visit auschwitz without reservation

Auschwitz Tour (from Krakow): How to Visit & Important Things to Know

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 29, 2024

Are you thinking of visiting Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, but not sure what to expect, how to get there, or which Auschwitz tour to choose? This guide should answer all your questions. Find out!

Auschwitz-Birkenau , aka Auschwitz concentration camp , or simply Auschwitz, is the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps, dating from WWII. Visiting Auschwitz may be one of the most difficult and emotionally draining things you will ever do, but it is an educational experience that goes far beyond reading accounts of this dreadful period in human history.

Located in the town of Oświęcim (Polish name of Auschwitz), some 70 km west of Krakow, a visit to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau is considered a must-do day trip from Krakow. Even if you have just a weekend in Krakow , an Auschwitz tour is really a must.

Our writer Christine recently visited Auschwitz and agreed to share her experience with our readers. I’ve also been to the Auschwitz museum, but my own trip dates from many years ago. This visit left a lifelong impression on me and it’s a place we are planning to revisit when our kids get a bit older… I was a teenager when I visited Auschwitz and, several decennia later, I can still see images of the camp in my memory as if it were yesterday… One thing I know for sure – it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.

This guide to Auschwitz is designed to help you plan your visit to this heart-breaking UNESCO World Heritage site. In this article, you’ll find some brief history , advice for getting to Auschwitz and visiting the camps , and also for the best Auschwitz tours .

Furthermore, you’ll get a better idea of what to expect from the Auschwitz day trip, both emotionally and practically. At the bottom of this article, you can also find some essential practical information for your visit. Read on!

TIP: If you don’t have the time to read the entire article and are simply looking for the best Auschwitz tour from Krakow, this highly-rated tour is currently one of the best picks. You can choose from a few different transport/pick-up options (also a private tour).

If you would like to combine a visit to Auschwitz with Wieliczka Salt Mines on the same day, then check out this popular 2-in-1 day tour .

Complete guide to visiting Auschwitz – OVERVIEW

• Should you visit Auschwitz?
• Brief History of Auschwitz

Auschwitz I

Auschwitz ii.

• How to visit Auschwitz:
• * On your own:
• – How to get to Auschwitz
• – Auschwitz tickets
• * With a tour
• * With a private tour
• Important information for your visit

Should You Visit Auschwitz?

First, let’s cover the most important question – should you visit Auschwitz? This is a question we pondered quite deeply. On one hand, we had already planned a visit to Krakow, so visiting Auschwitz seemed a natural choice. On the other hand, it was the uncomfortable feeling that a ‘sightseeing’ tour to the site of such unbelievable horror is, perhaps, in some way insensitive to the memory of those that suffered so terribly there.

We were also concerned about the extent of the emotional impact such a visit would have on our group.

Having spent a day at Auschwitz, I can say without reservation that visiting the camps is a harrowing – yet necessary – experience. It gives you a greater understanding of the events that occurred.

The camps have been preserved as a memorial to those who suffered and died there – whose memory it’s so important to honor. Some of the exhibits reinforce the fact that this was not an episode in ancient history, but something shockingly evil that occurred in our recent past.

Above all, a visit to Auschwitz deepens your sense of outrage that such horrors could have been inflicted on innocent people, increasing your determination to speak out against bigotry and injustice whenever you encounter it in the future.

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Interesting to know: While the total number of people who died in Auschwitz is uncertain, it is estimated that over 1,3 million people were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp and over 1,1 million people died there. The vast majority of the victims were Jews, but there were also Polish, Roma, and Soviet war prisoners…

Something we didn’t realize before visiting is that the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau is actually made up of two camps: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) . The camps are about 3 km apart and any Auschwitz tour includes a visit to both of these camps. In the past, there was also a 3rd camp – Auschwitz III-Monowitz , which was purely a labor camp/ However, there is nothing left of it, apart from a memorial next to the road.

Auschwitz I was built by the Nazis in 1940 and initially used as the headquarters of the SS, as well as a detention place for Polish Political prisoners. However, its role quickly changed and Auschwitz was designated for use as the ‘final solution’ for all those perceived to present a threat to the Nazi regime (mainly Jews). It was here that millions of innocent people were subjected to cruel medical experimentation and murder.

The number of prisoners and the sheer scale of its human intake quickly became too great, so the second camp – Auschwitz II (Birkenau) – was built as a ‘death camp’ in 1941. People were brought here from all over Europe in cattle trucks via the railway that led directly into the camp. These railway tracks are still there today as a haunting reminder of their purpose.

Practical info: With only 3 km between the two camps, it is possible to walk from one to the other in 30 to 40 minutes. But there is also a free shuttle bus available, which runs at regular intervals that depend on the season. If you are visiting Auschwitz with a tour or a private driver, they’ll take care of the transfers.

Former Auschwitz I site is located near the village of Oświęcim (Auschwitz). It is the camp with the grimly famous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign over the gate – a sign which, cruelly, meant ‘Work sets you free’.

The experiments to investigate the effect of Zyklon B gas on humans began here and – chillingly – many of the empty containers are still displayed.

When you first enter the camp with a tour group, you may – depending on the time of year – be shown 20 minutes of harrowing footage shot by the Soviet army when they liberated the camp in 1945. If you are an independent visitor, you can ask if there are any plans to show the film that day, for which you would be charged a small fee.

The camp itself is composed of many separate blocks, which have subsequently been named according to whatever aspect of camp life the exhibits inside relate to. While some blocks are closed to the public, most are open and contain information panels in both Polish and English.

Many exhibits are stored behind glass in temperature-controlled environments in order to preserve them. The sheer number of items on display – from shoes to heaps of human hair – defies description. Yet, according to our guide, the quantity represents only a fraction of the true amount, which is stored elsewhere.

The hallways of many of the blocks are lined with photographs of the prisoners, some of whom were liberated but most of whom lost their lives here. The quality of the photographs – which look as if they were taken only recently – is outstanding. We found ourselves compelled to try to look at every face, to take a quiet moment to remember and honor these people.

Elsewhere on the site is a courtyard, scene of countless executions via gunfire. You will also see the framework for the prisoners’ gallows and the spot where Rudolf Hess – the longest-serving camp commander – was eventually hanged as a war criminal in 1947.

