Your guide for how to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau
A visit to Auschwitz is a profound and sombre experience. It provides a stark reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust. The impact this place has on you the second you arrive is intense and immediate. A visit to Auschwitz is an act of remembrance and education, which is crucial for ensuring the horrors of the past are never forgotten. This guide will cover everything you need to know for how to visit Auschwitz, opening hours and tickets, plus how to travel from Krakow to Auschwitz.
History of Auschwitz-Birkenau
Auschwitz, located in Oświęcim, Poland, was established in May 1940 by the Nazi regime as a concentration camp. Initially, it was intended for political prisoners and other perceived enemies of the state. The name, Auschwitz, is derived from the “Germanisation” of the town’s Polish name, Oświęcim.
As World War II progressed, the Nazis implemented the “Final Solution”, which was their plan to systematically exterminate the Jewish population of Europe. The original methods of mass murder, such as shootings were deemed inefficient and “psychologically taxing”. A more systematic and industrialised method was required. The scale and purpose of Auschwitz therefore dramatically changed. In 1941, the Nazis began expanding the camp with the construction of Auschwitz II-Birkenau. This was a much larger facility, designed to function as an extermination camp.
The Holocaust
From 1942, Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the epicentre of the Nazi genocide. It was equipped with gas chambers and crematoria, where hundreds of thousands of Jews, along with Romani people, Soviet prisoners of war, and other targeted groups, were systematically murdered. In addition to being a death camp, Auschwitz was also a forced labour camp. Prisoners were subjected to brutal conditions, starvation, disease, and inhumane treatment. It is estimated that over 1 million people died at Auschwitz.
Liberation to modern day
Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945. The liberation revealed the full extent of the atrocities committed, and the site was subsequently preserved as a memorial and museum in 1947. Today the site is dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims. It stands as a place of reflection, remembrance, and education for all. We travelled from Krakow to Auschwitz, and it was one of the most sobering and profound experiences we’ve ever had.
Auschwitz Opening Hours & How to Get Tickets
To visit Auschwitz, the museum is open year-round, seven days a week, including Bank Holidays, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday. Throughout the year opening hours vary by season:
January: 7:30am – 3:00pm
February: 7:30am – 4:00pm
March: 7:30am – 5:00pm
April & May: 7:30am – 6:00pm
June – August: 7:30am – 7:00pm
September: 7:30am – 6:00pm
October: 7:30am – 5:00pm
November: 7:30am – 3:00pm
December: 7:30am – 2:00pm
Once onsite, you can stay here 90 minutes after closing. For up to date details of opening hours, visit the museum’s official website.
Tickets & Tours
Self-guided
Admission to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is free, but guided tours require a ticket. You can take yourself around the museum at your own pace, reading the various information points. How long you spend here is really down to your level of interest. However, the museum itself recommends at least 3.5 hours.
However, entrance to the museum is only possible with a pre-paid entry pass. Reservations can be made here. The number of passes available per timeslot is limited. It’s strongly recommended you purchases your passes online in advance, as the museum cannot guarantee the availability of passes on arrival.
Tour guides
To really get the most from your visit to Auschwitz though, we really recommend booking a guided tour. This will give you a much more comprehensive visit and you’ll learn so much more about the museum and its history compared to visiting alone. The museum offer guided tours, in all languages, throughout the day. Tours last about 3.5h and can be booked online.
However you choose to visit, it is advised you arrive about 30 minutes before your booked timeslot.
What to expect during your visit
Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) are located approximately 3 km apart. Admission to the museum includes access to both camps. A free shuttle bus is available for transportation between them, or the distance can be covered on foot in about 30 to 40 minutes.
Auschwitz I
Auschwitz II (Birkenau)
At Auschwitz II (Birkenau), the remnants of the railway tracks that once transported prisoners directly into the camp are still visible. These tracks are a stark reminder of the cramped cattle trucks that carried people from across Europe. Some prisoners tragically died from suffocation en-route. Upon arrival, prisoners were immediately sorted into groups: those deemed fit enough to work and those sent directly to the gas chambers. The main crematoria and gas chambers, now in ruins, remain as haunting symbols of the atrocities committed. Despite the Nazis’ efforts to destroy these facilities to conceal their crimes, the ruins provide a chilling insight into what occurred. Several blocks at Birkenau are open to the public, offering a glimpse into the abysmal conditions prisoners were forced to endure.
Krakow to Auschwitz travel information
Visitors are most likely to be travelling from Krakow, as the museum’s closest major city. Krakow to Auschwitz covers a distance of about 66km (41 miles).
Krakow to Auschwitz by bus:
Buses run frequently from Krakow’s main bus station. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Bus schedules can vary, so check the current times before your trip. Tickets can be purchased at the station or online.
Travel by train:
Trains depart from Krakow Główny to Oświęcim, taking about 1.5 hours. Once you arrive in Oświęcim, the Auschwitz site is a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride away.
Krakow to Auschwitz by car:
Renting a car is perhaps a more convenient option. The drive from Krakow to Auschwitz takes about 1.5 hours via the A4 motorway. Parking is available near the museum. Alternatively you can also pay for a driver to take you to the site. Although travelling by car may be more costly than public transport, it does offer a more direct route and add more flexibility to your day.
Tips for your visit
Security: Visitors are advised that any bags brought to the site must be smaller than 30 x 20 x 10 cm. While lockers are available for a small fee, these can fill up quickly during busy times, so it is recommended to only bring essential items. All bags will be checked upon arrival, and those exceeding the specified dimensions will not be permitted inside. Additionally, visitors will need to pass through a metal detector and may be asked to present identification.
Food and Drink: A small café is located near the entrance; however, there are no dining facilities within the site.
Restrooms: Restroom facilities are available both at the entrance and near the main buildings.
What to wear: Dress appropriately and respectfully. Comfortable walking shoes are necessary, as the site is extensive and paths may be uneven. Visitors should also consider bringing layers, as the wind can be strong in open areas, making it chilly even in summer. During winter, warm clothing and rain protection, such as an umbrella or raincoat, are advised, as much of the visit takes place outdoors.
Photography: Photography is allowed in most areas, although the use of flash, tripods, and drones is prohibited. Due to the solemn nature of the site, visitors are asked to be considerate and avoid taking pictures in areas where it may be seen as disrespectful.
Books and souvenirs: A bookstore near the museum entrance offers a selection of educational materials and souvenirs. Purchases made here contribute to the preservation efforts of the museum.
Get in touch
Visiting Auschwitz can be emotionally overwhelming. The experience and stories can be harrowing, but underscores the importance of memorialising the individuals who lost their lives here. A visit to Auschwitz is a privilege for us to experience, to remember and to learn. Hopefully this guide has been useful and helped you prepare for what to expect during your visit.
If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below. We’d love to help or hear from you.
For other places to visit in, or from Krakow, you can view our other posts here.
