Affordable way to travel Warsaw (airport) to Auschwitz?

I'm on my way to Tel Aviv in Feb 2011, and I noticed that my flight patterns are giving me a layover in POLAND. Realizing that I need more than 13 hours (layover) to go see Auschwitz, I went ahead and added Poland on my flight itinerary. This worked out perfectly, as my airline fees stayed the same.

After spending a few weeks in Israel, I'm catching Poland on my way home. I'm not sure what to budget for this trip. Is it possible to do Auschwitz as a DAY TRIP from Warsaw? I could spend the night in Warsaw and catch a flight home the next day? Any affordable tour goups that will drive back/forth from Warsaw?

Thanks for any info!

I just checked and it looks like I can fly into Krakow directly, saving myself the distance. Tickets are only $50 extra, which is well worth it. I would have erased my original post, but didn't find the option, so thought I'd at least update what I'm doing.

If anyone has any suggestions for a good hostel nearby, I'd be happy to hear! I'm doing this trip with my teenager.

Thanks! =)

Krakow has dozens of decent hostels - if it's just for one night consider Greg's which is right next to the train and bus stations (airport bus arrives here too), which saves you dragging bags around town. I hope you're going there for more than just Auschwitz - the city centre is great and the Jewish Kazimierz district in Krakow is also well worth wandering around for a few hours.
(...like history, LP posts cannot be erased!)

Tutti Frutti Hostel is a good option. It is a short walk 5 minute from the train station where you can catch a small train shuttle from the airport. I caught a public bus from Krawkow to Auschwitz and spent the entire day out there. You could spend a few extra days in Krakow in my opinion - Very much worth it!

Thanks for the information. I was very pleased at the hostel prospects in Krakow. I had no idea the place was hopping! =) I DO plan to stay longer if I can get the tickets to agree. Seems like the flight information has changed and gone up since I Iast checked! :( Planning/buying airline tickets months in advanvce reminds me of the stock market!

Thanks again!

Seeing Auschwitz ex Krakow is MUCH easier than from Warsaw (it is 50km or so from Krakow).
Krakow is indeed "hopping" and worth visiting in itself - but not just for central Krakow itself - make sure that you include the area of Krakow known as Kazimierz - it has amongst other things SEVEN prewar synagogues in various states of refurbishment.