School Trips to Krakow and Poland
Krakow is one of the best destinations in Europe for a school trip. In a few days students walk through a perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, stand in the royal Wawel Castle, go 135 metres underground in the Wieliczka Salt Mine and confront the history of the Second World War at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. Maius Travel is a licensed incoming tour operator based in Krakow. We organise curriculum-linked educational trips for secondary schools, colleges and universities, working directly with teachers or through your school travel company.
Why teachers trust us
– We are based in Krakow, so we know the sites, the guides and the hotels personally
– One dedicated coordinator for the teacher, from the first email to the journey home
– Experienced licensed guides who know how to speak to young people about difficult history
– Safe, centrally located hotels and hostels used to student groups
– Reliable licensed coach companies with modern vehicles
– Advance reservations for Auschwitz-Birkenau, Schindler’s Factory and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which sell out early in the school season
– A 24-hour emergency phone number for group leaders throughout the trip
– Licensed tour operator (licence No. Z/20/2014) with an insurance guarantee
What students learn
History: medieval Krakow and the Polish kings, the Second World War, the Holocaust, life under communism and the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Religious studies: Jewish heritage in Kazimierz, the Catholic tradition of Poland and the life of St John Paul II.
Citizenship and ethics: tolerance, prejudice, obedience and moral choices, memory and responsibility.
Geography and science: salt mining in Wieliczka, the Tatra Mountains and the Vistula valley.
Sample 4-day school trip to Krakow
Day 1: Arrival in Krakow, transfer to the hotel, Old Town walk with the Main Market Square, St Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Hill.
Day 2: Guided study visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, followed by time for reflection and a group discussion.
Day 3: Kazimierz Jewish Quarter and the Podgorze ghetto, Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory museum, afternoon at the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Day 4: Communist-era Nowa Huta or a workshop at a Krakow museum, transfer to the airport.
Every programme can be shortened, extended or built around a specific subject. For longer trips we add Warsaw, Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains, or Prague and Berlin – see our educational tours.
Good to know before you travel
– The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial does not recommend visits for children under 14. For younger students we suggest alternative programmes.
– Guided visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau must be booked months ahead. We secure the slots as soon as the trip is confirmed.
– Krakow is compact and safe, and most sights in the Old Town can be reached on foot.
– Free places for teachers and group leaders can be included in the quotation.
Plan your school trip with us
Tell us the age of the students, the number of travellers, your preferred dates and the subjects you want to cover. Write to office@maiustravel.com, call / WhatsApp +48 509 206 526 or use our contact form. You will receive a tailor-made programme and quotation within one or two working days.