Former Auschwitz II (Birkenau) site is the larger of the two camps. At one point, it held over 90,000 prisoners (compared to the 16,000 held at Auschwitz I).

Over 1.5 million people died at Birkenau, either as a result of the desperately poor living conditions or in the gas chambers.

We found this the bleaker and most desolate of the two camps. Its size is immense, with rows of barrack-like blocks as far as the eye can see, each set some distance apart from the next. In such a large, open area the wind is relentless, so it can get really cold here, especially if you are not visiting in summer. Since we were here in November, the wind and the cold helped us realize even better the harsh reality of how terribly difficult camp life must have been for the inmates.

As you enter the camp you immediately see the termination point of the railway lines that brought in the prisoners. It was here that the people were divided into those to be sent to the gas chambers and those deemed fit enough to work.

The main crematoria and gas chambers were constructed at Auschwitz II. You can now only see their ruins, as they were destroyed by the Nazis who tried to hide the evil acts they had committed.

Some of the blocks are open to the public, allowing you to see the shocking conditions in which inmates were forced to sleep and wash. Due to the sheer size of the camp, it is easy to move around and see exhibits clearly, even on busier days.

How to Visit Auschwitz

There are very limited facilities for tourists near the camps, so most people stay in the city of Krakow and visit Auschwitz as a day trip from Krakow (there are various tours that can bring you here – more about it below).

Good to know: Expect your tour of both camps to last at least 4 hours. Travel to and from Krakow is a round trip of at least 3 hours, so you will definitely need to set aside an entire day to visit Auschwitz. Most Auschwitz tours take 7-8 hours.

There are basically three ways how to visit Auschwitz:

• Independent visit with a guided tour at the camp itself (certain entrance times don’t require a guide, but it’s really advisable you visit Auschwitz with a guide).
• With a complete Auschwitz group tour , including transportation from Krakow and between the camps. These tours normally include a guide and some also foresee lunch at a local restaurant.
• Private tour with your own driver/guide from Krakow (this is the option we chose, but the exact tour we did isn’t available anymore). But you can find other alternatives for a private Auschwitz tour. For example, this highly-rated tour has several transport options including a private tour (you’ll see all the options when you select your travel dates and the number of people).

Below, you can find practical information for each of the options .

Auschwitz tour options:

1. Visiting Auschwitz on Your Own

If you decide to visit Auschwitz on your own, there are certain things you should know. First, it’s really advisable to book your entrance slot in advance. Second, you’ll probably want to know how to get to Auschwitz. Find out!

Getting to Auschwitz

Auschwitz is such a popular place to visit that there are many options on how to get there.

• By bus . By far the cheapest way to travel, the bus trip from Krakow to Auschwitz takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The Krakow MDA Bus station is located just behind Krakow’s Main Railway Station and there are four different carriers that operate the route, most running small buses. You can buy tickets from the office at the bus station, or from the driver. Most buses take you directly to the Auschwitz I camp. Do check before boarding, though, as some buses go straight to the Oświęcim Bus Depot, which is a considerable distance from the camp.
• By train. There are frequent trains from the Krakow Glowny Main Station to Oświęcim, although the station in Oświęcim is located between the two camps. This means you will either need to walk (which takes around 25 minutes) or take a bus or taxi to the first camp – you can then use the free shuttle bus to visit the second. The train is around 20 minutes quicker than the bus but costs around twice as much. Please note that the trains can be very busy early in the morning, especially during weekends.
• By car. You can hire a car and drive to Auschwitz yourself, but car traffic is restricted in Krakow and you really won’t need it at any other time during your stay in the city. For that reason, you might prefer to take a tour or hire a private driver (more info further below). The journey from Krakow by car takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes via the motorway, but many private drivers will be happy to take you on a longer route by request, which allows you to see more of the surrounding areas.
• With a guided tour – more information further below.

What to Know about Auschwitz Tickets

Although both Auschwitz camps are free to enter, you MUST get a ticket and join a guided tour (small fee) to enter Auschwitz I . There are some exceptions during the off-peak hours (depending on the month) – more info here . Headsets are provided, so it is always possible to hear your guide, even when you are some distance apart.

It is not always necessary to join a guided tour. So this can be a good option for those who want to visit the museum at their own pace. However, if you decide to go on your own, make sure to buy the guidebook (available at the museum). It marks your route clearly and explains the importance of each area you visit. However, even if you visit Auschwitz at a time when entry is free, you still need a ‘free ticket’ to enter.

Important: You can book tickets online three months in advance. If you are planning to visit Auschwitz on your own, I highly recommend doing this at least 2 weeks before your trip, because tickets get booked up quickly and many are bought in bulk ahead of time by group tour operators.

It is possible to turn up on the day and get a ticket at the office, but I wouldn’t recommend it as you may have to wait several hours, or you may not be permitted entry at all. Even in the low season, there were long queues of people here; you really don’t want to risk this if you’re visiting Auschwitz in the high season.

TIP: If tickets on the official site aren’t available anymore, you can usually still book a group tour from Krakow . It’s more expensive but better than not being able to visit at all.

Good to know: All tickets are timed, so it’s important that you turn up at the time you booked, or you will not be allowed entry. I actually recommend getting to the camps at least half an hour before the time on your ticket. You will need time to negotiate the crowds outside, clear security, and collect your headset if you booked a tour.

If your ticket doesn’t include a tour – but you decide on the day that you would like one – just go to the Visitor Centre, which is located opposite the bus stop.

The above guidelines regarding tickets do not apply to Auschwitz II , which is always free to visit without a ticket.

2. Auschwitz Tour

Booking an organized guided tour is by far the easiest way to visit Auschwitz from Krakow. Your transportation and tickets are taken care of, so there is nothing to do besides turn up at your departure location at the right time.

Good to know: If you book a complete tour with transportation, the tour operator will take care of your timed Auschwitz entrance tickets as well. This is also the best way to be able to visit Auschwitz if you didn’t reserve your tickets in advance.

While we aren’t big fans of guided tours, some places really require local insight and more information in order to truly appreciate them. Auschwitz is a site that you really should visit with a guide. Guided tours are extremely informative and are sometimes led by those with links to the camps, adding a greater level of insight.

