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Tours & Trips including Auschwitz 2024/2025

Find the right tour for you through Auschwitz. We've got 106 adventures going to Auschwitz, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 28 days. The most popular month to go is August, which has the largest number of tour departures.

106 Auschwitz tour packages with 1,107 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Krakow & Auschwitz

I felt like I was the only person involved in this "group" tour. When I booked this I was under the impression I would be with a group. I never met a consistent guide or any other consistent person on the same activities. It seemed like the accommodations and tours were arranged for me through TourRadar/Euroadventures. But quite honestly, I could have done that myself with better accommodations.

• Christmas & New Year

Krakow, Auschwitz & Wieliczka Salt Mine - 4 Days

Highly recommend this tour.

Krakow, Auschwitz, Enamel Factory & Wieliczka Salt Mine - 4 Days

I would advise anyone to book this tour. It was excellent value for money and fulfilled everything I wanted to see in Krakow and more. Seweryn was very professional and helpful in the planning process and during the tour in getting the most out of my time in Krakow.

• Coach / Bus

Highlights of Southern Poland

The Poland tour was excellent! The group leader Beata was awesome and all guidance, planning and itinerary was wonderful. Totally recommended!!

• Sightseeing

Pearls of Poland (for couples)

Kuba was extremely knowledgeable and contributed considerably to our understanding and enjoyment of the spots we saw. He was sensitive to my mother's special needs and programmed stops in the tour so she could rest. He also showed up on our final day with special Polish donuts for us to enjoy -- a thoughtful and very sweet gesture. We recommend Kuba highly!

6 days in Krakow and Szczawnica- private exclusive tour for 2 people

7 days in Krakow and Szczawnica- private exclusive tour for 3-4 people

Highlights of Poland (Classic, 10 Days)

Exceeded our expectations! Our introduction to beautiful Poland was thorough and at a pace that suited everyone on the bus, from young juniors to the seniors. The regional taste treats along the way added to the fun and local info guides made us aware of Poland’s stunning history and the grit and determination of the Poles.

Highlights of Poland

Well done to our tour guide Justyna and well done to Explore for putting this on in difficult times.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Tailor-Made Private Trip to Southern Poland with Daily Departure

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Portrait of Poland

Our tour guide Kasia was smiling lady, friendly, well organized and caring person. She was very knowledgeable about her country Poland and made our trip very successful . The Driver Franco was smiling, helpful person and was driving very careful.

• Walking Adventure

Best of Poland (11 Days)

Everything was outstanding. Coach, Kate (tour guide), all other guides (except one), hotels, meals, itineraries, driver, sights, tours. Two issues. Our Auschwitz tour guide had a very, very pronounced accent and spoke very quickly making it difficult to understand him. Extremely knowledgeable but needs to slow down his speech. Loved that every tour guide throughout the country was a "local". The other issue was that the optional tours available were charged in Euros and not Polish money. Other than those "minor issues" the tour was truly outstanding, interesting, educational and fun!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of the East

It was good we enjoyed

Tailor-Made Private Poland Tour with Daily Departure

Highlights of Poland (Small Groups, 10 Days)

What people love about auschwitz tours.

Did their Krakow, Poland trip in December during the Christmas markets. Really a great trip and experience. Everything was very organized, had really good hotel near the square/old town (I booked the 3-star hotel, private room option with my husband), guides were very good & knowledgeable and the excursions/tours were very good. We also received a lot of extra information and recommendations for things to do and places to go (food and drink too) in our free time which was really nice and helpful. I was a bit nervous reading a few of the reviews here on Yelp but our experience was fantastic and nothing like what some others wrote in their reviews. Krakow was an amazing city and one of the most beautiful in Europe. Definitely recommend this trip and company.

Seweryn was a fantastic tour guide and very knowledgeable about Krakow's history. I enjoyed learning about the many historical and religious details we saw around Krakow. He also went above and beyond to help me when I had trouble purchasing train tickets, and when I got sick offered to reschedule one of the tour days. I really enjoyed his tour and would highly recommend it.

I had a great first time experience of Krakow through this tour. My tour guide Seweryn was very friendly, flexible, organised and helpful and made the whole process very smooth. The trips to the mine, factory and camps were well laid out and gave me plenty of time for independent sightseeing and fun. If you want to come to Krakow I would highly recommend you do a trip this way!

Auschwitz Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 28 most popular auschwitz trips. compare tour itineraries from 16 tour companies. 45 reviews. 4.9/5 avg rating., popular auschwitz tours.

Best of Central Europe

• Stay in old-school style while supporting a social cause during your time in Vienna. The city’s quirky Magdas Hotel is committed to helping local refugees earn a living through employment.
• Embark on a hike through the lesser known but no less stunning Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. With a range of trails available, you’ll be high above the valley floor admiring the vistas in no time.
• See the classic Polish cities of Wroclaw and Krakow and feel the emotional wallop of a sobering visit to nearby Auschwitz.
• Discover the magical Cesky Krumlov on a guided tour around town with your small group, passing by medieval buildings, verdant countryside and the flowing Vltava River.
• Get the low-down on Budapest’s classic charm, café culture, and eclectic neighbourhood vibes during your time here. Have you actually been to Budapest if you didn’t go to a ruin bar?

The Best of Eastern Europe

• Explore historic medieval cities
• Explore world-class museums
• Savour the café culture of europe
• Opt for a soak in budapest's famous baths
• Experience krakow's eastern charm

Highlights of Poland

• Explore Poland's three greatest cities: Warsaw, Wroclaw and Krakow
• Marvel at the vast subterranean Wieliczka Salt Mines
• Opportunity to pay an emotional visit to Auschwitz

Majestic Cities of Central & Eastern Europe featuring Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Krakow - 2024

• Join local residents for a community hosted dinner in Dunaalmas.
• Learn the secrets of Viennese confectionery during a candy-making demonstration.
• Dine at the famous Marchfelderhof, an iconic restaurant with rich Viennese tradition.
• Experience a Viennese coffee house during an Impact Moment.
• Enjoy classic Czech cuisine in a local restaurant in Prague.

