Krakow Travel Forum

We are going back and forth on this...We would be coming from Wroclaw and have only one day to spend in Krakow. There are two choices...one being taking a tour bus from Wroclaw to Auschwitz, but we wouldn't see the salt mine. The second choice is getting a car rental for the day and planning on it being a very long day but being able to see both. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If we rent a car, can you tell me if there is plenty of parking at Auschwitz and the salt mine and how expensive is it?
Thanks

To be honest, I wouldn't do either if you only have one day.

Krakow is a lovely city (see my pages) with more than enough to occupy you for a day (I stayed for 3, and saw neither Aushwitz not the salt mine). there is the castle, the cathedral, the churches, the ghetto area (unmissable imo).......

If you really must see either (or both) then you should be able to park easily enough (but won't organising car hire take up too much time from a single day........and won't you have to be back in time to drop it off before the office closes anyway?).

http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/html/eng/zwiedzanie/index.html#6 for parking info.

Bus and train info for Auschwitz/salt mnines from Krakow here:

http://www.itisnet.com/english/e-ce/e-poland/e-krakow/e-t-krak.htm

http://www.cracow-life.com/poland/wieliczka-salt-mines

I don't think you'll be able to se both in one day. There's a long queue to enter the salt mine; it took me more than one hour to get in and only becauseI choose to join a polish speaking group, otherwise the waiting time would have been higher. And a visit to Auschwitz will take you a whole day.
Regarding parking lots, I don't remember parking at the salt mine, but you'll park wasily along the road not far away from there.
In Auschwitz there is a big parking at the entrance of Auschwitz 1 and plenty of space at the entrance of Auschwitz 2 (Birkenau). Parking in Birkenau is free, and I think it's also free in Auschwitz 1, but I am not completely sure.
Hope it'll help you
Cheers
gmg

plenty of parking at the salt mine in Wieliczka. You can park for free few blocks away and just walk if you need to save the money.
The signage is very good, once you approach wieliczka there will be signs for salt mine. Also when looking for parking don't be tempted to park on the first field as is very far from the mine. Drive straight to the mine and then park at the closest field or look for free parking.

I don't think you can see both in one day when driving from Wroclaw. Salt mine takes long time. You need to go and pick up ticket (they have english speaking guides or any other language) and on the ticket it will say which time is your descent downstairs. You can not leave once you down there (only emergences) and there is so much to see it takes long time (with break for snacks). See wieliczka salt mine website (ling in my Krakow tips) they have english version.

if you havnt been to krakow before....i'd just see the town....i cant imagine missing it if you havnt been....this will be a very long day for you if you planning on going back to wroclaw on the same day

I don't spend money on parking here in Wieliczka (no reason for it).Wroclaw-Oswiecim will take around 2-2.5 hours one way.Oswiecim-Wieliczka around 45 min.

Hi, I think if you only have one day you must see Krakow, it is lovely but if you can spend more time in Krakow the sale mines and Auschwitz are a must.

Enjoy

Linda

Entirely agree. If there is only one day, then you should spend it exploring Krakow itself (particularly the ghetto area).

2 in a day must be bonkers you need at least a week just for krakow