More about: Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine Day Trips from Krakow
By now you have probably read that two of the most popular attractions in Krakow, and practically the whole country, are the excursions to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
The demand is such that there are different options to visit both places in the same day in a single excursion. You will be accompanied at all times by an expert guide and you will travel by private bus. I tell you more details below:
Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine Day Trip from Krakow
Tickets for two of Krakow's most popular tours at the most convenient price
The package includes skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and transfers. This is the best option to save time and money by doing in one day the two most popular excursions in Krakow.
Early in the morning you will be picked up at your hotel or at a meeting point (depending on the option chosen when booking) by a private bus that will take you to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. There you will have a guided tour of the two Auschwitz-Birkenau camps for two to three hours and the guide will accompany you at all times.
Then you will visit the Salt Mines, where you will walk through its spectacular galleries and see the statues and rooms built with salt hundreds of meters underground. Incredible! Here too you will be accompanied by a guide who will make sure you don't miss the highlights of the visit. Doing this combined tour to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Mines is one of the best decisions you can make to make the most of your trip to Poland.
Why I like this option: You will spend only one day to do these two visits and you will have the rest of the trip to walk around Krakow and enjoy its streets and its charm without rushing. In addition, being all-inclusive, you will save time and money on travel.
Recommended if... you have just enough time and prefer to do both visits in one day with an expert guide.
How much does the combined tour to the Salt Mines and Auschwitz cost?
The packs combining the Wieliczka Salt Mines tour and the Auschwitz tour are priced at around 100 € at Hellotickets. The package includes bus transfer from the city center (or your hotel or a meeting point) to Auschwitz, from Auschwitz to the Salt Mines and from the Salt Mines to Krakow on the way back, as well as a professional guide and entrance fees to both sites.
Is it possible to visit Auschwitz and the Salt Mines in one day?
Yes, it is possible to visit Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines in one day, but it requires precise logistical planning. Generally, tour operators organize tours that start early to make the most of the time, so my recommendation if you plan to visit both sites is that you should not hesitate and book the Auschwitz and Salt Mines tour.
Why? The tour operators manage the schedules rigorously, ensuring that each stop provides enough time to get to know both places in depth. So the day, though intense, allows travelers to understand both the grim history of Auschwitz and the historical and industrial splendor of the Salt Mines in a single day.
How far are Auschwitz and the Salt Mines?
Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine are approximately 90 kilometers apart. The time needed to get from one place to the other varies depending on traffic and the means of transport chosen, but by car or bus it takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Please note that if you book the tour to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines, the transfer usually takes place in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus with wifi.
Auschwitz is located approximately 70 kilometers west of Krakow and the transfer time is estimated between 1 and 1.5 hours by car or bus. While the Wieliczka Salt Mines are located about 15 kilometers southeast of Krakow, and the travel time from the city center is usually 20 to 30 minutes.
How long is the full tour?
The combined tour of Auschwitz and the Salt Mines starts early in the morning and ends about 10:30 hours later. During all this time you will have time to make the necessary trips and guided tours to both attractions.
The good thing is that during the bus rides you will have time to rest a little and recharge your batteries. In addition, a lunch break is also included.
Is it worth buying the combined Salt Mine and Auschwitz tour?
Yes, especially for short trips, when you have little time in Krakow and you want to do both excursions in one day to free up the agenda of the rest of your trip in Krakow.
Although it may seem an exhausting excursion, the truth is that the times are very well distributed and you will not notice excessive fatigue. In addition, the fact of doing it all in one day will save you time in transfers from one place to another, which is also very convenient.
What is the schedule for the Auschwitz and Salt Mines tour?
There are different options, also depending on whether you choose to be picked up at your hotel or prefer to go to a meeting point yourself. The earliest one leaves at about 8 am to be at Auschwitz first thing in the morning and visit the concentration camp before large groups of tourists arrive. However, be sure to check the departure time so that you are ready before the bus departs.
What is the best time of year to visit Auschwitz and the Salt Mines?
The best time of year to visit and book a tour to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines is during the low season, when there are fewer tourists. That is, in the months of spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), as you will enjoy a quieter experience. In addition, the weather is more pleasant than in summer and winter
And if you consider what is the best time of day, I recommend visiting Auschwitz in the early morning, as you can explore the place with more tranquility. Regarding the Salt Mines, go in the early afternoon. Also, I recommend that you opt for weekdays when there are fewer visitors.
How much does a cab from Krakow to the Salt Mines cost?
The cost of a cab from the center of Krakow to the Wieliczka Salt Mines usually ranges between 70 and 100 PLN, which is around 15-25 € depending on the exchange rate. The specific price will depend on traffic, time of day and the chosen cab company. The journey time is 20-30 minutes. A comfortable option for those who do not want to have the limitations of a fixed schedule.
Other options available to move to the Salt Mines, less comfortable and flexible, but more economical are:
- Train: depart regularly from Krakow Central Station and the trip takes about 20-30 minutes. It costs about 10 PLN (about 2-3 €).
- Bus: they offer frequent and direct connections for a price of less than 10 PLN (2-2,50 €).
- Excursion to the Salt Mines, where you will go with a guide who will give you all the details of the enclave at a very reasonable price.
Can this tour be done with children?
Yes, although it is not recommended to take them to Auschwitz if they are small or very sensitive. The official organization of the extermination camp itself does not recommend the visit to children under 14 years old. If you want to follow some tips to make your visit to Auschwitz go smoothly, don't miss my 10 tips to visit Auschwitz from Krakow.
Do I need to book the Salt Mines in Krakow in advance?
Yes, it is advisable to book tickets to visit the Salt Mines in advance, especially during the high season. It is a very popular plan and tickets are usually sold out quickly. In addition, this way, you can avoid the long queues that characterize this place so visited and, of course, better plan your time.