Germany, Finland & Poland in 14 days - Medieval Cities and Winter Wonderland - Superior

• Lapland - Rovaniemi

Eastern Europe, Croatia & the Balkans

• Wander beautiful medieval cities
• Opt for a soak in a thermal bath in budapest
• Kayak the bay of kotor
• Marvel at the ancient roman palace of diocletian in split

Highlights of Southern Poland

• Visit Krakow’s Jewish Quarter and see how the local community is re-establishing its cultural identity.
• See Warsaw from a different perspective as you take in views of the River Vistula from the city’s highest garden.
• Head out for a nature hike in Karkonosze National Park, admiring sweeping views from the Wysoki Kamien Observation Tower.
• Explore the vibrant cultural scene of Wroclaw, the historical capital of Silesia and Lower Silesia, which dates back over 1000 years.
• Experience Polish culture firsthand during a traditional pottery workshop in Wroclaw and a dinner in Szklarska Poreba.

Krakow to Budapest Adventure

• Explore the maze of streets in the medieval cities of Krakow and Budapest
• Raft along the Dunajec River Gorge and go walking in the Tatra Mountains
• Discover the medieval town of Banska Stiavnica and learn of its fascinating mining history

All Auschwitz , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Auschwitz

Small Group Auschwitz Tours

Poland in 6 days - Medieval Cities & Christmas Markets - Charm

• Tatra National Park

Best Auschwitz Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Auschwitz Tours by Price

Top Auschwitz Attractions & Experiences

Top Auschwitz Experiences

• Solemn tributes at the memorial sites of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau
• Educational insights into the history and atrocities of the Holocaust
• Exploring the barracks, prison cells, and exhibitions displaying artifacts and photographs
• Witnessing the haunting remnants of the crematorium and gas chambers
• Reflecting at memorials dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust
• Learning about the courageous acts of resistance by prisoners
• Hearing survivor stories and testimonies, offering a personal perspective on the horrors endured
• Participating in guided tours led by knowledgeable educators and historians
• Paying respects at the symbolic Wall of Death and the Memorial of the Victims
• Contemplating the significance of tolerance and compassion in today's world

Auschwitz Tours & Travel Guide

Auschwitz Attractions & Landmarks Guide

A trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial is an unforgettable journey of remembrance and education. You will step back in time at one of the most significant historical sites of the 20th century. 

As you explore solemn landmarks such as Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, you will bear witness to the stories of Holocaust sufferers and survivors. Knowledgeable guides will lead you through exhibitions, barracks, and memorials, offering profound insights into this tragic chapter of human history.

History of Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum holds a profound historical significance as one of the most haunting reminders of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Established by the Nazi regime during World War II, Auschwitz served as a concentration and extermination camp where millions of innocents lost their lives.

Auschwitz I: Originally built in 1940 as a concentration camp near the Polish town of Oświęcim, Auschwitz I, also known as the main camp, was the first facility in the complex. Its purpose was to imprison political prisoners, intellectuals, and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime. 

Over time, Auschwitz expanded to include sub-camps and became a central hub for forced labor.

Auschwitz II: In 1941, construction began on Auschwitz II-Birkenau, located nearby. This expansion was driven by the Nazi's "Final Solution," aimed at the systematic genocide of European Jews. Birkenau was designed as an extermination camp, equipped with gas chambers and crematoria to efficiently murder mass numbers of people.

Under the command of SS officers such as Rudolf Höss and Josef Mengele, Auschwitz-Birkenau became synonymous with unimaginable suffering and death. Countless victims, including Jews, Poles, Romani people, Soviet prisoners of war, and others, were subjected to starvation, forced labor, torture, and mass executions.

After the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet forces in January 1945, survivors shared their harrowing testimonies, ensuring that the world would never forget the horrors of the Holocaust. 

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum: In 1947, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum was established on the site, dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims and educating future generations about the consequences of hate and intolerance.

Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and serves as a solemn reminder of the darkest chapter in human history. Visiting this memorial is not only a way to honor the millions who perished but also a commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.

Why Go on an Auschwitz Tour

Embarking on an Auschwitz tour is a solemn yet essential journey that offers profound insights into one of humanity's darkest chapters. It's not just a historical visit but a powerful experience that holds immense significance for several reasons:

Cultural Significance: As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Auschwitz bears witness to the horrors of the Holocaust, serving as a sad reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred and discrimination. Its preservation is crucial for future generations to understand and learn from this tragic period in history.

Educational Value: The tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and the atrocities committed during World War II. Through guided tours, exhibits, and firsthand accounts, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the systematic persecution and genocide carried out by the Nazi regime.

Honoring the Victims: By visiting Auschwitz, individuals pay tribute to the millions of innocent people who suffered and perished in the camps. It's a way to honor their memory and ensure their stories are never forgotten. Witnessing their experiences commemorates the importance of preserving human dignity and combating intolerance.

Personal Reflection: Walking through the solemn grounds of Auschwitz prompts deep introspection and personal reflection. It's an opportunity to contemplate the human capacity for both cruelty and resilience, as well as the enduring importance of values such as compassion, empathy, and justice in today's world. This reflection challenges visitors to confront brutal truths and strive for a more inclusive future.

Highlights of Auschwitz Tour Packages 

Embark on an Auschwitz tour package and delve into the poignant history of one of the most infamous sites of the Holocaust. Each tour is meticulously curated to provide a comprehensive and educational experience that pays homage to the victims and survivors of this dark period in human history.

