The city of Krakow is well known for its rich history and architecture. Its stunning market Square is used in many an Instagram picture for the perfect European backdrop scene. But around an hour away west of Krakow is Auschwitz, one of the most famous WW2 sites in Poland and possibly the world.
- Why should you visit Auschwitz from Krakow?
- How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz
- How far is Auschwitz from Kraków
- Questions about visiting Auschwitz
- Why should I go on an organised Krakow day trip to Auschwitz
- Best day tours from Kraków to Auschwitz
- Secure your spot on this tour to the Auschwitz ii Birkenau camp!
- Secure your spot on the best Auschwitz tours from Krakow
- Essential information for Krakow
In 1940, the Nazis took over the town of Oświęcim and established Auschwitz as the largest death camp in Europe for Jews, political prisoners and undesirables.
The tragic history of Auschwitz tells us that over 1 million people were killed, including thousands of Polish political prisoners and Jews from Krakow. Today, the former Auschwitz site is a memorial and museum.
While you are visiting Krakow, you can easily get from Kraków to Auschwitz, on any number of guided tours that run daily to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz—Birkenau.
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Why should you visit Auschwitz from Krakow?
Many people, visiting Krakow and many parts of Poland, want to visit Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp.
The Auschwitz Memorial lies much closer to Kraków than it does to any other major city in Poland. This makes Krakow, one of the best Polish cities, an ideal base to take a tour of Auschwitz from Krakow.
Auschwitz–Birkenau is a destination that will rock you to the core. So much history, sadness and crazy ideology all converge in this one location. In 1940, on the outskirts of Oswiecim Poland, a prison camp was established.
The continued mass detainment of the Jews, political prisoners and the Polish people meant that a bigger solution was required.
On June 14, 1940, the first prisoners arrived. By 1942 Auschwitz had turned from a prison camp into a death camp, a systemic killing machine controlled by the Third Reich.
For over a million people the Auschwitz arrivals platform was the end of the line for them, as they were marched straight to the gas chamber.
What was once a Polish Army barracks is now one of the most well-known museums in the world. It is a place of pure sadness and will create memories that will not be forgotten.
How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz
An organised tour day trip from Krakow Poland to Auschwitz takes all the hassle of organising it yourself.
Tours from Krakow to Auschwitz are convenient and easy, most Auschwitz tours are planned so that you can relax and have little to worry about other than taking in the experience.
Tour companies and tour operators of any Auschwitz Birkenau guided tours will take care of all the details for your tour from Krakow to Auschwitz, from transport (bus tours, private tour by car) to tickets to guide services. This leaves you free to focus on what matters – gaining an understanding of one of history’s darkest moments.
The best Auschwitz-guided tours from Krakow offer a comprehensive and informative experience for visitors to learn about the tragic history of the Holocaust. If you are short of time you can even do an Auschwitz-Birkenau museum half-day trip
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How far is Auschwitz from Kraków
The Auschwitz—Birkenau Memorial Camp is just 67 kilometres away from the city of Kraków and can be accessed via, train, bus, car, and tour. Krakow is the nearest and easiest major city in Poland to access Auschwitz.
Questions about visiting Auschwitz
In this section, we hope to answer some frequently asked questions for tourists visiting Poland who choose to take a Krakow to Auschwitz tour.
How far is Auschwitz from Kraków?
Auschwitz, one of the most notorious Nazi concentration and extermination camps during World War II, is located about 60 kilometres (37 miles) west of Krakow, Poland. It is possible to do a private Auschwitz tour, an Auschwitz half-day tour or a full day to the Auschwitz camp complex
How to get from Oswiecim to Auschwitz?
Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp lies on the edge of the town of Oswiecim. It is only a few kilometres from the town centre to go to Auschwitz.
What is the difference between Auschwitz and Birkenau?
Auschwitz and Birkenau are both a part of the same complex, located a few kilometres apart. At Auschwitz, you will find plenty of buildings used by the SS in World War ii while Birkenau housed most of the prisoners’ accommodation.
What to wear to an Auschwitz Birkenau guided tour?
On Trips To Auschwitz From Krakow you should dress respectfully, as Auschwitz really is a giant cemetery. No skimpy, dirty or ripped clothes, please.
Where to stay in Poland to visit Auschwitz?
You can stay in Krakow for an Auschwitz-guided tour from Krakow. You can also stay in Oswiecim, Katowice or any town in Southern Poland
Is Auschwitz free to visit?
Tickets to the former Nazi concentration camp are free if you do not want to take any type of guided tour of Auschwitz. The best time to visit this symbol of the holocaust is as soon as it opens to avoid the crowds from tourist buses. You can do a self guided tour.
Why should I go on an organised Krakow day trip to Auschwitz
- You don’t have to get to Kraków Główny or MDA station
- You don’t have to take public transport from Krakow to Auschwitz concentration camp and round-trip transfers are included.
