A school trip is not just a walk among landmarks — it’s an opportunity to understand history, spark curiosity and turn a day full of impressions into a meaningful lesson outside the classroom. As a licensed guide in Kraków I lead school groups with energy and humor, but also with sensitivity when visiting difficult places such as Auschwitz. My narration helps arrange facts and anecdotes in a way that students remember more and take part more willingly. In short: a guide provides organizational safety, age‑appropriate storytelling and the certainty that you’ll visit the right places at the right time.
Examples of routes most commonly chosen by schools: the Royal Route walk (Old Town and Wawel), a Kazimierz route including elements of Jewish history and culture, and themed programs tailored to students’ ages (legends for younger children, historical context for older classes). For groups interested in World War II memory I offer a combined option: Kraków + Auschwitz in one day (details below).
I work with teachers on a day plan: short information blocks, active tasks, breaks and simple educational games to keep students’ attention and engagement throughout the trip.
Every excursion is flexible — I adapt the length and content to the students’ ages, curriculum needs and group pace. Safety and good organisation are my priorities: a clear meeting point, steady tempo and practical instructions for chaperones.
If you plan a trip to Auschwitz, we will discuss substantive and educational issues beforehand — it’s important to prepare students for a meeting with difficult history and to ensure respectful behaviour during the visit.
Below are the prices in effect for 2025. These are the standard rates for guiding in Polish and English; when booking we discuss details and possible discounts (for example, for regular school cooperation).
Guiding in Polish - small groups (1–35 people): 2 hrs - 350 PLN; 3 hrs - 450 PLN; 4 hrs - 550 PLN; each additional hour - 100 PLN. Themed educational tours (special programs) - 420 PLN for 2 hours.
Guiding in Polish - large groups (36+ people): 2 hrs - 14 PLN/person; 3 hrs - 17 PLN/person; 4 hrs - 20 PLN/person; each additional hour - 6 PLN/person.
Guiding in English - small groups (1–35 people): 2 hrs - 450 PLN; 3 hrs - 600 PLN; 4 hrs - 750 PLN; each additional hour - 160 PLN.
Guiding in English - large groups (36+ people): 2 hrs - 21 PLN/person; 3 hrs - 27 PLN/person; 4 hrs - 32 PLN/person; each additional hour - 9 PLN/person.
Practical extras: comfortable headset sets (guide audio system depending on the organisation of the tour) - 8 PLN/person (optional; useful with large groups to improve audibility).
Note: the above rates cover the guiding service only. They do not include museum admission fees, transport, parking or entrance fees to some special sites (if applicable). For programs that include Auschwitz we add travel time and logistics; the final quote depends on route and number of participants.
A visit to the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Museum is an important educational event that requires careful planning. We agree the program together so that the day is both substantive and safe for students. Here are the main organisational elements:
- Time: plan for a full day. Allowing for travel, visiting and breaks, expect about 6–8 hours in total (the Kraków–Oświęcim transfer usually takes about 1–1.5 hours one way, depending on transport and road conditions).
- Reservations: the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Museum often requires advance booking of dates and group entry passes. It’s worth booking ahead, especially during busy seasons and school terms. As a guide I help schedule the day so visiting times and transfers fit together smoothly.
- Visit program: a guided visit typically lasts several hours (often 2–3 hours), depending on whether you visit only Auschwitz I or also Birkenau (Auschwitz II). I adjust pace and content to students’ age and warn about the more difficult parts of the visit.
- Educational approach: prepare students beforehand — a short classroom introduction, explanation of behaviour rules and why the site requires silence and respect. After returning I suggest a short debrief to process emotions and draw educational conclusions.
- Logistics: include breaks for toilets and meals; for a longer program it’s good to reserve a place for lunch or pack sandwiches. For younger children consider alternative, less demanding historical programs in Kraków instead of a full‑day trip to Auschwitz.
Meeting and start: we usually begin at the Main Market Square or another agreed central meeting point to make the most of time without losing it to city transfers.
Route pace: for younger classes I recommend shorter blocks (45–60 minutes) with activating tasks. For older students you can plan longer narratives and elements of historical analysis. Breaks every 60–90 minutes help concentration.
Safety: ask chaperones to carry the attendance list, phone numbers for the school and parents, and a basic first‑aid kit. We always set a clear meeting point and a return time.
Accessibility: many central sites are wheelchair‑friendly, but some monuments have stairs or steep approaches. Please let me know in advance if you have participants with special needs — I will adapt the route.
Weather and clothing: in autumn and winter bring jackets and comfortable shoes. In hot weather provide water and sun protection.
Substantive preparation: a short classroom introduction (city map, key facts, expectations) helps students make better use of time on site.
Class roles: divide students into small teams with tasks (photographer, recorder, timekeeper), which helps maintain order and engagement during the walk.
Educational tasks: simple field tasks, quizzes or mini photographic projects adapted to age keep attention and turn the trip into an active lesson.
Emotions after Auschwitz: allow time for conversation and support after visiting the memorial. Older classes can be asked to write short essays; younger students can draw or take part in a circle discussion.
Parent communication: inform parents about the route, timings and sensitive parts of the program (e.g., Auschwitz). Obtain parental consent when required by school policy.
Do you run themed tours tailored to the school curriculum? - Yes, I prepare programs matched to age and curriculum requirements; we can build a route around a specific lesson topic.
How far in advance do we need to book a guide? - Preferably a few weeks in advance, and for popular dates (May, June, September) book several months ahead to secure the preferred date and time.
Do you provide educational materials? - I prepare simple task cards and field‑lesson scenarios; I can also send printable materials to the teacher before the trip.
How do invoicing and payment work? - I issue invoices. Payment is usually made by bank transfer after invoicing or in cash on site, according to the booking agreement.
Is it possible to combine Kraków and Auschwitz in one day? - Yes, it is doable, but it requires good logistics: an early start, confirmed museum reservations and reliable transport. We’ll discuss participant numbers and timing to fit the program.
I’ll be happy to help plan the route, prepare an offer and tailor the program to your class’s needs. Bookings and details are arranged by email or phone — please contact me via the form on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website or by the email address provided there. When booking, include the date, number of participants, students’ ages, preferred guiding language and any special needs.
For school bookings it’s helpful to prepare the participant list, provide contact details for chaperones and flag any limitations (e.g., participants with reduced mobility). We will agree on an exact meeting point and the day’s schedule so everything runs smoothly.
If you have questions or would like a preliminary quote for a specific date and program (for example Kraków + Auschwitz), write a short message — I will reply quickly with organisational details.
See you on the Kraków route — with passion and a smile, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (licensed Kraków guide).