Auschwitz I: Explore the barracks, prison cells, and exhibitions at the main camp, witnessing firsthand the chilling remnants of the Nazi regime's atrocities.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau: Visit the vast extermination camp, where you'll see the ruins of crematoria, prisoner barracks, and the haunting railway tracks that once brought victims to their tragic fate.

Memorial Sites: Pay your respects at memorials dedicated to the millions who perished, including the Wall of Death, the International Monument, and the Memorial and Museum at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Exhibition Halls: Gain deeper insights into the Holocaust through thought-provoking exhibits, artifacts, and documentation detailing the systematic persecution of Jews, Romani people, political dissidents, and others deemed "undesirable" by the Nazis.

Guided Tours: Engage with knowledgeable guides who provide context, historical background, and personal accounts, offering a deeper understanding of the events that transpired within these walls.

Educational Programs: Participate in workshops, lectures, and discussions designed to foster critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to human rights and social justice.

Witness Testimonies: Hear firsthand testimonies from survivors or descendants whose stories are powerful reminders of resilience, hope, and the enduring quest for truth and reconciliation.

These highlights combine to create a transformative experience that honors the memory of the Holocaust's victims and challenges visitors to confront the past while striving for a more just and compassionate future.

Visiting Auschwitz From Krakow

Most tours start in Krakow and typically begin with a meet-up point in Krakow's city center, where participants gather before departing in a comfortable coach or minibus. The journey to Auschwitz takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, offering scenic views of the Polish countryside along the way.

Upon arrival, visitors are divided into groups for guided tours of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The duration of each tour varies but typically lasts around 2 to 3 hours per camp, allowing ample time to explore the exhibitions, memorials, and historical sites.

The entire trip from Krakow to Auschwitz and back usually takes a full day, offering visitors a comprehensive and emotionally impactful experience.

In addition to visiting Auschwitz, many tours from Krakow also include a stop at the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a fascinating underground journey through centuries of mining history, showcasing intricate salt sculptures, chapels adorned with salt crystals, and expansive underground chambers.

The salt mine tour typically adds an extra hour or two to the overall itinerary. Travelers can visit both iconic landmarks, Auschwitz-Birkenau and the salt mine, in a single day trip from Krakow. 

Auschwitz Tour for Seniors

Touring Auschwitz can be emotionally challenging for seniors due to extensive walking and solemn surroundings. While the tour isn't strenuous, the long durations of standing and walking may pose difficulties for some. 

Note Travelstride's physical ability scale to understand the tour's suitability for you. It helps seniors choose tours aligned with their capabilities. Additionally, while wheelchair access is available in certain areas, not all parts of Auschwitz are accessible, requiring careful consideration for seniors with mobility concerns.

Seniors seeking a less physically demanding experience can opt for guided tours with shorter durations or explore alternative cultural attractions in Krakow.

Auschwitz Reviews & Ratings

Great Leader. Excellent itinerary. Good hotels

Our tour guide!!! Zsolt was an absolute

Our tour guide!!! Zsolt was an absolute legend. He made the experience all the more memorable.

The trip was beautifully organized even in

The trip was beautifully organized even in the midst of the migrant crisis. Everything was handled extremely well and professionally by our tour leader. My group tow...

The trip was well planned giving the

The trip was well planned giving the right balance between big city hustle and bustle, and the quieter times in the smaller towns. The time spent in each place was g...

Amazing experience an awesome tour leader!

See all Auschwitz reviews

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AUSCHWITZ TOURS FROM KRAKOW

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Visit auschwitz with krakowdirect.

Auschwitz tours to Auschwitz former concentration camp known all over the world as a symbol of the Holocaust.

During World War II, Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest concentration camp of the Nazis . It was established in the suburbs of the city of Oswiecim (Auschwitz in German), 60 kilometres west of Krakow. It took the lives of about 1.1 million people , mostly Jewish but also Poles, Romani, and Russian. The liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp took place in January 1945. However, before that Nazi authorities tried to destroy as much evidence of massive murders as possible. After the war, the Polish government decided to restore Auschwitz-Birkenau and turn it into a museum . It preserves the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honours the victims of Nazism. Now it is part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites , and more than 2 million tourists visit Auschwitz each year.

Private car Auschwitz tours with a shared or private guide

Our Private Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Krakow takes approximately 7 hours . We offer door-to-door pickup and drop-off , a private, modern car and a friendly, English-speaking tour leader/driver . We will set up the pickup time based on the hour you have requested and fit it into the entry time options to the Museum to make It as comfortable for you as possible. The journey to Auschwitz takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes each way. In the Museum, you can either join a regular/shared guided tour or book a private guided tour . Private guided tours need to be booked at least 8 days in advance. The sightseeing takes about 3.5 hours —approximately 2 hours in Auschwitz I and 1,5 hours in Auschwitz II Birkenau. You may also consider visiting Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mine or Auschwitz Birkenau and Schindler’s Factory in one day to save your precious holiday time. After the tour, we will drop you off at your hotel in Krakow. The tour can be extended upon request for an additional charge.

Our special bonus for this Auschwitz Tour

If you decide to book our Auschwitz Tour, we have got something extra for you. Each day at 19:00, we organise an Evening Walking Tour , which you can join completely for free. It starts at the Jan Matejko Square under the “Grunwald Monument”. You will meet our professional city guide there, who will show you the best of Krakow Old Town. You will walk down the Royal Route and finish under Wawel Castle near the Dragon Monument. It takes about 1 hour. You can participate in this tour on any day of your visit in Krakow.

