Posted by Many tourists who spend a few days in Krakow decide to take a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The former concentration and extermination camp is located about 70 kilometers west of Krakow. By car or bus, the journey takes a little more than one hour. For many visitors, this excursion is not a “normal sightseeing tour”, but a place of remembrance and reflection.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is today one of the most important memorial sites in Europe. The visit is emotionally demanding, but it provides a deeper understanding of the history of the Second World War and the Holocaust.
Important: We recommend booking guided tours and bus tours to Auschwitz Concentration Camp safely and cheaply on the well-known website Getyourguide
Guided tours Auschwitz
Guided tours are available at Auschwitz in many languages, including English and German. Due to the high number of visitors, especially in spring and summer, it is usually very difficult to book a guided tour on the same day.
The memorial works with fixed time slots and limited group sizes. During peak season, tickets are often sold out several days in advance. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to book online before your visit.
You can also book guided tours with pre-reserved entry times (often referred to as skip-the-line or fast-track tickets). This helps avoid long waiting times at the entrance. The easiest and safest way to book is via the website Getyourguide
.
A guided tour is highly recommended. Without a guide, the visit can feel overwhelming and difficult to understand in its historical context. Professional guides explain the history of the camp system, the deportations, daily life in the camp and the crimes committed there.
Bus tours to Auschwitz
Many people stay in Krakow for only a short time. Organized bus tours from Krakow to Auschwitz are therefore very popular. These tours usually depart in the morning and return in the afternoon.
Many providers offer hotel pickup in Krakow. The bus takes visitors directly to the Auschwitz Memorial and back. The advantage of a bus tour is convenience: transport, entry time reservation and guided tour are organized in advance.
When booking, make sure that the tour includes a guided visit in a language you understand well. Some tours also combine Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau in one program. There are also tours that include lunch or additional stops.
Besides Krakow, bus tours to Auschwitz are also available from other Polish cities such as Warsaw and Wroclaw. However, from Krakow the journey is shortest and most practical.
>>> Offers day tours to Auschwitz
Info concentration camp Auschwitz for visitors
The name “Auschwitz” refers to a complex of several camps. Visitors usually see Auschwitz I (the main camp) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Birkenau, with its large railway ramp and extensive barracks, is the largest part of the complex.
More than 1.1 million people were murdered in Auschwitz, the majority of them Jews. Others included Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet prisoners of war and people persecuted for political or other reasons.
The camp was liberated by the Soviet Army on 27 January 1945. Today, 27 January is internationally recognized as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
After the war, the site was preserved as a memorial and museum. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Today, well over one million people visit Auschwitz-Birkenau each year. Around half of the visitors are from abroad.
There is no general entrance fee to access the memorial grounds. However, due to visitor management and educational reasons, time-slot reservations are required during most of the day. Booking a guided tour is highly recommended.
During the visit, you see original barracks, guard towers and fences. Particularly moving are the exhibitions inside the former camp buildings, where personal belongings of victims are displayed: shoes, suitcases, glasses and other everyday objects.
In Birkenau, visitors walk along the railway tracks that brought deported people directly into the camp. The remains of gas chambers and crematoria can also be seen. These ruins are among the most powerful and disturbing reminders of the crimes committed here.
The visit is emotionally challenging. It is important to behave respectfully. Eating, loud conversations and inappropriate photography are not appropriate in this place of remembrance.
Important: We recommend booking guided tours and bus tours to Auschwitz Concentration Camp safely and cheaply on the well-known website Getyourguide.
Opening hours Auschwitz Concentration Camp
The memorial is open daily throughout the year, with longer opening hours in summer than in winter.
Opening hours (status 2025):
June, July, August: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
April, May, September: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
March, October: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
February: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January, November: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
December: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The memorial is open every day of the week. It is closed only on January 1st, December 25th and Easter Sunday.
Duration of visit: Most visitors stay at least 3 hours. Guided tours typically last 3 to 3.5 hours, including transfer between Auschwitz I and Birkenau.
There are restrooms, a café and a small restaurant at the visitor center. Luggage storage is available, but large bags are not permitted inside the exhibition buildings. Security checks similar to those at airports are carried out.
There are large paid parking lots for cars and buses. If you come independently, allow extra time for parking and security procedures.
Due to the disturbing content and the emotional impact, the memorial is generally not recommended for children under 14. Some bus tour providers do not accept children under 12. Parents should carefully consider whether a visit is appropriate for younger children.