5 days in Krakow and Warsaw

Warsaw has more to do but is much less compact and more spread out (look on Tripadvisor under Things to Do for both cities). In Warsaw, stay along the Royal Way (Krakowskie Przedmieście) or close to the Old Town or even city center (subway or tram can get you around fast and cheaply, and the main train station is in the city center). On the weekends especially, even 4-star business hotels downtown are very inexpensive (Radisson Blue, Hilton, etc). Look at www.booking.com to locate the hotels and filter by price and other amenities. There are also lots of charming mom and pop and boutique hotels that won't break the bank. I don't have recommendations since I stay with family.

Krakow is so compact that any place you stay within walking distance of the old quarter should be fine. Also consider the Kazimierz district, which is the old Jewish district in Krakow...lots of good restaurants nearby. Everything is walking distance so very easy to get around.

Since 5 days is very short, I would say give Warsaw 2 full days (or 1.5 days at a minimum) and spend the remaining 3 in Krakow. Allow a day for a side trip to Auschwitz and/or the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Krakow definitely merits more days--last year I spent 4 nights in each city and with day trips from each that still left me with a good feeling for both, but Krakow was my favourite. I stayed in the stare miasto area in each, close enough to walk to the major sites I wanted to see.

Since the zloty goes a very long way for us I stayed in hotels that were about $90-100 night, and they were wonderful. The Hotel Bristol in Warsaw was possibly a bit too luxurious for me, but I certainly enjoyed it.

What are your interests? History? Food? Art? Nightlife? You should count it as nights not days, since it will take half a day to get from one to the other and you probably don't have a whole day on your arrival day, right? So if you look at it that way, you may only have two full days of sightseeing for each. Which one first depends on where you're coming from and going to.

They have a fast speed train, so it won't take a half day to get between the two cities. Under 2.5 hours.

http://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Warsaw.htm#.V18hjo5yyu4

Thank you all for the information. Doing three days in Krakow, two in Warsaw. Hotel booked; train is all set, ready to book as soon as I am able to. Now will look for a hotel in Krakow.

Staying longer in Krakow was a good choice. The city is much more intressting, there are many more places to see. Warsaw is more like a modern Europe country, but Krakow look like the time stopped there many years ago

I'll second the "thanks" for the responses. I'm working on a potential short-notice trek and appreciate the feedback.

Hello!!!!

If you stay 3 days in Krakow please check this plan:

After Checkin:

DAY ONE (bez tagów headline)
1. Krakow sightseeing with Free Walking Tour/Guide/Eco-vehicle etc
2. Wawel Royal Castle
3. Main Market square underground
3. Krakow Pub Crawl or some great dinner in Main Market

DAY TWO (WWII History)
1. Morning trip to Auschwitz Birkenau (you can buy a SuperSaver with Wieliczka)
2. Schindlers Factory
3. Jewish District

DAY THREE (depends on time)
1. Morning Wieliczka Salt mine
2. Vistula Cruise
3. Food Tasting

If you want to ask some questions or tell what would you be interested in I can for sure give some tailor recommendations :) You can also see all tours at https://discovercracow.com/tours/ and ask via chat. I work here and really, your satisfaction and memories from Krakow is what we care for.