There are many tours available that include transport from the city . The choice might be overwhelming, so we did some research and picked some of the best options – see below.

Below are some of the best Auschwitz tours from Krakow:

• Guided tour from Krakow . This is the cheapest, best-rated and by far the most popular Auschwitz tour. You can choose between five different languages and you can book a tour with a big bus or – more expensive – with a smaller group. Note that the price doesn’t include lunch and the break is really short, so it’s best you bring your own snacks.
• Guided minivan tour from Krakow . This is a small-group Auschwitz tour with amazing reviews. A bit more expensive than the big group tours, this will probably be a more relaxing day trip. The itinerary is pretty much the same as the tours mentioned above and lunch is not included.
• Full-day tour to Auschwitz as well as Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow . This is a great way to get the most out of your day as you can visit two top sights near Krakow in one go. Please note that most of these tours do not include lunch, but most of them foresee an hour break for that. This is the only highly-rated Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine tour that I found that also includes lunch.

TIP: There are also Auschwitz day tours from Warszaw (you can find all the best options here ) as well as from Katowice (see the best options here ).

READ ALSO: Wieliczka Salt Mine

3. Private Auschwitz Tour

If you want all the advantages of a group tour, but don’t like to spend the whole day with a group of strangers, then a private Auschwitz – Birkenau tour might be a better option for you. Another advantage is that private drivers will pick you up straight from your hotel and often they’ll be more flexible in terms of the tour duration, giving you more flexibility in terms of sightseeing as well as lunch.

If you are traveling with a bigger family or a group of friends, as we were, then a private tour is not much more expensive than a group tour.

There are several options: hiring a private driver (so for transportation only) or hiring a private driver in combination with a guided tour . Even if you just hire a driver, you can always join a guided tour offered at the museum itself. One thing you really have to make sure is that your private tour includes pre-booked entrance tickets.

There are several options when it comes to private day trips to Auschwitz. It’s important that you check a couple of them because prices can differ quite significantly depending on your group size and what’s included.

Here are some of the best options for a private Auschwitz day trip:

• Transfer with a private driver . This is what we did – booked a private round-trip transfer from Krakow to Auschwitz, not including the tickets to the site itself (we booked those separately). Since the same service we used isn’t available anymore, we now link to the best comparable option.
• Private transfer and a guided tour . This is one of the best-rated private Auschwitz day trips with a personal driver. It includes tickets and a live tour guide at Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Important Information for Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp

• Opening times. Both Auschwitz camps are open daily, except for New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. They open at 7.30 am, but the closing time varies depending on the time of year. Visiting hours and details of any scheduled closures can be found here . Both camps are free to visit, with paid guided tours available (and obligatory during certain times, as described above – see ‘What to Know about Auschwitz Tickets’ section).
• Security is strict at Auschwitz I. The contents of your bag will be checked, you will need to pass through a metal detector and you may be asked for ID (so make sure you have it with you!).
• Bags . Your bag MUST be smaller than 30 x 20 x 10 cm (the size of a very small purse) or you will not be allowed to bring it in. There are lockers available for a small fee, but these tend to get full at busy times. You may be able to leave your belongings in the tour bus or your private car, but it’s best not to take anything that you don’t absolutely need.
• Accessibility . Both camps have very limited disabled access and would be very difficult for anyone with mobility issues to get around. There are also very few spots to sit and rest.
• Facilities . There are bathrooms available at both camps, but bring some change with you as some require a small fee to enter. Auschwitz I site has a restaurant and a fast-food counter, but there is no food available at Auschwitz II. I would recommend bringing a few snacks and some water with you (and leave it in the car while visiting the first camp – eating or drinking inside the camps is not allowed). There are also good bookshops in both camps.
• Photography . You are allowed to take photographs in many areas of the camps, but no flash photography is allowed inside the buildings. There are certain areas where photography is completely forbidden, although we saw many people taking photos nonetheless. Some of the signage regarding photography is quite small and easy to miss, so I recommend checking before taking photos if you are unsure.
• Clothing. Respectful clothing is a must. Also, dress warmly, and bring a jacket even in the warmer months. As mentioned above, Auschwitz II can feel particularly cold. I also recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen in the summer, as there is little shade in either camp.
• Footwear . Wear comfortable, practical footwear – you will be walking long distances. The ground can be uneven and muddy, with loose rocks in places, so you may even want to consider hiking boots.
• Auschwitz with kids . It is not recommended for children under the age of 14 to visit Auschwitz since much of the experience is simply too harrowing for a younger child to process. Some tours won’t allow younger children, but as far as visiting the camps goes – this is just a recommendation that is not strictly enforced. So it’s up to you to decide if you want to expose your kids to all the horrors of this place. Just beware that it can be really hard for the younger kids to understand and deal with what they’ll see in Auschwitz. As already said before, I myself visited Auschwitz as a teenager and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.
• Before you visit . If you are not familiar with the history of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, I recommend that you read a bit about the holocaust before your trip. There are lots of great novels and non-fiction books about Auschwitz , so I’ll leave the choice up to you. If you haven’t seen it yet, you may also want to watch the movies Schindler’s List or Sophie’s Choice (there are also novels, on which these movies are based). There are also many other heart-breaking films about Auschwitz .

Have you visited Auschwitz and want to share your experience? Or are you planning a trip and have some questions? Feel free to leave a reply below.

More tips for your trip to Poland:

• Top Sights & Attractions in Krakow
• Weekend in Krakow – Best Itinerary for 2 to 3 Days
• Krakow Tips for Your First Visit
• Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour from Krakow
• Zakopane Tour from Krakow

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yehuda loeb

Wednesday 5th of June 2024

do i need to book tickets before or i can just come there?

Please read this part of the article.

Juan Carlos

Monday 31st of July 2023

Hi, This is a tour I have been wanting to do for a long time. I will visit the site next week on my own. I have booked the 6 hour guided tour though. My ticket is for 9:30am but will be taking the train from Krakow early morning. Just wondering if there was a line for those with timed entry ticket. Just want to make sure I do not miss my guide. Any tips you can provide is greatly appreciated! Thank you

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

Hi Juan Carlos, if you booked a guided tour, I assume you should be able to find this information in your booking details. First, check at what time and where you have to meet your guide, and then be sure to plan to be there at least 10-15 minutes earlier, just in case. Have a great trip!

