Auschwitz

Kevin!

Hello,

I'm interested in going to see the concentration camp in Auschwitz, I was wondering what the best way to approach this would be? do Ryanair fly near there and what airport is close to it?

Thanks,

Kevin.

Clare Bear

We flew to Krakow with Aer Lingus. But yes, Ryanair do fly there too. Got a train and then a taxi from the train station but I think there could have been an easier way. I can't remember it being a very long journey anyway. It was very reasonable too. I know there's special coaches going from lots of areas to there and back so that might be a good idea if you can find out more about them.

An amazing experience though, you won't forget it in a hurry.

rossie1977

yeah closest city is krakow (just over an hour away), and yes ryanair fly there direct from dublin, your best option is one of the numerous tours that leave from krakow, we used these guys, tour guide was excellent http://www.cracowtours.pl/

btw the guide told us that in winter temperatures can fall below -20C in winter there

SuperStarHoney

We used Cracow tours also and went in December, it was cold but nowhere near -20. Krakow is a lovely city and I'd also recommend the jewish museum in there which compliments a visit to Auschwitz.

We also did a tour of the old communist areas outside Krakow with a company called crazy tours which was very interesting also.

undo

I have been to Kraków many times and also have seen Auschwitz several times. Yes, it will be bitterly cold this time of the year - but that only adds to the gloom and sadness of the place, making it even clearer what people had to endure there. I highly recommend going now and seeing for yourself just what a hell on earth this was.

Like others said, your options are a train to Oświęcim (Polish for Auschwitz, the town where the concentration camp is located) or a bus. If you book a tour, you will be taken there and back, hassle-free. If you go by train, it is either a short walk from the station or a local bus ride or possibly a taxi... this obsession with taxis is very Irish and I must say I would never consider taking a taxi myself; but it is there if you want it.

There are actually two concentration camps, Auschwitz I and II. Make sure to visit both. It is a short walk between them. Auschwitz I is the original, red brick one with the famous gate that says "Arbeit macht frei". Auschwitz II is an insanely huge fenced-off field with leftovers of wooden barracks stretching to the horizon. To me, Auschwitz II was even more horrifying than Auschwitz I. Auschwitz II also has the famous train station and platform ("Judenrampe") that you might have seen in Schindler's List. You should definitely see both.

While there to see Auschwitz, do not miss the fact that Kraków, the former seat of the Polish kings, is the most marvelous city Poland has to offer. The old town is absolutely stunning and just has to be explored. Also, another must-see is the Wieliczka salt mine just on the outskirts of Kraków. Again, your travel options will be train, bus or tour. The salt mine is very beautiful and includes a whole cathedral carved out of salt that can even be booked for weddings.

If you want to go with a tour, there is no need to pre-book anything. The various operators have offices and signs all over the old town. Once you set foot there, you will very quickly have a number of tour operators to choose from.

Kevin!

Thank you very much for the replies.

I've booked a flight with Ryanair to Krakow on the 22nd to the 24th of January.

I think I'm going to use that tour company recommended above, does anyone have any hotels to recommend?

Holiday Inn Express seems to be the cheapest, is there any others that are nice hotels & cheapish?

cheers,

Kevin.

undo

Kraków for some reason is the cheapest for accommodation I ever found in Poland. Many hotels are surprisingly affordable. I would very highly recommend you go with one in the old town - you will be close to all attractions and in a beautiful area. Specifically, I stayed at Grand Hotel Kraków recently and liked it a lot but that is a five star and might be above your intended budget.

Kevin!

cheers for the reply above, I've been looking around and I'm thinking about staying in the Radisson SAS hotel in Krakow.

Is there an airport shuttle bus to/from the airport?

and does anyone know what the radisson is like in krakow?

cheers,

Kevin.

undo

This is Eastern Europe we are talking about... there are train lines just about everywhere . There is a direct train from the airport to the central station. You will need to pay in cash, in Polish Złoty. So make sure to get some cash out at the ATM in the arrivals hall.

undo

As for the hotel - the Radisson is close to central but not quite in the old town. At that price, you can get a room in an even better spot if you want to.

Kevin!

undo wrote: »

As for the hotel - the Radisson is close to central but not quite in the old town. At that price, you can get a room in an even better spot if you want to.

mm, what would you reccomend apart from the grand hotel? I've got max €160 euro to spend on a room for 2 adults, hopefully breakfast included, any ideas?

