Take a full-day trip from Warsaw, starting early in the morning. Travel to and from Krakow by a train, and head to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp State Museum to learn about the darkest parts of history with a guide.
Auschwitz Tour concentration camp – where to stay to visit? Unless your trip to Poland is very short and you plan on visiting only the Auschwitz Museum, it's best to stay in Krakow. Oswiecim is a small town; although you can find hotels there, your options are much more limited.
While the memorial does not specifically impose a dress code, it urges visitors to dress appropriately, keeping in mind the solemn and sensitive nature of the site. Photography is allowed on the grounds of the museum, but visitors should avoid using flash and stands.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is just under 70km from the centre of Kraków and will take just over an hour via the A4. Note, however, that you'll need to play a toll, paid for electronically in advance.
It is essential to visit both parts of the camp, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, in order to acquire a proper sense of the place that has become the symbol of the Holocaust as well as Nazi crimes againt Poles, Romas and other groups.
Visits to the memorial site (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau) are free of charge. Due to the large volume of visitors, visitors are now only permitted to visit the memorial site without a guide at certain times.
The best way to get from Warsaw to Auschwitz cross is to train which takes 4h 8m and costs 50 zl - 85 zl. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 6h 45m.
Warsaw is the Europe travel destination of the year for a reason. It offers a lot to do, and you can spend anywhere from 1 day to 1 week and not get bored. There are buildings to explore, museums to peruse, food to try, and nightlife to enjoy.
Individual visitors may tour the Memorial independently or in organised groups with a guide-educator. Entrance to the Museum, to both Auschwitz I and Birkenau parts, is possible only with a personalized entry pass booked in advance. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org or on the spot at the cashier.
If you want to enjoy the good weather, May- September is the best time for visiting Auschwitz. However, if you want to avoid peak season rush, April to May may be a better choice. Earmark a weekday for the visit.
Krakow is quite affordable for most types of travelers. Especially in comparison to Western Europe, not to mention Scandinavia. Since it is one of Poland's biggest cities, prices in Poland Krakow such as living and travel are slightly higher than in the rest of the country.
Refreshments are not offered during your visit to Auschwitz, but you can visit the cafeteria in Auschwitz I camp for a quick bite. There are paid toilets available in both Auschwitz I and Birkenau concentration camps.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Krakow? 3 days in Krakow is the perfect amount of time to tour Wawel Castle, visit the top sights in the Old Town, get a history lesson in Kazimierz, and day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. If you have less than 3 days in Krakow, you can do this same itinerary, with some modifications.