Is free cancellation available for Auschwitz & Wieliczka Salt Mine: A Full Day of History and Reflection?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is 11 Hours.

Auschwitz & Wieliczka Salt Mine: A Full Day of History and Reflection

Name: Auschwitz & Wieliczka Salt Mine: A Full Day of History and Reflection
Start: 2025-01-01
End: 2025-12-31
Location: Krakow
Rating: 4.7

Embark on a moving full-day journey from Krakow to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Auschwitz-Birkenau, a poignant reminder of the Holocaust, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an awe-inspiring underground world of history and art.

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Auschwitz & Wieliczka Salt Mine: A Full Day of History and Reflection | ®ExcursionMania

Overview

Embark on a profound and reflective full-day journey from Krakow to two of Poland’s most important UNESCO World Heritage sites: Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into history and culture, providing an unforgettable experience that combines somber reflection with awe-inspiring exploration.

Your day begins with a drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous Nazi concentration and extermination camp, where you’ll have a chance to reflect on the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. Upon arrival, you’ll embark on a self-guided tour with a detailed informational brochure, allowing you to explore the site at your own pace. The museum and memorial provide a haunting look into the past, with exhibits detailing the experiences of the victims, the horrors of the camp, and the impact of this tragic chapter in world history. As you walk through the barracks, gas chambers, and remnants of the camp, you’ll be guided by the information provided in your brochure, which helps to put the history into context. Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) are both included in your visit, with time to reflect on the significance of each area. You will learn about the victims' suffering and the profound legacy of this site that serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and genocide.

After this deeply moving visit, you’ll board your vehicle for a short journey to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating salt mines. The mine’s history spans over 700 years, and as you descend into its depths, you’ll be amazed by its extraordinary chambers, salt sculptures, and the rich history of salt mining. A guided tour takes you through the mine’s vast network of tunnels and chambers, showcasing not only the industrial history of mining but also the artistic masterpieces created by miners over the centuries. The Chapel of St. Kinga, a stunning underground church entirely carved out of salt, is one of the highlights of the tour, with its intricate carvings and serene atmosphere. Your guide will provide insights into the mine’s operation, the lives of the miners, and the cultural significance of salt mining in Poland. Along the way, you’ll see salt sculptures, centuries-old mining equipment, and exhibits detailing the technological advancements made throughout the history of the mine. This journey into the earth will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship involved in salt mining, as well as the role the mine played in Poland’s economic and cultural development.

Following your visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you’ll ascend back to the surface, where your guide will take you back to Krakow. Whether you’re visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau to learn about its dark past or the Wieliczka Salt Mine to witness its underground wonders, this tour offers a comprehensive look at Poland’s rich history and heritage. This day trip is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and those interested in experiencing two of Poland’s most significant landmarks.

The tour ends with a return to your accommodation or the meeting point, concluding a deeply moving and enriching day spent discovering Poland’s complex and fascinating past.

Select date, participants and language

Excursion Itinerary

Krakow

Start Activities

Van (Transfer)

Duration: 1.5 Hours.

Your day begins with a comfortable ride from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, offering a scenic drive through the Polish countryside.

Auschwitz I (Main Camp) Visit

Visit,
Duration: 2 Hours.

Upon arrival, you'll have 2 hours to explore Auschwitz I. With a brochure in hand, visit the barracks, exhibitions, and reflect on the Holocaust at your own pace.

Auschwitz II - Birkenau

Visit,
Duration: 1.5 Hours.

Next, visit Birkenau, the site of mass exterminations. Explore the barracks, gas chambers, and crematoria, using your brochure to learn about the history of this powerful memorial.

Lunch Break

Lunch,
Duration: 1 Hour. Optional

Enjoy a short break for lunch at a local restaurant near the Auschwitz site. This is a good opportunity to reflect on what you've seen and mentally prepare for the next leg of the tour.

Travel to Wieliczka Salt Mine

Visit,
Duration: 1.5 Hours.

After Auschwitz, head to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world’s oldest and most impressive. Relax during the scenic drive to this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Van (Transfer)

Duration: 1.5 Hours.

After the Salt Mine tour, ascend to the surface and take the bus back to Krakow. Reflect on the day's powerful experiences as you're dropped off at the original meeting point.

Krakow

Finish Activities

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

● Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp.
● Reflect on the Holocaust at Auschwitz I and Birkenau.
● Explore the stunning Wieliczka Salt Mine with a guided tour.
● See artistic salt sculptures and underground chapels.
● Learn about salt mining history in the depths of the mine.

What's Included and What's Not?

