More than 3 million PLN was poured into four 19-seat electric minibuses meant to ferry tourists from Zakopane to the trailhead for Morskie Oko. Meant to—because although the vehicles are already in service, hardly anyone is buying a ticket. The likely culprit? A one-way fare of 100 PLN, over six times the price of a conventional diesel shuttle.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment spent 3.198 million PLN on the quartet of buses. Each morning they roll out from the Tatra National Park’s Nature Education Centre in Zakopane and climb to Włosienica—the same spot where horse-drawn carriages traditionally drop off visitors. From there, a 1.7-kilometre footpath leads to the iconic glacial lake. Departures from Zakopane are scheduled for 07:30 and 12:00, with returns from Włosienica at 09:30 and 15:00. An additional early run leaves the Palenica car park at 06:30 and 12:00.
A single ticket from Zakopane costs 100 PLN online—or 110 PLN at the tourist information desk. The ride back is slightly cheaper at 90 PLN online (100 PLN in person). A Włosienica-only leg is priced at 80 PLN.
Under a February agreement between the climate ministry, Tatra National Park (TPN), local authorities and the Association of Carriage Operators to Morskie Oko, the e-buses are supposed to replace horse-drawn transport, which from next year will be limited to a shorter segment between Palenica Białczańska and Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza. The carriages themselves are slated for an overhaul and weight reduction.
Passengers riding the electric shuttles hear an audio programme about Tatra ecology and local heritage. For now, the service is a pilot: TPN is gathering feedback from tourists and carriers with an eye toward launching a permanent line. Park management estimates that 16 more vehicles would be needed.
Special runs for visitors with disabilities go all the way to Morskie Oko itself, departing Zakopane at 08:00 and 14:00 and pausing for an hour at the mountain refuge.
Budget-minded hikers still have the cheaper option: diesel minibuses from Zakopane to Palenica Białczańska cost just 15 PLN. From there, it’s an eight-kilometre walk up the asphalt road to the lake.