Berlin to Krakow options

Hi, we will be in Berlin for three weeks in April/May this year and want to do a 5 or 6-day side trip to Krakow (including Auschwitz). We are looking for the simplest transport option and we like train travel. We will be staying in Treptower Park in south-east Berlin. What do people think of getting a day train to Warsaw and spend a night there. Then train to Krakow and stay two nights, doing a day tour to Auschwitz. Then train back to Berlin. Is all that comfortably do-able in 5 or 6 days? Any comment would be most welcome on the itinerary, border crossing, places to stay, tour to Auschwitz. We are traveling on Australian passports. Thanks

There's the option of a train from Berlin to Kraków in 7.5 hours; or you can reach Warsaw from Berlin in 5.25 hours and continue from Warsaw to Kraków in 2.3 hours. Two or three days in Kraków is optimal- so with a visit to Auschwitz, five or six days is ample time.

The website Loco2.com gives train fares and schedules for Europe.

A full day at each Auschwitz site is needed to get a real insight into them. Half a day is OK, but a bit rushed, I feel.
There is a complimentary shuttle bus between the 2 sites, takes about 10 minutes & admission is free to both of them too.
Krakow is both ancient & modern. There are guided walking tours, but we preferred to do our own free tour which was easy.
Krokow Guidebooks are on sale everywhere.
When at Auschwitz, be sure to visit the bookshop & buy a publication on life in the camps.

You might get a more thorough response on the Eastern Europe forum. For train times check bahn.de You might also want to consider long distance buses like Flixbus and Megabus, and within Poland Polskibus. For me 24 hours in Warsaw was about enough, though it is some years since my last visit. Alternative places to visit on the way would be Wroclaw and (straddling the border) Goerlitz / Zgorzelec.

Thanks everyone.

Last time I checked bahn.de there was only IC Bus (German Railway bus connection) from Berlin to Krakow. As I am not a great fan of long distance buses I find trains Berlin - Warsaw (appr. 5 hours) and Warsaw - Krakow (about 2,5 hours) much more comfortable and European way of travel.
I consider 5-6 days enough time to do this route without rushing around too much. And yes, plan a day each for Auschwitz tour and salt mines. If you are into Australianisms do walk up the Kosciuszko Mound in Krakow (much, much smaller than the NSW peak, but still worth the time for a nice view over Krakow).

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.