I personally wouldn't book a tour. We found we were in an extremely large group and most of the information is on the written plaques. I would just make your own way there (you can book in advance for free tickets). Uber is extremely cheap in Poland. We didnt do salt mines so cant comment on that.

I think the salt mines would be nearly impossible with a wheelchair, unless they have improved their infrastructure a lot since I was there.

We were in Krakow in July. We didn't do Auschwitz or the salt mines as the tours seemed expensive. We did a golf buggy tour of the city one day , another day we went to the aviation museum, we went to the castle, the bagel museum where we did a workshop, the pinball museum.

I booked a tour and it was good as there would have been so much detail we had missed otherwise. If you go off season it shouldnt be as busy, or choose your time of day carefully.

We booked an individual tour through our hotel. Meant we could go at our own pace but had door to door transport and the convenience of a guide.

Our main reason for going to the castle was to see the dragon sculpture which breathes real fire - it's down by the river.

We did the golf buggy tour and also a tour to Auschwitz, I thought both were worthwhile as our guides were excellent.

I loved Krakow, hope you enjoy your visit

We did it individually. Was still informative and you could do it at your own pace.
We also has a private taxi tour around the ghetto area. It wasn't expensive a few years ago and the taxi driver was a mine of info.

The salt mine is fabulous but you can't do it on the same day.

It was a while ago so trying to remember the logistics of the golf buggy tour... think we were outside the castle and a chap asked if it was something we were interested in, there were a few of them around so seemed legit. Agreed on a price before we started and it was reasonable - as was everything else but that was about 6 years ago now, no idea what things are like now. Can't remember the cost but we were with him for a couple of hours and he took us to the Kazimierz area, he was incredibly interesting and gave us blankets as it was freezing. He gave us a lot of the history, was able to point significant places out and knew his stuff. I don't think it's something you'd need to book in advance and I'm sure you'll see plenty of them around.

It's a beautiful city with very friendly people, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Well i went in august and it was busy but not rammed. I think october would be fine.
Its a really important trip and something i think everybody should do. Its sobering and it has stayed with me.


As for other days out. If you have the time, do a trip to the mountains. We loved Zakopane

I went in the middle of an exceptionally cold winter, I'm sure October will be a great deal milder but keep an eye on the weather in the run up as I don't know what it's normally lie around then.

Just wanted to add if you are thinking of going to Auschwitz it really is worthwhile and something that will stay with you all for life. I still think about it several years later.

Auschwitz was hauntingly macabre. Horrifying to think about what happened there. horrible to think that other humans did that. Bastards.

But important. For the sobering thoughts about humanjty and what we’re capable of.

It is quiet. Prepare yourselves for that. No birds fly over supposedly. We didn’t see any. But it is important.

Krakow is wonderful though.

I am not sure if I would go to Zakopane just for the day as in normal conditions it's between 2 and 2 a half hours drive each way, so 4 to 5 hours of driving just to get there and back, giving you limited time there. However due to traffic it can take a lot longer than that, it took me 3 hours to get there by car (with a local driving, who knew the back roads and best ways to avoid traffic) and over 4 hours to get back by bus (cost 20 zloty or about £4) due to heavy traffic.

There is a good overview of Zakopane here: www.adventurous-travels.com/posts/zakopane-what-to-see-in-polands-winter-capital

The Salt Mine you can visit with a wheelchair which uses a route with a lift and visits the main parts/highlights like the 'cathedral' but you need to book in advance, as there are only a couple of time slots available each day.

Aushwitz, the tour companies are all basically taxi services as it's Aushwitz tour guides who do the tours of both camps. But although a lot more expensive than taking the bus, it does make it easier as they pick you up at your accommodation, tickets and tour time are sorted for you, they ferry you between the 2 camps (although there is a free shuttle bus) and then take you back. So mostly, they just wait around for you all day and act as a taxi service.

Be aware that some parts would be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair as in Aushwitz 1 the exhibits are mostly inside buildings, with entrance and sometimes internal steps and narrow corridors (divided into two to allow tour groups to pass each other single file in different directions). The external paths are also quite rough gravel etc and in Birkeneau there is quite a lot of walking.

Krakow itself is easy as the Old Town is largely pedestrianised, flat and there are horse carriages and electric buggies everywhere. The castle has a steep entrance though.

Salt Mine info from from their website:
Wheelchair users can visit the exhibition of the Cracow Saltworks Museum (level III) at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The tour begins in the Regis Shaft building. Tours are held in Polish or English (the language of the tour depends on the first registration). The lift accommodates a standard wheelchair. Wheelchair users and persons with mobility problems should make a reservation in advance. We invite you to contact the Booking Department. The route does not connect with the Tourist Route and the chambers connected with it – including St Kinga’s Chapel.
www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/visiting/tourist-route/visitor-s-guide/rules-for-visitors

Aushwitz info:
spintheglobe.net/dir/2017/09/12/tips-visiting-auschwitz-birkenau-wheelchair/

@VolcanionSteamArtillery
You can only self tour Auschwitz first thing in the morning. I would strongly recomend the arranged tour with a guide. What you see is sobering but what really hammers it home is what the guides tell you and that to be frank is at least half the experience. Just going around will not do it justice.

Also, many don't realise that Auschwitz was multi site. There is the main small preserved camp and then there is Birkenau which was the large "processing" site with the railway in. Part of it was pillaged after the war for fire wood and again you need to guide to tell you the whole story, how people were processed. Ie when the train landed, there was a doctor who looked at them as they got off the train and pointed one way or another. The weak or children went to the gas chambers. None of that was in any other information.

Also, at the first small camp, you will go through airport style security

Arrange a nice nit after the tour to cheer you up but was a fantastic experience and we loved Krakow

Yes, to self tour I think it's before 10am or after 3pm only, but check the website as all the info is on there. Agree that the Aushwitz museum guides are excellent (well, our guide was anyway) and much better imo than just reading the signs, obviously you can also ask them questions etc.

Downside is it can feel a bit rushed and the next tour group will be right behind you. Also if you linger at the back the headset can get out of range of the guide, so you lose the connection temporarily.

Would recommend watching the short (49 minutes) documentary "One Day in Aushwitz" Kitty Hart Moxons Story of Survival, by USC Shoah Foundation , (free to watch on YouTube, channel is Maceonc) before you go.

If you like history I really recommend the Schindler Factory Museum, the Jewish Ghetto and the Eagle Pharmacy Museum there.

We did the salt mines and it was ok but a bit of a waste of a day for us, I would go again, it just wasn't our thing but we really LOVED Krakow.

Go to the bar in the Jewish Quarter called Once Upon a Time in Krakow, it's 4 tiny trades people's houses knocked through and made into a bar and it;s full of all the things relates to their trades - tailor, butcher, capenter etc. We stopped off for an early evening drink there and loved it.

Make sure you go to E. Wedels chocolate shop on the main square and sit outside with an incredible hot chocolate (brandy in it for mum!)

We LOVED Krakow!

We go with a military company who keep the group tiny. That way we get all the information but without the crazy large groups. We also go very early so there are no crowds.

It’s an incredibly sobering place, but very important. And you should visit both camps plus the abandoned train in the middle of the housing estate.

Krakow is incredible. We are back again in April.

I think everyone should go to Auschwitz at least once.