Shared tours to Auschwitz

Our Shared Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Krakow takes approximately 7 hours. We offer door-to-door pickup from any central Kraków accommodation and a meeting point option is also available. We provide a Modern Mercedes Benz vehicle and a friendly English-speaking tour leader . We will schedule the pickup time according to the requested hour, as we aim to optimise the minibus route through the city to ensure maximum comfort for you. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes each way. The Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour with a professional English-speaking guide or other language of your choice takes about 3.5 hours —approximately 2 hours in Auschwitz I and 1,5 hours in Auschwitz II Birkenau. You may also consider visiting Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mine or Auschwitz Birkenau and Schindler’s Factory in one day to get the most out of your city break in Krakow. After the tour, we will drop you off in Krakow city centre.

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Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour

The former concentration camp in Auschwitz Memorial and Museum is one of the most popular attractions for day trips from Krakow. Tourists from all over the world visit Auschwitz in Poland to pay tribute to everyone who died there. The Museum, located in Oświęcim, preserves the memory of every person sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau and reminds us about the dreadful times of World War II and the Holocaust. It represents extremely important history and should be visited by every adult. Even though the tours to Auschwitz can be emotional and difficult, it is a must during your stay in Krakow.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Poland

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is a museum on the site of former concentration and extermination camp in Oświęcim. It consists of two parts – Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau . Both were developed and ran by Nazi during its occupation of Poland during World War II. The museum was created in April 1946 by Tadeusz Wąsowicz and other former Auschwitz-Birkenau prisoners, acting under the direction of Poland’s Ministry of Culture and Art.

The first exhibition in the barracks opened in 1947 . It presented the history of extermination and the conditions in which the prisoners lived. A new exhibition was opened in 1955. With some changes, it is still in use today. After 1960, some of the camp blocks contained the so-called “ national exhibitions ,” created at the initiative of former prisoners of the largest holocaust concentration camp from various countries who are associated in the International Auschwitz Committee. In 1979, the Museum built on the grounds of former concentration camp of Auschwitz became a World Heritage Site. Today, it is visited by around 2 million people from all over the world every year.

Learn About The History of Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Before the tour begins, it’s very important to read about the Museum and learn more about the history of Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany  in occupied Poland during World War II. At first, it was supposed to be a prison for political criminals from Poland, but soon it turned out that people sent to Auschwitz were mostly civilians of Jewish, Polish and Roma ethnicities.

Construction of the Camp

Construction of the camp began in 1940 , when Auschwitz – the main camp and the administrative quarter of the complex – was built. The first mass transport – of 728 Polish male political prisoners, including Catholic priests and Jews – arrived on 14 June 1940 from Tarnów, Poland. Upon arriving, the prisoners were being registered, given a serial number, tattooed, shaved, disinfected, and given a striped prison uniform. Then they were subjected to excruciating labor and life in horrible conditions .

KL Auschwitz Expansion

In 1941 , it was decided that the KL Auschwitz I needs to be expanded. The same year prisoners of Auschwitz began construction work of Birkenau – additional camp in the town of Brzezinka , about 3 km from Oswiecim. Birkenau consisted consisted mostly of wooden barracks , which were very dangerous to live in, as they didn’t provide much protection from weather conditions (such as intense cold or rain).

That’s why a lot of the prisoners living in Birkenau died out of hypothermia , starvation or exhaustion . It is said that Birkenau held the biggest part of the mass murder apparatus and the majority of prisoners were murdered there.

Life in Auschwitz

Due to many reports of former inmates, we now have a rather broad knowledge about how the life in Auschwitz-Birkenau looked like. We know that the prisoners were divided into categories , based on their nationality , ethnicity , and even sexual orientation or health issues . Each day they woke up at very early hours, used and washed latrines, had a very calories-deficient breakfast and gathered to be counted. No matter the weather, they had to wait for the SS to arrive for the count; how long they stood there depended on the officers’ mood, and whether there had been escapes or other events attracting punishment.

They were often counted and re-counted, after which they walked to their place of work with a cheerful melody of Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz in the background. They were supervised by the kapos and an SS escort. Much of the work took place outdoors at construction sites, gravel pits, and lumber yards. No rest periods were allowed. In the evening the prisoners were counted again – if someone was missing, the others had to remain on site until they were found.

The prisoners were tortured, ridiculed, and humiliated for no reason whatsoever. Even the most benign of misconduct could earn them beating, punishment in Block 11 or even death. They were also living in constant fear of crematoria , which consisted of a dressing room, gas chamber, and a furnace room . The first gassings at Auschwitz took place in early September 1941, when around 850 inmates – Soviet prisoners of war and sick Polish inmates—were killed with Zyklon B in the basement of Auschwitz I. In the years to follow, the use of crematoria became even more prevalent, with new gas chambers being constructed and many prisoners sent there without ever stepping foot inside the barracks or other living complexes of Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

The Aftermath of Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp

Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau is known as the biggest Nazi German concentration camp . It’s one of the best-recognized symbols of Holocaust and World War II genocide. Its prisoners were living in terrible sanitary conditions and forced to endure unbelievably hard labor. They were often beaten, humiliated, and treated with no respect for human rights whatsoever. Many died out of exhaustion, starvation, or by suicide. Others were murdered in gas chambers or during medical experiments . The exact number of Auschwitz-Birkenau victims is not known. The historians argue it must have been between 1 to even 3 million people from all over the world (mostly Jews, Ethnic Poles, and Roma).

Visit to Auschwitz – What Can You Expect?

All tours provided by Krakow Direct are with an authorized Auschwitz-Birkenau Guide. You begin your tour with a short introduction about the camp history and the most important rules in force at the museum grounds. A visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau is never an easy experience. The former largest Nazi concentration camp holds many artifacts and displays showing the realities of prisoners’ every-day lives. Among the camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau holdings are personal belongings of the prisoners, such as thousands of pairs of shoes, 3,800 luggage, over 12,000 kitchen utensils, 470 prostheses and orthoses, 397 striped camp clothing, many works of art, and even clumps of hair.

