At a glance
- Spend at least a day taking your time around Kraków’s Old Town, Wawel Castle, and Kazimierz.
- It helps to understand Warsaw in the context of its rebuilding after the war.
- Auschwitz is a place of remembrance, not a tourist attraction. Prepare to give it time and approach it with care.
- Choose Wieliczka if you’re comfortable with underground stairs and a long walk. Choose Auschwitz if you’re prepared to spend a day learning about history and paying your respects. Don’t book both places back-to-back on the same day. Guided visits and individual admission reservations at Auschwitz are different options; select a language and time through the official visitor reservation system.
Day by day
Suggested itinerary
See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.
Keep all 3 nights in Kraków. Explore the Old Town on arrival day, visit Wawel Castle and Kazimierz on day 2, and choose either Wieliczka or Auschwitz for day 3. Day 4 is for departure travel.
Spend 2 nights in Warsaw and 3 in Kraków. On day 3, take the train from Warszawa Centralna to Kraków Główny, then walk around the Old Town. Visit Wawel and Kazimierz on day 4, one nearby destination on day 5, and depart from Kraków on day 6.
History and context
Kraków still reflects its past as a royal capital, along with its character as a university city.
Auschwitz and the Jewish quarter are places to confront the tragedies of the 20th century.
Warsaw’s Old Town is significant as a city restored after wartime destruction.
Places and meals
Take in Kraków’s royal history and views of the Vistula River.
Google MapsExplore Kraków’s Jewish quarter, cafés, and restaurants in the same area.
Google MapsA popular day trip from Kraków. Check tour times.
Google MapsKnowing the story behind the city’s reconstruction can change how it feels to walk through it.
Google MapsFood and restaurants
- Pierogi are a classic choice for your first meal in Poland.
- Meals can be hearty, with plenty of soup, pork, and potato dishes.
- Cafés and bakeries are useful for keeping costs down on travel days.
A traditional dining option in Kraków. Check reservation and opening information.
Krakow Google MapsA pierogi option in Warsaw. Check which location to visit and how busy it gets.
Warsaw Google MapsHow to fit it in
Start with Kraków as your base. Warsaw is especially worthwhile if you want to explore its history and rebuilding.
Reality check
For intercity rail, check the actual journey time on tickets from Warszawa Centralna to Kraków Główny, and set aside half a day even for a fast train to allow time to reach the stations and your lodging. For Wieliczka, plan for a train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia (about 25 minutes), then about a 10-minute walk to the Daniłowicz Shaft entrance. For Auschwitz, arrange a separate bus or tour to the museum entrance in Oświęcim. Allow 3–4 hours for the round trip and 3–4 hours to visit both sites.
Take your time walking around Kraków’s Old Town and Kazimierz. Leave the rest of your schedule open on the day you visit Auschwitz.
First estimate PKP intercity tickets, round-trip regional travel, any tours and admission tickets, and 5 nights of lodging. The Auschwitz guide fee and operator transportation costs are separate from the ticket for Wieliczka’s official tourist route. As a sample budget, PLN 120 per person per day for food comes to PLN 720 for 6 days; transportation, lodging, and tickets are extra. PLN 120 is a personal daily limit, not an average restaurant cost or a market price.
Keep an eye on your belongings in busy stations and old towns. Prepare for cold weather in winter, and arrange round-trip transport that matches your booking time on days you visit nearby destinations.
If plans change
Don’t plan on standing for a long-distance trip; add a day in Kraków or Warsaw instead.
Don’t rush to add another place of remembrance. Learn more about the context at the city’s history museum and public spaces.
Small tip
It’s best not to pack the day you visit Auschwitz with too many other activities.
Final check before departure
- Check PKP seat reservations and rail construction disruptions.
- Note each city’s museum closure days.
- Save directions for getting from the station to your lodging after a late arrival.
Auschwitz requires a named admission pass, and all passes must be booked online through the official booking site. Don’t plan on standing for a long-distance trip; add a day to your stay in Kraków or Warsaw.
Information checked: 2026-10-04