Auschwitz-Birkenau and Salt Mines Tour: Historical Insights with Hotel Transfer

Immerse yourself in history with a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and explore one of the world’s oldest Salt Mines. Discover the dark past and stunning underground wonders on this full-day trip from Krakow.

Duration: 10 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Krakow - Your tour begins with transportation from Krakow, either from the hotel you specified or a designated meeting point of your choice. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is located in Oswiecim, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away (65 km). All drivers we work with have the necessary EU certifications for passenger transport. You will be accompanied by a friendly, English-speaking group leader who will assist you whenever needed. Upon arrival in Oswiecim, you’ll have a brief break to grab a coffee or explore the outdoor exhibitions. Afterward, you’ll be introduced to your local, professional guide, who is officially licensed by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
  • Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau - Begin your tour by walking through the gate of Auschwitz I, the first camp, initially established as a concentration camp for Polish citizens arrested after Germany annexed the country in 1939. You’ll pass under the infamous sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Makes You Free). This portion of the tour typically lasts two hours, during which you’ll use a headset to hear your guide clearly. The group size is limited to 30 people, as per the Museum’s regulations, ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience for all participants. Explore the original wooden barracks, fortified walls, barbed wire fences, gas chambers, and crematoria, which together leave a haunting impression and allow visitors to grasp the immense scale of the Holocaust.
  • Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau - After visiting the first camp, you’ll have a short break of up to 15 minutes. Following this, we will take you to the second part of the tour—Birkenau (Auschwitz II), located just 3 minutes away. Birkenau, the largest camp, was built and operated with the sole purpose of making Europe “Judenrein” (free of Jews). Your guide will continue the powerful narrative at Birkenau, located in the village of Brzezinka. Constructed in 1941 under the orders of SS commander Heinrich Himmler, the camp could hold around 90,000 prisoners. You’ll hear harrowing accounts of the brutal living conditions, the cruel selection process, and the pseudo-scientific medical experiments carried out by Nazi doctors, including Josef Mengele. The tour concludes with a story of liberation when soldiers from the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, leaving you with a profound understanding that such genocide should never have occurred—and must never happen again.
  • Wieliczka - In a second part of the day, you will be transferred to Wieliczka Salt Mine, which happens to be one of the oldest working salt mines in the World. Before Salt Mine Expirence you will have about 1 hour break for a coffe, grocery or just rest.
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine - Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest working salt mines in the World: it has been producing salt for over 700 years. You will be attending an English guided tour at 4pm or 5pm (depending on road conditions). Your guide will take you up to 140 meters underground for a 2.5-hours journey through over 2.5-km tourist route full of chambers with amazing salt carvings and statues
  • Krakow - At the end of the tour you well have about After another 40 minutes of travel, you will be taken to a designated address in Krakow.

After the tour you may attend the 1h Old Town Evening Walking Tour provided by a Local Guide. Your participation will be free of charge.

What's Included
  • Headsets to hear the guide clearly
  • Transportation to Auschwitz and Wieliczka from Krakow and back
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan or minibus with Wifi access
  • Guaranteed skip-the-line entrance tickets
  • Documentary movie ‘Liberation of Auschwitz’
  • Professional and licensed guide
  • Insurance
  • Old Town Evening Walking Tour
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Embark on our full-day excursion from Krakow to experience two significant historical sites. Explore Auschwitz, the most extensive concentration camp from the Nazi era, and step into one of the world’s oldest Salt Mines. In Auschwitz, you’ll be accompanied by a professional guide to give you an intimate understanding of its history. Starting at the entrance gate bearing the infamous phrase “Arbeit macht frei”, the memorial tour will include views of the prisoners’ barracks and the railroad track used to bring people to the gas chambers. The Auschwitz tour is approximately 2 hours and Birkenau tour around 1-1.5 hours. Subsequently, our driver will transport you to the Salt Mine for a tour approximating 2.5 hours. Therein, you’ll experience the wonders of St Kinga’s Chapel, comparable in size to a medieval wooden church, and marvel at its unique underground chandeliers made from salt crystals. Discover the hidden salt-lined corridors, saline lakes, and enchanting underground spaces unseen on the surface.

