Krakow- Auschwitz tours.

joerugby

We visited Auschwitz I and II without a guide and found our way around with no problems. We simply read up on it beforehand.

I agree you should allow a full day

MissingThePoint

I am totally confused and hopefully someone can clarify about the Auschwitz tours. Am I correct in saying if you go by bus or train you pay entry which includes an English speaking Auschwitz guide. If you go on a pre book tour (with someone like Krakow Tours) then you have to make your own way around without an offical Auschwitz guide. What is the cost of a tour by someone like Krakow tours in the equivalent of sterling (I am not sure what the conversion rate would be). What are the advantages and disadvantages of going by public transport and getting an offical guide and going with a tour company. we would certainly want a guide and reading up on it and going round by yourself would mean we might miss out on some good information.

zagfles

marky_p wrote: »

It's also really easy and absurdly cheap to get there by train, should you be that way inclined.

It's easier and quicker by bus usually - the train takes longer and the station isn't near the camp - the bus drops you right at the entrance, and is also very cheap.

zagfles

joerugby wrote: »

We visited Auschwitz I and II without a guide and found our way around with no problems. We simply read up on it beforehand.

I agree you should allow a full day

Yes I think if you don't take the guided tour you need to get a good guide book as stuff isn't well signed there (other than the national exhibitions). The guided tour was excellent - they do move around quite fast as someone said but you can always look around yourself afterwards.

zagfles

MissingThePoint wrote: »

I am totally confused and hopefully someone can clarify about the Auschwitz tours. Am I correct in saying if you go by bus or train you pay entry which includes an English speaking Auschwitz guide.

Entry is free in the winter, and in the summer before 10am and after 3pm. In the summer 10-3 you have to buy a guided tour (costs about £8). You can buy tours at other times too, don't need to book, just turn up. They do private tours too, which you probably need to book. See http://en.auschwitz.org/z/

If you go on a pre book tour (with someone like Krakow Tours) then you have to make your own way around without an offical Auschwitz guide.

Yes I think most of the "tours" from Krakow just take you there, they don't included a guided tour. I suppose you could buy one there but it'd have to fit their schedule.

What is the cost of a tour by someone like Krakow tours in the equivalent of sterling (I am not sure what the conversion rate would be). What are the advantages and disadvantages of going by public transport and getting an offical guide and going with a tour company. we would certainly want a guide and reading up on it and going round by yourself would mean we might miss out on some good information.

For me it was a no-brainer - the buses are direct, cheap and regular, then you can get a guided tour of both sites there (including bus between them), and if you want, look around yourself afterwards. You aren't tied into someone else's timetable, so you can go back when you want.

photome

Bobs taxis...Bob is a character, 5 of us in a minibus, he also done our airport transfers
No up front fees, pay when trip is done.
http://www.bobtaxi.com.pl/Angielski.htm

Tim_Richmond

If you go with Krakow tours, or one of the other similar companies, will they allow you to join one of the English speaking Auschwitz Offical tour guides which we believe start at set times. Roughly in the sterling equivalant what should be paying the tour company as I sure their prices vary. Do you pay extra for the offical Auschwitz guide which for us is essentail whichever we plan our visit here.Walking round Auschwitz with a guide book is not an option we wish to consider. Thank you for anyone who can advise of these points it will be greatly appreciated.

photome

If you go with Bob, you pay him the price on his website or negotiate with him, he replys to emails at the end of the day.

He then pays Auschvitz and organises your guide (will be in a larger group) and will transfer you between the 2 camps, in other words you pay for the tour and dont worry about anything else (that will be the same whoever you go with).

Prices are around 130 zlotys each i think which is about £26

he will pick you up at a time you want.

Just checked his website and prices are not on there but he will give you a price if you email him, he does use a couple of other drivers, we had Bob for one of our transfers and a colleague of his did a transfer and auschvitz, both were great guys and a good laugh we were a group of guys so lots of football chat, and Bob himself is a bit crazy

Michael131

If you use Krakow Tours, Bobs Tours or similar different company, will that include an English speaking guide to go around Auschwitz. We want to use a tour company that includes an English speaking guide around Auschwitz. We do not just want to be left and wander around ourselves. Can anybody please help us here with the relevant information.

photome

Michael131 wrote: »

If you use Krakow Tours, Bobs Tours or similar different company, will that include an English speaking guide to go around Auschwitz. We want to use a tour company that includes an English speaking guide around Auschwitz. We do not just want to be left and wander around ourselves. Can anybody please help us here with the relevant information.

Yes the guides are supplied by Auschwitz museum and will be included in the price of the tour.

you may have to wait for a short while until there is enough of you for a guide to take round, they take about 20 people at once.

Unless you get to Auschwitz mega early you are not allowed to go round without a guide.

If you use Bobs Taxis (i have just booked him again for a transfer next week) he will explain all of the above if you email him