A visit to Auschwitz is a profoundly moving experience, immersing students in the dark legacy of Nazism and WW2. Poland’s only major city not reduced to rubble in WW2, Krakow boasts a UNESCO-listed Old Town rich in legend, royalty and religion.
Krakow
- 4 days
- +1
- Poland
- Approx. 2 hrs
- Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Schindler's Factory Museum
- Galicia Jewish Museum
- Wieliczka Salt Mines
- Krakow Old Town
For the latest travel advice, including passport and visa information, visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website
Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is offered as a guideline. The trip focus, length and itinerary/activities can be tailored to meet your learning objectives.
- Day
Day 1 - Fly to Krakow, Old Town walking tour
Arrive in Krakow and transfer to your accommodation by coach. Meet your local guide for a guided walking tour of the stunning medieval Old Town, one of the first sites chosen for the original World Heritage List.
Within the former defensive walls, students can visit noble residences and old tenements and shop in the vibrant Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe) and Cloth Hall. Continue on to admire the resplendent St Mary's Basilica with the biggest medieval altar in Europe, and explore Wawel Hill with the magnificent Royal Castle and Cathedral – the main coronation church of Polish kings. You can also visit the students’ quarter to see the oldest Polish university – the Jagiellonian University and the marvellous courtyard of the Collegium Maius building.
Day 2 - Schindler's Factory, Galicia Museum
Today begins with a guided walking tour around Kazimierz, Krakow's former Jewish quarter. The richness of Jewish life, culture and religion is clear and Kazimierz has become a symbol of Jewish history in Poland. Discover Szeroka Street, the Old Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue and the 16th century cemetery. Before World War II, Poland housed the largest Jewish community in Europe.
Students can follow in the footsteps of Oskar Schindler and the Schindler Jews, tour the Galicja Jewish Museum which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and celebrates the Jewish culture of Polish Galicja. A talk with a Holocaust survivor at this museum can be arranged.
Later, walk across the Vistula and see the Ghetto area and Schindler's Factory Museum. Immortalised in Steven Spielberg's famous movie "Schindler's List," this museum is dedicated to the life of Schindler, the fate of his Jewish workforce and life in Krakow during the Nazi occupation.
Day 3 - Auschwitz-Birkenau full day
Travel west today to Auschwitz-Birkenau for a guided tour of the largest of the Nazi concentration camps. The mass killing of more than 1.1 million people took place here across the two camps during World War II.
Students are able to visit the brick blocks where prisoners were kept, the gas chambers and the crematorium. Then head to the largest camp, Birkenau (Auschwitz II), and see the Gate of Death, the wooden barracks and the Victims' Memorial. The carefully researched exhibitions are emotionally charged and thought provoking. An arresting experience, students must confront the depths of which humanity is capable.
Day 4 - Wieliczka Salt Mines, fly home
After check out, travel by coach to Wieliczka to visit the famous UNESCO Salt Mines. For centuries, salt was the source of Poland's wealth (the word "salary" come from "salt") and this is the oldest mine, lying on nine levels under the town of the same name.
Discover salt chambers, lakes and even the famous St Kinga's Chapel with its magnificent decorations carved in salt. The mines are well developed for tourists with underground souvenir shops, cafes and even a post office!
Later on transfer to the airport for your flight home.
What’s included
Full TCBC support from the moment you book until you return home
Full itinerary flexibility to ensure the perfect tour for your students
We'll source the best available flights based on your school's location
You'll have all our necessary contact details to hand should the need arise
Knowledgeable TCBC guide ready to bring your walking tours to life
Detailed itinerary, with all entrance fees included, no hidden costs
Return flights, 1 piece of hold luggage per person, airport taxes and security charges and ATOL Protection Contribution
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure. We can also arrange your UK airport transfers if you wish
Experienced local TCBC guide in Krakow for your included walking tours
Coach, fitted with seat belts, included for Auschwitz and Salt Mines visits
3 nights' hostel or hotel accommodation, with multi rooms for students and single rooms for teachers
Breakfasts and dinners daily at hostel, but we can arrange meals in local restaurants if preferred
There will be no hidden costs on tour, everything will be clearly explained before departure
24 hour emergency contact details of TCBC's office and your local guide's mobile number
The normal free staff place ratio is 1:10 but this is flexible and we'll work to whichever ratio you require
Please check at school to ensure you are covered by an adequate travel insurance policy which we will need to see a copy of. We can help you source cover if you need
We generally don't include lunches unless requested. We prefer to let the students explore the local options and choose for themselves
If you feel you have received excellent service, then our local guides and drivers will appreciate being tipped. Guidelines will be outlined in your quote
Event availability isn't usually known at the time of booking. We will inform you of options and ticket prices closer to departure
Curriculum Relevance
Whether you teach History, Religious Studies, Psychology, Sociology or Art & Design we can design a Krakow itinerary to suit your curriculum requirements.
Together with our Education Advisor Ruth Tarrant, we are compiling useful links that show how the sights visited on your tour specifically relate to your students' studies. These will be very helpful when you come to submit the tour for approval at school.
It's important that your tour meets your learning objectives. We are preparing detailed specifications relating to particular modules which would link with a trip to Krakow.
Enter your name and email address, select the module you'd like information on and we'll send it over as soon as it's ready.
Accommodation
We regularly use the same properties in Krakow who are used to working with our school groups and meet our high standards
Hotel Wyspianski
The Hotel Wyspianksi is a well located 3 star hotel just 500 metres from Krakow’s beautiful Market Square and 10 minutes’ walk from the main railway station.
The 231 rooms are modern, bright and comfortable and come equipped with flatscreen TVs, radios, hairdryers, towels, air conditioning and free wifi. A buffet breakfast specialising in Polish and European dishes is served every morning at the hotel restaurant.
Hotel Wilga
Hotel Wilga is a modern 3 star property located in the heart of historic Krakow, just a few minutes’ walk away from the Old Jewish District (Kazimierz), Wawel Hill and the Old Town.
The comfortable rooms are equipped with flatscreen TVs, hairdryers, towels, air conditioning and free wifi. The hotel is the only one in Krakow to have its own professional bowling alley. Guests can also enjoy a game of pool and table football and watch televised sports events on a large screen.
Hotel Classic
The Classic is a small, centrally located 3 star hotel, just a short walk from Krakow’s Market Square, Wawel Royal Castle and Krakow Central Railway Station.
Renovated in 2011, the hotel offers 30 spacious, air-conditioned rooms with free wifi and satellite TV, as well as an extensive buffet breakfast.
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Getting to know our clients is very important to us. It’s very likely therefore that you’ll meet one or several of us at some point, either at school before departure or on the tour itself.
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We include as much as possible in our quotes and are very transparent about what is and what is not included. There will be no hidden or surprise costs.
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We understand how much work goes into planning a school trip. You will be dealing with the same people throughout the pre-departure process allowing us to respond quickly and accurately.
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I would highly recommend TCBC, their expertise and service was excellent. Their attention to detail and local knowledge made us feel safe and secure. We had a fantastic time in Krakow and hope to do many more trips with TCBC. Thank you!
