Auschwitz tours...need help
 

Could anyone recommend a good tour company that will take us from Krakow to Auschwitz? We want to see both camps. Or do you think it would be better to rent a car and do the tour ourselves?

Having been there last fall with a tour out of Krakow, I would recommend just going over to the bus station just outside the Ne corner of the Planty next to the train station and get on one of the Luxor mini buses going out there. Very cheap and you can then do your own walking tour at your own pace with a guidebook purchased either in Krk or on site. Our tour was too short, too expensive and rushed and I told them so upon our return. We had just a few minutes to take photos after the final tour at Birkenau which was ridiculous considering the immense size of the camp. I would not rent a car, way too much trouble and there is a toll station on the motorway out there. Many of these buses head out there daily as Auschwitz is the most visted historic site in Poland and free.

I took the train from Krakow to Auschwitz (you will need to get its Polish name, starts with Osw...), and from there its a short taxi to either camp. You can join a guided tour at Auschwitz, but I find it better to wander freely at Birkenau.

Oświęcim

Nazi Auschwitz Camp in city of Oœwiêcim has it's own tour guides (english included) which many times are much better and with access to more part of camp then outside tour ...
Many of the external tours will get an Camp Tour guide opon arrival, so as other have suggested it maybe best to use public transportation to get to camps (also best be to call ahead and reserve appropriate tour - since there is more then 1 type)