Auschwitz Tour from Krakow

During the Auschwitz tour with KrakowDirect you will visit Auschwitz I Camp and Auschwitz II-Birkenau – two main Nazi concentration camp sites. The whole complex covers an area of nearly 200 ha , and most of the tour of Auschwitz is outdoor. The tour includes seeing grounds of both former camps, as it is crucial to fully comprehend the atrocities that took place there. The first important object you’ll see is the infamous inscription on the entrance gate to the concentration camp, which says “ Arbeit macht frei ” (Work makes you free). This ironic slogan, created by Nazis, begins the Auschwitz Birkenau memorial tour.

In the Auschwitz site, you’ll also see prisoners’ barracks, places of work, and original blocks where they were received punishment. You’ll see railroad tracks that often transported people straight to gas chambers and crematoria used for mass extermination. At the end of the war, the Nazi Germans tried to destroy them by blasting, which is why all that’s left from them are rows of chimneys covering a large surface of the concentration camp.

Auschwitz tours with transfers from Krakow are extremely popular, but keep in mind that they are not a tourist attraction. In fact, they are an opportunity to learn a live history lesson in a place of deep reverence. Visitors need to take under consideration that while many visit Auschwitz for purely historical reasons, some people go there to see the place that took the lives of their relatives, since approximately one in six Jews who died in the Holocaust, died in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Auschwitz tour with KrakowDirect guarantees high-quality service and a hundred per cent satisfaction. We are an experienced company that enjoys recognition as the best in Krakow. We organise daily private and shared Auschwitz tours as well as round-trip transport from Krakow that includes hotel pickup, comfortable vehicles and local guides.

Private Auschwitz tours from Krakow

Due to its facilities, p rivate tours from Krakow to Auschwitz are getting more and more popular. If you wish to visit Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum in a private car and a driver at your disposal, choose our private Auschwitz tour. Our English-speaking driver will pick you up directly from your hotel in Krakow. You can also choose whether you want to visit Auschwitz on your own, with a private guide, or join one of the guided tours in the museum. You should book private guided tours in any available language in advance with us. Walking the camps on your own is possible only between November and March. A guided tour in Auschwitz takes up to 2 hours.

Then visitors proceed to Birkenau, located about 3 km further. This distance will be covered with our car. Between the camps, you may have a quick break. After your Auschwitz tour finishes, our driver will take you back to Krakow and drop you off at your hotel or anywhere in the city centre. If you wish, you can also extend the Auschwitz trip with Schindlers Factory tour. It will save your time and money. What is more, Oskar Schindler’s story is the perfect complement to the thrilling history of the Holocaust.

Shared Auschwitz Tours from Krakow

Our shared Auschwitz tours from the capital of Lesser Poland include door-to-door pickup in Krakow and drop-off, but we also organise stops in each hotel our clients are staying within the city centre. If your accommodation is located in further districts of the city, we can arrange transport from Krakow at the closest pickup point for additional payment. We provide six- or eight-seater cars or minibuses, modern Mercedes vehicles. There are usually up to 20 people on our Auschwitz tours and around 30 on guided tours in the museum. On a way to Auschwitz, we provide a 45-minute documentary film titled „ The liberation of Auschwitz ” screened in our minibus.

Upon arrival at Auschwitz, you will join a tour with an authorized official Auschwitz-Birkenau guide. You can choose whether they will speak English or any another language selected by you. If you choose the group option, upon entering the Museum you’ll receive headphones to hear the guide correctly. Additionally, in the high season, shared guided tours in Spanish, Italian, German and French are available. During our shared tour, you will visit Auschwitz and Birkenau, located within around 3 km distance. The tourists usually spend around 1.5-2 hours at Auschwitz and 1 to 1.5 hours at Birkenau. Duration of the tour is normally about 3 hours. Krakow Direct provides bus transfer between the two camps.

Our driver will be waiting for you after the first part, KL Auschwitz. The ride will take only a few minutes. If time permits, you will have a 15-20 minutes break between the two camps. During the return to Krakow, either group or private, we do not recommend any breaks on your way back, but we can arrange a short stop upon request. We can also provide lunch boxes paid additionally.

Visiting Auschwitz – useful information

If you want to book your Auschwitz trip, please bear in mind that visitors are required to behave appropriately and respectfully. There are also some restrictions regarding entering the sites of Auschwitz and Birkenau. You are generally allowed to take pictures, but only for private use. You can take photos of visited places, except for 2 spots. The maximum size of your carry-on can’t exceed the following dimensions: 30 x 20 x 10 cm. You can leave your larger luggage in the minibus. Food is not allowed while visiting, but you can eat during 15 min break, as it’s a full-day trip.

If you visit Auschwitz with little children, some areas will not be accessible with baby pushchairs. Also, we do not recommend visiting with children under 13 years old due to dreadful character of the place and some of the exhibitions. People with mobility problems should not experience any major difficulties during the Auschwitz tour. Please note that there are mostly dirt tracks in the camps. Also, some spaces (for example, blocks in Auschwitz I) are not accessible for wheelchairs. Museum in Auschwitz can also provide substitute wheelchairs for visitors with mobility problems. If you want to hire a wheelchair, please let us know in advance. Our customer service will help you to arrange it upon your request prior to the tour.

The opening hours of the Museum vary depending on the month. In December the box office is open till 2:00 pm and in June till 7:00 pm. For more info, check the museum’s official website or just ask Us.

