From Krakow to Auschwitz: How to Get There by Car, Bus, Train

Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp, was opened in June 1940. An estimated 1.3 million people were deported here.

Only a few thousand survived. The evacuation of the camp began from mid-January 1945, with thousands of prisoners killed, and many more forced into horrific“death marches.”

If your trip took you to Krakow, I really think you should allow yourself the opportunity to visit this place steeped in history and memory.

Are you wondering how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow? Read on if you want to know more!

But pay attention! Given the continuous influx of people to this iconic historic site, I recommend reserving your entrance by booking your skip-the-line ticket in advance so you don’t get stuck at the entrance. Don’t let the long lines at the field ticket office slow you down, click here and find the solution that’s right for you!

Where is the Auschwitz Concentration Camp located?

The Concentration Camp is located on Highway No. 933 in the town of Oświęcim, Poland.

As we will find out together, you can get to Auschwitz-Birkenau by various means, best meeting your needs.

You will be able to visit the 42-square-kilometer museum-camp, which at the time was divided into three sections.

To reach it from Krakow, you can rely on the train station, bus station or the very convenient parking lot located near the entrance.

So continue reading our guide to find out which solution is right for you.

How to get to Auschwitz from Krakow?

Whether you are a lover of rails or four wheels, know that you can easily reach the camp-museum from the beautiful city of Krakow!

Depending on your needs, you will be able to choose how to get around, whether you prefer to have more freedom and comfort or aim to keep costs down.

Let’s look together at the options you can choose:

Transportation	Details	Travel time	Ideal for	Nearest stop/parking lot
Train	An easy and rather quick trip awaits you. The train leaves from the central train station (Krakow Główny) and arrives directly at the Oświęcim train station. You will be able to take advantage of very frequent rides.	The journey time varies between 48 and 80 minutes; the variation is due to the type of train chosen and the consequent number of stations at which it will stop.	Travelers looking for a quick, cheap and more environmentally friendly alternative.	Oświęcim Station.
Buses	From Kraków many bus companies that will take you to the camp. Departing from the main bus station, the Kraków RDA Dworzec autobusowy, you can take advantage of frequent rides, starting early in the morning.	Approximately one and a half hours	Travelers who wish to get very close to the museum entrance and prefer an economical option.	Auschwitz Muzeum bus stop.
Car	To get to the camp you will have to take the A4 toll road and then DW780.	About one hour and twenty minutes, depending on traffic. About half of the route will be on a toll road.	Groups or families who prefer to have flexibility and autonomy in their travel.	Parking lot entrance located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street.
Taxi/Uber	Direct service from Kraków to the museum entrance.	Excluding variations caused by traffic, the trip is approximately one hour and ten minutes.	Those who wish to travel comfortably and without relying on public transportation.	Drop-off/Pick-up at the central station, or contacted via radio cab.

How to reach Auschwitz from Krakow by train

Reaching Auschwitz by train from Krakow is definitely a good idea.

You can conveniently depart from Krakow Główny, the central station, and take advantage of a direct ride to Oświęcim station.

The duration of the routes varies depending on the train you choose, but in any case it will be a maximum of one hour and twenty minutes.

Once you arrive at the Oświęcim station you will have to walk about 2 kilometers to get to the entrance of the museum-camp.

If walking is your thing, you will arrive at your destination after a walk of about 20 minutes, otherwise you can take advantage of local buses or a cab.

You’ll be able to count on a well-covered route, especially in the morning hours, with trains departing as early as early morning until beyond 6:30 pm.

As for the price, the ticket cost is about 8 euros one way, so it is a very good option for those who want to move quickly but without spending too much.

How to get to Auschwitz from Krakow by bus

If the train is not in your wheelhouse, you can travel comfortably by bus! You will reach Auschwitz after about an hour and a half.

After choosing the company you prefer, you will leave from the main bus station, Krakow MDA, located right in the center of the city.

Your destination will be the Oświęcim Muzeum stop, located very close to the entrance of the museum; in fact, it will only take you a short walk of just under 10 minutes.

The price is very low, since you will pay only 8 euros one way.

Great option, as an alternative to the train, for those who want to travel quickly and economically.

How to reach Auschwitz from Krakow by car, cab or Uber

Can’t submit to public transportation schedules? No problem: Auschwitz-Birkenau is conveniently accessible on your own!

You can travel flexibly, with your own car or one rented in Krakow.

You will only have to travel along the A4 toll road and then the DW780 for a total journey time of about one hour and twenty minutes, varying according to traffic conditions.

Once you arrive in the town that houses the museum-camp, Oświęcim, you can park your car in the convenient parking lot on Więźniów Oświęcimia Street 55, located near the entrance to the Camp.

If you are planning a comfort visit, you can reach your destination by a convenient cab ride or Uber.

You will leave from the center of Krakow traveling the same route: a suitable solution for those who want to be freed from public transportation schedules, travel comfortably and without getting tired, and arrive right near the museum-camp.

Organized tours from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau

If you want to get to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow without having to worry about anything, you have a very advantageous and interesting option at your disposal: organized tours.

It is the ideal choice for planning your visit without any worries: in one package you can combine transportation and, if you wish, a ticket with priority access, to which you can add the presence of an experienced guide who will accompany you on this experience.

Below you will find our selection of the most interesting organized tours:

Getting to Auschwitz Concentration Camp: F.A.Q.

Conclusions

Here we have come to the end of our guide on how to reach the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp from Krakow.

The camp-museum is located in Oświęcim, just 70 km away from Krakow. The journey to get there is quite short, not too expensive, as well as being easily traveled by both public and own transportation.

Starting from the city’s central station, you can choose to move by train, bus or cab reaching your destination in no more than one hour and twenty minutes.

At this point you have all the information you need to plan your visit to Auschwitz and come see for yourself one of Europe’s most profound historical testimonies.

Do you still have any doubts about it? Don’t hesitate and contact us by leaving a comment below.

Cover photo: ID 2811807 | Auschwitz © Aaronwood | Dreamstime.com