Got into the Jagiellonian University or the Kraków University of Economics? That is great news – you are studying at one of the most recognisable universities in Poland. Right after the joy, however, comes a practical question that keeps every future student from outside Kraków awake at night: where to live so that you are close to the university and function comfortably day to day?

In the case of UJ and UEK the matter is more interesting than with universities that have a single, compact campus, because their buildings are spread across different parts of Kraków. In this guide we explain where the main faculties of both universities are located, how long the commute really takes, what to pay attention to when choosing accommodation and why a good, central location is often the best solution for a UJ or UEK student.

Where are the UJ and UEK faculties located?

This is the starting point for any accommodation decision. Before you choose a place, it is worth knowing where you will actually spend most of your time.

Jagiellonian University (UJ)

UJ is a university historically woven into the fabric of the city. Some faculties – especially those in the humanities, law and with long traditions – are located in the very centre, around the Old Town and the Collegia. Meanwhile, the exact and natural sciences are concentrated in the modern Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the Jagiellonian University Revival in Ruczaj (Pychowice), in the south-western part of Kraków. This means that “close to UJ” can mean one thing for a law student and something else for a biology student.

Kraków University of Economics (UEK)

UEK has a more compact character – its campus is on Rakowicka Street, east of the centre, in a well-connected part of the city near the main railway station. For UEK students, the proximity of the station and transport hubs is an additional advantage, making both daily travel and weekend trips home easier.

The conclusion is simple: before choosing accommodation, check exactly where your faculty is located. A good reference point is our ranking of the best districts for students in Kraków, which helps match the area to where you study.

How long does the commute to UJ and UEK take?

Kraków is a compact and very well-connected city, so even from one side of the city to the other you can get around reasonably quickly. The key, however, is choosing a location well connected to your faculty. Approximately:

  • UJ faculties in the centre – most easily reached from the western and central parts of the city; often within walking distance or a few minutes by tram.
  • UJ 600th Anniversary Campus (Ruczaj) – best connected by tram lines running south-west; the commute from central districts is usually a dozen or so to twenty-odd minutes.
  • UEK (Rakowicka) – conveniently connected with the centre and the station; from the western part of the city the tram ride usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

For a student this means one thing: instead of looking for lodging “right in front of” one building, it is worth choosing a well-connected, centrally located area from which you can efficiently reach both your classes and other parts of the city. This is especially important if your faculties are scattered. We write more about commutes from a well-located dormitory in our article on the neighbourhood and commute from Next Door.

Where to live while studying at UJ or UEK?

Since the UJ and UEK buildings are spread across the city, the most universal solution is to live in a well-connected, central or western part of Kraków. Such a location gives you a short commute to the faculties in the centre, efficient connections to Ruczaj and UEK, and proximity to city life.

The western part of the city – the Zwierzyniec and Krowodrza area, near Błonia – is particularly attractive in this respect: quiet and green, yet perfectly connected by tram with the rest of Kraków. It is a base from which you are close to the centre (and therefore to many UJ faculties) and at the same time can efficiently reach Ruczaj or Rakowicka. Practical tips on matching a place to your study mode are gathered in our guide on where to live while studying in Kraków.

University hall or private dormitory?

Both UJ and UEK have their own halls of residence, and a student can also choose a private dormitory. The choice between them is mainly a matter of priorities.

University halls tempt with a lower price but offer a basic standard – usually shared rooms, shared bathrooms and kitchens, limited privacy, and a place is allocated based on scoring and not guaranteed. A private dormitory means higher comfort: a private or small-group bathroom, a kitchenette, common areas, security and a predictable, all-inclusive fee. For students who value quiet for studying and their own space, this difference can be decisive. One such solution is the Next Door dormitory in Kraków, located in a well-connected, western part of the city.

Next Door – a good base for UJ and UEK students

Our Next Door dormitory is located at Aleja 3 Maja 47B, on the border of Zwierzyniec and Krowodrza – in a centrally located, green and very well-connected part of Kraków. It is a location that works as a universal base for students of both universities: you are close to the centre, and therefore to the city-centre UJ faculties, and by tram you can efficiently reach the 600th Anniversary Campus and Rakowicka for UEK.

On top of this comes the comfort of daily life: a few minutes to Błonia and Jordan Park, a dense network of cafés, shops and student bars, and quick access to the very centre for evening outings. If you are looking for a comfortable, fully equipped place with good connections to the UJ and UEK faculties, take a look for example at our single standard studio – with a private bathroom and kitchenette.

What living in the central part of Kraków gives you

Choosing a centrally located place gives a UJ or UEK student more than just a shorter commute to classes. It is also the quality of daily life, which genuinely affects how you will remember your studies.

First, saving time and energy. A dozen or so minutes of commuting instead of an hour with changes means more time every day for studying, sleep and friends – and over a semester the difference becomes enormous. Second, access to city life: in and around the centre you have at your fingertips cafés ideal for studying, libraries, cheap student bars, cultural events and clubs. Kraków is famous for its vibrant student life, and by living close to its heart you are right in the middle of it all.

Third, convenience for trips and everyday matters. A well-connected location means easy access to the station, airport and other districts, which you will appreciate especially for weekend trips home. And at the same time, if you choose a quieter, green area on the edge of the centre, you come back at night to a place where you can rest and unwind after an intense day. This combination – close to the university and city life, yet calm day to day – is what UJ and UEK students most often look for.

Frequently asked questions

Where is it best to live while studying at UJ?

Because UJ faculties are spread between the very centre and the 600th Anniversary Campus in Ruczaj, the safest choice is a well-connected, central or western part of the city. From such a location you are close to the city-centre faculties and can efficiently reach Ruczaj by tram. It is always worth first checking exactly where your faculty is located.

Where to live while studying at UEK?

The UEK campus on Rakowicka Street is well connected with the centre and the main station. Both living in the central part of the city and in a well-connected western area work well, from where the tram ride usually takes about 20-30 minutes. The proximity of transport hubs is an added advantage for trips home.

Is a dormitory near AGH also suitable for a UJ or UEK student?

Yes, as long as it is well connected. The western part of Kraków, attractive for AGH students, is at the same time centrally located and perfectly connected with the rest of the city – which is why it also makes a convenient base for UJ (city-centre faculties) and UEK students. This is one of the advantages of living in a centrally situated area.

University hall at UJ/UEK or a private dormitory – what to choose?

If the priority is the lowest price, a university hall will be cheaper. If you care about privacy, quiet for studying and predictable costs, a private dormitory is the better choice. It is also worth remembering that places in halls are limited and allocated according to criteria, whereas in a private dormitory you simply book the room you choose.

Is a central location suitable for an international (Erasmus) student?

Yes, particularly so. Students coming for Erasmus usually have classes in different buildings and want to see as much of the city as possible – a well-connected, central location makes both studying and exploring Kraków easier. In addition, a private dormitory with common areas helps you enter the international community faster and settle into a new place.