Included

Air-conditioned transport from Krakow
Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum entrance fees
Entrance to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Guided tour at Wieliczka Salt Mine
Informational brochures for Auschwitz-Birkenau
Hotel pick-up and drop-off (if selected)

Not Included

Food and drinks
Personal expenses

Not Suitable For This Activities

●People with mobility impairments

Not Allowed This Activities

●Alcohol and drugs

Important Information

What to Bring

Camera

Cash

Comfortable clothes

Comfortable shoes

Information Before Booking

●Auschwitz tickets are non-refundable once booked.
●The departure time can vary between 06:00 - 10:30 AM.
●You will have to confirm personal details for Auschwitz entry.
●Transportation is provided, but traffic can affect the schedule.
●Ensure you have your ticket and brochure ready for Auschwitz entrance.

Know Before You Go

●The pick-up time might change, so confirm with us one day before the tour.
●Auschwitz requires the full name of all participants for ticket booking.
●The tour includes sensitive historical content. Please be prepared.
●Lunch break is at a local restaurant, but food is not included.
●The tour is educational and may be emotionally intense.

About This Activity

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Reserve Now & Pay Later

Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot and pay nothing today

Duration 11 Hours

Check availability to see starting times.

Driver

English

Pickup Optional

Please wait at the main security gate of your hotel 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

Location

Krakow Poland

All reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.

By Traveler Types

Couples

Families

Group of Friends

Solo Travelers

By star rating

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Lachlan Westfield - United Kingdom
02 April

Had an awesome trip, and our driver Potr was really friendly.

Helpful? Yes

Katya Sorokina - Russia
05 April

The guide was really great, and the experience was full of emotion.

Helpful? Yes

Willem Bos - Netherlands
09 April

The organization was outstanding! The service was very professional. Everything was carefully planned so that no time was wasted. Visiting Auschwitz and the salt mine together makes the day balanced you don’t get too emotionally drained and still make the most of the day. We really enjoyed this trip.

Helpful? Yes

Anja Fischer - Germany
11 April

The tour guides were always on time and really knowledgeable.

Helpful? Yes

Ralitsa Dimitrova - Bulgaria
15 April

We had an amazing day that was really interesting. All the guides were super helpful and shared a lot of useful information. Definitely recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

Ewan Wren - United Kingdom
19 April

Communication was excellent and everything was really well organised. The tour guides did a great job answering all our questions.

Helpful? Yes

Pavel Antonov - Russia
22 April

The transport was well organised, and it was great to fit both activities into one day. We had to change the order because of a shortage of guides, but it still worked out fine. Really good value.

Helpful? Yes

Sofie Dekker - Netherlands
25 April

We were picked up just a minute from our hotel. All the tours were great. The guide at Auschwitz was good but repeated some points and it felt like we didn’t get to see everything that was available. The guide at the salt mine was excellent.

Helpful? Yes

Elke Neumann - Germany
26 April

Zizzy was fantastic as our guide at Auschwitz and Birkenau. Marek did an excellent job at the Salt Mines. Many thanks to Tom and Albert for the driving. The lunch they provided was tasty.

Helpful? Yes

Mila Petkova - Bulgaria
29 April

The day before the trip, we were told the pick-up time was moved up to 7:45 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. The guide was excellent, but the bus was old, noisy, and uncomfortable. The driver didn’t speak English and came across as quite rude when we asked to buy water, even though we had been told to do so. The Auschwitz tour was led by a different guide who was friendly but a bit dull and rushed, making us feel like we didn’t get enough time to explore. There was no time for lunch, so we had to eat during the short seven-minute transfer between Auschwitz and Birkenau. The Birkenau visit was very fast and felt rushed, which was disappointing. Afterward, we went back to the center to drop off people not doing the salt mine tour and switched to a different driver in a van. We were left at the mine entrance with tickets and joined another guide for that tour. At the end, the driver picked us up and took us back to the center. Overall, I expected better for the price.

Helpful? Yes

Callan Drake - United Kingdom
30 April

The whole day was really well organised. The pick-up was punctual, and the communication before the trip was excellent. Our guide at Auschwitz was outstanding, making for a very moving morning. The guide on the bus was good too. The transport to the salt mines was arranged perfectly, especially since only three of us did both tours. Just a heads-up that the salt mine tour adds another two hours after a long and tiring morning at Auschwitz, so be prepared if your stamina isn’t great.

Helpful? Yes

Tavian Elswyth - United Kingdom
03 May

It was good overall, but unfortunately the guide at the mine seemed quite uninterested. I guess it just depends on luck which guide you end up with.

Helpful? Yes

Marieke Boshoven - Netherlands
08 May

Everything was really well organised and informative. The guide was friendly and attentive she even spotted us at the pick-up point and explained everything before the tour began.

Helpful? Yes

Caelen Wymer - United Kingdom
11 May

The guide was fantastic and shared a lot of information. It was a really sad story told by someone who clearly understands its meaning deeply.

Helpful? Yes

Vasilisa Terekhova - Russia
14 May

It was a pleasant experience overall. I think the driver could have shared more details about the schedule since we never really knew what was coming next or how much time we had. Also, I wouldn’t suggest booking both the Auschwitz and Wieliczka tours on the same day, it’s just too tiring. Honestly, Wieliczka felt a bit dull on its own (climbing 856 stairs over two hours for a single religious hall).