Monday 24th of April 2023

We just booked our tour - the same one you did, can you elaborate on if the transport is private ? or a shared shuttle bus, thank you :D

Tuesday 25th of April 2023

Hi Sarah, all the details should be in the tour description and many tours offer different transport/pick-up options that I really can't know which one you booked.

I see that the tour our writer did and linked to is now redirecting to this tour which has several options that you can choose from, and none of those options is a private tour now. The cheapest option is a tour by big bus, thus the very low price.

If you are looking for a small group tour, take a look at this one instead. If you are looking for a private tour, this is one of the best options or you can also choose different options including a private tour here. But if you are only interested in a private transfer and want to visit Auschwitz on your own (so only transport is included), then this private driver option is probably best.

These things can change all the time (transport used, group size, etc.), so you really have to double-check the description of the exact tour you booked.

Hope this helps.

Mitchell Schwefel

Wednesday 5th of April 2023

I have toured this hideous place several years ago. I am a Jew. Your description of the victims, as mainly Jews frankly is, under the unique objectives of the camps, unfortunately, in my humble opinion, not quite adequate or complete . Yes Pols, Gypsies, Russians, and Homosexuals were murdered there by the Germans. That cannot be minimized in any way .However the principal and singular focus of the Germans, and I say Germans because over 7000 Germans worked there, many of whom were not nazis, was to kill every living Jew in Europe, and had they prevailed, most of them at these camps. Actually they were hoping to murder as many as 12 million had they conquered whatever parts of Europe that were blessedly still not as yet under their control. Again I don't mean in any way to minimize their beastial conduct to the non Jews who they murdered, but here, they were largely focused on exterminating Jews. I would observe that they had, over the course of the eastern war, killed as many as 3 million Soviet war prisoners, many by starvation and disease, but this camp was unique. Your tours and website are wonderful and please forgive me if you consider my comments negative as they are certainly not meant to be so. I just wish to add my perspective

Friday 29th of September 2023

@Mitchell Schwefel, I agree that the Jews were the main focus of the Nazis, because that's just a fact. But using the term "singular" is incorrect. "Singular" means only one. The Nazis had multiple focuses. Basically anyone who wasn't their "ideal Aryan citizen" had the chance of being subjected to horrific treatment at the hands of the Nazis.

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

Really good tours guide with useful informations! But you forgot to mention, that "Nazis" was German.

I think it's common knowledge that Hitler was behind this cruel chapter in our history. Or is there anyone on the planet that still doesn't know this???

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Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour

Visiting Auschwitz, albeit a very somber experience, is one of the must things to do in Poland. The largest Nazi Germany concentration and extermination camp during World War II, where over 1,3 million people lost their lives, needs no introduction. Conveniently located near Krakow , Auschwitz can be an easy addition to your Poland itinerary.

It took me almost 37 years to finally visit Auschwitz (although I’ve been to other Nazi Germany camps in Poland), and even if I knew very well what to expect, the place still overwhelmed me with its cruelty and tragedy. And I think everyone should plan a trip to Auschwitz to understand history better and see what people are capable of when the ideology brainwashes them. And, of course, to pay respect to all the unnecessary victims. It’s important to visit places like Auschwitz so we can do our best to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

If you are visiting Poland (especially Krakow , Warsaw , Katowice , or Wroclaw ), I prepared this guide to help you plan your Auschwitz tour without too much hassle. There are different ways to visit Auschwitz, but no matter which one you choose, be prepared for one of the most difficult yet necessary travel experiences of your life.

Table of Contents

Where is Auschwitz

The former Nazi Germany Concentration Camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, is located in a town of around 37.000 inhabitants called Oświęcim in southern Poland. Krakow is less than 70 km away, and Katowice is 35 km away. Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is around 330 km away from Oświęcim.

A brief history of Auschwitz

Even if Auschwitz is known mainly as the extermination camp, it was established as a concentration camp in mid-1940. It was one of over 40 camps in Poland that were supposed to be a solution to the problem of overflowing prisons full of arrested locals. The first people were brought to Auschwitz on June 14th, 1940, from the prison in Tarnow.

Since 1942 Auschwitz has also been used as the extermination camp where Nazis implemented their plan to murder Jewish people from all over Europe. At the peak of its operation, in 1944, Auschwitz was divided into three parts: Auschwitz I (the oldest one, in the old Polish military barracks), Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the largest one, founded in 1941, the majority of victims were killed here), and Auschwitz III (this was a group of over 40 sub-camps created near industrial plants, made for work prisoners).

Numerous Polish villages were demolished, and locals were evicted to develop such a large institution. The camps were isolated from the outside world. The total area was around 40 square kilometers, including all three Auschwitz camps and the so-called “interest zone” used for the technical or supply background, offices, and barracks for Nazis.

Since Auschwitz had a strategic location on the front line, in August 1944, the camp’s liquidation began – the prisoners were taken to Germany, and the evidence of the crimes was covered up. The liberation of Auschwitz took place on January 27th, 1945, when around 7,5 thousand prisoners were still held there.

Altogether, in the almost four years of operation, over 1,3 million people lost their lives in Auschwitz; the majority were Jewish (around 1,1 million), but also Polish (about 150 hundred thousand), Roma people (23 thousand), and other nations.

In 1979 Auschwitz was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – it is the only former Nazi concentration camp with that title in the world.

How to visit Auschwitz

You can visit Auschwitz two ways: with a tour from where you are staying in Poland (most likely Krakow, Katowice, Warsaw, or Wroclaw) or independently, reaching the site by car or using public transport. Both options are doable; however, the tour is a slightly better one as everything will be taken care of for you.

There is a wide selection of tours to choose from that depart from Krakow as well as other mentioned cities. Most of them cover more or less the same things: pick-up from your accommodation, transportation to/from Auschwitz and back, the entrance ticket to the concentration camp, and the guided tour on-site.

