If your trip to Prague leaves you a few spare days and you’d like a less obvious getaway than Vienna or Budapest, Krakow is a superb choice. Poland’s capital for more than 500 years, it has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, and it’s close to one of the most important places for understanding 20th-century history: Auschwitz-Birkenau. Here’s how to get from Prague to Krakow, how long to stay and what you shouldn’t miss.
How to get from Prague to Krakow
- By train: the most comfortable option. The direct train takes 7 to 8 hours, from Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží) to Kraków Główny. It’s a long ride, so book ahead.
- By bus: a cheaper alternative with a similar travel time (7.5–8.5 hours), run by FlixBus among others.
- By plane: there aren’t many direct flights between the two cities, but it may be worth considering if you’re short on time, usually with a connection.
- By rental car: about 400 km (250 miles), roughly 4.5–5 hours of driving, with no border checks since both countries are in the Schengen Area.
How many days do you need in Krakow?
Because of the travel time, plan at least 3 days: one for the Old Town, another for the Kazimierz Jewish quarter and Wawel Castle, and a third if you decide to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, which takes a full day given the distance (about 1.5 hours by car or bus from the city) and the weight of the visit.
What to see in Krakow
- Main Market Square (Rynek Główny): the largest medieval square in Europe, surrounded by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Basilica with its two mismatched towers.
- Wawel Castle: the former residence of the Polish kings, on a hill above the Vistula River. Inside is Wawel Cathedral, where many of the country’s monarchs and historical figures are buried.
- Kazimierz Jewish quarter: the city’s old Jewish quarter, with historic synagogues and a bohemian atmosphere that has made it one of Krakow’s liveliest areas, especially at night.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: on the outskirts of the city, this mine has been worked since the 13th century and includes entire chapels carved out of salt, among them an underground cathedral with chandeliers also made of salt.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, now a museum and memorial. It’s a deeply moving visit and one of the most important historical reasons to travel to this part of Poland.
Prague vs. Krakow: what to expect
Krakow shares Prague’s well-preserved medieval atmosphere, though on a different scale: its main square is the largest in Europe, and it feels a little less touristy and more affordable than the Czech capital, even if more and more visitors are discovering it.
Practical tips
- Poland uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro, so keep the exchange rate in mind when budgeting.
- Book your Auschwitz-Birkenau entry well in advance: access is limited and passes sell out easily, especially in high season.
- The train ride is long; night trains can be a good way to make better use of your time.
Our advice
Krakow combines medieval heritage with one of the most important places for understanding Europe’s recent history, which makes it a very different getaway from Vienna or Budapest. If you’re still planning your time in Prague before heading to Poland, see our Prague itinerary for 2, 3 or 4 days and join one of our free walking tours before you continue your trip.
