The Complete 2025 Guide: How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz

If you plan on visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, one of the most asked questions is how to get from Krakow to Auschwitz.  With public transportation, private and tour options, finding a way from Krakow to Auschwitz is fairly straightforward.  Read on to find out the best ways to get from Krakow to Auschwitz.

👉Not sure if you want to travel there? We found the best Krakow to Auschwitz tours where every detail is meticulously planned for you.

Auschwitz, located in Poland, is one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps from the Holocaust. Oświęcim is the name of the camp in Polish, named after the Polish city, Oswiecim, in which it is located.

The importance of Auschwitz lies in its role as a symbol of the horrific crimes committed during the Holocaust, including the mass extermination of approximately 1.1 million people, mainly Jews.

The site is now a museum and a memorial, serving as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.

Auschwitz is split into two main camps, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. 

Visitors to the site can park their vehicles at the parking lot near the entrance to Auschwitz I and then proceed to purchase a tour ticket.

I absolutely recommend a guided tour, as they provide a comprehensive understanding of the history of the site and the events that took place there. I did a guided tour and it made it so much easier to understand what happened and where.

You can also visit without a guide (they are called educators on the website), but it’s usually late afternoon and it may limit how much time you spend in the camp.

Visitors should approach their visit to Auschwitz with respect and sensitivity, remembering the suffering and loss of life that occurred there.

It’s important to note that Auschwitz opening times vary throughout the year, so check this website for the latest. As of 2024 visiting is:

• 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM December
• 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM January, November
• 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM February
• 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM March, October
• 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM April, May, September
  7:30 AM – 7:00 PM June, July, August

I advise you book your tickets in advance, particularly during peak tourist season, to avoid long wait times.  When is peak season? Summer.

If doing an Auschwitz tour, it is especially important to book in advance.  Many day trips and day tours from Krakow to the Auschwitz concentration camp are paired with guided tours from Krakow as well as tours with the Wieliczka Salt Mines, therefore working out the logistics is important in having the tours go smoothly.

👉These are the best Krakow to Auschwitz tours. No worrying about getting there on time as logistics are planned for you.

---

How to get to Auschwitz from Krakow: Quick Overview

Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow is fairly simple. Here are the 4 main ways to travel to Auschwitz from Krakow, scroll further down for more detailed information:

1. By bus:

The most common way to get to Auschwitz from Krakow is by bus.

There are several bus companies that operate regular services between the two cities, with a journey time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Most of the buses run from Krakow’s main bus station, with tickets starting at around 20 złoty (approximately $5). It’s important to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season, as buses can fill up quickly.

2. By Train:

You can also take a train from Krakow to Oswiecim, the town where Auschwitz is located.

The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and trains run regularly from Krakow Glowny Station. From Oswiecim train station, it’s a short taxi ride to the museum.

3. Guided Tour:

Another option is to join a guided tour from Krakow. This is a great option for those who want to learn more about the history of the camp and the events that took place there.

👉Our top pick for a tour is the Auschwitz Half Day Trip from Krakow

The tours usually include round-trip transportation from Krakow, an English-speaking guide, and entrance to the museum. The cost of these tours can vary, but expect to pay around 200 złoty ($50) per person minimum.

4. Private Car:

If you prefer to have more control over your itinerary and schedule, you can rent a car and drive to Auschwitz from Krakow.

The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

You’ll need to have a valid driver’s license and be prepared to pay for fuel and parking fees.

Krakow to Auschwitz: BUS (timetable link)

Krakow to Auschwitz by bus may be the cheapest and among the easiest ways to get to the Auschwitz camp. 

Your main choices include a public inter-city bus, as well as private double-decker buses. 

These buses leave from the bus station MDA (Malopolski Dworce Autobusowe S.A).

To see a complete list of buses leaving the MDA station daily, click HERE to search for available tickets and timetables.

1. Inter-city Bus: Krakow to Auschwitz

Inter-city buses are run by MDA and are fairly simple to use.  On the main page, select “Cracow.” 

On the second search page, ensure you select your desired location in the upper right hand corner. Select “from Cracow.” (Krakow has several variations in spelling including the Polish, Kraków as well as Cracow.)

Type in the letter “O” in the first search box and scroll down to “Oświęcim.”  Then select your desired date/time to complete. 

Tickets should be around $4-5 one way with an average time of around 1.5 hours.  On some days, the trip is shorter, closer to 1 hour 10 minutes. 

It depends on the day and time you choose to go.  

The departure is from the main MDA station in Krakow and there are multiple Oświęcim stops.  Two stops will be at the museum or parking lot areas, which is the closest bus stop location.  

2. Privately run buses: Lajkonik Bus/ G.T. Trans/ Marek Lewański/Przewóz Osób JS

These buses, some of which are double decker, include:

a) Lajkonik Bus Here is the specific bus timetable.

b) G.T. Trans bus

c) Marek Lewanski

d) Przewoz Osob JS buses. This link does not always work, depending on which country you are trying to search. Buses typically run just as long as the city buses and make multiple stops.

---

Auschwitz: TRAIN from Krakow

Traveling from Krakow to Auschwitz by train is fairly simple and cost effective.  From the main train station, Dworzec Glówny PKP, you can purchase a one-way or a return ticket.  

Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow by train is straightforward.

To get to Oswiecim from Krakow, you’ll need to take a train from Krakow’s main railway station, Krakow Glówny.

Trains to Oswiecim run several times a day and the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Destination: Oświęcim  (Dworzez PKP Oświęcim).