When I visited Auschwitz, I arrived by train from Warsaw, with the change in Katowice. I was at the museum almost an hour before my guided tour of the site was supposed to start, and despite the poor weather (it was raining on that day), there was no place to hide and wait for the tour. Visitors were not allowed to enter the museum until a few minutes before the tour was about to start. Me and a few other unlucky visitors just stood near the trees, hiding under the umbrella and waiting for our time to enter the site. I can’t say it was a comfortable situation (but at least the weather worked perfectly well for such a sad place to visit). Recently, a new visitors center was opened so hopefully the situation is better.

When using public transport, you need to rely on the schedule of trains/buses and, just in case, plan to be at the site with some extra time ahead; hence a tour is a better option. Still, visiting Auschwitz is doable independently – I did it, and once the tour of the site started, it was really good.

Visiting Auschwitz – practical information

Visiting Auschwitz memorial site is free of charge; however, I recommend joining the tour with the educator provided by the museum. They have a huge knowledge of the place and the tragedy that occurred here and can answer all the questions visitors always have. Tours are available in various languages: Polish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, and Slovak.

Even if you decide to visit the site independently, you still need to book the entry pass – those with free entrance start in the afternoon. You can buy/reserve your ticket online at the website of Auschwitz Museum here.

Currently, the price for the tour with the educator is 80 PLN for Polish and 90 PLN for other languages. When booking the ticket, you must state your full name and surname – this will be checked later.

Since tickets can sell out quickly, booking one at least a month in advance is recommended. If there are no tickets left for the day you want to visit Auschwitz, you can join the organized tour from Krakow or other cities, as tour operators usually have tickets booked in advance. Due to the sensitive nature of the place, children under 14 years old should not visit Auschwitz Museum.

Once you have your ticket, you need to arrive at the Auschwitz visitors center 30 minutes before your tour starts to go through the security check (it’s rather thorough, similar to the airport), have your ticket inspected (remember to have the ID or passport with you), get the headset for the tour and meet your group. You are allowed to have a bag or backpack with a maximum dimension of 30x20x10 cm; any larger luggage must be left in the paid lockers.

Auschwitz Museum is open every day except January 1st, December 25th, and Easter Sunday. Opening hours vary depending on the month and are as follows:

• 7:30-14:00 in December
• 7:30-15:00 in January and November
• 7:30-16:00 in February
• 7:30-17:00 in March and October
• 7:30-18:00 in April, May, and September
• 7:30-19:00 in June, July, and August

The closing time means the last entrance – after that, you are allowed to stay on-site for an hour and a half. However, if you want to see Auschwitz Museum properly, you need at least 3,5 hours for that – that’s also how long the standard tour with the educator lasts. It is usually divided equally between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II- Birkenau. A free shuttle bus runs between the two sites every few minutes.

Taking pictures and making videos is allowed in Auschwitz, for individual use, except in two places: the hall with the hair of Victims (block nr 4) and the basements of Block 11. Your educator will remind you not to take pictures there.

Remember what sort of place you are visiting and behave there with respect. It might be obvious for most, but I can’t count how many times I’ve read news about inappropriate behavior in Auschwitz and other similar sites in Poland, so I think it’s worth reminding this is not your typical tourist attraction but a place of one of the greatest tragedy that ever happened in the world.

Getting to Auschwitz independently

If you decide to visit Auschwitz on your own, you must get to the visitors’ center, where your tour will start. The new visitors center, which opened just recently, is located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street in Oświęcim ( here is the exact location ). If you drive there, there is a large parking lot where you can leave your car before visiting the museum.

If you use public transport, there are both trains and buses you can take to reach Oświęcim. I recommend trains as they are slightly faster and more comfortable; however, some buses stop next to the museum, so that’s convenient. You can check all the connections on this website , where you can also find the location of the bus stop in Oświęcim (there can be three different ones).

The train station in Oświęcim is located at Powstańców Śląskich Street, some 20 minutes walking from the Auschwitz museum. It’s a straightforward way; you can check the map with the directions here . I recommend catching the train that gives you at least an hour between arriving at Oświęcim and when your tour starts.

Auschwitz tour from Krakow

Numerous Auschwitz tours depart from Krakow, so you will easily find the one that suits your itinerary and needs. Here are some recommended ones:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial Guided Tour from Krakow
• Auschwitz & Birkenau – Fully Guided Tour from Krakow
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transport from Kraków
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour by Private Transport from Krakow

You can also combine visiting Auschwitz with Wieliczka Salt Mine , another UNESCO-listed site near Krakow and a must-visit place in Poland. Here are the tours that go to both places in one day:

• Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow including Lunch
• Full-Day Tour of Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow
• Auschwitz-Birkenau and Salt Mine Tour with private transport from Krakow
• Combined: Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mine private chauffeur from Krakow

If you decide to go to Auschwitz from Krakow on your own, you can take the train from the main train station to Oświęcim. They are rather frequent, more or less every hour, and the journey takes a bit over an hour (depending on the connection, the longest one is 1h20min).

If you want to take the bus, they depart from the MDA bus station, next to the main train station. The price for trains and buses is similar, between 15 and 20 PLN, although trains tend to be cheaper and faster. You can check all the connections and buy a ticket here .

Auschwitz tour from Warsaw

Even if Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is located over 300 km away from Oświęcim, it is possible to go for a one-day Auschwitz tour. However, you can expect a long day, and a large part of it will be spent traveling. But if you are visiting Warsaw only, Auschwitz can be a good addition to your Poland itinerary, so you can better understand the country’s complex history.

Here are some of the recommended Auschwitz tours from Warsaw:

• From Warsaw Auschwitz and Krakow one day tour by train with pick up and drop off
• One day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Warsaw with private transport

Going for the day trip from Warsaw to Auschwitz independently is also possible using trains. You can take the 6 am train to Katowice and then change for the train to Oświęcim, arriving in the town around 10:30. If you decide to do that, you can book your Auschwitz tour for 11:30 or 12:00. On the way back, you can catch the train after 16:00 from Oświęcim to Katowice, and after changing for the train to Warsaw, you will be in the capital after 20:00.

Auschwitz tour from Katowice

Since Katowice is less than 40 km from Auschwitz, it’s easy to go for a day trip. You need to take the local train to Oświęcim, it takes less than 50 minutes, and the connections are more or less every hour.

