How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz (Private Transfer, Bus or Train)
Definitely, the best way to travel from Krakow to Auschwitz is a private transfer, but not everyone can afford it. Find all you need to know in and choose the best transfer option from Krakow to Auscwhitz in your budget.
Transfers from Krakow to Auschwitz
Choose Transfer Type:
Private Transfer -- Bus -- Train
Let's find out all the available options someone can use in order to get from Krakow to Auschwitz. The same methods can be used when traveling from Warsaw, but in this case, you need to arrive at the Krakow Główny using a train which is the best & faster method.
Please note that when coming from Warsaw by train, you can then continue with private transfer and save time. Check the price list for private transfers from Krakow.
As you can on the map, the distance from Krakow Głowny to Auschwitz is only 70km and it shows that you need around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Note that sometimes it may take even 1,5 hours and even more depending on the time and traffic. Also, you might want to avoid Tolls, which takes longer time.
How far is Krakow to Auschwitz? 70km (You need around 1 hour and 20 minutes). Proper time to depart from Krakow is 2 hours before your tour starts! If you are looking for Transfer + Tour to Auschwitz, check the related article: Auschwitz Visit.
Check also:
Krakow to Zakopane Transfers
Krakow to Warsaw Train and Private Transfer
Private Transfers from Krakow to Auschwitz
As mentioned earlier it is the safest and most comfortable option to get from Krakow to Auschwitz. Your transfer will arrive at your hotel or apartment at the time of your preference [2 Hours Before your Tour Starts], you will have a vehicle/van/minibus with a driver at your disposal for your whole trip.
Usually, the total trip takes around 7 hours starting from your hotel in Krakow and ending at your hotel in Krakow, except if you prefer to end at another location in Krakow or even the Krakow Airport.
Please remember to book your transfer from Krakow to Auschwitz around 2 hours before the starting time of your tour just to be comfortable and have time to go to the toilet or grab a coffee in case you need it. It might be also cases where it will be a queue at the entrance.
Service Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Private Transfer.
- English-speaking driver.
- Parking Fees
Service Does Not Include
- Entrance Tickets + Guide - Check: Auschwitz Visit for guided tours + transfer to Auschwitz.
In case you need help booking your tickets or a private tour to Auschwitz or the Wieliczka Salt Mine, please let us know.
Important Notice: Please ONLY BOOK tickets from the official websites of the museums. In case you cannot find, then be very careful from where you are booking.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine «https://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/individual-tourist»
- Auschwitz: «https://visit.auschwitz.org/?lang=en»
Pricelist for Transfers (Krakow - Auscwitz and/or Wieliczka - Krakow)
Prices are per group. The transfer from Krakow to Auschwitz is private, only for you and your group. The prices are for the standard 3,5 hour tours in Auschwitz and maximum wait time of 4 hours.
We can also help with tickets and guided tours in case you need any help.
A. Krakow - Auschwitz I (Museum) - II (Birkenau) - Krakow (Only Transfers)
** Includes Hotel Pickup and Drop-off - Private Transfers + 4 hours in Total wait time at Auschwitz (2 hours at the Auschwitz Museum + 2 Hours at Auschwitz II, Birkenaou.
| 1-4 people | 5-8 people | 9-20 people | 21-32 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| €130 | €140 | €250 | €380 |
** Note: Your final destination can be the Krakow Airport with the same price.
B. Krakow - Auschwitz I (Museum) - II (Birkenau) - Wieliczka Salt Mine - Krakow (Combo Tour)
** Includes Hotel Pickup and Drop-off - Private Transfers + 4 hours in Total wait time at Auschwitz (2 hours at the Auschwitz Museum + 2 Hours at Auschwitz II, Birkenaou + Break + Wieliczka Salt Mine Wait Time for the Standard 2-3 Hours Tour.
| 1-4 people | 5-8 people | 9-20 people | 21-32 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| €200 | €215 | €365 | €550 |
C. Krakow - Wieliczka Salt Mine - Krakow
| 1-4 people | 5-8 people | 9-20 people | 21-32 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| €75 | €80 | €120 | €175 |
Ability to combine your airport transfer with your Auschwitz or Wieliczka Salt Mine transfer.
Book a Tour to Auschwitz from Krakow
Search for the Best Hotels in Poland
Check: Krakow to Zakopane Transfers
Bus from Krakow to Auschwitz
Another very convenient option to go from Krakow to Auschwitz are the Krakow to Auschwitz buses. There are few different companies doing daily routes and most of them depart from the Krakow Central station (Kraków Główny).
In the picture above, you see the exit from Galeria Krakowska building to the bus station. You need to go up from the stairs and turn right straight away so you will be in the area that is located exactly on the top of the Bus Station blue sign. Please note that smoking is prohibited in this whole area.
At this point, you will be able to see all the buses and mini buses that are going from Krakow to Auschwitz.
