Poland Itinerary
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 1,741
Going by train from Krakow to Auschwitz is more complicated than going by minibus, and not to be recommended. As for getting between Auschwitz and Birkenau, there is a free shuttle bus that operated every ten minutes in the summer (I just checked the frequency online). The shuttle bus might be crowded in summer, though--I don't know, as I went in late September and it wasn't.
#17
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, UA lowly commoner
Posts: 780
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 62
Trying to find out info on visiting Auschwitz. Conflicting posts. From their website I understand that everybody needs to have a pass/ticket to get in. We want to go without guide, but I'm unable to find the link to book the tickets. Any help is appreciated.
#19
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Belfast, Ireland
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 154
+1 for a trip to Gydnia if you go to Gdansk. A lot of money has been pumped in there and it's quite up and coming for Poland. Lots of nice bars and restaurants, especially good if you get good weather.
Also, if visiting Auschwitz I would recommend planning very little that evening i.e. don't go booking a nice restaurant or planning a bar crawl. It's a good experience but afterwards you're likely to just want to take it easy and not be in mood for enjoying yourself.
Also, if visiting Auschwitz I would recommend planning very little that evening i.e. don't go booking a nice restaurant or planning a bar crawl. It's a good experience but afterwards you're likely to just want to take it easy and not be in mood for enjoying yourself.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Alternatively, if you wish to go to a place where you can just turn up at any time and not worry about entry cards or excessive numbers of people you could try Majdanek near Lublin.
The advice from irish_goat is certainly worth bearing in mind.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: OTP
Programs: AF/KL platinum, Turkish gold, QR gold
Posts: 1,572
Going by train from Krakow to Auschwitz is more complicated than going by minibus, and not to be recommended. As for getting between Auschwitz and Birkenau, there is a free shuttle bus that operated every ten minutes in the summer (I just checked the frequency online). The shuttle bus might be crowded in summer, though--I don't know, as I went in late September and it wasn't.
There are direct trains - and it's less than 2 kilometres between Oswiecim train station and Auschwitz.
It's then again a 2 kilometre walk from Auschwitz I to Auschwitz II/Birkenau (I would suggest in this order), and then it's again 2 kilometres back to the train station.
Did it twice and was very easy to do - especially if you pre-load the maps on your phone (offline google maps or so).
If the walking in between is too much there are taxis and shuttles - although I can assume the walk might be nice to clear the mind and think! (it at least was for me).
#22
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Half the posts seemed to be from tourists fretting over how to get from Krakow to Auschwitz, as if it posed logistical difficulties akin to trekking across the Amazon rain forest. The truth is that both minibuses and trains are relatively straightforward and easy. I hopped on a local bus the first time I went there and that was no problem either but I can understand why some people might not want to take that option (despite being really cheap).
#23
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, UA lowly commoner
Posts: 780
Sorry, I guess I overstated it. I'd just assumed that somebody who was looking for an alternative to a bus tour would want the most direct option, and that would be the minibus, which also more frequent than the train. But taking the train and then walking or taking a local bus or taxi works, too, of course.
#24
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The County, Maine
Posts: 829
I was all set to use the mini bus option but after further thought decided to do some more exploring to make sure I was doing the right thing. While doing some more research I came across a company called "Shuttle4you". I contacted the owner by email and had an answer the following morning.
My wife and I were offered private transportation from our hotel in a Mercedes Van to both camps, a private tour guide with a small group of 12 at each location and return to our hotel. The arrangements for tickets and guide were all taken care of. We did not have to do a thing. We were promptly picked up at 9:00AM and we returned around 4:00 PM, so about 7 hours al in.
He also took us to a place called Camp Canada where there were 2 of the actual rail cars on display. This was where all trains would pass through for off loading the human cargo before further transportation to Aushwitz and later Berkinau.
The cost for all this came to 500.00 Zloty's or about $135.00 total or $67.50 each.
We were so glad that we chose this option since this will probably be our only trip to this area and wanted to make sure we did it right.
If you are interested in this type of tour you can contact the owner, Damian Szafran at: www.krakowauschwitz.com
They also do airport transfers and offer trips to the other area attractions. I highly recommend his company.
My wife and I were offered private transportation from our hotel in a Mercedes Van to both camps, a private tour guide with a small group of 12 at each location and return to our hotel. The arrangements for tickets and guide were all taken care of. We did not have to do a thing. We were promptly picked up at 9:00AM and we returned around 4:00 PM, so about 7 hours al in.
He also took us to a place called Camp Canada where there were 2 of the actual rail cars on display. This was where all trains would pass through for off loading the human cargo before further transportation to Aushwitz and later Berkinau.
The cost for all this came to 500.00 Zloty's or about $135.00 total or $67.50 each.
We were so glad that we chose this option since this will probably be our only trip to this area and wanted to make sure we did it right.
If you are interested in this type of tour you can contact the owner, Damian Szafran at: www.krakowauschwitz.com
They also do airport transfers and offer trips to the other area attractions. I highly recommend his company.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
The cost for all this came to 500.00 Zloty's or about $135.00 total or $67.50 each.
We were so glad that we chose this option since this will probably be our only trip to this area and wanted to make sure we did it right.
If you are interested in this type of tour you can contact the owner, Damian Szafran at: www.krakowauschwitz.com
They also do airport transfers and offer trips to the other area attractions. I highly recommend his company.
We were so glad that we chose this option since this will probably be our only trip to this area and wanted to make sure we did it right.
If you are interested in this type of tour you can contact the owner, Damian Szafran at: www.krakowauschwitz.com
They also do airport transfers and offer trips to the other area attractions. I highly recommend his company.
#27
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The County, Maine
Posts: 829
In doing my research I found out that the company I chose was small (5 vehicles) and all the recent reviews rated it 5 stars for quality, safety and delivering what was promised and he answered every question I threw at him very promptly depending on the time of day and time difference. He also mentioned that he would be giving the tour and making all the arrangements which sealed the deal.
I guess the most important thing is that we both seem to be happy with the choices we made and your recommendation offers one more choice for FT readers.
Last edited by general45; Jul 26, 2017 at 5:26 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 124
In doing my research I found out that the company I chose was small (5 vehicles) and all the recent reviews rated it 5 stars for quality, safety and delivering what was promised and he answered every question I threw at him very promptly depending on the time of day and time difference. He also mentioned that he would be giving the tour and making all the arrangements which sealed the deal.
I guess the most important thing is that we both seem to be happy with the choices we made and your recommendation offers one more choice for FT readers.
I guess the most important thing is that we both seem to be happy with the choices we made and your recommendation offers one more choice for FT readers.