No, Gdansk and Krakow are not near each other; they are on opposite ends of Poland, with Gdansk on the northern Baltic coast and Krakow in the south, roughly 600 km (300 miles) apart, requiring a 5-hour train or drive, though well-connected by high-speed trains.
In fact, though Kraków and Gdańsk are 600km apart, both cities share the same river. Gdańsk is a pretty city, with a very different mood to Kraków, and makes a relaxing destination to round off a tour of the country. It's friendly and great for food.
The intercity high-speed trains that run from the pretty port city of Gdansk on the Baltic coast down to the stately southern city of Krakow are the finest way to see Poland. And a first-class ticket, complete with food, drink and a rolling vista of wonderful views, costs around £40 for the 300-mile journey.
Gdańsk lies at the mouth of the Motława River and is situated at the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay, close to the city of Gdynia and the resort town of Sopot; these form a metropolitan area called the Tricity (Trójmiasto), with a population of approximately 1.5 million.
Generally, Gdańsk is considered slightly cheaper or very comparable in cost to Krakow, with some sources showing Gdańsk as having a lower overall cost of living index, though tourist areas in both cities can be pricey, especially for nightlife, while food often remains affordable in both. Krakow is known for being a budget-friendly cultural hub, while Gdańsk offers a similar vibe with a seaside twist, meaning significant price differences are unlikely for general travel, notes.
The average journey time from Krakow Central to Wroclaw Central by train is 3 hours 7 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 1 hour 5 minutes. Around 20 trains per day travel the 146 miles (235 km) between these two destinations.
Tarnow. Often referred to as Krakow's little sister, Tarnow is a quiet yet beautiful small town in Poland. You can easily spend a few hours strolling around the recently restored Old Town. Honestly, the city features the same charm and medieval atmosphere as Krakow - just without the crowds and inflated prices.
The easiest way to reach Auschwitz is from Krakow, which is roughly a 1-hour journey by car or bus. Most tours take at least 6 hours and include round-trip transportation. Meanwhile, Warsaw is just under 4 hours away by road, with tours lasting over 10 hours, given the transport times.
Which city is closest to Auschwitz Birkenau? The closest city to Auschwitz Birkenau is Kraków, about 50 km (31 miles) to the southeast. Kraków is one of the oldest and most lively cities in Poland and is the main hub for visitors to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Wroclaw is generally considered a safe city, both during the day and at night. Like many European cities, petty crime such as pickpocketing can happen, particularly in crowded tourist areas, but violent crime is relatively rare.
Both are good choices. Wroclaw is probably better for a spring short weekend with a few beers with the missus, and Krakow for more things to do for a holiday.
Both cities are beautiful, but my personal favorite is Gdansk primarily because I absolutely love Gdansk. Wroclaw's market is a lot bigger, with more lights, displays, stalls, music etc, and might be a better choice if seeing the Christmas market is your primary interest. Research them, and have fun!
Number 1: Krakow — the former capital of Poland. Book flights to Krakow — this former capital of Poland takes the top spot in our list of the most beautiful Polish cities. Whether it's a walk through the Old Town, a visit to the Cloth Hall, or listening to the evening bugle call from St.
In Krakow, for its history, the first of the cheapest cities in Europe. The most beautiful city in Poland, they say. Its historic centre is even a Unesco World Heritage Site.
