Drive vs Public Trans. to Auschwitz
Apr 4th, 2013, 09:40 AM
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Drive vs Public Trans. to Auschwitz
From what I am reading it sounds like a lot of worrying about meeting bus/train connections to get to and from Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow. Would it be easier to just rent a car for the day? The rates look pretty fair. Has anyone done this?
Apr 4th, 2013, 09:56 AM
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I have driven from Krakow to Auschwitz. Having a car meant we could go via Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II.
But public transport is quite good. Catch a regular minibus from the bus station at the central train station, and it will drop you right outside Auschwitz I. There is a free half-hourly shuttle bus to Birkenau, or there are taxis.
Train is less convenient as the station is some way out of Auschwitz, on the opposite side of town from the monuments.
But public transport is quite good. Catch a regular minibus from the bus station at the central train station, and it will drop you right outside Auschwitz I. There is a free half-hourly shuttle bus to Birkenau, or there are taxis.
Train is less convenient as the station is some way out of Auschwitz, on the opposite side of town from the monuments.
Apr 4th, 2013, 10:19 AM
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I think it would take more time to rent a car and drive there than taking the bus. You have to get to the car rental place and I've spent lots of time in European car rental agencies, do the paper work, figure out how to get outside Krakow and then to Auschwitz. Repeat the process on the return.
There's also the expense of a one day rental.
There's also the expense of a one day rental.
Apr 4th, 2013, 10:58 AM
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I wouldn't rent a car unless you really do want to see other things besides the camp - I can't see how that is easier than the buses, which are frequent and convenient from the bus/train station.
The only trick is getting back to Krakow - which is easy once you realize that many buses back to Krakow don't actually stop in the Auschwitz I parking lot, they pass by the street that's maybe 200-300 yards away from the camp entrance. The museum will give you a schedule of bus return times to Krakow from the parking lot, but when I was there the bus never came at the listed time, so I finally figured out to walk that 200 yards to the street (where I had been dropped off in the first place) and caught a mini-bus to Krakow in short order.
The only trick is getting back to Krakow - which is easy once you realize that many buses back to Krakow don't actually stop in the Auschwitz I parking lot, they pass by the street that's maybe 200-300 yards away from the camp entrance. The museum will give you a schedule of bus return times to Krakow from the parking lot, but when I was there the bus never came at the listed time, so I finally figured out to walk that 200 yards to the street (where I had been dropped off in the first place) and caught a mini-bus to Krakow in short order.
Apr 4th, 2013, 04:22 PM
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Another option would be to join a group to go to Auschwitz/Birkenau from Krakow. I don't usually like joining tours, but was glad I did for this particular visit. The guide was excellent and I was surprised by how much it meant to me to share the experience with other travelers, even though most of the communication with them was non-verbal.
Apr 4th, 2013, 08:42 PM
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I would not rent a car just to travel to Auschwitz.
When I was in Poland last summer, I took a bus from the central bus station (next to the Krakow Glowny train station). It's slow going, stopping at every small town along the way, and I was in a mini-bus with narrow seats and people standing in the aisle for part of the trip, but it's actually faster than the train and unlike the train the bus takes you right to the museum.
Returning to Krakow, I caught the bus right in the museum parking lot. There were no reserved seats on the return bus and when the bus came, the first ones aboard were those who shoved in front of other passengers even though some of the other passengers had been waiting patiently for half an hour or more.
I would echo the comment above about joining a guided tour. I chose not to because I had also wanted to visit the former synagogue in the town of Oswiecim, but never got a chance to do so. Whether you go by yourself or go with an organized group, all tours start with a guided tour of Auschwitz I led by museum staff. After you go on the guided tour you might be able to wander on your own (I am not sure about that), but the tour is complete, the buildings can get rather crowded making it difficult to see things without the guide. After Auschwitz I you take a bus about 3 km to Auschwitz II where the guided tour continues or, if you choose, you can roam on your own (although I would highly recommend the tour).
I suspect that making your own arangements might be cheaper, but getting back to Krakow could be a hassle, especially if you are not willing to shove your way onto the bus. If I were to do this over again I would take a tour. (I suspect you would also spend a lot less time on the bus if it were part of an organized tour, because it would take a faster route).
When I was in Poland last summer, I took a bus from the central bus station (next to the Krakow Glowny train station). It's slow going, stopping at every small town along the way, and I was in a mini-bus with narrow seats and people standing in the aisle for part of the trip, but it's actually faster than the train and unlike the train the bus takes you right to the museum.
Returning to Krakow, I caught the bus right in the museum parking lot. There were no reserved seats on the return bus and when the bus came, the first ones aboard were those who shoved in front of other passengers even though some of the other passengers had been waiting patiently for half an hour or more.
I would echo the comment above about joining a guided tour. I chose not to because I had also wanted to visit the former synagogue in the town of Oswiecim, but never got a chance to do so. Whether you go by yourself or go with an organized group, all tours start with a guided tour of Auschwitz I led by museum staff. After you go on the guided tour you might be able to wander on your own (I am not sure about that), but the tour is complete, the buildings can get rather crowded making it difficult to see things without the guide. After Auschwitz I you take a bus about 3 km to Auschwitz II where the guided tour continues or, if you choose, you can roam on your own (although I would highly recommend the tour).
I suspect that making your own arangements might be cheaper, but getting back to Krakow could be a hassle, especially if you are not willing to shove your way onto the bus. If I were to do this over again I would take a tour. (I suspect you would also spend a lot less time on the bus if it were part of an organized tour, because it would take a faster route).
Apr 5th, 2013, 12:07 AM
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Jan 22nd, 2015, 02:01 AM
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If someone else will look for this, here is what I know. Public transportation is definitely the cheapest way to get to Auschwitz, but if You travel with larger group, not
necessarily 10 or more people, but 4 - 5 You can think about hiring private transport. The most important thing is that It will take You from where ever You want, so You don't
have to look for bus station, beside that trip to Auschwitz will take only few hours. I and my friends have been traveled with company named Visitbus, they have good offer, You
can for Example go to Auschwitz and Wieliczka and this is one tour, so You pay good price for visiting this two places and You have almost whole day very well organised. Here is link to their website - http://visitbus.com/
necessarily 10 or more people, but 4 - 5 You can think about hiring private transport. The most important thing is that It will take You from where ever You want, so You don't
have to look for bus station, beside that trip to Auschwitz will take only few hours. I and my friends have been traveled with company named Visitbus, they have good offer, You
can for Example go to Auschwitz and Wieliczka and this is one tour, so You pay good price for visiting this two places and You have almost whole day very well organised. Here is link to their website - http://visitbus.com/
