Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow

I suppose it would work from a time perspective - you can take a bus to Auschwitz. But I would strongly recommend NOT trying to to fit both on the same day. Auschwitz-Birkenau is a very big site, and can easily take most of a day. Plus, I found it emotionally extremely draining, and really could not have coped with visiting the salt mine afterwards, and would have found the contrast jarring if I had done the mine first.

We were able to see both in one day- we had a rental car.

If you're driving, no problem aside from logistical. Auschwitz is due west of the city, the mine is SE. Both are relatively close kms.-wise.. 50 kms. to Ausch...10 to the mine. Easy driving both ways.

stu

I have done both visits in one day and found the visit to the salt mine a welcome lightning of my mood after the visit to Auschwitz. Where i ended thinking to myself Why!!!. I would certainly suggest the morning at Auschwitz, we joined an English speaking guide on a tour of both sites and found the explanations enlightening and informative. We had a private driver for the say and he took us to a very pleasant restaurant just by the entrance to the salt mines.

buses krakow - auschwitz. they stop in front of the museum.

http://web.pksoswiecim.pl/index.php
click auschitz schedule

You can either take a bus from Krakow to Auschwitz or you can take the train, and then walk or take a bus for a few stops to the camp. I did the latter on the way there and took the bus back to Krakow the whole way. The train goes through a lovely birch forest. The stop is Osweicim (sp?), and if you ask for "mu-zay-um Os-veen-cheem" once you get there, everyone will give you directions.

I think Auschwitz will take up most of your day. After the English tour, you can stay on and linger on your own, which is worth doing. It's not a place that should be rushed through. The tour is very worthwhile, but if there are others going on in different languages on the same time, it can get a little hectic, especially inside the bldgs at Auschwitz.

I stayed on at Birkenau, then took a cab back to Auschwitz and re-visited some of the bldgs. with the exhibits and photos.
I agree with thursdaysd. I think the contrast either way would be a bit much if you did both on the same day.

I stayed in Krakow last July and went to Wieliczka Salt Mine in the morning and Auschwitz-Birkenau in the afternoon.

It was a long day, but I was by myself (fast walker) and traveled with a pre-arranged shuttle bus and guided tour (so didn't need to get there on my own). I was glad that I went on this trip.