I'm sort of looking for a more modernised, natural hotel if you get me?

undo

I think I know what kind of place you are after. Not one of those business hotels that look all the same no matter which corner of the world you are in. But also not one of the formerly grand hotels that has been left unmaintained for a century and is falling apart. A place with charm but one that is in good, modern condition...

I actually went looking at TripAdvisor for your. You should obviously be doing your own research, not have someone on Boards do it for you... But then again, I am from Poland and I want you to see the best our country can offer. So I had a look and I think this one might be a good fit:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g274772-d503497-Reviews-Hotel_Senacki-Krakow_Southern_Poland.html

It has been getting only good reviews and at €138 for two nights including breakfast, it seems to fit your budget. The hotel is located at the Southern end of the old town. This is very central but also a bit quieter as there are no noisy bars here.

Kevin!

undo wrote: »

I think I know what kind of place you are after. Not one of those business hotels that look all the same no matter which corner of the world you are in. But also not one of the formerly grand hotels that has been left unmaintained for a century and is falling apart. A place with charm but one that is in good, modern condition...

I actually went looking at TripAdvisor for your. You should obviously be doing your own research, not have someone on Boards do it for you... But then again, I am from Poland and I want you to see the best our country can offer. So I had a look and I think this one might be a good fit:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g274772-d503497-Reviews-Hotel_Senacki-Krakow_Southern_Poland.html

It has been getting only good reviews and at €138 for two nights including breakfast, it seems to fit your budget. The hotel is located at the Southern end of the old town. This is very central but also a bit quieter as there are no noisy bars here.

Thank you very much for your support, I value it greatly.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g274772-d276796-Reviews-Wentzl-Krakow_Southern_Poland.html#REVIEWS

what is the Wentzl hotel like do you know off hand? It's got exellent reviews on tripadvisor

undo

That is some serious luxury you are looking at there. I did not realize your €160 budget was per night, not for both nights. This certainly is a top class hotel. And the location - well, it does not get more central than "Central Square", which is where this hotel is located . If you can afford it, go for it!

I am off to the cinema now and will not be around to give you more tips this evening... But if you have more questions, by all means, do post them here or PM me and I will be happy to reply late tonight or tomorrow.

Kevin!

undo wrote: »

That is some serious luxury you are looking at there. I did not realize your €160 budget was per night, not for both nights. This certainly is a top class hotel. And the location - well, it does not get more central than "Central Square", which is where this hotel is located . If you can afford it, go for it!

I am off to the cinema now and will not be around to give you more tips this evening... But if you have more questions, by all means, do post them here or PM me and I will be happy to reply late tonight or tomorrow.

mm, I seem to to have made a mistake about the pricing, I thought it was 160€ for both nights not just one, woops.

Will Krakow be covered in snow in January?

Have a look at Ostoya Palace on 1800hotels. It comes in under your budget and includes breakfast. Good reviews on trip advisor also.

Personally I found Holiday Inn to be fine. It was a stroll to Market Square and was clean and good quality. But it is, as most holiday inns are, quite corporate, so possibly not what you're after.

undo

Kevin! wrote: »

Will Krakow be covered in snow in January?

Yes. You can expect there to be snow in January.

For some further tips, make sure to check out Wikitravel.

Kevin!

undo wrote: »

Yes. You can expect there to be snow in January.

For some further tips, make sure to check out Wikitravel.

That wiki is fantastic, very helpful just read it.

Back to excursions, from above I gather this company is the best to go with? http://www.cracowtours.pl/

There prices seem quite reasonable also, will they pick me up from the hotel or do we have to make our own way there?

cheers,

Kevin.

undo

Check out the tour operator's website... It says: "hotel pick up from selected hotels"

Kevin!

Thanks for all the help, I've decided to book the Sheraton Hotel in Krakow, as there was a decent enough deal for 2 nights and it has a swimming pool also.

The package I'm on doesn't include breakfast but I'm presuming thats not a problem? is there places to eat in the main town for breakfast?

cheers,


Kevin.

undo

Good choice, Kevin. The Sheraton certainly is up to standards.

There is no problem with eating in town. Kraków has plenty of restaurants and cafes. In fact, it may even be the better option as you get to taste some local fare.

SuperStarHoney

The Sheraton's a great choice, we stayed there for four nights in the December 07 and were very happy with it. Nice restuarant and bar and only five minutes walk to the old town. Rooms are huge too which is always great!

spurious

Kevin! wrote: »

cheers for the reply above, I've been looking around and I'm thinking about staying in the Radisson SAS hotel in Krakow.

