Krakow: Auschwitz and salt mine tour

Wanderer41

I am going interrailing in July and will be stopping in Krakow. We (2 people) would like to go to Auschwitz and the salt mines. Is it possible to do both in one day? We don't mind leaving early in the morning but would like to see as much as possible. We will probably get the guided tour of Auschwitz once there.
Also, is it possible/cheaper to travel there by yourself using public transport or is it better to get a tour bus?

I have been looking things up online but I'm not sure which would be better.
We're also planning a walking tour in Krakow, are there any other must-see things in Krakow? Can anyone recommend Energylandia?

Thank you!

dar100

Yes I booked both for the same day with the one company, don't recall the name, but it was very cheap about 30 euro for both!!

Depending on your hotel you could be picked up first meaning about 5 o'clock, head to aushwitz then get dropped back off in Krackov waiting around for a bit, the get picked back up for the salt mines

Price was for entert and transport

eeguy

It is, but it's tight.

Be the first group into Auschwitz in the morning. Saves you getting stuck behind another group. It took us about 5 hours to get around. The tours comprise the two camps, Auschwitz and Birkenau and you get a bus from one to the other.
If you raced to the Salt Mines you could get through there too. That's usually not guided so you can go at your own pace.

Personally I'd do it over two days. I was in no mood to do much after Auschwitz and you would get more out of the tour if you're not checking your watch. Best to take your time and take it all in.

yabadabado

OP if I was you I would do them on seperate day. Auschwitz on one day and then maybe the salt mines and walking tour the following day.Auschwitz will take a good 7/8 hours between travelling/tour.

Salt mines are only about 30 mins from the city so very easy to do that in 2/3 hours but also do a walking tour afterwards.

uck51js9zml2yt

Autzwich is a long day..not to mention emotional.

We did it and the salt mines over 2 days,
The salt mines tour included a guide in the mines. Its worth doing it in the evening. no point wasting a nice day underground!

spurious

It's possible to do it in one day (with an early start to miss the Auschwitz crowds) and the mines can be a sort of 'buffer' from what you see in Auschwitz.

If you're not stuck for time, I would do them on separate days, but it's certainly possible.

Patser

I'd recommend not going to Auschwitz. It really, really will bring you right down. I know in hindsight this should've seen obvious, but you are on holidays and this just sucks any sort of enjoyment out of you for a day or 2. I accept it's an important part of history, not to be forgotten or dismissed, and curiosity will want you to go but still be aware of what it is.

Salt mines are cool and well worth a visit.

Wanderer41

Thank you for your replies! I think we will do them on different days and get the tour guide there.
Should we go with a tour company that brings you to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines or would it be cheaper to do it ourselves? If a company is better, can anyone recommend a good one?
Thanks again!

spurious

It would be much cheaper to do it yourself and use public transport, but that would involve reading Polish timetables etc..
There is no actual charge to enter Auschwitz, the charge is for the guide in your language.

When I used to go, I hired a taxi driver who could get us there before the crowds and add in a few other things like a visit to Plaszow and Schindler's factory after it. It wasn't a lot more expensive than the group tours. The company I have used many many times is http://www.auschwitz-krakow.com/ If you tell him the teacher in Dublin recommended him he will look after you.

In the Salt Mines, it's worth paying for the permission to take photos.

slavetothegrind

hi spurious thanks for the above recommendation!

Any hotel recommendations?

thanks again.

spurious

slavetothegrind wrote: »

hi spurious thanks for the above recommendation!

Any hotel recommendations?

thanks again.

July will be very busy all over. It very much depends on budget. There are many excellent apartments to rent if you want to do self-catering. Krakow is full of places to eat out cheaply. You can even get an Irish breakfast in a milkbar run by an Irish guy on Sw. Tomasza street.

I've stayed numerous times in the Hotel Kazimierz in the Jewish quarter. Little bit of a walk from the main square but very good value and a big buffet breakfast. Of the order of 40-60 euro a night per double room.

Brama Hostel (over McDonalds on Florianksa Street) is a good budget option. About 50 euro a night for a double room.

If you want a bit of old style elegance at relatively cheap prices, I have also stayed in the Hotel Francuski, just north of the main square, round the corner from Brama Hostel. Excellent location and another place with a huge buffet breakfast included. Round about 80-90 euro a night, but worth it for the location and experience. The sort of place the doorman clicks his heels and does a little bow when he greets you.

Another cheaper place I stayed was the Hotel Rezydent just on the southern edge of the square. Great location but can get a bit noisy. Again, big breakfasts. price about 110 euro for a double.

There are of course more expensive places, but even then, compared to what you would get in Dublin for the same prices, the Krakow hotels are fantastic value.

Patser

I stayed in Hotel Katimierz too, it's in the old Jewish quarter to the south of the city. There's and old Synagogue and graveyard there that allows visitors in and explains a bit of their history in the city. There are also a few Jewish restaurants around if you want to try different food.

The Katimierz area also has a market square with a few lively pubs nearby. Not a bad place to stay, slightly out of main city.

yabadabado

I stayed in that Brama Hostel and it was grand.Very central and fairly cheap.

Wanderer41

Thank you all for your replies and sorry for my late reply.

As we're students we decided to get a bus to Auschwitz and to the Salt Mines on different days to keep the cost down. Really looking forward to seeing Krakow now!

spurious

You will have a great time. Enjoy!

MugMugs

Wanderer41 wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies and sorry for my late reply.

As we're students we decided to get a bus to Auschwitz and to the Salt Mines on different days to keep the cost down. Really looking forward to seeing Krakow now!

Good. Choice.

I did a similar trip and ended up taking a bus back to Auschwitz the next day. As much as I couldnt handle it, I wasn't going to settle for a quick tour around it. Auschwitz 2 can consume a day in itself to explore.


Salt mines is the best hangover cure you'll ever have by the way.

EverythingGood

slavetothegrind wrote: »

hi spurious thanks for the above recommendation!

Any hotel recommendations?

thanks again.

My wife is from near Krakow, we always stay in the Secret Garden, in the old city (Kazimerz), the Jewish district, where Schindler was based. Great place to stay, very near the Rynek also, Wawel close by too.

Krakow is amazing, we go about 3 times a year, and I always find it fascinating.

http://www.thesecretgarden.pl/en/homepage/

Sully1

Hi,
Can anyone recommend companies that provide private transfers and tours of Auschwitz for groups of 10 people?
Thanks you!

EverythingGood

Sully1 wrote: »

Hi,
Can anyone recommend companies that provide private transfers and tours of Auschwitz for groups of 10 people?
Thanks you!

In Krakow there are loads to chose from around the main Rynek Glowny area. You'll be fine booking when you are there.

spurious

The companies will usually just provide transport there and back. There is no charge to enter Auschwitz. The payment needed is for a guide. Once in the Memorial you use their supplied guides in whatever language you have booked.

It can be useful to use a private company for transport who can get you there before the buses start arriving. Once such company I have used many times is http://www.auschwitz-krakow.com/. Tell them the teacher from Dublin recommended them.

marieky21

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g274772-d6755135-Reviews-Bob_s_Taxi_Tours-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

Take a look at this guide we went with him about 5 years ago he was excellent