Things to Do in Krakow

Oświęcim is about 68 km west of Krakow, roughly one to one and a half hours each way by road. Trains and buses run from the city, but the station is about 2 km from the memorial. Offers with transfer save that leg; offers without it are cheaper and leave the planning to you.

Entry cards are reserved in advance on the memorial’s own site, and you should arrive 30 minutes before your slot for the security check. Bags are limited to 30 × 20 × 10 cm. The memorial advises against visits by children under 14. Allow a minimum of about 90 minutes each for Auschwitz and Birkenau.

The guided tour runs about two and a half hours, 135 m underground, with roughly 800 steps going down and a lift back up. It is 14 to 16 °C below ground, so bring a layer. The mine is about 14 km from the centre, which is why many offers include a transfer.

Yes, combined tours exist and run around eleven hours including both drives. It is a heavy day: a memorial visit followed by 800 steps. Many travellers prefer to split them over two days, which also leaves room for a slower look at the Old Town.

It is doable but long: just over 100 km, about two hours by car and more by bus, and the listed tours take seven to twelve hours. You get a few hours in town, a cable car or funicular and thermal baths or tastings. For real hiking, staying overnight in the mountains makes more sense.

Krakow has no sea or beach and no mountains in town; the Tatra are about two hours away. The Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz are within walking distance, and the airport is about 11 km west with a shuttle train of roughly 17 minutes. The big excursions leave from the city, so a car is optional.