How to get to Auschwitz concentration camp from Krakow and useful information

How to get from Auschwitz to Krakow

There are several ways to get from Krakow to Oświęcim, the city where the concentration camp is located:

• Bus: In my opinion the most convenient way. Buses to Oświęcim leave from Krakow's main bus station, which is located next to the main train station (Kraków Główny). Arrive at the station and follow the signs to the MDA bus station which is a short distance away. Once there, there are frequent buses that stop right in front of the entrance to the concentration camp. Several companies run this route, one of which is Lajkonik. Please note that you can pre-purchase your ticket online by clicking this link. You can change the language by clicking on the flag in the website menu (English and Polish available). Select your departure (Kraków) and arrival (Oświęcim) and you will be shown all available timetables with the option to purchase a ticket. You can also buy tickets on the bus for the same price but there may not be any seats available. Buying a return ticket will give you a small discount compared to buying single tickets. The bus will drop you off right in front of the camp entrance.

• Train: In this case you need to go to Kraków Główny station. Trains to Oświęcim leave at regular intervals during the day. You can buy tickets at the ticket offices in the station, at the automatic machines, or online through the websites of Polish Railways (PKP). Here too you need to select the departure station (Kraków) and the arrival station (Oświęcim), along with the time and the number of tickets and you will be shown the available options with the possibility of purchasing. In this case the website is only in Polish! Unfortunately I do not like the train option because the train station in Oświęcim is a bit far from the entrance to the camp so you need to take another direct bus (line M) in front of the station that will take you to the camp in about 5 minutes. The cost of the bus is separate.

• Organized tour: There are various tours that include transportation and a visit but I personally found them too expensive. In any case you can check on GetYourGuide. An example is this tour.

How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz

The same considerations and means of transport apply as for the outward journey.

Tips for visiting Auschwitz concentration camp

This section contains some useful information for visiting the concentration camp.

How to buy tickets

Please note that to visit the camp a mandatory reservation is required that you can make at this link. Select "visit for individuals", the date of visit and you will be shown all the available options. From all the options, select "General tour 3.5 h" and the language (english and several other languages available). The cost of the guided tour is 110 PLN per person and there are reductions for some categories of people such as students under 27 or over 65.

The ticket includes both the visit to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau).

Note that access to the concentration camp is free so what you pay for is the guided tour. So can I enter for free? The answer is yes and you just need to follow the same steps by selecting "Tour for individuals without an educator". Places are extremely limited and you need to book them well in advance.

What to do once you arrive at the camp

Once you have your reservation, go into the main entrance and you will find a check-in counter. Show your reservation and they will give you a sticker to put on your shirt with the tour time and language.

How to get from Auschwitz I to Auschwitz II (Birkenau) and vice versa

There is a free circular shuttle bus that leaves from in front of the museum entrance. Once you have finished your visit to Auschwitz I, exit where the bus left you on the way there and you will find the shuttle that will leave you in front of the entrance to Auschwitz II. Same thing for the return to Auschwitz I.

Services inside the museum

Inside the museum there are public toilets and a bar.

Conclusions

Visiting Auschwitz from Krakow is an intense and meaningful experience that requires good organization. You can reach the historical site by bus, train or through an organized tour, each with its own advantages. Once you arrive, make sure to follow the check-in procedures and mandatory reservation to access the camp. The visit, which includes Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau), is enriched by an expert guide who will help you fully understand the history of this place.

If you have any doubts or feedback, you can use the comments section below.

Thanks for reading,

Explorer's Tale.