How To Get To Auschwitz From Krakow

The first time I visited Europe I was amazed by its history. I went to Berlin and decided to take one day to visit a concentration camp.

I always had a big fascination for the world wars as creepy as it sounds. I get it, perhaps I’m not picking the right words here. It should be more something like “disgusting bitterness towards humans – kind of fascination”.

When I was in college, I started to get really into this. I read many books and watched several movies.

I simply couldn’t believe how weak humans were and how they could do such things to each other.

After many hours reading about this, all my questions found their answers.

Dehumanization was a great tool back then. When you have the impression that you’re dealing with animals, you won’t feel as empathetic as you normally would.

Anyway, I was in Germany and I visited Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

Most of the site has been destroyed, but I still managed to learn even more about this dark chapter in human history. The guide finished the tour by quoting Mark Twain and I can still hear those wise words:

“History never repeats itself, but it often rhymes.”

At this moment I gave myself another mission; to visit Auschwitz one day.

How to Visit Auschwitz from Krakow & Krakow Trip Planner

Visiting Krakow, Poland

Why visit Krakow?

Krakow is an important stop in Poland. It’s the second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Poland.

Visiting Krakow helped me understand a lot more about the Jewish community – from how it all started to nowadays.

Krakow isn’t only about history though. It can also be a cool city if you’re into cultural and artistic stuff. Oh, and I almost forgot, food and beer!

While you’re in Krakow you might want to check out the main square, the old town and get lost amongst the colorful streets.

There’s actually one thing you shouldn’t miss though; Auschwitz.

It’s something you do because you’re one of the good humans out there who wants to avoid the rhymes Mark Twain was talking about.

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Visiting Auschwitz and the Best Way to Visit Auschwitz

The main reason that brought me to Krakow was actually Auschwitz. Only 75 km away, it’s worth visiting.

Getting to Auschwitz is a full day trip. It won’t be easy. It will be emotionally draining. And you won’t regret it.

Of course, it won’t be an exciting happy day. Talking about how 1.3 million people died during the Holocaust isn’t a happy topic.

I’d say it’s mostly a harsh reminder of how, us, humans, can terribly fail at humanity.

Auschwitz was the largest concentration camp where mass murders happened. Many, many people died, suffered, starved and only a few managed to survive.

There are two sites to visit; Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz-Birkenau (where even more people died). You can visit both in one day. There’s a shuttle service between both sites.

Here’s how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow so you can visit without spending too much money:

There are two options to visit Auschwitz. You can either take a tour or get to Auschwitz yourself and get a guided tour on-site. If you’re wondering if you should skip the guided tour, I’ll tell you two things:

• I hate paying for tours, but I wanted to learn more about what happened in Auschwitz so I decided to pay to get a guide.
• My money was well invested as I don’t like having to read everything on my own while visiting a museum (I normally hate museums). There was a lot more information provided by the guide.

There’s a bus from Krakow to Auschwitz. You can find the timetable directly at the central bus station. If you didn’t book any guided tours previously, you’ll have to be there early to join a group.

Visit the Auschwitz website for more details on the guided tours and language options.

Step by step guide from Krakow to Auschwitz:

1. Take the bus as early as possible (I took the one at 7h10 and I arrived just a bit before 9h). You can expect to pay PLN 14 for one way.
2. On the website, I couldn’t find any availabilities but on-site, I found a place in a group at 11h30. Depending on your luck, you could possibly find something but to be on the safe side you should give them a call and book a spot as soon as possible.
3. The guided tour was PLN 45, but kindly note you could get a discount if you have a student card.
4. You can’t bring any backpacks with you but there’s a storage room that is safe. You’ll have to pay PLN 4 to leave your backpack there.
5. If you need a nature stop (toilet), you’ll also have to pay PLN 1,50.
6. There are a snack bar and a restaurant on site.

Kindly note that these rates are based on my trip in April 2017 and are subject to change.

Why you should visit Auschwitz

If you are wondering if you should visit Auschwitz, just remember that this emotional journey is just one day in your life. Most people in this camp didn’t have the opportunity to decide, to chose what to do with their days or with their life.

I feel pretty lucky that I haven’t been exposed to war. Some of us still have to handle daily struggles though.  

Is that fair?

Is this really the world we’re living in?

How can people just close their eyes?

If we’re only humans, we’re also selfish.

It’s easy to be focused on our own businesses and pretend that the world is great the way it is.

When I heard a Jewish group pray while I was visiting Auschwitz (they were singing their prayers), I felt amazed by their solidarity, their love. I had to hold my tears.

It’s a shame that we humans only want to stick to those who look like us, who think like us.

Can we all just embrace each other?

And sing loudly that we’re here for each other.

Building walls or creating bans will just slowly recreate what happened only 75 years ago.

Visiting Auschwitz is definitely worth visiting.

Visiting Poland soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Best places to live in Poland
• Poland SIM card
• Things to do in Gdansk