Concentration Camp in Auschwitz and Krakow – tour by train with free time in Krakow

The concentration camp in Auschwitz was established by German Nazis on the outskirts of the town Oswiecim in 1940. After the war, the camp was turned into museum displaying evidence of the genocide. Block no. 11, known as the Death Block, was where people were murdered also at the “Wall of Death”. Outside the camp, there is a gas chamber, where 70,000 people were killed in 1940-1943. A film made after the liberation of the camp is shown in various language version in the museum. In 1941, 3 kilometres from Oswiecim, in the former village of Brzezinka, the German Nazis established a new camp called Auschwitz II Birkenau. In 1942-1945, approx. 1.5 million people lived and died here. Most of them (90%) were Jews, others were Poles, Gypsies, Russians and prisoners from 28 countries of Europe, people of all nationalities and political and religious persuasions. Since 1944, transports of prisoners from all over the continent entered directly through the “Gate of Death”. In 1979, Auschwitz – Birkenau Concentration Camp was listed a UNESCO World Culture and National Heritage Site.

Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Until the end of the 16th century, the capital of Poland, where polish kings were coronated in magnificent royal castle. Here you can see the well-preserved city complex and the largest square in medieval Europe, and the Jewish town of Kazimierz with the second oldest European synagogue after Prague, eat a fresh Krakow pretzel and listen to the bugle call played from the tower of St. Mary’s Church to the four corners of the world, which includes it is a reminder of the Tatar invasions in the 13th century. You cannot get bored in Krakow, the great concentration of monuments, museums and all kinds of bars, clubs and restaurants does not allow it. By the way: everyone knows the painting by Leonardo da Vinci “Mona Lisa del Gioconda” located in the Louvre in Paris, but hardly anyone knows that in the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow there is another of the portraits of the Master’s hand – “Lady with an Ermine”. In the Old Town you can also find the Wawel Hill – with the Cathedral and the Royal Castle (until 1611 Wawel was the formal seat of Polish monarchy – it was the place of royal coronations ), Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica, Krakow Barbican and Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), thousands of bars and delightful regional restaurants, many historic buildings and horse-driven cabs.

Plan of the tour:

• early morning pick up from your accommodation (arround 5.00am)
• transfer to the train station in Warsaw  with an English speaking driver
• train from Warsaw to Krakow (approx.  3h ride)
• pick up from the train platform in Krakow by a local English speaking driver
• shared transportation between Krakow and Auschwitz by car/mini van/bus (up to 1,5h)
• sightseeing of Auschwitz and Birkenau in a group with an English speaking guide of up to 3,5h
• coming back to Krakow after sightseeing. Free time in Krakow or a guided walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town
• train back to Warsaw (approx. 3h ride)
• evening transfer from the train station in Warsaw to your hotel

Tour available in English by default. Other languages: Spanish, Italian, German, and French on request if available.

Prices per person – with free time in Krakow

• 1 person – 750 PLN
• 2 people – 580 PLN
• 3 people – 520 PLN
• 4 people or more – 480 PLN

Prices include:

• pick up from  the accommodation in Warsaw and transfer to the Central Train Station
• English speaking driver assistance until  getting inside the train
• 2nd class return tickets for economic standard fast train
• entrance tickets and guided tour in Auschwitz-Birkenau
• transfers Krakow-Auschwitz-Krakow
• evening pick up from the platform and transfer to the accommodation
• in option B – guided tour in Krakow

Tour available with the tour guide in Krakow – additional cost 400PLN.