Krakow in Feb - salt mines or not

[trustedadult]

Also doing Auschwitx, I remember someone once saying its good to get a taxi there so on the way back you can have a think.
Some people offer the Mines and the camp on the same trip - unsure about this.
Plus any other tips.

Following with interest! This is a trip I’d like to do 😍

I think it’s too much in one day. The salt mines are only a short train journey from krakow (no need to book a special trip). They’re really good … it seems a shame to rush yourself so much unless you’re on v limited time. Enjoy, it’s a wonderful area!

I really didn’t like the mines. We went the day after auchwitz and were probably just really overwhelmed from the auchwitz trip ( which was amazing but harrowing). The Salt Mines were just ok for us. I found them a bit claustrophobic in parts (when walking between areas etc).
on reflection I would rather have spent more time wandering around the Jewish qtr.

There's a round trip to the camp via bus you can book which might be cheaper then a taxi and you arrive in a group.

Yes definitely go to the salt mine!! It's spectacular! I've been three times (relative lives there).

We did it one day and I have absolutely no recollection of the mines at all, Auschwitz is so overwhelming I think my brain just shut down making any new memories or something, it’s too much to take in.

Edit to add we booked it with a private driver for the day.

…me again. Auschwitz is also an easy train journey from krakow fyi. You must book the Auschwitz ticket in advance from the museum directly online - do this asap if you’re visiting in Feb! It’s very simple and avoids the dodgy organised tours.

We did both in the same day, as I wanted to pack as much into our short trip as possible. We did the Salt Mines first. It was good, but it didn't rock my world. We still had more than enough time to do Auschwitz in the afternoon. One place I would recommend is Schindler's Factory, I loved that, but I'm a big WWII history fan. Pre-Book

I thought the salt mines were amazing and would definitely recommend.

We did this trip last year, Auschwitz was worthwhile, very poignant. But we really didn't enjoy the salt mines too long and very boring it just didn't interest us at all and once you're down there you can't take any short cuts you need to follow the whole tour to get out. Yes it very impressive but once you've seen one salt cave you've seen it all really.

We had booked a 9am pick up but got a text message the day before saying pick up was 4am!! This was with Krakow direct. We got back from the salt mines to Krakow about 9pm, it was just too long a day. We were hungry and thirsty too as we had packed some lunch but there wasn't really anywhere to buy anything on the way. It was heavy snow which maybe made the journey much longer.

Yeah think i will bin off the salt mines. I will watch them on tiktok instead ;)

Looking at the proper legit AB site it bangs on about tours in certain languages

Am an ex history teacher - do I need htis? is there an audio guide?

I think you have to go in a group these days

@trustedadultwe didn’t do a tour so I couldn’t comment on that but there’s certainly a great deal to read, digest and see as you make your way around. Very powerful

They only have tours left in ... German.
I speak it but OH the irony.

Sorry guys
me again.

Might have a ticket to Auschwitz and have discounted the salt mines
we are on a 4 day stay. Would you do Schindler factory as well or not