4 Best Day Trips to Auschwitz from Krakow

Unfortunately, a place like this needs no introduction. What decades ago was a torture camp is today a historical museum that seeks to explain to new generations the errors of the past, preventing the memory of the victims from being lost.

When we talk about Auschwitz we refer to not one but three different camps: an administrative centre (Auschwitz I), an extermination camp (Auschwitz-Birkenau) and a labour camp (Auschwitz III). They are about an hour and a quarter from Kraków and there are different excursions to visit them from Kraków.

The most classic and popular option is to book an excursion to Auschwitz, which includes a return transfer from Krakow, entrance to both concentration camps and the accompaniment of a professional guide. It is an educational and moving experience to learn about one of the darkest episodes in history.

For about 7 hours you will visit Auschwitz I, which houses exhibitions with photographs, documents and personal belongings of the victims, and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest extermination camp in the complex, where the remains of the crematoria and gas chambers are preserved.

Interesting details

• Price: from 26
• Duration: approximately 7 hours
• Recommended if... you want to get to know Auschwitz in an educational and accessible way**.**

If you are looking for more comfort, you can book a guided tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from your hotel in Krakow, which includes transfer from your accommodation, entrance to the two concentration camps and an expert guide who will take you through the history of this place.

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and includes Auschwitz I, where you will see the historical exhibits, and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, where you will walk along the railway tracks, through the barracks and the remains of the crematoria.

Interesting details

• Price: from 35
• Duration: approximately 7 hours
• Recommended if... you want more comfort and direct pick-up from your accommodation.

For an even more complete experience, you can book this tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau with lunch option which includes transport from Krakow, entrance to both camps and the option to add lunch to make the most of the day.

The tour lasts about 7 hours and takes you through Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, accompanied by a professional guide who will explain the history of these places while you visit the most significant points of the camps.

Details of interest

• Price: from 115
• Duration: approximately 7 hours
• Recommended if... you want an organised tour from start to finish.

If you want to make the most of your day, I recommend booking this combined tour to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines, which includes entrance fees to both sites, a professional guide and return transport from Krakow.

The experience lasts about 10.5 hours and combines a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camps with a tour of the impressive Wieliczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting details

• Price: from 91
• Duration: approximately 10.5 hours
• Recommended if... you want to make the most of your day by visiting Auschwitz and the salt mines.

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If you are wondering how much it costs to visit Auschwitz, you should know that prices can vary depending on which option you choose. If you book a tour to Auschwitz from Krakow, you will pay £26 from the Hellotickets website.

For me, this is the most convenient option, as for the small difference in price you can get to the gate of the concentration camp by private bus and after the visit you will be dropped off back in the centre of Krakow, without worrying about waiting times and most importantly, accompanied by an expert guide. Here is an article with all the information about tickets to Auschwitz.

The Salt Mine tours from Krakow are, along with the Auschwitz tour, the most popular attractions in the country. If you don't want to leave Krakow without visiting both, there is a very convenient option, which is to buy the Auschwitz and Salt Mines tour together.

With this option you will save money and time, as you won't have to queue at either site and you will be accompanied at all times by a guide who will explain everything you see, both in the concentration camp and in the salt mines.

It is most convenient to get to Auschwitz concentration camp on a guided tour from Krakow, so you don't have to worry about finding your own method of transport. The tours usually use a private bus or minivan to take you to and from Auschwitz-Birkenau from the centre of Krakow.

But if you prefer, you can also go by train, bus or even by car, if you have decided to rent a car during your trip. Full details on each option can be found here: how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is open every day of the week, every day of the year (except Christmas, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday).

In general, Auschwitz opening hours vary depending on the season from winter to summer, but usually open between 8am and 3pm in winter and until 5 or 6pm in summer.

Depending on the option you choose (whether you take a guided tour or go on your own) you will need more or less time, but you should expect to need between half a day and a full day to organise the return trip from Krakow and the tour inside the complex.

For example, the tour to Auschwitz from Krakow offered by Hellotickets takes about 7 hours and you can choose to go early in the morning or leave later in the afternoon, the latter option being at noon. About 6 or 7 hours later you will be back at your hotel.

If you opt for the combined visit to Auschtwitz and the Salt Mines, the excursion time will inevitably be longer, but it will allow you to do both visits in one day. Expect the total duration to be between 10 and 11 hours. See my article on Auschwitz tour length and Auschwitz tours to help you organise your day.

During your visit to Auschwitz you will see:

• Iron Gate of Auschwitz I: On this gate you can read in German the macabre phrase "Work will set you free".
• Auschwitz I: The visit begins at this concentration camp built in 1940 by the Nazi regime to house between 15,000 and 20,000 prisoners.
• Auschwitz II: Auschwitz II Birkenause was built later, raising the number of prisoners to 90,000. The latter is where the gas chambers were located, which were destroyed at the end of the war by Nazi officials in an attempt to hide their crimes.
• Auschwitz Birkenauwatchtowers.
• Documentary: 15 minutes long, it is shown in the visitor centre and will give you a contextual orientation to the history associated with the site.
• Firing Wall.
• Main building leading to the gas chambers.
• Chimneys.
• Barbed wire fences.

If you want to know more about what to expect on your visit, here is my article on what to see in Auschwitz.

On any other tour, the recommendations that can be given before departure are usually more practical: what to pack in your backpack, what kind of shoes you need, where to eat, where to take the best photos... However, the first recommendation should be of an emotional nature. I'll leave you here, but you can also consult this article with 10 tips for visiting Auschwitz from Krakow.

The emotional part

Many people question a visit to the Auschwitz camps as morbid. However, if done with due respect, it is a valuable history lesson in preserving the memory and remembrance of the victims.

By this I want you to bear in mind that Auschwitz is not an amusement park or a place to take pictures; always try to conduct yourself with the utmost respect. Also, the Auschwitz tour may be difficult for the more sensitive and is not recommended for children.

Printed guidebook

The printed guidebook, which you can buy at the entrance in different languages for less than 3 euros, is essential for orientation during your visit. As for how to get there, if you don't have a private transfer, you can take a train from Krakow's main train station, which takes about two and a half hours.