- You can usually organise a Kraków hotel pickup and drop off at your accommodation on Auschwitz Tours.
- Auschwitz Tours will have an English-speaking guide that will keep you informed on the journey out to Auschwitz ii Birkenau so you get the full experience.
- Entry tickets to the two camps are usually included in the tour to Auschwitz from Krakow
- One price for everything including round-trip transport back to Krakow.
- An organised tour of the sights
- During the Krakow Auschwitz tour, visitors are guided through the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp to learn about its dark history.
- If you have children, you may be able to take some extras for them and then have somewhere to keep the extra bags, so you don’t have to carry them around.
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Best day tours from Kraków to Auschwitz
Let’s explore some great tours for visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp from Kraków. An Auschwitz trip with a tour guide will make your trip easy. Which Auschwitz tour is best? There is no shortage of Kraków and Auschwitz packages available.
Auschwitz – Birkenau Memorial Tour from Krakow
This day tour to the Auschwitz extermination camp gives you two options, you can either go on a guided tour of the Auschwitz Museum or you can explore the site by yourself.
On your Auschwitz tour from Krakow you have the option of being picked up at 8 central locations around Kraków where you will be transferred to Auschwitz, the former German Nazi concentration, in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
The tour to the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz from Krakow will start to finish in Kraków and lasts around 5 hours. This moving tour incorporates 1 hour to the Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum, then 3 hours at the site doing an official guided tour or your own paced tour and then return to Kraków.
Kraków Concentration Camp tour includes:
- Pickup from 8 different meeting points all over Krakow
- Certificated Museum Guide (if option selected) and entrance tickets
- 3-hour visit to Auschwitz & Birkenau Museum
For more information and bookings
Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour and Wieliczka Salt Mine full-day trip with pickup
This is an amazing tour with the opportunity to visit two of the best World War II sites near Krakow in one day.
Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial site in Oswiecim. You will see prisoner barracks, the entrance gate, railway ramps, and the original barracks where the prisoner lived.
The Auschwitz Birkenau tour will have a professional guide who give you a brief history of the site. Then travel to Wieliczka Salt Mine and travel 135 meters underground.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest salt mines in Europe. The mine was first mentioned in written documents in the early 13th century. The mine was in operation until 2007. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the best things to see in Krakow and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day tour from Krakow includes:
- Duration 11 hours
- Wieliczka Salt Mine entry ticket
- Live guided tour of the Auschwitz memorial by an expert guide
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Auschwitz-Birkenau entrance ticket
- Rated 4.8 out of 5
Check the latest prices and availability
Auschwitz-Birkenau full-day tour with lunch
On this visit to Auschwitz, you will learn about the history of the Holocaust on this day trip to Auschwitz from Krakow. The trip will visit the Auschwitz I Museum and the Birkenau Camp.
An Official licensed Auschwitz guide will lead you through the largest concentration camp complex in Europe and explain its role in the Holocaust. The site still has original roads, gas chamber ruins, fences, watchtowers and gas chambers from the 1940s.
You will pay respect to the victims at the Auschwitz Birkenau complex as you walk through the site, see the gas chambers and crematoria, and personal belongings and learn the horrendous details of what happened at this site.
Your itinerary will involve pick-up and drop-off from a choice of meeting points in Kraków, entrance to the Auschwitz Museum and exhibits a 15-minute break, and a visit to Birkenau, before returning to Krakow from Auschwitz. This is one of the best tours to Auschwitz from Krakow
Day tour to Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp includes:
- Tours to Auschwitz from Krakow include hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation in an air-conditioned bus
- Trips to Auschwitz have an English-speaking driver
- Local licensed guide for tours of Auschwitz from Krakow
- Headset to hear the guide when you visit the Auschwitz Birkenau museum.
- Fresh-made lunch box: meat, vegetarian, and vegan options available. Each consists of 2 x sandwiches, apple, banana, dark chocolate wafer, orbit gum, still mineral water 0,5 l, tissue, and paper bag. Specific diet requirements are to be confirmed.
Secure your spot on this tour to the Auschwitz ii Birkenau camp!
Auschwitz-Birkenau and Schindler’s Factory Tour from Krakow
Discover the profound history of Krakow with this half-day tour! Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where you’ll gain insight into the Holocaust and pay tribute to its victims. Explore Schindler’s Factory, a poignant museum showcasing wartime experiences.
Led by knowledgeable guides, this Auschwitz tour provides a meaningful and educational experience. Immerse yourself in the stories of resilience and courage that emerged from these significant sites.
Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the tour, it is recommended for mature audiences who visit Auschwitz. The best Auschwitz tour from Krakow offers a comprehensive experience of visiting the historic concentration camp.
