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58.9 km • ~54 mins

How to Get from Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK) to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is 58.9 km west of Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK). Depending on traffic and connections, travel time is about 54 minutes by car or about 2.5 hours by public transport.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 58.9 km road distance

Fixed-Price Private Transfer

Fastest & Door-to-Door
54 mins •On Demand / Pre-Booked
€107 - €130 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: Confirm at Booking
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit baggage claim into the arrivals hall on level 0 and look for your pre-booked driver holding a name board.
  2. Walk to the designated meeting point or directly to the curb if the transfer includes meet-and-greet.
  3. Confirm the fixed fare and destination before setting off.
  4. Take the A4 motorway towards Katowice, exiting for Oświęcim/Auschwitz.
  5. Be dropped at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial visitor entrance.
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Official Kraków Airport Taxi

Official Rank
54 mins •On Demand / Rank
€107 - €130 (Per Vehicle, Agreed Fare)
Luggage: Confirm with Driver
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the official Kraków Airport Taxi rank outside the terminal.
  2. Ignore touts and use the marked queue.
  3. Tell the driver you are going to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, Oświęcim.
  4. Agree and lock in the fare before getting in (routes beyond 27 km are agreed, max 8 PLN/km).
  5. Pay by card or cash at the destination.

Airport Train + Onward Bus/Train via Kraków Główny

Cheapest Public Route
150 mins •Every 30 Mins (Airport Train); See Timetable for Onward
€4.50 Airport Train + Onward Fare (Per Person)
Luggage: Standard Bags Allowed
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs from arrivals to the Kraków Lotnisko railway station via the covered walkway.
  2. Buy an airport train ticket (20 PLN) from the KM machine, app, or website before boarding.
  3. Ride the SKA train to Kraków Główny, the main station.
  4. Walk to the adjacent MDA bus station or use the train platforms to board an Oświęcim/Auschwitz-bound train or bus.
  5. Get off at Oświęcim and walk or take a short taxi to the memorial entrance; confirm the timed entry beforehand.

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Tours & activities: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only the official Kraków Airport Taxi rank; ignore touts inside the terminal offering unlicensed rides.
  • For Auschwitz trips beyond 27 km, the taxi fare must be agreed before departure; do not accept a metered ride from the airport rank.
  • Buy airport train tickets only from KM machines, the app, or the KM website; never from people at the station.
  • There is no direct bus from the airport to Auschwitz; anyone claiming otherwise is likely a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way from KRK to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial?

The cheapest way is to take the airport train from Kraków Lotnisko to Kraków Główny (20 PLN, about €4.50), then a train or bus from Kraków to Oświęcim/Auschwitz. The total takes about 2.5 hours and costs extra for the onward leg.

Is there a direct bus or train from Kraków Airport to Auschwitz?

No. There is no direct public transport from the airport. You must first travel to Kraków city centre (Kraków Główny or MDA bus station) and then take a separate train or bus to Oświęcim.

How long does it take to get from KRK to Auschwitz by taxi or private transfer?

By road it is 58.9 km and normally takes about 54 minutes without heavy traffic. Taxi and private transfers take roughly 1 hour depending on traffic.

Can I pay by card for the airport train and taxi?

Yes, cards are widely accepted. Ticket machines for trains and buses accept cards, and Kraków Airport Taxi accepts all payment cards.

What should I do if I arrive at Kraków Airport at night?

The airport train runs until about 1 am and the night bus 902 serves Kraków Główny roughly hourly. For Auschwitz, you will likely need a pre-booked transfer or overnight stay in Kraków because onward connections to Oświęcim are limited at night.

Do I need a timed entry card for Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial?

Yes, visits to the memorial require a timed entry card from auschwitz.org. Book this in advance, especially in high season.

Nearby places

More transfers from Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)

Katowice · 69.4 km Wawel Castle · 18.6 km Kraków Main Square (Rynek Główny) · 17.6 km St Florian's Gate · 17.9 km Kazimierz · 24.7 km Kraków Główny Station · 19.1 km Kraków Bus Station (MDA) · 19.6 km Schindler's Factory (Podgórze) · 25.8 km Tauron Arena Kraków · 20.5 km Nowa Huta · 26 km