Helpful? Yes

Grete Sommerfeld - Germany
16 May

The salt mine tour got canceled, and the Auschwitz visit was switched from a guided tour to a self-guided one. We were only told about these changes the day before, which was really disappointing.

Helpful? Yes

Elara Fenwick - United Kingdom
18 May

The audio through the earphones during the salt mine tour was often unclear.

Helpful? Yes

Rozalia Velichkova - Bulgaria
21 May

Our guide was knowledgeable, and the bus driver did a good job. The lunch was tasty.

Helpful? Yes

Orin Falkenrath - United Kingdom
24 May

Looking back, though, combining both tours would have been physically too demanding. Auschwitz and Birkenau are places everyone should visit to honor the millions who suffered there. The visit is respectful and sincere, leaving you feeling very humbled. There’s a lot of walking due to the size of the sites, but there’s enough time to see everything and truly take in what happened. It’s hard to put into words the emotions you experience, but I’m glad I went and would definitely recommend this tour.

Helpful? Yes

Helmut Krauss - Germany
28 May

Communication was great, and this trip was incredibly good value considering how well organised everything was from beginning to end. Truly impressive!

Helpful? Yes

Sinead Ashcroft - United Kingdom
03 June

The transportation ran smoothly, but the departure time was moved way earlier to 5:35 a.m. Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke English well, though the tour felt rushed. We didn’t get a chance to stop and really look at the display cases, photos, or barracks we just walked through quickly in a group. Still, overall, it was a memorable experience.

Helpful? Yes

Merrick Colden - United Kingdom
06 June

It was a long day! About 12 hours, but a great experience overall. The salt mine was stunning, and we had a one-hour lunch break. We did quite a bit of walking throughout the day.

Helpful? Yes

Maarten Van Ree - Netherlands
09 June

Peter, our driver, was very kind and clearly experienced. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and explained everything well. Unfortunately, she had another tour scheduled right after ours, so the last part felt a bit rushed.

Helpful? Yes

Hannelore Wittmann - Germany
30 June

It was a fantastic experience. This agency has great offers, and everything ran smoothly. I’d definitely recommend them.

Helpful? Yes

Finley Moorland - United Kingdom
02 July

Everything went really smoothly, and the guides were amazing. I’d definitely recommend this. Top notch service, thanks!

Helpful? Yes

Saskia Kuipers - Netherlands
04 July

The trip was well organised, and we were given all the necessary information.

Helpful? Yes

Frieda Wagner - Germany
09 July

The trip was brilliant and really well organised. The company communicated clearly with us before the day, and we’d definitely recommend this tour.

Helpful? Yes

Caiden Evers - United Kingdom
12 July

An incredible day overall! It was a long and busy one, but really fascinating from start to finish.

Helpful? Yes

Anika Brandt - Germany
15 July

We really enjoyed the day, but just a heads-up, it’s a long one! Pick-up was shortly after 5 a.m. and we didn’t get back to the hotel until around 5 p.m., so expect to be tired. That said, it’s absolutely worth doing if you’re visiting Krakow. The guides were fantastic, and the organisers were great always checking the temperature on the bus, offering tips for things to do in Krakow, and sharing lots of helpful info. There’s a lunch option available, but if you don’t go for it, definitely bring your own food, as there aren’t many chances to get a proper meal during the day. Good walking shoes are a must because there’s a lot of walking. Would highly recommend!

Helpful? Yes

Kester Hargrove - United Kingdom
17 July

Fantastic day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mines. There’s a lot of walking involved in both parts, so it might not be ideal for anyone with mobility issues especially since the salt mine tour starts with 380 steps and includes more throughout. I’m glad we did both on the same day, as the visit to the camps was very heavy, and the salt mines provided a bit of a lighter finish to the day. I’d definitely recommend seeing both. The transport was excellent, even with the early 5:25 a.m. pick-up. We were on a large coach in the morning with a big group, then switched to a smaller minivan with just six of us for the salt mine tour.

Helpful? Yes

Tijn Mulder - Netherlands
19 July

Everything was really well organised, the bus was comfortable, and the guides were excellent.

Helpful? Yes

Anneliese Schmitt - Germany
22 July

It was really convenient to have both tours combined in one day, but there was no info about the second part at the start, which left everyone confused due to the lack of communication.

Helpful? Yes

Bozhena Kostova - Bulgaria
24 July

The organization was excellent, and the staff were very friendly and welcoming.

Helpful? Yes

Ewan Ashland - United Kingdom
26 July

It was a long and tiring day, but definitely worth the visit.

Helpful? Yes

Torin Wycombe - United Kingdom
27 July

It was really good, and everything was explained clearly. We just ran a bit short on time at the end, and it was dark, so it was harder to see. Overall, though, a great experience with a fantastic team.

Helpful? Yes