One week in Poland - itinerary check/questions

Do not plan anything else on the day you visit Auschwitz. You will be emotionally exhausted.
To me, it would have felt disrespectful to continue on to tour the Salt Mines afterwards.

Have you already committed to your flights?

unfortunately yes to the flights. I would have loved to start in Krakow or Gdansk and end in Warsaw, but all my options had really short or long layovers and were way more expensive.

Regarding Auschwitz and salt mines on the same day, I originally booked them separately but with my short schedule, my friend said she's done them on the same day and recommended it.

POLIN and the Warsaw Rising Museum are both large, time-consuming places if you are seriously interested in the topics they cover, plus there's a lot more in Warsaw. You definitely won't have too much time there.

In Gdansk you have the similarly huge (and excellent) Solidarity Center and WWII Museum as well as several smaller sights.

You seem to be interested in history. It's hopeless to attempt to do a decent job of all three cities in the time you have. I say "Pick two"; you'll still have to rush. I'm afraid it will be one sight after another where you check the time and have to leave half-way through because you have something else booked.

The Schindler Museum sells out, so you need to get that ticket ahead of time. I'd say the same about online tickets for Auschwitz, but I assume you are already planning to book the tour in advance. I don't know how early you need to do that. I assume disappointed folks who had intended to buy the much cheaper Auschwitz tickets from the memorial itself end up looking for tour tickets.

thanks for the tips!
I know I won't be able to get to everything in a week, but I'm a pretty fast-paced traveller so I'm going to do my best! The only things I'm planning to book ahead of time (likely this weekend) are the Schindler Museum and Auschwitz the rest I'm just going to go with the flow.

Of your 3 options, I would choose #3 to give you an overnight in Gdansk. I love Krakow, and yes, you are rushing - but you can get a feel for it.

Being committed to flying in and out of Warsaw, have you considered heading straight to Krakow upon arrival? Then train to Gdansk (I didn’t check options for flying), then consolidate all your Warsaw time at the end?
So Sat-Mon nights Krakow (3 nights, 2 full days);
Tues-Wed nights Gdansk (2 nights, 1 full day);
Thurs-Sat nights. Warsaw (3 nights, 2 full days +).

Day trip to Gdansk (i know this may seem like a lot for a day trip but i promise im up for it)

It's not a question of being up for it, but rather that there's just too much to see and do in Gdansk to fit into a day trip that also involves a 2 1/2 hour train ride each way from Warsaw.

With 8 nights, you could do all three cities if you were flying open jaw. But with the need to start and end in Warsaw, and with Krakow and Gdansk in opposite directions, I think you're trying to fit too much into the time you have.

Also, you will be visiting a lot of sites that have a powerful emotional impact. Not just Auschwitz. These will take a toll on you, and you need to allow yourself time to process what you're experiencing.

I'd drop Gdansk, I think it's just too impractical, with the current restrictions you have put on yourself. Best to do at least 2 cities justice than be inadequate in all 3 cities. This is a holiday not a business trip, less is more, slow down and enjoy.

I'd travel directly to Krakow after landing in Warsaw, then 4 nights in Krakow and 3 nights in Warsaw.

In Krakow don't miss the Czartoryski Museum (https://mnk.pl/branch/mnk-czartoryski-museum), one of the best art museums in Poland. Home to the famous da Vinci painting "Lady with an Ermine", just as interesting is the history of the painting itself, having survived the partitions of Poland, WWI, and especially WWII when it was stolen by the Germans (among many other things they stole).

A day trip to Zakopane may be fun too, to see the Tatra Mountains and Highlander culture, will definitely give you a different perspective on Poland.

Whatever you decide, have a great time in Poland!

Our (speculative) reason for dropping Gdansk was that it's near Scandinavia and is on a lot of cruises. So we might get there another time. We had no interest in the Salt Mine. Everyone is different, but perhaps because we had already been to a KL in Germany, on a past trip, we were able to do something else after Auschwitz. It is essential to book Auschwitz in advance, and was so before the Pandemic.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/four-cities-in-poland-2019

I would choose Option #3. For a fast-paced trip, I think you have enough time in Kraków (eliminate Option #2). We really enjoyed our time In Zakopane but we had 2 nights. I’m not sure about the travel time to Zakopane. They were working on a highway that would have made the trip much faster (we went pre-COVID). With a faster trip, a day trip might work, but I really enjoyed seeing families relax in the evening in a Polish resort town. You would miss this on a day trip. So, I would eliminate Option #1

That leaves Option #3. Gdańsk was my favorite Polish city. I think Option 3 gives you enough time for a fast-paced visit.

In the end , it’s your trip. We decided to short-change Warsaw with the hope that we would be back for a second visit. (Hasn’t happened yet, but it’s on our list.)

I would not do a daytrip to Zakopane. It's at least a two hour trip each way, and the best thing to do there is a nice hike, which a day trip gives little time for. If you go there, spend at least one night.

Making a day trip to Zakopane from Krakow is totally doable, so it will be an all day affair. I agree spending a night or two makes the most sense, but the op doesn't have that luxury.

Here's a highly rated day tour to the Tatra mountains from Krakow - https://www.viator.com/tours/Krakow/Zakopane-Tour-with-Hot-Bath-Pools-and-Hotel-Pickup/d529-103840P9

Best to shop around but there's definitely many options out there.

Thanks again for all the tips, I've ended up going with option 3 (for now but my mind changes daily). I really want to visit Gdansk, mainly for the architecture and less for the museums, and I am OK with giving up a couple of things in Warsaw or Krakow to fit in Gdansk.

I've also opted to just do a day tour of Auschwitz instead of the salt mines, which means I likely won't make it to the salt mines, but I think I am ok with that

Our trip to Poland included a day trip to Southern Poland from Krakow with Andrew Durman as our private guide. It is the MOST memorable day we have ever had in all of our travels. Andrew will take you to places that you would never see on your own. HIGHLY recommend!

Travelbug ,,,

Can you pass along Andrew Durmans contact information?

Thank you!