Renting an Apartment in Kraków – A Guide for Students and Beyond 

Find out where to live close to the city center, how to find a place with good access to your campus, and discover effective ways to save money while renting an apartment in Kraków. 

Which District to Choose – Where Is It Cheapest? 

Although Kraków is a relatively small city and most areas are close to one another, rental prices vary significantly between districts. Kraków is one of Poland’s most popular tourist destinations, and many neighborhoods reflect that. Apartments near the Old Town, Planty Park, or Kazimierz can be significantly more expensive due to the influence of the short-term rental market. If you want to save money while staying close to the center, consider areas like Stare Podgórze or Zabłocie. These neighborhoods aren’t tourist-heavy, but they’re still centrally located and offer excellent infrastructure for everyday life. 

Student Housing – How to Make a Good Choice 

If you’re starting your studies at Jagiellonian University or AGH, it’s important to choose a strategic location. You don’t necessarily need to live in the city center—unless your budget allows for it. What really matters is having quick and easy access to your campus. Districts that offer good value and are well-connected by public transportation include Krowodrza, Bronowice, Ruczaj, Grzegórzki, and Dębniki. 

The most important thing is to have reliable access to public transport nearby. That way, you can reach any part of Kraków in under 30 minutes. If you’re trying to get the best price, look for offers posted directly by landlords instead of going through intermediaries. Check local rental platforms regularly, join Kraków-based Facebook groups, or ask around if you have connections in the city. 

Many landlords prefer to rent to someone referred by a friend, even at a slightly lower price, rather than to a complete stranger. Another good tip is to browse listings early in the morning—agencies and private landlords often post new offers at that time. 

Renting in Kraków – What to Keep in Mind 

If you’ve found your ideal apartment and are ready to move forward, how can you make sure the rental process goes smoothly and avoid unpleasant surprises later? First, make sure you have a written lease agreement. This applies whether you’re renting through an agent or directly from a private landlord. It’s always worth having a contract, even if you’re renting from someone you know. 

It’s also a good idea to prepare a detailed move-in/move-out inspection report with a list of all the furnishings and their condition. This will make it easier to return the apartment and settle the deposit later. Take photos of the apartment before moving in—they can be helpful if any issues arise during your stay. Clarify what you’re allowed to do in the apartment, such as whether you can hang things on the walls or repaint them. 

How to Save on Rent – Rental Deposit Surety 

Beyond looking for apartments in less obvious districts or checking the right platforms, there’s another way to save when renting: using a rental deposit surety service such as Bingo-Rent. 

With this option, the deposit isn’t paid directly to the landlord and locked away for the duration of your lease. Instead, Bingo-Rent covers the deposit for you. You only pay an initial and administrative fee, plus a subscription equal to 12% of the deposit’s value. You can pay monthly or all at once for the entire year. To use the service, you’ll need the landlord’s approval. 

After that, the process is simple—sign up on the Bingo-Rent website, complete the verification process, and once the landlord accepts, the service is activated. Everything is quick, easy, and fully online. Thanks to this solution, more of your money stays in your pocket, which you can use to furnish your new home, take additional courses, explore hobbies, or go on that dream trip.