Full-day Tour with KrakowDirect

Krakow Direct is a company located in the center of Krakow that provides transportation and guided tours to the Auschwitz-Birkenau. For our Auschwitz tours, we provide modern, comfortable Mercedes Benz vehicles and English-speaking drivers at your disposal throughout the day. We offer door-to-door pickup and drop-off in the city centre. Auschwitz tours from Krakow take approximately 7 hours. One-way drive to Auschwitz from Krakow lasts about 1.5 hours. For our group Auschwitz tours, we suggest pick-up time at 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. or in the afternoon. The itinerary of private tours to Auschwitz is more flexible, and upon request, we can shorten or extend your tour.

There are two payment methods available. You can buy tickets online while booking our Auschwitz tour from Krakow or pay in cash to the driver on the day of your tour. We prefer payment in Polish zlotys. We also accept Euros, Pounds and U. S. Dollars in amount according to the current exchange rate. Our driver will give you the change in Polish zlotys. If you want to visit Auschwitz with little children, we can arrange booster seats or child seats, but please inform us about this need in advance.

For the comfort of tourists travelling with children of less than 2 years old, we recommend private Auschwitz tours from Krakow . This way, it will be easier to arrange as many stops or breaks as needed. Auschwitz tour with KrakowDirect is the best and most comfortable way to visit Auschwitz.

Our company has years of experience and provide always top quality service. It can be also arranged to combine it with a trip to the Wieliczka Salt mine – one of the oldest working salt mines in Europe or Schindlers Factory . It’s a great way to visit not only Krakow and Auschwitz, but also the most valuable sites surrounding this beautiful city. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and book one of our Auschwitz tours from Krakow!

Visit the former nazi concentration camp at the best price and learn about its terrifying, but incredibly important history from your guide.

Do I need to book my Auschwitz ticket in advance?

Is there a guide in the auschwitz museum, where does the auschwitz tour start, is it safe to visit auschwitz during the covid-19 pandemic.

Select the type of the visit

Due to conservation reasons, some grounds of the Museum may be closed to visitors.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The only official website with entry cards to visit the Auschwitz Museum is visit.auschwitz.org. The Museum is not responsible for bookings made on any other sites

In order to enter the Auschwitz Memorial all visitors, also those coming in organized groups, must have their personalized entry pass and ID with them. All guided tours start at former camp Auschwitz I.

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

Online guided tours for individual visitors

Individual visitors can visit the Auschwitz Memorial with a guide online thanks to the "Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes" platform.

Groups are organized in three language versions, and the visits starts at a predetermined time.

Entry cards are available at visit.auschwitz.org  at "online individual visit" section. 

The online tour lasts about two hours and is divided into two parts – in Auschwitz I and Birkenau. The guide's narration is conducted live. Additionally, the educator will also use multimedia materials, archival photographs, artistic works, documents, and testimonies of Survivors. Thanks to the application, interaction with the guide and asking questions is also possible.

Online tours hours (time in Poland):

• English: 12:30 daily • German: 12:15 pm Saturday/Sunday • Polish: 12:00 pm Saturday/Sunday

• Polish: 13:00 Saturday/Sunday • German: 13:15 Saturday/Sunday • English: 13:30 daily

• English: 14:30 daily • German: 14:15 Saturday/Sunday • Polish: 14:00 Saturday/Sunday

APRIL - SEPTEMBER

• English: 8:30; 14:30; 17:00 daily • German: 14:15 Saturday/Sunday • Polish: 14:00 Saturday/Sunday

• English: 13:30 daily • German: 13:15 Saturday/Sunday • Polish: 13:00 Saturday/Sunday

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

• English: 12:30 daily • German: 12:15 Saturday/Sunday • Polish: 12:00 Saturday/Sunday

More information about the "Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes" platform .

• via @auschwitzmuseum" aria-label="Udostępnij na Twitter">

Images from www.auschwitz.org may be used only in publications relating to the history of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau or the activities of the Auschwitz Memorial. Their use must not tarnish the good reputation of the victims of KL Auschwitz. Any interference in the integrity of the images – including cropping or graphic processing – is prohibited. The use of the images for commercial purposes requires the Museum’s approval and information about the publication. Publishers undertake to indicate the authors and origin of the images: www.auschwitz.org, as well as to inform the Museum of the use of the images ([email protected]).

