A Plague of Fines in the Tatras. All Because of One Mistake by Tourists

Many tourists in the Tatras fall into this trap. On the route from Gubałówka to Zakopane , the Municipal Guard hands out tickets to all those who decide to use Ciągłówka Street despite not having permission. This is a road intended only for selected residents, which many visitors are not aware of. Unfortunately, due to the numerous renovations in the city, it is difficult for people from outside the resort to find an alternative route.

Fines for tourists in the Tatra Mountains

While the main roads connecting Gubałówka with the centre of Zakopane are closed for repairs, driving on the only alternative route can mean a fine or even the loss of a driver's license for tourists. This is Ciągłówka Street, which has been used by hundreds of lost tourists in recent weeks, looking for a way back to the city centre. Unfortunately, it is here that municipal guards are waiting for inexperienced drivers, ready to issue a fine. "This road is not a public road. It was not designed as a public road, and we have no right to turn a blind eye to its use by unauthorized persons," says the deputy mayor of Zakopane, Bartłomiej Bryjak, for the Gazeta Krakowska. Breaking the ban costs as many as eight penalty points - if someone is caught by officers three times, they will lose the ability to drive a vehicle.

A serious problem with getting to Zakopane

At the entrance and exit from Ciągłówka there are signs informing about the ban on traffic in both directions, even though the road was built with public money. Some drivers decide to ignore them, however, because the popular roundabout route from Ząb to Poronin is closed for renovation.

The matter is currently being raised at the City Council meeting. Unfortunately, the owners of the land at Ciągłówka do not consent to the passage of unauthorized persons. The only correct detour is the route via national road no. 47 and district roads 1646K and 1653K. "The problem is that for many this detour is very distant and time-consuming," we read in Gazeta Krakowska.