the airport to the city centre and a well-developed public transport network – open up many opportunities for tourists coming from the nearest and furthest corners of the world.

Moving around Krakow is possible using the public transportation network, such as buses and trams, as well as taxi services. 

Transportation: by plane

There are two airports near Krakow: in Balice (Krakow Airport) and in Pyrzowice (Katowice Airport).  Balice Krakow Airport is the preferred more recommended option.

Krakow Balice Airport (John Paul II International Airport Krakow – Balice) is located about 15 kilometres west from the city centre. It offers over 115 connections to 30 countries.

Balice (Krakow Airport)
www.krakowairport.pl

Address: 32-083 Balice, 1 Medweckiego Street
Airport information:
Telephone numbers: 12 295 58 00, 801 055 000

Pyrzowice (Katowice Airport)
www.katowice-airport.com
Many people coming to Krakow use the airport in Pyrzowice (Katowice International Airport in Pyrzowice), because the planes of the popular low-cost airlines WizzAir and Germanwings land here. The airport is located approx. 110 km west of Krakow.

Address: 42-625 Ożarowice, 90 Wolności Street
Airport information:
telephone numbers 32 392 73 85, 32 392 73 24, 801 011 752

From the airport in Pyrzowice it is possible to travel to Krakow:

By bus – it is possible to get to the centre of Katowice by bus (timetables available on the airport’s website), and then from Katowice to Krakow. Private companies also offer a direct transfer service from Pyrzowice to Krakow, but their services must be ordered in advance – via the Internet or by phone. Regular carriers on this route:
Pyrzowice Ekspres (www.pyrzowiceekspres.pl)
Matuszek (www.matuszek.com.pl)

By transfer – individual travel services from Pyrzowice to Krakow – by a car or bus suitable for the number of people – you can order, among others on these websites:
airporttransfer.com.pl
krakowshuttle.com
krakowwelcome.com
transfernalotnisko.pl

Transportation: by train

The Main Railway Station in Krakow (Krakow Główny) is located in the city centre only approx. 10 min. walk from the Main Market Square. Ticket offices are open from 5.00 am to 23.00 pm, ticket machines are available 24/7 at the station. For travellers, an automatic luggage room with lockers of various sizes available.

Address: 5a Pawia Street
Timetables: rozklad.pkp.pl
Railway info line: tel. 19 757, from abroad: +48 22 39 19 757

European international calls can also be checked on the Deutsche Bahn website: www.bahn.com

Discounts for railway tickets are available to Polish students up to the age of 26, who present a student ID issued by a Polish university, and for Poles studying abroad with an ISIC card.

Transportation: by bus

The bus station in Krakow is directly connected with the Main Railway Station. Buses run on many regional, national and international routes.

Address: 18 Bosacka Street

Connection search:

mda.malopolska.pl – all direct domestic courses from Krakow, redirecting to the Euroticket international ticketing system

e-podroznik.pl – allows you to check combined connections: bus and rail, also offers the possibility of buying tickets

Information about domestic rates: tel. 703 403 340 (round the clock, the cost of the connection PLN 2.56 gross per minute)

Ticket sales are carried out at the ticket offices in the station (Monday-Sunday 7.00-19.45), directly from drivers and on the websites of some carriers. Discounted bus tickets are available to university students, including foreigners, provided they have a EURO 26 card. For other carriers, please ask the driver for the discount.

More information: www.krakow.travel

Currency, Banking, ATM & Credit Cards

The currency is the Polish zloty PLN (€1 = approx. 4.5 PLN).

Visa, Maestro, Master Card and American Express are accepted in most shops, hotels and restaurants. You will find a cash dispenser on nearly every corner.

If you need to change your money, you will be able to do so at bureaus de change, at various banks, and at the majority of hotels and travel agencies.

Electricity

The voltage in Poland is 220 volts. Plugs are European standard with two round pins.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET), used in most parts of Europe and a few North African 
countries, is a standard time that is 1 hour ahead (UTC+01:00) of Coordinated Universal 
Time (UTC).