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour

• Professional guide
• Entry/Admission - Oswiecim
• Guaranteed to skip the lines
• Food and drinks
• Near public transportation
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• The exact starting time will be confirmed 1-2 days earlier
• Maximum luggage/bag/purse/backpack size is 30x20x10cm (A4 sheet size)
• Due to the character of this place it is expected to dress in a modest way.
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• brookek500 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Auschwitz Trip We were very impressed with this company,we were kept up to date with lots of information regarding our upcoming trip to Auschwitz guiding us every step of the way, transport to and from Auschwitz was on time and very comfortable our guide was excellent and very professional and knowledgeable,I would highly recommend this company to anyone thinking of booking a tour wherever that maybe, a tour to Auschwitz is a must for anyone visiting Poland the Holocaust has to be one of the darkest chapters in our history and should never be forgotten. Read more Written April 23, 2024
• lucvC961CC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 10/10 for our driver Maciek the excursion was great! As agreed, we were picked up on time at our hotel by our driver Maciek, he was helpful and very friendly. highly recommended ! Read more Written April 23, 2024
• Petra H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well organised tour! Well organised tour, great communication both by tour operator and the driver, Maciek. Both provided updates re pick up times etc. Maciek was a safe driver & very friendly. Guide spoke excellent English Read more Written April 22, 2024
• 84siobhanw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend The view was amazing! Watching the sunset outside in a warm pool with a drink in hand what more could you ask for. So many different size pools/jacuzzis. Such a relaxing experience. Our driver Matt was brill. Full of knowledge and so helpful upon arrival. Wasnt late picking with picking us up and kindly dropped us back directly to our hotel. The best part was you didn’t need any money with you as it was all done via your wrist band! Read more Written April 22, 2024
• U6950TWmonicag 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Good experience The visit is very beautiful, a little cold in Auschwitz (1/3* day with snow) but the salt cave is really beautiful and the guide is very fun. Hubert the driver who accompanied us throughout the visit and was really very friendly and helpful, rating 10. Read more Written April 21, 2024
• claireh631 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Trip Got a text message the day before confirming our pick up time. Which was 09:00hrs. On arrival at the salt mines the driver walked us to the entrance and explained what we had to do. The guides don’t wear headsets so make sure you listen or stay close to the guide, this didn’t cause us any issues and we was in a group size of approximately 35 ppl, we heard our guide very clearly and well spoken English (Veronica). Entering the mine you go down approx 300 plus steps (totalling to 800 steps by the end of the trip) approximately 130m underground. Very interesting excursion, Veronica was very knowledgeable. Take food and drink with you as you have about a 10 minute break, there is somewhere to buy food but just bear in the mind the prices as it’s an excursion. There’s also toilets situated where you take your break. To exit the mine you are put into a small miners lift, it takes you quickly to the top. There was 8 average size adults in our lift, which was very snug, however it was great fun and we was all laughing about it. Overall great excursion and would definitely recommend visiting and using this tour company. Booked it via trip advisor with no issues. Our driver dropped us off at schindlers factory. Read more Written April 21, 2024
• X8120MHrogers 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Snowy Adventures What a great trip, just happened to be snowing today and just made the experience amazing, a snowy sky rail ride with a tree top walk and a play in the snow in Slovakia and a visit to beautiful Zakopane. Our driver and guide Michael did amazing and brought us to some great locations and places to drink and eat and really made our experience personalised warm and friendly. Hope to do it all again and more some day soon. Thank you. Read more Written April 21, 2024
• maxcW8687UY 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Trip! Michal was our fabulous tour guide for this trip. Amazing time at the treetop walk and thermal baths. Highly recommend booking this! Read more Written April 21, 2024
• 111angien 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Zakopane and Slovakia Tree Top Walk Michal was excellent tour guide took us to treetop walk amd zacopane Went out of his way to be informative. Would recommend his tours Read more Written April 21, 2024
• M8727DTalexs 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 10/10 Was amazing. Can highly recommend. Our guide Maciek was lovely and extremely helpful can’t fault him at all! The baths were amazing the facilities were very clean. The adult only section was our favourite it was very quiet. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• M3537OBdanielf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Worth doing Michal was a very good guide, very good music and a smooth drive and great atmosphere. Will be recommending it to friends and family to do whenever in Krakow Read more Written April 19, 2024
• isaacmU7494VW 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Michal bes your guide Michal was the best tour guide you can get. He is the best guide you can get. Thermal bath was good Michael was better. Would recommend Read more Written April 19, 2024
• aimeecX5807RM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Matt our driver was A1 ++ Our driver for the transfer to the salt mines was exceptional. His name is Matt and he was very friendly and chatty. He had tremendous knowledge of the area and its rich history. He gave us multiple recommendations of where to visit next, including food and drink locations which he thoughtfully saved the locations for on my maps using my phone for to easily navigate it when needed during my holiday to krakow. The tour of the salt mines was beautiful and very well run. Based off of our great experience with this tour and our amazing driver Matt I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone. Read more Written April 19, 2024
• jenniferpD6905PC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best experience with Lagendary Krakow Thank you Legendary Krakow for the best experience. From literally the first minute we set foot outside our apartment in the Old Town we were taken care of. Our guide Piotrek was awesome !!!!……he made sure we are always on time, he made sure we were always informed and ready for the tours. Very much recommend Legendary Krakow!!!! Read more Written April 18, 2024
• 821lesleyw 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Do not use this company! Do not book with this company. Our trip was cancelled at 4pm the previous day. Recommend arranging transport locally and buying tickets at the venue (you may have to wait for a slot but well worth it). The actual visit was very well conducted. A moving and humbling experience, but very worthwhile. Read more Written April 18, 2024

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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.

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:

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Auschwitz Package

Description

Save your money and time with the Auschwitz Package designed for those who want to see one of the most visited places in Poland with a comfortable two-way transportation, airport transfers, and a recommended minimum 2-night stay in a verified top-rated hotel at one low price.

You will be safely transported from and to the airport in a comfortable and modern car. Our seasoned expert guides will show you around Auschwitz Death Camp visited by over 2 mln people yearly. You won’t have to worry about the transportation to Auschwitz and back as it’s already included in the price. Additionally, Comfort Tour Option ensures extra 15 minutes of free time after the tour and a pickup from one of the central meeting points close to your hotel. Our package wouldn’t be complete without a choice of our carefully selected and personally verified hotels where you can unwind and regain your strength after the tour.

Press BUILD THIS PACKAGE to choose the hotel and dates that suit you best, click Add to Basket, and enjoy!

Attractions included

Auschwitz Tour from Krakow

Nothing can prepare you for the influx of emotions that will run through your heart as you explore the camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau - the only death camp on the UNESCO World Heritage List where pure evil resided for 5 long years. Each exhibition in the museum adds another sting in your heart and makes you realise what atrocities humans are capable of in their thirst for power.

To help you understand what really happened in the most recognizable place of the Holocaust in the early 1940s, we created the tour that will allow you to see the barracks, crematoria, and gas chambers which Nazis used for the mass extermination of women, men, children, and elderly who weren’t able to do hard labour after an exhausting journey in cattle wagons. We won’t miss the exhibitions with personal belongings, objects of everyday use, and pictures of individual prisoners. Since the war ended and the museum was opened for the public, millions of people have come here to pay tribute and shed tears over the innocents who perished in Auschwitz and Birkenau. All of us, without exception, should brace up and pay a visit to this sobering place for the sake of future generations to make sure no one forgets what hatred and totalitarian regime result in.

