My wife and I are flying in from Zurich to Krakow later this summer. We are planning on riding a train from the Krakow airport to the Krakow main station and then to Oswiecim for a guided tour at Auschwitz. I have spent some time looking up train schedules needed, but the web site has not been very user friendly thus far. Is it better to try and book train tickets online before arriving or purchase the train tickets once we arrive in Poland? Thanks for all advice.
Try looking at polishtrains.eu - easier to use than intercity.pl.
RS suggests the train may not be the best mode for travel to Auschwitz - the train station isn't that close to the site, so it's a long walk or cab ride. He thinks either the bus or a tour package including transportation may be better options.
By guided tour do you mean the required official guide provided by the museum?
Do you intend to take your luggage with you and store at the museun, or store at the train station?
Yes, the tour would be the official guide required by the museum. We are spending 2 nights in Oswiecim. Our luggage will be at the hotel. I will definitely look at polishtrains.eu. Thank you for responding.
You don't need to book these trains in advance, they are local commuter trains
https://koleo.pl/en/
Thank you for your response.
I am not telling you how to organize your trip, but it's unusual for posters on this newsboard to sleep in Oswiecim. Even though my father's parents left Lodz in the 1920's we were satisfied with a daytrip from Warsaw. I mean, we saw a cousin's apartment building, but there is little trace of any shtetl or pogrom. However, the exceptionally large and evocative Jewish cemetery in Lodz was quite an experience, even though it take a long tram ride to get to, and has limited hours.
I am not telling you how to organize your trip, but it's unusual for posters on this newsboard to sleep in Oswiecim.
Generally true, but I think the poster wants to be in Oswiecim the night before their tour starts and especially after traveling from Zurich/Krakow. Then more than likely wants to not travel after the tour. I would rather stay in Krakow that evening after the tour, but perhaps they have a reason for staying a second night.