When you are planning your trip to Auschwitz, the infamous World War II Concentration and Extermination Camp in Poland you should consider where the closest airports to Auschwitz are, especially if you have limited time in Poland.
Both Krakow Balice Airport and Katowice-Pyrzowice are two international airports located within about 50 kilometers of Oświęcim, making them convenient options for visitors.
To ensure a smooth visit to Auschwitz journey, it is essential to choose one of the most convenient airports close to Auschwitz for your trip.
In this article, we will guide you through the closest international airports to fly into when visiting Auschwitz, providing valuable insights to help you plan your trip effectively.
Flights to Auschwitz Poland
The nearest town to Auschwitz is Oświęcim, located in southern Poland. There are no airports near Auschwitz as it is located in Oswiecim, Poland, which does not have an airport of its own.
Whether you’re an international traveller or someone exploring Europe, understanding the closest airport to Auschwitz options and their proximity to Auschwitz will allow you to make informed decisions and streamline your travel arrangements.
To visit the memorial site, you can acquire tickets in advance. This includes the option to book guided tours online or gain access individually without a guide.
You will find that most people incorporate a visit to Auschwitz with a larger holiday to Poland and spend their time in the cities that have airports closest to Auschwitz. There is no direct Auschwitz Airport or you will find that most tour flights to Auschwitz Poland will land at one of these 3 airports close to Auschwitz.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
As one of the most significant historical sites in the world, Auschwitz draws visitors from all corners of the globe, each seeking to pay their respects and learn from the dark chapters of human history.
Originally a Polish army barracks it was turned into the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and consisted of Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II–Birkenau, Auschwitz III–Monowitz, and 45 sub-camps.
Over 1 million Jews, Poles and Roma were killed here. The location of the gas chambers at Auschwitz Birkenau state museum built by the Third Reich can be seen on a guided tour, and engaging a guide-educator is essential for a better understanding of the history of Auschwitz.
Airports close to Auschwitz
The town of Oswiecim in Southern Poland does not have an airport and visitors will have to fly into an airport near Auschwitz and then transfer by rental car, public transport such as direct buses or organised tour to Auschwitz.
Airports near Auschwitz will have plenty of options for you to make the journey to Auschwitz easily. In this post, we have outlined the airports close to Auschwitz so you can easily plan your trip to this unforgettable, harrowing World War II site.
Related post: 15 reasons to visit Poland right now
Nearest Airport to Auschwitz Poland – Katowice
The Katowice Airport is located in the city of Katowice, Poland. It is one of the busiest airports in Poland. It also happens to be one of the airports close to Auschwitz. The city centre is easily accessible, located 30 kilometres north of the airport.
The Katowice Pyrzowice airport is a hub for LOT Polish Airlines, Wizz Air, Enter Air and Buzz all helping to make Katowice airport the busiest in terms of leisure travellers arriving in Poland.
Even though the airport handles a large volume of traffic, it is basically a regional airport catering to budget airlines. The airport is short of facilities but is the airport closest to Auschwitz. The airport has a small variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
Katowice Airport serves as one of the major transportation hubs for visitors traveling to Auschwitz.
How far is Katowice Airport from Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum?
You will find Katowice Airport is only 66 kilometres from the former Concentration Camps Auschwitz and Birkenau while Katowice City is only 39 kilometres from your arrival at Auschwitz.
You will need to organise an airport transfer into Katowice and go to Auschwitz ii Birkenau camps from there by organized tour, bus or train to Oswiecim.
Likewise, you can hire a car at Katowice airport or book a direct transfer with a company such as Kiwi taxi and head to Oswiecim or the memorial site.
Planning a trip to Auschwitz? Here is everything you need to know about visiting Auschwitz
The nearest airport to Auschwitz Poland – Krakow
Krakow Balice Airport is one of the most popular airports in Poland and is probably the biggest of the airports close to Auschwitz. It is located about 8 km from the city centre, it has a lot of shops and connections to different flights and airlines.
Krakow Airport is the main international airport serving the region of Krakow, Poland, providing convenient transportation options for visitors travelling to Auschwitz.
The airport has a duty-free shop, where you can buy different goods at lower prices. You can also find jewellery, fashion, souvenir shops, and many others.
Kraków Balice has plenty of food and dining options such as Costa Coffee, Crêperie Creperie and Sandwich & Snack Track. You can call in at the visitor’s centre and request free travel guides for your trip to Poland.
The distance from Krakow Airport to Auschwitz is approximately 70 kilometers.
Krakow is one of the closest airports to Auschwitz and offers connections to different destinations around the world with flights from all over Europe to Asia or America. If you want to know more about the available connections, search with Skyscanner.
How far is Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum from Krakow airport?
Arrival at Auschwitz Concentration Camp is 67 kilometres away from Kraków by road if that is how you plan to get from Krakow airport to Auschwitz. You will need to organise an airport transfer into Kraków and go to Auschwitz from there by organized tour, train travel or hire a car at Kraków airport and head to Oswiecim, the Auschwitz location.
Read more: All the best day trip tours from Krakow to Auschwitz
Wroclaw – airports close to Auschwitz
Wroclaw-Copernicus Airport is the largest airport in Wrocław and the fifth-busiest airport in Poland. The airport is a service by flights from LOT Polish Airline, Buzz; Enter Air and Wizz Air. The airport is located 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of the city centre.
The shops at Copernicus Airport are mainly located in Terminal 1, with a few exceptions. You will find a number of shops selling jewellery, books and duty-free items. You can grab a bite to eat at the Flying Bistro or coffee and sandwiches at Coffee Haven.
How far is Wrocław airport from Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum?
Wrocław may not be the nearest airport to Auschwitz, but it is still a viable option at 231 kilometres away by road.
You can easily book a transfer into the city to organise your Auschwitz visit, we recommend staying in Wrocław for a night when flying and heading to Auschwitz the next day.
You will need to hire a car, take a train or book a day tour from Wrocław to Auschwitz.
Discover more: How to get from Wroclaw to Auschwitz
Staying near Auschwitz in Oswiecim
Oswiecim was thrust into the international spotlight due to its notorious history as the site of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II. Although Oswiecim has tried to move on from its dark past, the town will always be synonymous with the Holocaust.
Today Oswiecim is a town of around 40,000 people, with most of its sights, shops and restaurants centered around the Main Market Square. For those staying in Oświęcim, you can also visit the Oświęcim Castle, Jewish Museum and Synagogue and The Jewish cemetery.
The city closest to Auschwitz, Oświęcim there are plenty of places to stay in Oświęcim from hostels to hotels and apartments to suit all budgets and all types of travellers from singles to families. You will find some great hotels near Auschwitz Poland below.
We hope this article Airports Close to Auschwitz from Poland Travel Expert has helped you choose the best way to get to Auschwitz Birkenau Poland. You can easily access an airport near Auschwitz as we outline above.
The best time to, visit Auschwitz memorial site is early in the morning before all the tour buses arrive and the car parks fill up. You will find a number of articles about Auschwitz on our website.
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Author Bio: Mark Wyld
Mark Wyld is a Father, husband, traveller, and writer at Poland Travel Expert and other blogs. I have accumulated a wealth of experience over multiple visits to Poland. Thanks to our friends in Poland, we stay connected to the nation’s pulse, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first-hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.