Transfers included

Krakow Balice Airport to Krakow City (Shared)

• Pick up and drop off at your hotel

ON ARRIVAL: Our driver will be waiting for you at the arrival gate, holding a signboard with your name.

FLIGHT DELAY: You shouldn't worry about flight delays. Provide us with correct details and we will keep track of your flight status adjusting the pick up accordingly.

ABOUT TRANSFER: This will be tranfer from Krakow Balice Airport John Paul II to any given address within Krakow city borders. The transfer to the centre of Krakow will take approximately 30 minutes.

ABOUT AIRPORT: Balice Airport (KRK) is the main Krakow airport located about 10 miles away from the city. Most flights to Krakow arrive at this Airport.

Krakow City (Shared) to Krakow Balice Airport

Hotels included

Kazimierz Hotel

Accomodation

Hotel offers accommodation in 8 single rooms, 25 double rooms and 2 triple ones.

Cancellation Policy

Changes made 96 hours or more before your arrival date are subject to NO penalty. Cancellations made 96 hours or more before your arrival date are subject to NO penalty. Cancellations or changes made 96 hours or less before your arrival date are subject to a 1 Night Room penalty.

The Hotel has got own guarded parking, 5 min away by walk. the cost is: 40pln (about £9) per day

Our Customers

Greg, aberdeen.

Used Escape2Poland for hotel, transfer and trip. Can't fault them, punctual, polite and professional. Drivers very knowledgeable. Trip ran like clockwork, no problems at all, would definitely recommend.

Miriam, Glasgow

Escape2poland provided exactly what they promised. Would recommend.

Brad, Warrington

hotel was ok for our needs, tour was well organised, swift airport transfers with professional drivers - I recommend

Charlie, Paisley

Perfect organisation, hotel very nice and located close to the old town pefectly timed pick up from the airport. Cannot fault anything

Jessica, Dublin

The hotel was in a great location. We were also close enough to the main square to walk to. Transport for the tour went smoothly, guide had great knowledge of Auschwitz history., couldn't be better.

Victoria, Edinburgh

We were satisfied, the driver was a few minutes late but we contacted emergency number and they provided information. Everything else went smooth.

Jonathan, Leeds

Headphones were a great idea, silvia our guide was fantastic and didnt mind answering any questions we had, dvd on the transfer bus was interesting. The Metropolitan Hotel was in an amazing location we could walk to almost everything. The staff was the best I have ever seen very helpful and nice. Over all I loved the hotel and staff and would stay there again. Very punctual, having the transfers included made our first city break very easy and enjoyable.

Claire, Liverpool

The tour run smoothly and the pick up was on time. The hotel was very clean and the location was excellent. We left very early in the morning to go back to the airport and they provided us with a packed breakfast.There was some noise from the road outside, but this was not really a problem.

Andreas, Manningtree

If you want to see Auschwitz & Birkenau, this is the company to use! Drivers - always on time, friendly & helpful. Apart from the tours the company also offers competitive airport transfers and comfortable, modern hotels. They totally take the stress out of visiting a foreign country, it was thoroughly enjoyable and I thank them for it! I highly recommend Escape2Poland!

Pat, Sheffield

We booked the Auschwitz trip, airport transfer and hotel through escape to Poland. Will book through them again! The Hotel we stayed in is fantastic value for money! All the staff were friendly and so helpful. Loved Krakow and will definitely go back and stay at the same hotel.

Karen, London

We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our trip! The hotel was amazing. The staff were friendly and helpful and the rooms were clean and comfortable. The trips to Auschwitz/Birkenau was well organised and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. Although obviously a sad visit I think everyone should witness the camps and it should never be forgotten. Thank you very much to Escape2poland for a memorable trip.

Before you visit

Are flights included in the cost of the package.

No, Escape2Poland does not include airfare. Flights must be purchased separately. If you need our advice on the best flight options, please contact us.

Is two-way airport transfer included in the package?

Yes, the driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall carrying a placard with your name on it. At the end of your stay, our driver will be waiting for you at your accommodation door at the pre-arranged time ready to transport you to the Krakow airport.

Are the airport transfers only private or shared?

The airport transfers included in the package are shared. If there isn’t anyone else travelling on the same flight, you will be the only one we pick up.

What happens if my flight is delayed?

Please call or text us on the emergency number (+48 535 64 54 54) as soon as possible.

When will I receive my vouchers with the information about the tour(s)?

Tour vouchers with all details will be emailed to you 3 days before your tour date.

How long does the tour last?

The journey from Warsaw to Oświęcim, Auschwitz Museum takes approx. 4,5 - 5 h each way however the tour with a guide lasts around 3,5 hours and includes Auschwitz I & Birkenau. In total the entire trip is up to 12 - 13 h.

Can I book more tours closer to my arrival?

Yes, you may book more tours by making a separate booking any time before your arrival. Ideally you should book at least 7 days before your arrival so there is enough time to make the arrangements without hassle.

Can I get an upgrade of my hotel room?

Yes, room upgrades are available at most of our hotels for an additional fee.

Do I need airport transfer vouchers?

No, the driver may ask you for your reference number and this will do.

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

The standard tour includes one meeting point is in front of the Radisson Blu Sobieski. We do always try to provide direct pickup service from your hotel in case of Premium & Private option. In case of any traffic restrictions near your accommodation, we will inform you and assigned the closest meeting point.

What time does the Auschwitz Tour start and end?

We organize the Auschwitz Tour daily in the mornings and afternoons depending on availability. The tour start time may vary. Its length remains the same and it is around 7h including transfer time.

Is there any lunch break during the tour?

Yes! There is a break between Auschwitz I visit and Birkenau when we give you about 10 - 15 min to yourself

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