Kraków and Auschwitz: How to Plan the Visit
Kraków was one of the few big Polish cities that came out of World War II with its medieval core standing, and it sits just 70 km from the place where the 20th century's worst crime was committed. That contrast is why a visit here is never only about pretty squares. This guide helps you plan both: the city, the Jewish quarter and a respectful day at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The one thing to book first
Entry to the Auschwitz Memorial grounds is free, but you cannot just show up. Since 1 March 2026 all entry passes are issued online only, through visit.auschwitz.org. Unguided passes can be reserved roughly 90 to 7 days ahead, and summer slots can disappear weeks in advance. Guided visits are also available for individuals; check the official site for current prices and availability. Do this before you book anything else, then build the rest of the trip around your time slot.
If you prefer a tour with transport from Kraków, authorized operators sell combined packages, often from around 200 to 300 PLN per person depending on season. Verify what is included (entry, guide, pickup) before paying.
How to get to Auschwitz from Kraków
- Bus or minibus: the most direct option, usually around 1 hour 30 minutes to Oświęcim from the main bus station next to Kraków Główny. Check current timetables, as services change.
- Train: slower and less predictable, but it works. Verify times on the PKP site.
- Organized transfer: convenient if you want a fixed schedule and hotel pickup.
Plan on 3.5 to 5 hours on site. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your slot for security. Auschwitz I and Birkenau are about 3 km apart, and a free shuttle normally links them. Bring ID, a bottle of water and comfortable shoes. Large bags are not allowed in, so travel light.
How to behave there
This is a cemetery as much as a museum. Speak quietly, do not smile for selfies, do not climb on ruins or touch exhibits, and do not take photos in the rooms where it is forbidden. Dress modestly and plan something calm for the evening. Many visitors need it. Children under 14 are not recommended to visit, according to the museum.
Your Kraków days
Day 1: the Old Town. Start in the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Step into the Cloth Hall, listen for the trumpet call from St. Mary's Basilica (it breaks off mid-note on purpose, in memory of a legendary trumpeter), then climb to Wawel Hill for the castle and cathedral. Book Wawel tickets in advance for the exhibitions you want, as daily numbers are limited.
Day 2: Auschwitz. Take the earliest sensible slot and leave the afternoon free.
Day 3: Kazimierz and the Podgórze ghetto. Kazimierz was the Jewish district for centuries. Today it has synagogues, cafés and a lively square (Plac Nowy, famous for zapiekanka, a long open-faced baguette). Cross the river to Podgórze, where the Nazis created the ghetto in 1941. Ghetto Heroes Square, with its empty bronze chairs, is a quiet and powerful stop, and Schindler's Factory hosts an excellent museum about the occupation of Kraków. Book its tickets ahead, because slots sell out.
What to skip, and how long to stay
Three full days is the sweet spot: one for the Old Town and Wawel, one for Auschwitz, one for Kazimierz and Podgórze. With only two days, merge the Old Town and Kazimierz and keep Auschwitz as the second day. Skip the horse carriages around the square and the restaurants with menus in six languages right on the Rynek. Walk two streets away and prices drop noticeably. Sleep in or near the Old Town or Kazimierz, so you can walk everywhere and avoid transport on the early Auschwitz morning.
Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine
Salt chapels carved out of rock deep underground, 20 minutes by train from the city. The standard tourist route costs roughly 140 to 160 PLN for adults in 2026, depending on season. Prices change, so confirm on the official site, and book a few days ahead in summer. It makes a lighter counterweight if you do it on a different day from Auschwitz.
Practical tips
- Money: Poland uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro. Cards work nearly everywhere.
- Getting around: the center is walkable; trams and buses cover the rest.
- Season: spring and early autumn have fewer crowds. Winter is cold but atmospheric.
- Food: try pierogi, żurek (sour rye soup) and obwarzanek, the city's ring-shaped bread sold from street carts.
Explore Kraków with Trevurs
Trevurs has a free, self-guided audio tour that works offline: Kraków: The Untouched City and the Ghetto That Vanished. It connects the Old Town with the story of the ghetto, the perfect companion for your Day 1 and Day 3 walks. Download it before you go, put your headphones on and let the city explain itself at your own pace.