Gain a deeper understanding of Krakow’s past and honour those affected by the Nazi regime in this dark chapter in history. Book now for an impactful journey to the Oskar Schindler factory and the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Day tour of Auschwitz and the Oskar Schindler factory include:
- Pickup and drop-off at your Krakow accommodation (if option selected)
- Documentary movie en route to the Auschwitz Museum
- Tour guide in Oscar Schindler’s Factory Museum
- Transportation by modern Mercedes minibus to Auschwitz ii Birkenau
- WiFi access in a minibus
- 3.5-hour guided tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camp
- Entrance fee to Oscar Schindler’s Factory Museum
- Visiting Auschwitz Interactive exhibition (1.5 hours)
- The assistance of an experienced tour leader
- Guaranteed to skip the long entrance lines
Secure your spot on the best Auschwitz tours from Krakow
Essential information for Krakow
There are many other things you need to consider when planning a vacation to Krakow not just where are the best areas to stay in Krakow. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from travellers to Krakow for your 2 days in Krakow itinerary.
How to get to Krakow
- Krakow airport is known as John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice. It is located 11.6km from the city centre. Full-service carriers such as Finn air, LOT, and British Airways fly into John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice. Budget airlines Ryanair, EasyJet, Germanwings and Vueling service Krakow Airport. Check the prices of international flights to Kraków with Cheap O’air.
- If your flights have a long stopover, or you just want to relax before your trip you should consider getting a lounge pass with Priority Pass. Priority Pass has access to airport lounges all over the world. Search now for your lounge pass
- You can book an airport transfer from Warsaw Airport to your hotel
- If your flights have a long stopover, or you just want to relax before your trip you should consider getting a lounge pass with Priority Pass. Priority Pass has access to airport lounges all over the world. Search now for your lounge pass
- You can catch trains to Krakow from all over Europe and Poland. High-speed trains run frequently between Warsaw and Kraków in around 2 hours. You can book your Poland train travel with trainline.
- Flix Bus has buses running daily to Krakow from destinations inside Poland and International destinations. Search for your bus tickets to Krakow.
- Poland has some great Highways for driving, The newer Highways built with E.U assistants are levied with what we would say are heavy tolls. Some local roads do leave a lot to be desired. You can hire a car at any international airport in Poland and Europe. Search your Rental Car today!
Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Aviasales or Kiwi Flights. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend, fly carry-on only on a budget airline, and take late-night or early-morning flights
Accommodation in Poland
You can stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and private rooms in hostels or luxury locations. We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For apartments and rentals, we book using VRBO. VRBO has lower fees and better customer service than Airbnb. if you’re looking for something a bit fancier with a view or a pool then Plum Guide will help you find the perfect apartment in Krakow.
How to get around Krakow
There is no underground transport system in Krakow, An integrated bus and tram system runs in Krakow from 05:00 – 23:00. Check timetables and network maps online for Krakow at mpk.krakow.pl. Tickets are the integrated bus and tram system are timed. This allows you the freedom to change between tram or bus lines within the allocated time of your ticket life. You can get 20min 40min,1-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, and unlimited weekend family pass tickets.
Taxi and UBER are available in the city.
What currency do I need for my trip to Poland?
The official currency you need to use in Poland is the Polish Zloty, We recommend that you get a Revolut travel money card, that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save you money.
Travel insurance for Poland
Poland has a high quality of healthcare but in saying that travel insurance is still recommended for all travellers entering the country. The last thing you want is a huge bill for medical expenses should you require care on your holiday in Krakow.
We recommend using Travel Insurance Master, their website will compare the best deals from a number of providers and present you with the best value for money policy on the market. Click through to Insurance Masters to get a free quote.
Using your phone in Krakow
Relying on Wi-Fi when you are travelling and sightseeing in Krakow on vacation can be hard. Making calls and staying in contact when you travel to Europe is a top priority. Plan your trip out and order your sim before you leave home or buy a voucher for the new E-sims. This will reduce any stress about travelling, data and calls on your epic vacation in Poland.
Use a VPN Service on your travels
A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while travelling. When overseas, we access a lot of different Wi-Fi networks along the journey. A VPN allows you to stream Netflix & other streaming sites from your home country! We use Express VPN when travelling.
Day trips from Kraków to Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp are ideal, a visit to Auschwitz is something you will remember forever. You will not be disappointed by the experience if you’re in Kraków and go on one an Auschwitz Birkenau guided tour to learn about World War ii and Nazi concentration camps
We hope this article from Poland Travel Expert has helped you choose the best tours to Auschwitz from Kraków. We know there are already plenty of things to do on a Kraków itinerary.
A Kraków to Auschwitz ii Birkenau tour can be done comfortably with a number of options we outline above. Visit our Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial page for more ideas and information.
Poland Travel Expert is your ultimate guide to all things Poland. Your next trip to Poland will not be complete without our detailed Poland guides, Poland itineraries and Poland travel tips.
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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 pulse of the nation, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.
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