Auschwitz and Salt Mine Tour from Krakow
Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, two UNESCO sites in one guided day trip from Kraków.
Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine in One Day
Short on time in Kraków? This salt mine and Auschwitz tour fits both visits into a single day of about 11 hours, so there's no second early start and no second booking to arrange. You meet the group at one of three central meeting points, travel together in one vehicle, and explore each site with a licensed English-speaking guide, with entry tickets already taken care of. The order of the two visits depends on the entry times allocated for your date, and you'll get all the details before you set off.
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Auschwitz and Salt Mine Tours from Krakow: How It Works
Most visitors to Kraków want to see both places, but few have two free days to spend on them. Our salt mines and Auschwitz tour links the two with shared transport, pre-arranged entry and a set plan, so you can see both on one date and spend the rest of your stay in the city.
Your Day, Step by Step
- Meet in central Kraków. The group gathers at one of three meeting points in the city centre and leaves together, with no detours to collect other guests from their hotels.
- Two visits, in the order your entry times allow. Both sites give guided groups fixed entry slots, so the sequence is set for each date. Oświęcim is around 1.5 hours from Kraków, and the drive between the two sites takes roughly as long.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. A guide licensed by the Museum takes you through Auschwitz I, with its original brick blocks and the "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, then on to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, a few minutes' drive away. Headsets let you follow every word, and the visit lasts about 3.5 hours.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine. You walk down wooden stairs to 64 metres underground and follow a route of about 3.5 km past brine lakes, carved chapels and sculptures made entirely of rock salt. The visit takes 2 to 3 hours, ends at 135 metres below the surface, and a lift brings you back up.
- Back to your meeting point. The group returns to where it started in Kraków, around 11 hours after departure.
What's Included
- Licensed English-speaking guides at Auschwitz-Birkenau and in the salt mine
- Entry tickets for Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Headsets for the guided visits
- Return transport from central Kraków in an air-conditioned vehicle
- A group leader who stays with you throughout the day
- Insurance and all taxes
Not Included
- Food and drinks, so bring water and a snack for a long day
- Toilet fees at the Memorial
- Pickup from your hotel (the tour starts at a central meeting point)
One Combined Day or Two Separate Tours?
| This combined tour | Booked separately | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | 1 day, about 11 hours | 2 outings, on one or two days |
| Bookings | One | Two: Auschwitz guided tour and Wieliczka Salt Mine tour |
| Adult price from | €110 | €49 + €65 = €114 |
| Best for | Short stays and tight itineraries | A slower pace with more rest between visits |
Either way, you get licensed guides, entry tickets and return transport from Kraków.
Meeting Points
The tour starts from one of three central addresses: Wielopole 2, Pawia 18a (near Kraków Główny station) or Starowiślna 65 (by Kazimierz). Please be there 10 minutes before departure so the group can leave on time.
Departure Times
The time you choose when booking is provisional, because the Memorial and the mine set guided entry slots for each day, and travel times depend on traffic. Your exact departure time is confirmed the day before the tour, in the afternoon at the latest. If it changes, you'll be notified before your tour.
Group Size and Price
Groups are capped at 30 people, following the Museum's rules for guided visits. Adult places start from €110, and separate fares for seniors, students and children are shown in the calendar. Infant seats are available, and every child needs their own seat.
Why Book This Tour
- Two landmarks, one date. You see both UNESCO sites without giving up a second day of your trip.
- Tickets sorted in advance. Auschwitz entry has been sold online only since March 2026 and busy dates fill early; your places are secured when you book.
- A quick start. Central meeting points mean no long loop around the city collecting other guests.
- Better value. One combined booking costs less than the two tours bought separately.
Cancellation
Cancel at least one day before the tour for a full refund. You can book right up to the last minute, as long as places are still available on your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Auschwitz and salt mine tour?
Plan on about 11 hours from departure to return. Roughly 3.5 hours of that is the guided visit at Auschwitz-Birkenau, 2 to 3 hours is spent underground in Wieliczka, and the rest is driving between Kraków and the two sites, plus short breaks.
Can you really do Auschwitz and the salt mine in one day?
Yes, as long as transport and entry times are organised for you, which is exactly what this tour does. It is a long and emotionally demanding day, though. If you'd prefer a slower pace, the Auschwitz guided tour and the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour can be booked on separate days.
Are the salt mines near Auschwitz?
Not very. Wieliczka lies on the south-eastern edge of Kraków, while Auschwitz-Birkenau is in Oświęcim, about 70 km west of the city. The two sites are roughly 80 km apart by road, around 1.5 hours' drive, which is why a combined day works best with transport included.
How much does the Auschwitz and salt mine tour cost?
Adult places start from €110 per person, with entry tickets for both sites, guides, headsets and transport included. Seniors, students and children have their own fares, which you'll see in the calendar once you pick a date.
Which site do we visit first?
It varies from date to date. The order follows the guided entry slots given to the group by the Memorial and the mine, and it is confirmed together with your departure time the day before the tour.
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
This tour starts from central meeting points in Kraków rather than individual hotels, which keeps the long day on schedule. If hotel pickup matters more to you than seeing both sites in one day, our small-group Auschwitz tour collects guests from their accommodation.
What documents do I need for Auschwitz-Birkenau?
Give the full name of every participant when you book, and bring a passport or ID card that matches that name. The Memorial may check documents at the entrance and can refuse entry without one. Since 1 March 2026 Auschwitz tickets are sold online only, and yours are arranged as part of the booking.
Are there bag limits or security checks?
Yes. Bags larger than 30 × 20 × 10 cm are not allowed inside the Memorial and stay in the locked vehicle during the visit. Every visitor, including guided groups, passes through an airport-style security check before entering.
Is the Wieliczka Salt Mine cold, and are there many stairs?
The mine stays at about 17–18°C all year, so bring a light layer even in summer. The route involves plenty of stairs, mostly going down, and a lift takes you back to the surface at the end. The mine is not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia or walking difficulties.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Children are welcome with an adult, and infant seats are available on request. Because of the subject matter at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the recommended minimum age for this tour is 13.
Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
Unfortunately not. Neither the route through the mine nor this guided visit at Auschwitz-Birkenau is suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes and clothes for the weather matter most, as up to 70% of the Auschwitz visit is outdoors, mainly at Birkenau. Dress respectfully, and remember that eating, smoking, loud behaviour and flash photography inside the buildings are not allowed at the Memorial. There is no set lunch stop, so pack water and a snack.
Your Auschwitz entry pass is included. No need to book it yourself on the Museum's website. Curious how tickets, prices and opening hours work in 2026? Read our guide.
Read the ticket guide