How to Get from Krakow to Auschwitz: All Your Options
Quick answer: Auschwitz-Birkenau is about 70km (roughly 1.5 hours) from Krakow. You can get there by public bus, by train plus a short walk, or with a private tour that includes transport and a guide. As of March 2026, entry passes must be booked online in advance — there are no walk-up tickets at the gate.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is one of the most-visited historical sites in the world, and getting there is straightforward once you know the options. Here’s an honest breakdown of each.
Before Anything Else: Book Your Entry Pass
This is the part people miss most often. Since March 1, 2026, on-site ticket sales at Auschwitz-Birkenau have been permanently discontinued — every visitor, whether joining a guided tour or visiting independently, needs a pre-booked entry pass. There’s no queue you can join on the day without one.
Entry to the Memorial itself is free. What you pay for, if you choose it, is a guide-educator — and for a first-time visit, we’d genuinely recommend one. The history here benefits from context that a guide provides.
Passes are released online and can sell out weeks or months in advance during peak season (spring through autumn), so this is worth sorting before you finalise anything else about your trip.
Option 1: Public Bus
The most budget-friendly option. Regular bus services run from Krakow’s main bus station directly to the Museum entrance, with the journey taking around 1.5 hours depending on traffic. It’s a reasonable option if you’re comfortable managing your own timing and don’t mind a fairly early start to make a specific entry slot.
Option 2: Train + Short Walk
Trains run from Krakow to Oświęcim (the town where the Memorial is located), with the station roughly a 2km walk from the Museum entrance — manageable, with decent pavements, but worth planning extra time for, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Option 3: Private Transfer or Guided Tour
The option with the least to think about. A private tour typically includes door-to-door transport, a fixed pickup time, and a guide-educator included in the price — so you’re not separately booking an entry pass, arranging transport, and hoping the timing lines up. For a site where being 30 minutes early for security checks actually matters, having someone else manage the logistics is worth it for a lot of visitors.
This is the option we run as part of our Day Tours — transport, entry, and a guide all handled, so the only thing you need to plan is showing up.
Which Option Should You Pick?
- On a tight budget and comfortable with logistics: public bus
- Want some flexibility and don’t mind a short walk: train
- Want the day handled for you, with a guide included: private tour
FAQ
Is Auschwitz-Birkenau free to visit? Yes, entry to the Memorial grounds is free. Guided tours have a separate fee for the guide-educator.
Do I need to book in advance? Yes — as of March 2026, all entry passes must be booked online, with no on-site ticket sales. This applies to guided and independent visits alike.
How long should I plan for the visit itself? Most visits, including transport time from Krakow, take up the better part of a day. We’d suggest not planning anything else immediately before or after.
Is Auschwitz suitable for children? It’s a heavy, serious site, and generally not recommended for younger children. If you’re travelling with kids, it’s worth thinking carefully about whether it’s the right fit for your trip.
Prefer to have the transport, entry pass, and guide all sorted for you? Our Day Tours include an Auschwitz-Birkenau visit with everything handled.