Oswiecim’s main train station is approximately 2 km away from Auschwitz’s main entrance.  Once you arrive at Oswiecim station, you have several choices. 

You can:

1. take a taxi,
2. walk to the museum and memorial site,
3. or take the bus.

The walk to Auschwitz takes approximately 20-30 minutes and is relatively flat, although it can be slightly challenging in bad weather.  

You can take a local bus from the main station to Oświecim MUZEUM. 

Taxis are readily available at the train station and the ride to the site takes about 5 minutes. Alternatively, HALO TAXI company is suggested by the museum.

These taxis are also readily available at the taxi stands in front of the Museum entrance upon your departure.

The following taxi company is also suggested with the following phone number: +48 32 19 194.

---

How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz by CAR

If you are driving from Krakow, traveling by car is fairly straightforwad as google maps provides ample information to drive to Oswiecim.

For google or yahoo maps input: 

Memorial and Museum-Auschwitz-Birkenau.  

TOLL road: The drive from krakow to Auschwitz is approximately 65 minutes and 70 km.  This route takes you slightly north of krakow and at the interchange Balin, you head toward Oświęcim. 

Continue to follow signs for Oświęcim and use your vehicle’s navigation system for updated routes.

Price:  The toll on the paid A4 is 24 zloty (7-8 USD/Euro). 

You are able to pay for the toll at the booth with cash – USD, EURO and Polish zloty are accepted.  If paying with USD or EURO, change will be provided in PLN.  

Alternatively, you can check the Polish Autostrada website to see if paying electronically is an option.

Non-TOLL: If you use google maps, the non-toll road takes you on a southern route, with a total travel time of about 80 minutes and the distance from Krakow to Auschwitz about the same as the paid route, at 70 km.

This route takes you through smaller villages such as Liszki, Brodla and Zarki.  For this route, speed cameras are set up along the route so it is best to mind how fast you are going.

Parking at Auschwitz:  Paid parking is available at the camps. There is free parking at the main parking lot at Stanislawa Leszczynskiej Street.

Paid Tours from Krakow

Even with the options of trains,  buses and personal vehicles, sometimes the best way is through a tour group that leaves Krakow and has a return trip back to the city at the end of the day.

If you’re considering a tour, check out our detailed article on the Best Tour from Krakow to Auschwitz. We spend dozens of hours researching and compiling the best tours from Krakow to Auschwitz.

---

While tours at the camp are free, there are high season times that make it difficult to gain entrance to the camp. 

During high season, it would be best to book a tour from Krakow if possible, particularly if you are unable to get to Auschwitz, or if you have a family and might be wrangling small kids or simply wanting an easier way to explore Auschwitz.

It is important to note that a paid tour FROM KRAKOW, will be the most expensive option as this provides transportation and a tour in the camp(s). 

This may be the best option for many however as it provides transportation, guides and for certain tours, food is also included. 

Even with the options of trains,  buses and personal vehicles, sometimes the best way is through a tour group that leaves Krakow and has a return trip back to the city at the end of the day.

How to get to Auschwitz from Warsaw

The easiest way to get to Auschwitz from Warsaw is by PKP Intercity train to Katowice or Krakow and take a local train to Oswiecim. 

There are also private tours available from Warsaw. 

👉I recommend checking out this list of BEST Warsaw to Auschwitz tours.

---

Krakow to Auschwitz: Frequently Asked Question

Have more questions? Here are some more commonly asked questions we worked hard on answering for you.

When is the Best Time to Visit Auschwitz?

For those who wish to visit Auschwitz, choosing the best time to go can be an important decision.

One of the most important factors to consider when planning a visit to Auschwitz is the weather.

Poland experiences four distinct seasons, and the weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year.

The summer months of June, July, and August are the warmest, with temperatures averaging around 25°C (77°F).

However, these months can also be quite crowded, as they coincide with school holidays in many countries.

The winter months of December, January, and February can be quite cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing.

However, the winter months can also be an excellent time to visit, as the crowds are much smaller, and the atmosphere at the site can be quite somber and reflective.

Another important factor to consider is the time of day that you visit Auschwitz. The site is open to visitors from early in the morning until late in the afternoon.

The early morning hours can be an excellent time to visit, as the site is typically less crowded, and the atmosphere can be quite peaceful.

Additionally, if you plan to visit during the summer months, visiting in the morning can help you avoid the heat of the day.

However, it is important to note that visiting in the morning can also mean dealing with morning rush hour traffic, especially if you are driving to the site.

In addition to considering the weather and time of day, it is also important to think about any significant anniversaries or events that may be taking place at Auschwitz when you plan to visit.

For example, the anniversary of the liberation of the camp by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945, is typically marked with special events and commemorations at the site.

Similarly, other anniversaries or events related to the history of the camp may also impact the visitor experience.

If you are planning to visit Auschwitz during one of these events, be prepared for larger crowds and potential schedule changes.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Auschwitz will depend on your individual preferences and priorities.

Whether you choose to visit during the summer months when the weather is warmest, or during the winter months when the crowds are smaller, taking the time to plan your visit carefully can help ensure a meaningful and reflective experience at this important historical site.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a sobering and educational experience that provides a glimpse into one of the darkest periods in human history.

Whether you choose to go by bus, train, private vehicle or a tour, visiting Auschwitz is a crucial experience that everyone should consider.  It allows us to understand the atrocities of the Holocaust on a deeper and more personal level.