Or you can go for a tour, here are the Auschwitz tours from Katowice:

• Auschwitz – Birkenau from Katowice
• Auschwitz & Birkenau English guided tour by private transport from Katowice
• Auschwitz tour from Wroclaw

Wroclaw is another popular place to visit in Poland, and since it’s located around 230 km from Oświęcim, you can go for an Auschwitz tour from Wroclaw too. If you decide to do it independently, you can take the train to Katowice and then change for the local train to Oświęcim. A one-way trip should take you less than 4 hours.

Or you can go for a tour; here are the recommended ones from Wroclaw:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Wrocław
• Private Full-Day Tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Wroclaw

Auschwitz Museum Tour

As for the museum itself, here is what you can expect.

You will start in the oldest part of the concentration camp – Auschwitz I, where the infamous gate with the sign “Arbeit macht frei” (meaning “Work Sets You Free”) is located. Here, you will visit numerous barracks where inmates were kept – now you can see different exhibitions there, showing the reality of Auschwitz and halls with personal belongings taken from arriving prisoners – luggage, shoes, glasses, etc., or hair of Victims. You will learn all about cruel practices here, including medical experiments or torture.

Visiting this part of Auschwitz museum is a very somber experience, and it’s really difficult to comprehend the tragedy that happened in this very place.

Besides the barracks in Auschwitz I, you will also see where the camp commander lived or the first crematorium where Nazis started their experiments with killing using gas. In this part of the Auschwitz tour, you can take pictures everywhere except the two places in Blocks 4 and 11 – they will be clearly marked, and your educator will remind you about this restriction.

The visit to Auschwitz I takes around 1,5 hours. Afterward, together with your group and educator, you will take the shuttle bus to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, located some 3 km away.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau is where around 90% of victims died. It is a huge area that worked kind of like the killing factory, with four gas chambers and crematoriums. This is also where most prisoners arrived – you most likely know the view of the railway tracks and brick gate – that’s Auschwitz II-Birkenau. This part of the visit is mostly outdoors.

You will walk around the area, see the remnants of the camp, visit some barracks inside, and learn all about the horrific tragedy that happened here. When Auschwitz I has a more intimate, even claustrophobic feeling, Auschwitz II-Birkenau can overwhelm you with its scale and enormity.

You will spend around 1,5 hours here, too; afterward, you can take the shuttle bus back to the visitors center when you started your tour.

Final thoughts on visiting Auschwitz

Even though I’ve lived in Poland almost my whole life, and Auschwitz has been a familiar topic since I remember, it took me nearly 37 years to finally visit the place. Before I was in different Nazi Germany sites in Poland, mostly in Majdanek in Lublin, so I didn’t feel the need to visit Auschwitz too. But I don’t regret the decision to go there eventually.

You can read and learn about the place, but nothing can prepare you for visiting Auschwitz. Some areas look familiar (after all, pictures of the “Arbeit macht frei” sign or Birkenau gate are present everywhere), but you will still be overwhelmed by the place and seeing it in real life. It’s hard to comprehend the cruelty and tragedy that happened here, and dealing with all the thoughts invading your mind afterward can take a while. It can be one of the most difficult-to-understand places you will ever visit.

Still, despite it all, I think everyone should go to Auschwitz to see where fanaticism and totalitarianism can lead and why we should avoid them at all costs.

Further reading

I published many articles about Poland that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 37 Amazing Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
• 20 Great Places to Visit As Day Trips from Warsaw, Poland
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Lublin, Poland
• The Complete Guide to Visiting Slownski National Park, Poland
• Visit Grudziadz – One of the Hidden Gems of Poland
• 19 Amazing Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
• Visit Sandomierz, Poland – One of the Prettiest Towns in the Country
• Visiting Malbork Castle, Poland – the Largest Castle in the World
• 25 Amazing Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Poland

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Poland here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Poland too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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From what time are free dates available?

Please be informed that booking of entry passes is available everyday from 12:00 noon (90 days in advance for individual visitors and organised groups)

Is entry to the premises of the Memorial free?

Entry to the premises of the Auschwitz Memorial is free. A fee is only charged for visits with a Museum educator, i.e., a person authorized and prepared to conduct guided tours on the premises.

Why have entry passes been introduced?

For the convenience of visiting and to ensure the safety of visitors the maximum number of persons that may enter the premises of the former Auschwitz I camp in one hour is specified. To this end, every visitor receives upon booking an individual entry pass, a document that grants entry into the premises of the Museum. The entry pass is issued to both individual visitors and those visiting with an educator.

Can I enter the Museum upon arriving without a pre-booked entry pass?

Entrance to the Museum is only possible with a personalized pre-paid entry pass. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org. The number of entry passes available is limited. We cannot guarantee the availability of entry passes on site on the day of the visit.

Should I have the entry pass on me?

Yes. Every entry pass has an individual bar code. The entry pass may be printed or saved, for example to a tablet PC or mobile phone. Entry Pass for Guided Tours for a tour without an Educator authorizes the holder indicated with a name and surname of proof of identity to explore the Museum upon presentation at the entrance to the Museum.

I paid for the reservation but have not received the entry pass, what should I do?

Entry passes are sent automatically by the system. If such an e-mail is not visible in your Inbox, it may have ended up in the spam folder. Check the spam folder. If you do not find the entry passes in your spam folder, contact us via email [email protected].

How do I book entry to the Museum without an educator?

In the system, select the following options: Visit for individual --> select a date --> Tour for individuals without an educator

How do I book a tour for an organised group?

In the system - after user registration - you should send a booking request via the booking form:  Visit for groups.  After sending the query you will receive an answer by e-mail.

Is there a tour organised with an educator for individual visitors?

Yes. Such tours are organised throughout the year in several languages and at specified hours. You can book such tours in the system. You should select the following options:

Visit for individuals --> select a date --> select language --> select the visiting hour --> basket

What should I do if I want to book an extended tour?

The panel has a “Visit for groups” tab, where you will find several tour options, e.g. 1- and 2-day study visits, tours for middle school groups etc. If you cannot find the desired tour option, please contact the visitors’ service centre:  [email protected]

Can I make changes to my reservation?

