Krakow

[stuartmoss]

Just booked two nights in Krakow in January, is there still mainline steam around there anywhere? What's it like for freight? and how do I get to Auschwitz by train from Krakow? (please no sick joke responses).

Many Thanks!

 

[156402]

There is 'mainline' steam in Poland on service trains out of Poznan.

Just booked two nights in Krakow in January, is there still mainline steam around there anywhere? What's it like for freight? and how do I get to Auschwitz by train from Krakow? (please no sick joke responses).

Many Thanks!

 

[johnnychips]

and how do I get to Auschwitz by train from Krakow? (please no sick joke responses).

Many Thanks!

There are several direct trains from Krakow Glowny to Oswiecym (Polish for Auschwitz) taking about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Google PKP (Polish Railways); it has an English option.

The main camp is 20 mins from the station. A free bus takes you to the Birkenau site and back after you've seen the first camp. Allow at least five hours.

It was -11 when I went in February. Check the forecast before you go, as a lot of the museums are in the open air.

FURHER INFO: There seems to be a train out at 0830 getting you there at 1022, one back at 1617 arriving back at 1819. Of course this will be tomorrow, and things will be different by January, or if you go on Sat/Sun. Polish trains are terribly slow, old, but very cheap. If you're not based near Glowny station, it seems to stop at a lot of other stations in Krakow.
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There is 'mainline' steam in Poland on service trains out of Poznan.

That's about eight hours from Krakow, so I'd leave that for another day.

 

[stuartmoss]

Thanks for the advice, good info, I am staying right opposite Glowny, but I didn't realise it was so far between Krakow and Auschwitz, I might have to save the visit for another time as I'm only in Krakow for 48 hours and I'd like to see around the city too. I'll check out PKP in any case as I need to find out about airport trains. Cheers!

 

[Drsatan]

Thanks for the advice, good info, I am staying right opposite Glowny, but I didn't realise it was so far between Krakow and Auschwitz, I might have to save the visit for another time as I'm only in Krakow for 48 hours and I'd like to see around the city too. I'll check out PKP in any case as I need to find out about airport trains. Cheers!

I traveled on PKP services this August for five days (along with the Warsaw Tramway and Warsaw Metro) so feel free to PM me any railway related questions.

 

[gordonthemoron]

if you do use PKP, don't get too alarmed when the train passes over points, it probably won't derail

 

[route101]

I was in Krakow in May 2009 and remember the Airport service being an older DMU .I took a train from Krakow to Prague and consisted of compartment stock PKP and CZ ,fairly modern stock compared to the Balkans.

 

[johnnychips]

I didn't realise it was so far between Krakow and Auschwitz, I might have to save the visit for another time!

I don't know how old you are, Stuart, but if you don't travel to Poland that much and aren't likely to return for a bit, it really is an unforgettable - if not pleasant - experience. Also winter is probably the best time to go as it's not too busy. In February, there were not too many people there, and no school trips, to make it meaningless. I would not like to go in summer and expect to get as much out of it. A more trivial comparison is visiting Bruges in Belgium -an undoubtably beautiful place, but too chock full of tourists to appreciate it most of the time.

 

[Zamracene749]

Probably the nicest rail trip out of Krakow is the line to Zakopane at the foot of the high Tatras. It passes a rail museum at Chabówka en route too.
A nice way to do it is to catch a frequent coach to Zakopane in the morning (a scenic journey @2 hours), spend the day looking around then return by rail to Krakow(@3hours).

PS around Krakow the salt mine at Wieliczka is well worth a look, if you fancy something less heart rending than Auschwitz.

HTH

Pps the Balice express to/from the airport must rank as the slowest fast train i've ever travelled on! The bus for the very short journey from the airport terminal to the station is free, just pay on the train.

 

[route101]

Yeah i remember walking from the airport terminal to a single platform halt , so that really is a short bus ride .

