If you are visiting Krakow a trip to Auschwitz should be on your itinerary, you have probably learned about it in school, saw films and read some books about the horrors that occurred here, but being there in person is a whole other experience.
It was an incredibly sombre day, I could not stop thinking of the people that walked the same path 80 years ago. It was a scary reminder that history can repeat itself.
Click here to read my blog post on some of the things you see in Auschwitz.
Please note some of my links throughout this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through my link, I might make a small commission. However, this does not change the price you pay but it allows me to cover the costs of running this website. Thank you for understanding !
Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow
Auschwitz is located just outside the town of O?wi?cim, 70km from Krakow. It can be reached by bus, private tour, or train.
Krakow to Auschwitz by Bus
The best and most straightforward way to get there is by bus, I recommend the company LAJKONIK because they have spacious buses and a frequent timetable. The bus journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. The bus will depart from the main bus station in Krakow – MDA Bus Station at terminal/gate G3.
The buses do get very busy so it is important to reserve a seat online.
You will get off the bus at Auschwitz museum and can get the bus back to Krakow from the same stop.
Krakow to Auschwitz by Train
Another straightforward option for getting to Auschwitz from Krakow is by train.
The train goes from Krakow’s main train station, Krakow Glówny. You will be going to O?wi?cim, this takes 1 hour 20 minutes and is a frequent service.
You will be getting off the train at O?wi?cim (Dworzec PKP), this is 2km from Auschwitz.
You can then choose to walk 20 minutes to the Auschwitz museum or take a taxi. There are many taxis outside the train station and Auschwitz.
Krakow to Auschwitz by Private Tour
This option to get from Krakow to Auschwitz will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation in Krakow.
Tickets To Auschwitz
Although there are times in the year you can do a self-guided tour it is advisable to join a tour with a guide. Our guide was brilliant and told us really interesting stories and facts that we would have not learned without a guide. There were about 25 other people in the group. You will be given a headset so you can hear the guide.
Honestly, I normally would not get a guide but Auschwitz requires a guide between certain hours of the day. It was so informative and I would not have got as much out of the experience without one. The tour lasts 3 hours with a 15 minute break in between.
You will meet your guide after going through security. This isn’t made clear when booking so give yourself plenty of time to get through security.
You can book tickets to Auschwitz on their official website.
Auschwitz Facilities
There is a reasonably priced cafe onsite which serves mostly Polish meals, snacks, tea & coffee.
A free shuttle bus goes every 15 minutes between Auschwitz 1 & Auschwitz Birenhau so you do not need to worry about getting between the 2 camps.
Across the road are a number of restaurants, this is helpful if you are waiting for the bus back. The prices are generally more expensive but that is to be expected in such a tourist destination.