Is there an airport shuttle bus to/from the airport?

and does anyone know what the radisson is like in krakow?

cheers,

Kevin.

I realise you've booked somewhere else, but the Radisson is lovely, albeit in a soulless 'could be anywhere' way that chain hotels tend to be. Good breakfast. Its location is great - just the other side of the Planty.

There is a train goes from the airport to Krakow Glowny which is more or less at the 'top' of the Rynek (main square). Make sure any ladies in your party are not wearing tight skirts as sometimes there is a two or more feet high difference between the door of the train and the station platform.

The station is a bit of a walk from the Sheraton. You might be as well off get a taxi from the station if you have bags. DO NOT GET ONE OF THE 'TAXIS' VISIBLE FROM THE STATION. Go through the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre and get a 'real' taxi. There are lots of chancers hang out just across the bridge from the station concourse and they will fleece you royally.

Similarly do not go with any of the guys offering taxi services at the airport. If you'd like to get a taxi in, PM me and I will give you the name of an absolutely reliable and honest guy called Adam who I have used many times.

Krakow's a fantastic city. You'll have a great time.

There's a free shuttle bus runs between Auschwitz and Birkenau. Try if at all possible to either go yourself or with a private driver. If you can get there before 10am the crowds are not too bad. After 11 is mental. They have recently changed their rules for visitors not in groups, so check out their page before you go.
http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/z/

undo

spurious wrote: »

[...] sometimes there is a two or more feet high difference between the door of the train and the station platform.

I love that observation about our Polish train system . Very true as well.

sgt.bilko

Hi we went to Krakow a few years back and really appreciated the experience of the city.

We stayed in a self catering apartment complex which was top notch.

Its website is www.cracowdays.com and i'd really recommend the place.

Whilst it's a self catering, Krakow is so cheap that you wouldn't really avail of the kitchen apart from making a coffee in the morning.

Enjoy your visit !

Also, we went on the tour bus to the camps. It's also a handy way of seeing the local country side.

Kevin!

spurious wrote: »

I realise you've booked somewhere else, but the Radisson is lovely, albeit in a soulless 'could be anywhere' way that chain hotels tend to be. Good breakfast. Its location is great - just the other side of the Planty.

There is a train goes from the airport to Krakow Glowny which is more or less at the 'top' of the Rynek (main square). Make sure any ladies in your party are not wearing tight skirts as sometimes there is a two or more feet high difference between the door of the train and the station platform.

The station is a bit of a walk from the Sheraton. You might be as well off get a taxi from the station if you have bags. DO NOT GET ONE OF THE 'TAXIS' VISIBLE FROM THE STATION. Go through the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre and get a 'real' taxi. There are lots of chancers hang out just across the bridge from the station concourse and they will fleece you royally.

Similarly do not go with any of the guys offering taxi services at the airport. If you'd like to get a taxi in, PM me and I will give you the name of an absolutely reliable and honest guy called Adam who I have used many times.

Krakow's a fantastic city. You'll have a great time.

There's a free shuttle bus runs between Auschwitz and Birkenau. Try if at all possible to either go yourself or with a private driver. If you can get there before 10am the crowds are not too bad. After 11 is mental. They have recently changed their rules for visitors not in groups, so check out their page before you go.
http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/z/

Thank you very much for your imput, it is highly valued along with the support I have been getting from other members also (undo in particular)

I was thinking about the Radisson, but I don't belive that it has a pool and I thought brekfast was not included so I went with the Sheraton.

I can not unbook it as I booked it with Hotel.com and there policy is that there is no cancellation (reason to there fares being cheap)

I'm travelling with Ryanair and decided not to bring any suitcases as they screw you for them and I'm only going for two nights so hand luggage will suffice, I think I'll walk from the station to the Hotel.

I think I'm going to go with the tour operator that alot of people have reccomended above, and there prices also seem to be very reasonable. they also include hotel pickup in there service.

sgt.bilko wrote: »

Hi we went to Krakow a few years back and really appreciated the experience of the city.

We stayed in a self catering apartment complex which was top notch.

Its website is www.cracowdays.com and i'd really recommend the place.

Whilst it's a self catering, Krakow is so cheap that you wouldn't really avail of the kitchen apart from making a coffee in the morning.

Enjoy your visit !

Also, we went on the tour bus to the camps. It's also a handy way of seeing the local country side.

I've booked my accommodation already, but thank you for the input