Warsaw to Auschwitz: How to Get There by Car, Bus, Train

To visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp is to observe history with one’s own eyes. A very important testimony that keeps alive the memory of the terrible events that took place in the heart of Europe.

It was here, in fact, that the Nazis deported prisoners from all the nations occupied by Germany.

To visit it is to give yourself a unique opportunity to try to understand what it all meant and to continue to keep its memory alive.

Are you wondering how to get to Auschwitz from Warsaw? Then this guide is for you! If you are in, or plan to visit, the beautiful Polish city of Warsaw, read on to find out how to get there from there.

But pay attention! If you wish to visit the concentration and extermination camp, it is good for you to know that it is a highly visited place, so we warmly recommend that you book your priority ticket in advance. This is the only way you will be able to enter the camp-museum directly without having to wait for a long time in the queue! What are you waiting for? Click here and don’t miss your chance to enter without wasting time in unnecessary queues.

Where is the Auschwitz Concentration Camp located?

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp is located in the Polish town of Oświęcim, on Highway No. 933.

To reach Auschwitz concentration camp from Warsaw you have a variety of options at your disposal: you will have the opportunity to choose the one that best suits your needs.

In fact, you will be able to rely on a convenient train station located just 2 km from the entrance to the museum-camp, or on the parking lot or bus stop even closer! Want to learn more? Read on to find out how to reach Auschwitz from Warsaw.

How to get to Auschwitz from Warsaw?

Warsaw is not very close to the Concentration Camp, but don’t worry: you will still have multiple options for getting there.

You’ll be able to choose a car if you prefer a comfortable trip with no time constraints, or get around by public transportation in case you prefer to opt for a cheaper option.

Let’s find out together how:

Means of transportation	Details	Travel time	Ideal for	Nearest stop/parking lot
Train	The journey from Warsaw is rather long and will force you to change at the central station in Krakow. Fortunately, both the route connecting the two cities and the one that will take you to Auschwitz are well covered.	The journey time varies from four and twenty hours to five and a half hours, depending on how long you wait for your connection and depending on the type of trains you choose, the number of stations at which they stop.	Those who want a solution that is not too expensive and for those who do not want to risk running into traffic.	Oświęcim station.
Bus	Also on the bus side, there are no direct trips to the museum-camp. However, you can travel to Kraków by starting at Bus Station West and then continuing to your destination.	The trip requires waiting time between the first and second bus, as well as being subject to possible delays caused by traffic. Therefore, the trip can take up to six and a half hours.	Travelers looking for an option that may be fairly inexpensive but do not wish to travel by train.	Auschwitz Muzeum bus stop.
Car	You will be able to reach your destination via DW717, then the A1 for 127 km, then the S1 and then DW934.	A smooth journey via toll roads, lasting about 3 hours and twenty minutes, varying according to traffic conditions.	Groups or families who wish to move independently, or travelers who prefer a faster option.	Parking lot entrance located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street.
Taxi/Uber	Direct service from downtown Warsaw to the museum-camp entrance.	Travel on roads and highways for a duration of about three and a quarter hours depending on traffic.	Groups or families who want comfort and flexibility without being subject to public transportation schedules.	Drop-off/Pick-up at Central Station, or contacted via radio cab.

Attention Should you wish to move by public transportation, you may consider flying to Kraków or Katowice and then continuing to the museum-camp by train or bus-a less economical, but certainly faster option.

From Warsaw to Auschwitz by train

If you want to reach Auschwitz from Warsaw by train, you will be forced to make a change. You will have to leave from Warsaw Central Station with destination Krakow.

This route offers frequent travel at all hours of the day and takes from two and a half to three and twenty hours. But your journey is not over: at this point you will have to continue from Kraków to Oświęcim station.

In terms of time this means a travel time ranging from 50 minutes to an hour and twenty.

Variations in both routes depend on the train chosen and the resulting number of train stations at which it will stop.

The overall trip is rather long, but well served and rather smooth.

The option is ideal for those who want to get to their destination in a reasonable time while opting for a solution that is not too expensive, considering that the price ranges from 27€ up to 74€, depending on the train and class chosen.

Once you arrive at Oświęcim Station you will be about 2 kilometers from the entrance to the Concentration Camp.

You will be able to reach it by a pleasant walk of about 20 minutes or, if you prefer not to waste time, you can rely on local buses or cabs leaving from the station.

From Warsaw to Auschwitz by bus

If the train is not for you, you can count on the bus!

Again you will necessarily face a change , and just as with regard to rail travel, it will be in Krakow.

In fact, you will leave from Bus Station West heading for Kraków MDA, the main station.

From here another bus will take you to the Oswiecim Muzeum stop.

The first leg will cost about 15€ for a trip of about 4 hours/ 4 1/2 hours, while the second leg costs about 8€, and you will have to travel for about an hour and a half.

The solution is ideal for those looking for a very economical option, or for those who do not wish to travel by train.

From Warsaw to Auschwitz by car, cab or Uber

Are you the kind of traveler who craves freedom and autonomy?

There’s great news for you: the car trip to Auschwitz is the smoothest and fastest! Ideal for groups and families, you can reserve your car and drive down the highway that will take you from Warsaw directly to the Concentration Camp.

A trip of about three hours and twenty minutes, varying according to traffic conditions, will be sufficient, and once at your destination you can count on a parking lot located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street, near the entrance to the museum-camp.

All you need to do is follow DW717, then the A1 for 127 km, then the S1 and then the DW934.

What if, in addition to freedom and autonomy, you also want all the amenities?

No problem! You will be able to reach Auschwitz from Warsaw by cab: it will take you from the beautiful Polish city to your destination in about the same time as the car trip.

Alternatively, you can also rely on ride-sharing services.

That way you won’t have to worry about anything and won’t be dependent on public transportation schedules!

Organized tours to the Concentration Camp

Have you ever thought of reaching Auschwitz from Warsaw on an organized tour?

It is another option to get to the camp that is comfortable, quick and carefree.

This is the only way, moreover, you will have many additional conveniences: no worries about transportation, the possibility of having an experienced guide with you, and above all,priority entry with a skip-ticket!

Here are some organized tours from Warsaw:

Frequently asked questions

Conclusions

Here we come to the end of our guide on how to get to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp from Warsaw.

Your destination is located in the city of Oświęcim , and for your trip you can choose the means that best suits your taste.

Should you choose to move by car, cab or Uber you will have to spend about three and twenty hours on the road and then arrive directly at the camp parking lot.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to travel by train or bus you will necessarily have to make a change in the city of Krakow.

With this guide you have all the tools to choose the best option for you to get to Auschwitz from Warsaw!

What are you waiting for? Plan your visit, and should you still have any doubts write to us by leaving a comment below.

But remember It is very important that you secure entry with a priority ticket, only then will you have the opportunity to directly access the museum-camp avoiding unnecessary waiting in line.

You will be able to start your visit in the best possible way and take this opportunity to reflect on an important page of recent history, getting enraptured by the incredible atmosphere starting with the infamous inscription, “Arbeit macht frei.”

Cover photo: ID 63026216 | Auschwitz © Themaxx23 | Dreamstime.com