Don't think that Zakopane station is just a place to get off the train and... go right away – this is the official "gateway" to the Tatra world for the whole of Poland.
Zakopane station is the terminus of railway line No. 99, opened in 1899; this main line has transformed Zakopane from a remote mountain town into the famous "resort capital" and current trekking – skiing center as it is today.
This is the station with staff service at the highest altitude in Poland (about 835 m above sea level), it is the starting/ending point of InterCity, TLK and regional trains running directly from Kraków, Warszawa, Gdynia, Szczecin... so you just need to sit still until... the end of the line to enter straight into Zakopane.
Outside the station is a cluster of bus and minibus stops going everywhere: Kuźnice (gateway to Kasprowy Wierch and many Tatra trails), Morskie Oko, surrounding villages; walking about 15–20 minutes to the main street Krupówki with full of restaurants, eateries and mountain gear rental shops.
Inside the station there is a waiting room, ticket counter, electronic train schedule board, fairly flat walkways and rated as disability-friendly, pulling suitcases or carrying large backpacks is not too strenuous.
"Bargain" tip for train travelers: if departing from Kraków, you can choose direct IC/EIC train, time about 2–2.5 hours, usually more comfortable than the bus; remember to check the schedule carefully by season because in winter/peak tourist season, schedules and number of trips may change.
Next time you go to Zakopane, do you prefer the scenic train experience from Kraków up for the "full ritual", or prioritize the bus for more flexible timings?