 

[stut]

I don't know how old you are, Stuart, but if you don't travel to Poland that much and aren't likely to return for a bit, it really is an unforgettable - if not pleasant - experience. Also winter is probably the best time to go as it's not too busy. In February, there were not too many people there, and no school trips, to make it meaningless. I would not like to go in summer and expect to get as much out of it. A more trivial comparison is visiting Bruges in Belgium -an undoubtably beautiful place, but too chock full of tourists to appreciate it most of the time.

I would second that. I was quite nervous of visiting, but I think it's an incredibly worthwhile thing to do. If you do go, be sure to visit both Auschwitz and Birkenau.

And when you reach Oswiecim station, look at that branch line going off, and ask yourself where it goes. Look at the surroundings, the countryside it heads off into. And then let it sink in.

 

[stuartmoss]

Thanks for all of your very insightful and helpful replies, I must say that I am very tempted to visit Auschwitz on the basis of what I have read here. I will return to Krakow again at some point, but I would rather not go in Summer, so this might be the time to do it.

 

[Gordon]

If you haven't got much time, I'd stick to Krakow itself and ride the trains and the bash the tram network. For a break from the normal central Krakow cultural stuff, go to Nowa Huta.

Here's an extract from some Krakow guides: "In the 1950s, the Communist authorities decided to try to win over the hearts and minds of skeptical Cracovians by building this model Socialist community, just a tram ride away the Rynek Glówny. Nowa Huta, which means 'New Steelworks', was an 'ideal city'. It took up the age-old quest to build the perfect urban environment, a dream project since the Renaissance, although one that was rarely realised as few could fit the bills of those excitable architects. Nowa Huta, however, seemed like a shrewd investment to its benefactor, the goodly Comrade Stalin - the city was to be a gift to Russia's new Socialist brothers - a model for his brave new world."

The part of the Krakow tramways that is in Nowa Huta has its own 'town centre' network.

 

[brianthegiant]

I would second that. I was quite nervous of visiting, but I think it's an incredibly worthwhile thing to do. If you do go, be sure to visit both Auschwitz and Birkenau.

very well put.
Nothing else can replicate going there and seeing it with your own eyes.
The holocaust memorial in Berlin is also important & cathartic in a different way, but doesn't have the quite same gravity.

 

[daikilo]

Thanks for all of your very insightful and helpful replies, I must say that I am very tempted to visit Auschwitz on the basis of what I have read here. I will return to Krakow again at some point, but I would rather not go in Summer, so this might be the time to do it.

Stuart, whether or not you know history, I suggest you go there. You do not need to follow the full visit as after a few locations, if you are open as I was to learning you will have the general message.

I was taken back for a second visit which was like a photo replay. The visit is incredibly powerful.

Timingwise, it actually makes sense to do an early start in southern Krakow, but you need to understand what you will be seeing. Not sure the average tour will explain this. You may want to brief yourself before and then go investigate.

 

[stuartmoss]

Hi All,

I got back from Krakow yesterday, I was there for two nights and had exactly 1 1/2 days to do all my exploring. I decided not to visit Auschwitz on this occasion due to the little time I had. The city offered many very interesting sites, and from an architectural perspective was impressive.

On my first afternoon I explored the non-tourist area around Glowny / Galeria and beyond, just to have a look and take in everyday Krakow. I also had a good old bash on the packed tram network - it was difficult to get a seat! On my second day I explored the old town extensively and then walked a while along the Vistula River.

I've decided to go back to Krakow in October for a long weekend (Thur to Sun) so will go to Auschwitz then. I will also do a day return on the train to Wroclaw.

I've got some video / photos of Krakow Glowny station, so will put this in the photo / video thread when I've edited etc.

Stu.

 

[route101]

Great to hear about your trip. I remember taking the trams around .Im sure the weather was a lot colder when i went in May.

 

[stuartmoss]

Krakow train and tram videos here if anyone is interested: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58580