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Visit Ausschwitz from Prague - 2 day itinerary

Hello,
Will be travelling for a weeklong trip to Prague in early March, at the end of which I plan to visit Auschwitz in Poland and then fly back home. I will use public transportation and walk while in Prague, then I’ll rent a car to drive to Poland, with the goal of visiting one or two of towns on the way up North (I already booked a 3.5hr English tour in Auschwitz starting at 10:30 AM, I’m not a tour person, but I’ve read great reports of people doing it and being worthwhile). This is what I’ve thought of:

Day 1: Leave Prague on way to Krakow (or Oswiecim), drive to Kutná Hora; visit another town on way or do an activity in Krakow. Sleep in Krakow.
Day 2: Start Auschwitz visit at 10:00 until about 3 PM. Drive back around this time to Terezin (or Prague). Sleep in Terezin (or Prague)
Day 3: Visit Terezin Memorial in the morning, head back to Prague airport by noon time at the latest.

I’m thinking leaving Prague early in the AM the second to last night and drive to either Krakow (or perhaps another nearby town Auschwitz) and stopping in a couple of places on the way, so for example I could drive to Kutná Hora (make a quick visit to the bone church opens at 9 AM), and then continue to Krakow, and in Krakow visit the Old Town or even make a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. (I understand Krakow deserves a few days to visit, but my goal is to visit Auschwitz, not Krakow).

After visiting Auschwitz I need to get back to Prague to catch my 14:25 flight on the following day, so I need to be back in the airport by noon time at the latest to return the car (I take an intra European flight back first, then I connect in LHR back to the US).
I’m thinking of spending my last night in Terezin, so I would need to drive back from Auschwitz to Terezin starting at about 3 PM, the drive is approximately 5-6 hours, part of the drive will be done during night hours. Once in Terezin I would visit the Terezin memorial during the morning hours before heading out to the airport, dropping the car and flying back.

Any thoughts on this itinerary? I’ve read I can use train or even a private tour from Prague, I just don’t want to commute 10 hours back and forth to Auschwitz in one day. Also, taking the train wouldn’t allow me to visit the nearby region of Kutná Hora (or another town) and it would just take too long (8-9 hours one way). I like to drive, I like the freedom the car offers me.

Any thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
Alex

Posted by
4637 posts

Have more than 2 days for this itinerary. You are underestimating the distance and time it would take to drive it.

Posted by
104 posts

Hello Ilja,

What you say actually makes sense, adding an additional day in Krakow makes the drive less of a hassle (not on consecutive days) and I'd get to enjoy more of the town. I may be underestimating distances. Thank you for your feedback.

Posted by
5687 posts

Alex, if you've already locked all of the flights and the tour in, your options are pretty limited. Had you not booked anything yet, I would have suggested just taking the train from Prague to Krakow not driving. Stop in a town like Olomouc on the way over off the train if you want. Then fly home out of Krakow. But it sounds like it's too late to do that now?

Posted by
104 posts

Hello Andrew,

I already booked my trip, so my options are limited... I've read people hire a private tour guide and do Auschwitz from Prague on the same day. That's crazy. Adding an extra day as suggested above, should definitely work for me.
This is a solo trip I'll be making, I can stretch myself "thin" and pull it off. I may take Terezin out of the equation altogether on the very last morning prior to flying out.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Posted by
4637 posts

Without Terezin and with added day your itinerary looks much better. Add another day and you will have time for Terezin, too.

Posted by
104 posts

I was able to extend my trip for an additional day so that allows me more time in Krakow.

Thanks for all your suggestions!
Alex