The system allows you to make changes to reservation parameters (day, hour or tour language). You can make changes within available dates. To effect changes, please contact our visitor’s service centre ([email protected]). Changes are limited to entry passes for organised groups.

Is the chosen hour of the visit the hour of entry into the Museum?

Yes. Please remember to leave bulky luggage in a car or bus before entering the Museum; organised groups must pick up their headsets and proceed to the security check. We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour.

What happens if I am late for my reserved hour?

An individual visitor will be able to enter the Auschwitz Memorial in the first available time slot in between the hours for individual visitors without an educator.

Visitors who made a group reservation with an educator will have to reserve another entry time. These groups must start the visit at the specified time.

Organised groups of individual visitors who made a reservation for a visit with an educator will be able to enter the premises in the first available hour. It may, however, result in a shorter visiting time or impossibility of entering the Museum.

Will I receive a refund if I am late for a booked tour with an educator and cannot enter the Museum?

Due to the limited number of entry passes, we recommend making a prior reservation. At the moment there is no possibility of refunding payment for a tour with an educator; therefore, we ask visitors to make an informed and thoughtful decision prior to the reservation.

Can I use a drone at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial?

The grounds of the Memorial are in the no-fly zone DRA-P EP P20. The permit to fly over the Museum grounds is issued only in special cases (e.g. TV programmes or documentaries). Permissions are not given to recreational and private flights over the Museum grounds. More at  http://auschwitz.org/epp20

Can I cancel my reservation?

Reservations can be cancelled, but the cost of  visits with an educator cannot be refunded.

Copyright © 2014 Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau. All rights reserved

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Ticket for Auschwitz Memorial - do I need reservation? - Krakow Forum

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Hello everyone,

My question is: Can we still show up there, pay / not pay a ticket and visit? We don't care if it is free of charge or if we need to pay, we just hope to visit. I talked to 2 different friends who told me they just entered without a reservation, but had to pay for it on-site. Have they just been lucky to find empty spots or is this how it works?

Thank you very much!

2 replies to this topic

"Can I enter the Museum upon arriving without a pre-booked entry pass?

Entrance to the Museum is only possible with a personalized pre-paid entry pass. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org. The number of entry passes available is limited. We cannot guarantee the availability of entry passes on site on the day of the visit."

https://visit.auschwitz.org/index/faq.html

Select guided tour in Polish or any other language, then just follow the group. If you don't care if it is free of charge.

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Hello everyone,

My question is: Can we still show up there, pay / not pay a ticket and visit? We don't care if it is free of charge or if we need to pay, we just hope to visit. I talked to 2 different friends who told me they just entered without a reservation, but had to pay for it on-site. Have they just been lucky to find empty spots or is this how it works?

Thank you very much!

2 replies to this topic

"Can I enter the Museum upon arriving without a pre-booked entry pass?

Entrance to the Museum is only possible with a personalized pre-paid entry pass. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org. The number of entry passes available is limited. We cannot guarantee the availability of entry passes on site on the day of the visit."

https://visit.auschwitz.org/index/faq.html

Select guided tour in Polish or any other language, then just follow the group. If you don't care if it is free of charge.

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The Unforgettable Experience of Visiting Auschwitz Camps

As part of a week long trip to Eastern Europe, with our main destination set on visiting Auschwitz, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect during the visit. I know no better word to describe my visit to the two Auschwitz concentration camp sites than the word harrowing  (extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous).

My Experience Visiting Auschwitz

We spent about 6 hours between the two sites, and the visit is something that is nearly impossible to even describe. The best I can do is show you what I experience with a little bit of the history I learned while there and hope just a little piece of my experience can be carried over. This is a place everyone needs to visit when going to Eastern Europe. It is a place that just cannot be grasped without going there yourself.

Auschwitz I

Auschwitz, which had been a Polish barrack prior to World War II with the Germans took over Poland. The Nazi’s then used the site as a concentration camp initially to house Polish prisoners. The camp was expanded and eventually was large enough to house 16,000 people.

The entrance gate to Auschwitz was framed with the saying, “Arbeit macht frei” meaning “Work will set you free.” It was intended to give a false hope to the people imprisoned there. As we walked through the gate to what felt like a very large site we tried to comprehend the number of people that would have been imprisoned here.The guidebook said that by the end of the camp, there were 16,000 people imprisoned here.

Many of the buildings held memorials and historical information about the events of the war and the things that happened here. It was hard to take in everything that we read and saw. One of the most moving exhibits was these rows of proped up striped uniforms behind barbed wire fencing. They looked as if marching to their death with a wall of actual photos of people from the camps in the background. It was a horrible thing that took place here, and it is so important that we learn about and remember what happened so that history is not repeated.

The heart wrenching memorials continued with exhibit rooms filled with belongings of the people from the Auschwitz camps – including their pottery, shoes, suitcases, even their hair which was crudely shaved from their heads before they were sent to work or to their death.

It was at Auschwitz I where they trialed the first crematory and gas chamber. Walking in through the gas chamber was something that is hard to put into words. You could just feel the impact of this place and see the claw prints on the walls from the innocent people who were locked in and poisoned by gas. The gas chamber lead to the crematorium where they would then dispose of the bodies by fire. This gas chamber was eventually put out of use as they expanded their extermination efforts with a series of gas chambers at the nearby Auschwitz II – Birkenau.

At Auschwitz I also experimented with mass sterilization, experimentation on twins, drug trials and more. These inhumane experiments left survivors permanently disabled and many were killed either for the experiments or during experimentation due to the effects. Many executions took place at Auschwitz as well.

It was a place of so much death that it was hard to be there and experience everything that this place once was, but so important to do so. We spent about 3 hours at this camp, then went back to the apartment for lunch and to head to the second site.

Auschwitz II – Birkenau

Just 2 miles from Auschwitz I, the Germans began to build a second camp, Auschwitz II – Birkenau that would become the largest Nazi concentration camp and a place of mass extermination of Jews and other captives. It was important that we had visited Auschwitz I first to learn of the history and see the exhibits so that we could come to this second site with more awareness.

