Oswiecim train station is a railway station in the town of Oświęcim, Poland, famous for extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. It is a small modern railway station. The current station building was opened in 2020. The much larger neglected old building was demolished in 2019. The train station and its surroundings have been renovated in recent years.
Oswiecim train station is an important regional railway junction. There are many regional trains from Kraków to Oświęcim (two routes) operated by Koleje Małopolskie and Polregio, trains Oświęcim – Katowice (operated by Koleje Śląskie) and Oświęcim – Czechowice-Dziedzice (operated by Polregio). Currently, long-distance and international trains stop at Oswiecim station but it is probably temporarily situation due to engineering works on Kraków – Katowice railway line.
From train station to Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
Railway station in Oświęcim is located about 1200 meters from newly opened Visitor Service Centre for people visiting Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. If you have no heavy luggage, you don’t need to take a taxi or bus to the Visitor Service Centre. Walk from the train station takes 10-15 minutes. You can also take a bus no “3” (direction “Dwory”) or seasonal bus line “M” (01.04-31.10). There is a free shuttle bus between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. Book your tickets well in advance – there are crowd of tourists and sightseeing is not as simply as ten years ago.
auschwitz.org – Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau information for tourists.
From train station to the city center
The city center is situated 2 kilometers from the station. Walk from the train station takes 20-30 minutes. There are buses from the station to Old Town but sometimes it is better to go by foot due to the traffic jams. Ticket vending machine for city buses is situated in front of the train stations. The city center is small, there are a few interesting churches, old synagogue (Jewish Museum), Jewish cemetery and castle which houses museum dedicated to the history of the town.
City transport timetable for stop in front of the train station
MZK Oświęcim – public transport operator in Oświęcim
Oświęcim is also a very good starting point for short train trips around Lesser Poland and Upper Silesia. Hotels in Oświecim are much cheaper than in Kraków or Katowice but offer high-quality services. Restaurants, fast-foods and bistros are also much cheaper than these in large cities. You can plan one-day train trips from Oświęcim to Kraków, Katowice, Tarnów, Wieliczka, Bielsko-Biała (with train change at Czechowice-Dziedzice station) and Zator (Energylandia amusement park).
Oswiecim train station – facilities
– ticket office (it may change in the future)
– luggage lockers (only a few, more lockers are available in Auschwitz Visitors Centre)
– toilet (free, but stinky and only one cabin in men’s toilet)
– ticket vending machine (only regional trains to Kraków)
– hot drinks vending machine
– taxi rank
– bus stop in front of the station
– post office
– fast-food
The station has four platforms. Access to the platforms via tunnel, entrance to the platform 1 directly from the station building. The tunnel is decorated with nice paintings depicting history and heritage of the town of Oświęcim. There are lifts. Platforms are covered. The Oswiecim train station is modern, generally clean but too small in the relation to the needs – especially there is not enough toilets.
Oswiecim train station – useful websites
Departures
Arrivals
Tourist information in Oświęcim
Train travel in Poland – an ultimate guide