A. LAJKONIK Bus from Krakow to Auschwitz
The first best option is the Lajkonik Krakow to Auschwitz bus. LAJKONIK bus to Auschwitz departs from Kraków dw. aut. Bosacka 18, 31-505 (Click-Me-Google-Map). Find the schedules below just to correctly plan your visit:
- Check the Bus Schedules from Krakow <-> Auschwitz (Oswięcim)
It is recommended to be at least 10 minutes before the departure time. You can buy a ticket from the driver at the same day and also from their website in advance. Usually you can also pay by a card to the driver.
In case you are not able to buy tickets from their website, you can also book the bus online from here: «GetYourGuide - Bus Krakow-Auschwitz» with improved readability and payment options, just be sure to follow the instructions about the electronic tickets.
When you pay to the driver, the cost is 18 PLN per person per ride. Maybe the price will change at some point.
Finally, it's good to know that the bus will drop you exactly outside the Auschwitz museum main entrance where the guided tours start. During the summer months, it might be hard to find a sit on the return, so you might wait for the next bus in some cases or stay standing.
Note: During the summer of 2022, there are works at the Auschwitz museum parking, so the bus will drop you outside on street. Just cross the street and enter the Auschwitz Museum parking that will lead you to the Entrance where your tour will start.
LAJKONIK bus requires 1 hour and 25 minutes to take you to Auschwitz from Krakow Główny station. It uses the highway which is a fastest route but it has tolls. In case of an accident, the time might be extended.
Important: Specially during the months June - August, when you are going with FREE tickets late afternoon, you might not have a place to sit in the last LAJKONIK bus to Krakow, so either you need to wait for the bus a bit earlier in order get in first, or maybe take the FlixBUS below. The last LAJKONIK bus from Auschwitz to Krakow is at 18:45.
B. Flixbus from Krakow to Auschwitz
FLIXBUS also make routes from Krakow to Auschwitz and the stop is just outside the entrance of the Auschwitz museum parking. Just in case the LAJKONIK bus doesn't suit you well, check it out, as they might have some better routes. It might be best to install the application in advance on your phone to easily check the routes and book a ticket.
Schedule so far is limited to the below:
- Krakow - Krakow Airport - Oswięcim: Monday, Thursday - Sunday (6:25 and 12:35)
- Oswięcim - Krakow Airport - Krakow: Monday, Thursday - Sunday (14:20 and 19:20)
FLIXBUS is also a very good and inexpensive way to travel between different cities not only in Poland but also all around Europe.
Important: When using a bus or train to Auschwitz, you can also use the FREE bus between Auschwitz I (Museum) and Auschwitz II (Birkenau). It departs nearly from the same place that the LAJKONIK bus will drop you.
Remember to check the schedules and not miss the last bus either from Birkenau to Auschwitz museum or from Auschwitz museum back to Krakow. There is a sign with the schedules on the pickup and dropoff points. The last FLIXBUS bus from Auschwitz to Krakow is at 19:20 (all days of the week except from Tuesday and Wednesday).
Free Bus between Auschwitz I and II (Birkenau)
C. Mini Buses to Auschwitz
In the same exact location where is the LAJKONIk bus, there are also some smaller buses that go to Oswięcim. They say Auschwitz museum, but the drop off location is from the other side which is now closed, so you will need to walk about 1 km in order to reach the museum.
You can use Google Maps to: «Memorial and Museum Auschwitz I, Stanisławy Leszczyńskiej 11, 32-600 Oświęcim» from the drop off location.
Krakow to Auschwitz by Train
In case you are looking for trains from Warsaw or Krakow, you can easily check for connections to Oświęcim using the «https://en.e-podroznik.pl/» or the official website for trains in Poland: «https://www.intercity.pl/en/».
Using a train, requires between 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive at the Oswięcim Central Station from Krakow, while the bus needs around 1 hour and 25 minutes. If you arrive at the train station, then you need to walk for 15 minutes to reach the Auscwhitz museum or you can use: Bus / taxi / UBER.
If you are coming from Warsaw and you cannot find any satisfactory train connections to Oświęcim, just arrive at Kraków Główny and choose another Krakow to Auschwitz option from the one listed above or check the connections from Krakow Główny to Oświęcim. Please allow at least 30 minutes if not more between each transfer.
At the railway station Kraków Główny get on the Koleje Małopolskie train running at the Kraków Główny - OŚWIĘCIM route. It's about 17 stations to the station OŚWIĘCIM. Tickets cost around 12,50 PLN.
Finally, it is good to know that the train might be the best option to get from Katowice to Auschwitz instead.
Are you going to Warsaw?
Check the Krakow to Warsaw Train, Transfers and Bus
See How to Kill an Early Arrival in Krakow
Thanks for Reading!
Enjoy your Auschwitz Visit!
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