  • ENTRANCE: As it is mandatory in Auschwitz Birkenau museum to confirm your personal details, you are required to take with you passport or ID to be presented at the entrance to museum. Please do not forget it, otherwise you may be not allowed to enter museum.
  • VISIT: While in the camps, visitors are required to behave appropriately and respectfully.
  • VISIT: There are no restrictions regarding the age of children in Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum, but they should be either capable of walking unassisted or carried in baby slings or baby carriers. Baby pushchairs are not allowed underground (salt mine)
  • VISIT: Visitors are generally allowed to take pictures with a few, clearly indicated exceptions.
  • LUGGAGE: The maximum size of your carry-on can not exceed the following dimensions: 30 x 20 x 10 cm. You can leave your larger luggage in the car.
  • CLOTHING: Temperatures in Wieliczka Salt Mine are around 59ºF (15ºC). Also, it should be taken into account that narrow paths may seem claustrophobic, and once underground there is no possibility to shorten your visit and turn back. At the entrance, visitors descent 400 steps down and the whole tourist route features over 800 stairs
Location
Floriana Straszewskiego 17
Floriana Straszewskiego
Please await for the driver on the bus stop in front of the entrance to Raddison Blu hotel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(311 Ratings)
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Dafriggenjedman
Aug 3, 2024
A memorable experience. - Very emotionally strong experience. A must do whilst in Poland. Please bring good shoes for long walking/hiking.
Review provided by Viator
Cindyp981
Aug 2, 2024
Great Guides & 2 UNESCO Sites in a Day! - Amazing experience at the Salt Mines. Walk down steps to see live in the mines from the 17th century until present. Mind blowing history along with sculptures created by the miners to enhance their days and depictions of what life was like for them. We had a great guide. Wonderful salts, carvings and chocolates to buy! Throughout our drive, we had a guide named Michael. He was warm, informative and engaging with us. We were all picked up at our hotel, taken to a great lunch place and could choose our drop off location as well For our tour of Auschwitz, we had another Michael. His narrative was a great balance of comprehensive information, along with sensitivity and respect. Really recommend this tour! The communication from both men was outstanding throughout and the ability to see 2 UNESCO sites made for a memorable day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeffw543
Jul 21, 2024
Excellent tour and transfer provider in Krakow! - I've chosen the option of a day tour of both the salt mines and Auschwitz as I couldn't find a better category choice. In truth, we had one day (Wednesday 17 July) where we had a full morning private transport and ticket/tour for Auschwitz-Birkenau and then another day (Friday 19 July) for a shared transport and ticket/tour for the salt mine. And then yesterday we also used Krakow Direct for our airport transfer. I must say that all three experiences provided by Krakow Direct were excellent; highly professional and engaging drivers who were happy to speak with us as much or as little as we wanted - and for me that is usually more chatting than less. They were very punctual and efficient, providing a thorough service to make sure we were taken to the exact places we needed to be, supporting with our tickets and connecting us to our guides. We would highly recommend them as being very much worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lifetravelstilettos
Jul 19, 2024
The Best One Day Excursion From Krakow - This full day excursion allowed us to experience two UNESCO World Heritage sites in one day. The Wieliczka Salt Mine was a fascinating look into the history of an importance of the mine and the Cathedral was an amazing feat of engineering. While the Auschwitz-Birkenau portion tour was an eye opening heart wrenching look into one of the most horrific events in humanity. Touring the camps will haunt me forever, yet it is important we never forget. What made our tour even more memorable was our tour driver, Hubert. Not only was he one of the most personable drivers I've ever had, he enjoyed teaching me a few Polish phrases. I would definitely take another tour if we could have Hubert again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samanthafigliuzzi64
Jul 17, 2024
Amazing - I cannot recomend this company enough. The communication is outstanding. I booked Auschwitz and the Salt mines. My hubby is disabled and this company sorted everything out so he could have the best experience. Our driver Matthew was amazing,polite,informative and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. thank you Matthew
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ren_t
Jul 5, 2024
Poland - Excellent European destination! - This was an incredible tour - well worth it. Each of these stops are a must when in Poland. The guide was very knowledgeable and made it a memorable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Scott_h
Jun 28, 2024
History that has to be seen - Amazing experience and very knowledgeable tour guide . Auschwitz was sombre and eerie as you would imagine but a part of history that has to be experienced . The salt mines are incredible too .
Review provided by Viator
Tracy_r
Jun 27, 2024
Enjoyed the salt mines... - Enjoyed the salt mines and Auschwitz Birkenau but it was sad to see what happened to all those people
Review provided by Viator
Andrew_c
May 12, 2024
Excellent - Excellent day- great guides at both sites and extremely well organised trip in comfortable mini bus with great driver/ tour organiser. Just be aware it involves a lot of walking and a couple of slow walkers on our trip struggled to keep up
Review provided by Viator
Ruthcc4534ib
May 19, 2024
Fantastic sites but Viator disappointing. Booked and paid for trip and pick up listed on places to be picked up. - Going to a wedding a couple of weekends ago, with my daughter. We decided to do some sightseeing. Booked Auschwitz, Birkenau and salt mine with pick up from our hotel. Although a few miles outside of Krakow, the hotel was listed. On the morning of flying out, and with less than 24 hours to trip, I received a message from tour company asking me for address of pick up. I was advised that I would need to pay for an additional transfer. I phoned Viator who passed the buck to the tour company. My contract was with Viator and I asked who would pay the extra cost. You can imagine the response! From the small print, that I was directed to, I can see an extra charge would be incurred for airport pickup and if hotel not listed, we would have to get to Krakow. Despite the hotel being listed, Viator didn’t want to know. We had no option but to pay for the transfer. Disgraceful behaviour and will think twice before using Viator again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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