Posted by The city of Krakow attracts millions of tourists every year from Poland and from abroad. The historic Old Town, Wawel Castle and the many churches and museums already offer enough sights for several days. But there is also a lot to discover in the surrounding region of southern Poland. That is why many visitors choose organized day tours by bus from Krakow.
Especially for travelers who stay only two or three days in the city, bus excursions are a practical solution. You do not have to organize train tickets, rental cars or connections yourself. Most tours include transportation, entrance tickets and often a professional guide. In high season, many attractions are fully booked days in advance – so it is strongly recommended to book online beforehand.
The majority of bus tours from Krakow go to Auschwitz-Birkenau and to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. However, there are several other interesting destinations such as Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains or the large amusement park Energylandia. Below you will find an overview of the most popular day tours from Krakow.
On this website, you can book various day trips from Krakow online at low prices: Click here.
Day tours by bus to Auschwitz
If you travel to southern Poland, a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is for many people an important and moving experience (see our article about the concentration camp). It is one of the most terrible places in the history of mankind. More than one million people, mostly Jews, were murdered here during the Second World War.
Auschwitz is located about 70 km west of Krakow. The journey by bus takes a little more than one hour. There are different bus tours from Krakow to Auschwitz every day. Some include only transport and entrance ticket, others also include a guided tour with a licensed guide. There are tours with hotel pickup, with lunch options or combined with other sights.
Demand is very high throughout the year. You should definitely book several days in advance online (for example via Getyourguide). Especially in summer, tickets often sell out quickly.
>>> Overview bus tours to Auschwitz
Day tours by bus from Krakow to Wieliczka Salt Mine
The famous Wieliczka Salt Mine is only about 15 km south of Krakow. Together with Auschwitz, it is the most popular excursion destination in the region (our article about the salt mine).
During the visit, you descend around 60–65 meters underground via a long wooden staircase. The guided tour leads through impressive corridors and chambers carved from salt. Highlights include an underground chapel, sculptures made of salt and historical mining equipment.
There are various organized bus tours from Krakow to Wieliczka. Some include hotel pickup, others start from a central meeting point. Most tours include a guided visit inside the mine and entrance ticket. The excursion usually takes about half a day.
>>> Overview bus tours to Wieliczka
Combined tours Auschwitz and Wieliczka Mine
Many tourists in Krakow choose a combined full-day tour that visits both Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in one day. These are long and intensive day trips, usually lasting 10 to 12 hours.
The advantage is clear: you see the two most important attractions near Krakow in a single day. This is ideal if you have limited time. However, be prepared for a long day with a lot of walking and bus travel.
Combined tours can also be booked easily online in advance.
>>> Click here for combined tours Auschwitz & Wieliczka
Bus tour from Krakow to the amusement park Energylandia
For families and thrill-seekers, the amusement park Energylandia (sometimes written Energielandia in German) is a great destination. It is located about 30 km west of Krakow and is the largest amusement park in Poland.
Energylandia offers modern roller coasters, water slides, a large Ferris wheel and many attractions for children and adults. In recent years, it has become one of the top amusement parks in Europe and attracts visitors from many countries.
There are bus tours from Krakow that include transport and entrance ticket. These tours are especially popular during the summer season.
>>> More info and booking bus tour and entrance ticket Energylandia
Bus trip from Krakow to the Tatra Mountains in Zakopane
The Tatra Mountains are a small but impressive high mountain range in the south of Poland, partly extending into Slovakia. Zakopane is the most famous tourist town in the Polish Tatras (more about Zakopane here).
Zakopane is known throughout Poland. In winter it is a popular destination for skiing and ski jumping. In summer, many people come for hiking, mountain walks and fresh air. The traditional wooden architecture of the region also makes the town interesting.
Bus tours from Krakow to Zakopane usually take a full day. Some include stops at viewpoints, thermal baths or traditional mountain villages. It is one of the most scenic day trips from Krakow.
>>> More info and booking bus tour from Krakow to Zakopane
Why booking online in advance is important
Krakow is one of the most visited cities in Central Europe. During the main travel season (spring to autumn), many excursions are fully booked. Booking online has several advantages: guaranteed seat on the bus, fixed departure time, and often free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Especially for Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, spontaneous visits without prior booking are often difficult due to limited visitor capacities. Therefore, planning and booking your excursions early will save time and stress during your stay in Krakow.
On this website, you can book various day trips from Krakow online at low prices: Click here