But when we walked through the large entrance gates and onto the railway tracks that brought so many people here we were completely blown away by the sheer size and capacity of this second camp. We had thought the first camp was large. This second camp, was impossible to grasp the magnitude.

Most of the sites lay in ruins with just the brick fireplaces and foundation still in place, which makes it such a harrowing site to see cabin after cabin in ruins but as far as you could see in both directions. The camp was being built to hold 200,000 prisoners on 432 acres of land, but was only partially completed by the spring of 1944 with more than 300 buildings on the site and 11 miles of electrified barbed-wire fencing!

The tracks that ran right through the entrance of the camp to the very back of the camp brought in the prisoners who would then undergo a “selection” where the majority were deemed unfit to work. In most train loads brought in, 75% or more of the people were sent immediately to the gas chambers to be killed. We were able to see the ruins of these gas chambers, as they were destroyed towards the end of the war to hide evidence of their war crimes committed.

Those not immediately killed would be sent through an humiliating process at the “Sauna” house. The people would be filled through a series of rooms, sometimes taking hours between each of the rooms. Their belongings were taken from them including their clothing, their heads were crudely shaved, they were then showered en mass with often very hot or very cold water and disinfected. From there, they would be given a camp uniform and wooden clogs along with a camp number.

The people were then shuttled into one of the barracks. We were able to go into one of the wooden barracks that was designed to hold 400 people, with a total of 15 people per triple bunk. In practice, the bunk platforms would hold 10 people sleeping on simple straw mats with not enough room to even roll over.

There was an incredibly moving display of the prisoners photographs of their peaceful and happy lives up until this horrific war. To see these thriving people that lived lives very similar to my own was heartbreaking. I tried to grasp all that they were put through during these terrible years, but it was impossible to experience the gravity of the events that took place here.

In the Auschwitz camps, it is estimated that over 1.3 million people were brought including over a million Jews. Of those brought to the camp, over 1,100,000 people were killed the majority of which were gassed and cremated.  About 90% of the victims were Jews.

For ever let this place be a cry of despair  and a warning to humanity,  where the Nazis murdered  about one and a half million  men, women, and children, mainly jews  from various countries of Europe.

Auschwitz – Birkenau 1940 – 1945

It is my hope that we will learn from the past and never let something like this ever happen again. In order to hold this resolve, we must try our best to grasp the cruelties that have happened at places like Auschwitz. By understanding them we will better be able to spot and fight against the cruelties of humanity and stand up against what is so clearly wrong.

I would absolutely recommend taking a trip to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau, it is a place that everyone should visit as it is an experience you will never be able to forget.

To see how we set off on a 7-day vacation while sticking to a $1,000 budget, see our tips for budget-friendly travel .

Then, read about the rest of our journey through 5 different European countries . Auschwitz was just one of our stops, but needed it’s own post to cover this incredible place. Read on to experience the rest of our vacation including an easy itinerary you can follow!

Wednesday 10th of January 2018

Wow, this is heart breaking indeed, I am always interested in learning more about history. I couldn't even phantom living back in that time nor any of my family being in that camp. I would love to have my family visit Auschwitz concentration camp, I'm sure it would be very emotional that's for sure!

Tuesday 9th of January 2018

We went there several years ago, it really is a place you never forgot and leaves such a lasting impression.

I can only imagine how heavy it must be to be there, to know what had happened. I think it would be a meaningful experience to share with my family when all of my kids are a little older.

Monday 8th of January 2018

Thank you for posting this. As a Jew this is especially meaningful to me. Both sets of my Grandparents went through the war and were the only survivors of their entire family. My grandmothers were both sent to labor camps and managed to survive while one grandfather managed to stay alive by hiding in the forest and joining up with some partisans. My other grandfather was sent to Siberia and made it through! #neverforget

Friday 12th of January 2018

Oh man, you have a strong family! #fighters

We just watched Defiant last night and not sure if that was anything like your grandfather's experience, but it was definitely amazing all that they went through hiding in the forests!! I was so inspired that seeing these people through it all not lose their faith!

Desiree Lopez

It is an important thing that Auschwitz still stands so that we can be reminded of what happened here. I enjoy visiting historical places like this.

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Auschwitz - visiting Birkenau without a tour guide - Krakow Forum

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Auschwitz - visiting Birkenau without a tour guide

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Would really appreciate an answer and also views on whether its better to be part of a formal tour or not.

if it is your first visit to the camps I would suggest a guide as there is so much to see

You can get a guide book which covers both sites from the bookshop at the museum. You can visit both sites without the need to join an arranged tour, and as a result you will get to see a lot more of the camps then you would do on a tour. At this time of the year, there is a bus which runs between the two sites, but not as often as during the summer months, just check the time table at the bus stop when you get there. The stop for the site bus is by the telephone kiosks.

Do it on your own, with the guide book you will get to see a lot more on your own than you would with a guide, although you still wont get to see everything in one trip, a great excuse to return to this fabulous city.

HI i did this trip in Nov 2009 we went to bus station very clearly marked bus to Outzwitch then arrived we did both camps caught a taxi between the 2 about £4.00 got a book from book shop didnt need much else got taxi back to camp one to collect bus

Only problem we caught the last bus back think this was around 4.30pm -5pm it was packed and stopped along the way some of us had to stand or sit in the ailse for around 2 hours journey otherwise do it without a guide !!! im back again this weekend see you there

I am looking forward to first trip to Krakow .

Hope its the first of many visits

I wouldnt bother with a guide either. Buy the excellent book from the shop at the entrance and do it yourself. You get to see much more at your pace and you can give it the time that the camps deserve

Thanks for your comment

Someone told that from August 1st 2009 people were obligated to visit the camps with a guide. Is it true?

Anather question: Can someone only visit Birkenau camp, without queuing at Auschwitz 1?

Thanks for all

Christian, France

Thank you for your comments

Is that really possible ?( the fact is that I read from aug 1st 2009 , everyone has to visit it with a guide) ?

Can Birkenau be visited first?

Thank your for your help

I doubt very much whether that is true - it is free of charge to get in and you can visit either site in any order that you wish, and spend as long as you want there from opening to closing time.

Everything you need to know is in the site's official website http://en.auschwitz.org.pl/z/

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