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Original poster

Krakow

27 replies

Lepetitpiggy · 31/10/2019 14:07

I am off to Krakow next month and would really like to visit Auschwitz. Does anyone know if it's best to book before we leave or will we find a tour when we actually get there?

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 31/10/2019 14:16

You will not be able to avoid being stopped in the street and offered a tour. Multiple times per day. It is hard to know how reliable they are though as opposed to booking in advance...

BiggerBoat1 · 31/10/2019 14:19

I'd book in advance if you want a particular time.

MarieG10 · 31/10/2019 14:19

Yes book before as it can easily get booked up. Don't risk missing out on it

implantsandaDyson · 31/10/2019 15:03

I've been a few times, in fact we're just back from Krakow two weeks ago. We've always pre booked, I think we use the same company that we use for our transfers from the airport to the hotels.

Foo2 · 31/10/2019 15:45

Which company is that please implants, if you don't mind me asking? We're going in a couple of months and have been meaning to book.

LilyJade · 31/10/2019 15:49

I'm going in two weeks & have booked tickets for Auschwitz on the Auschwitz Museum website. The tickets are free but you have to buy a guidebook.

We are making our own way there as our hotel is near the train, bus interchanges & taxi rank.

We've also prebooked tickets for Wawel Castle as you have to book 14 days in advance. It's free entry in November.

Pixiefalls · 31/10/2019 16:01

I can highly recommend auschwitz-krakow.com. They organised everything, it was seamless. I was travelling with an 11yo so needed everything to run smoothly. I used them for airport drops too. Was really, really impressed.

MarieG10 · 31/10/2019 16:15

Don't go independently. The commentary from the guide makes up half the experience. Independent visitors can only enter first thing as well

NoNameNoGame · 31/10/2019 16:27

I went earlier this year and am going
Again in Feb. It's a beautiful city. We booked the Auschwitz tour from Viator in advance and I've done the same again for Feb. I'm pretty sure that Schindlers Enamel Factory isn't open on Monday, so do factor that in, just in case you wanted to visit. The Salt Mines were so boring and a waste of time, personally I wouldn't recommend it. Also check out Lost Souls Alley if you like a scare!

implantsandaDyson · 31/10/2019 16:34

We used KrakowShuttle.com - we've used them a few times.

scarecrowfeet · 31/10/2019 16:39

The problem with the tours is that they miss out huge areas of Birkenau. The first time I went was 15 years ago and an Auschwitz survivor was our guide. He took us everywhere and it took nearly a full day as Birkenau is vast. I've been several times since and the guides only show a fraction of the place.

Tobebythesea · 31/10/2019 17:02

I liked the salt mines!

I didn’t prebook any tour and had no issues.

Parts of Wawel Castle were booked solid for a few days (I think it was the state rooms). We waited and got tickets but didn’t think the state rooms were anything special.

Bringonspring · 31/10/2019 17:04

Just get a taxi and then pay the ticket price when you get there. You’ll pay ten times the price through a tour.

Go direct to the website for tickets. On taxis they are everywhere just make sure they start the meter when you get in. Don’t use a taxi arranged by your hotel-it will cost you 4 times the price.

Original poster
Lepetitpiggy · 31/10/2019 17:05

Thanks so much
Some really handy tips !!

OP posts:
LilyJade · 31/10/2019 17:21

We are thinking of getting a taxi to Auschwitz as my friend is disabled; I've got several books on Auschwitz & Birkenau as I've researched the Holocaust so don't feel we need an actual tour guide.

But seeing it with a Holocaust survivor must be a very humbling experience.

NoNameNoGame · 31/10/2019 18:37

We paid 60 EUR each last time and that was with Saltmines and lunch. This time I have paid 20 EUR each and that is just Auschwitz and Birkenau, via Viator.

Dora26 · 31/10/2019 19:05

Had the opposite experience to Bringonspring - taxis hailed on street were gangsters and charged crazy tourist prices. Got card of hotel taxi company and rates were always spot on - v cheap by our standards

Bringonspring · 31/10/2019 20:13

Just get a legitimate taxi and make sure they start the meter. I lived in krakow for 2 years and never had a problem.

Gosiaczek1 · 31/10/2019 20:48

Just book it when you get there. Its so easy and much cheaper.

AnnaNimmity · 31/10/2019 20:53

Book online before you go. It gets booked up quickly. We just booked direct rather than through a tour - they offer guided tours as an option.

I think all the tour groups go to the salt mines too and we didn't want to go there.

Wineandchill · 31/10/2019 21:05

There are shops all around the square offering tours, think we paid around £20 and they picked us up from the hotel, arranged the guide and dropped us back at the hotel afterwards. I would also recommend jumping on one of the little tour buses around the square, they take you all around the city and show you the points of interest with a running commentary, we saw the Jewish quarter, schindlers factory, the ghetto and the chemist shop owned by Tadeusz Pankiewicz. It was really interesting and well worth the money.

GreenCrumbs · 31/10/2019 21:16

I would recommend Krakow Tours which is run by an English man, www.krakowtours.co.uk
Collected from hotel about 8am then in minibus on way we were shown the dvd 'The Liberation of Auschwitz'. Visit Auschwitz at own pace and then travel to Birkenau where he does a guided tour. Also had a packed lunch.

user1471504234 · 31/10/2019 21:39

I just booked a tour via my hotel when I was there. It was fine, very good guide.
If you go to the salt mines (which you absolutely should cos they are amazing) it’s better to go on a local bus, it’s easy and it means you can spend more time at the mine.
Krakow is awesome (I’ve just been recently for the second time), have a great time!

Original poster
Lepetitpiggy · 31/10/2019 22:11

I think we will do it there after all the great advice I've had. Really grateful. I'm so looking forward to going - Krakow looks so lovely.

OP posts:
MarieG10 · 31/10/2019 22:18

Kraków is great. Don't just stick to the main square though on a night, the side streets are good (use trip,advisor) and also the Jewish sector