Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip
A solemn and essential visit — practical guide to planning a respectful trip from Krakow
Auschwitz-Birkenau is the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, where over 1.1 million people — the vast majority of them Jewish — were murdered during the Holocaust. Today, it is a memorial and museum, and one of the most important historical sites in the world. A visit is not something you enjoy — it is something you endure, remember, and carry with you. This guide covers the practical details of planning your visit from Krakow with the respect and preparation this place demands.
1.5 hrs
From Krakow
Free
Individual Entry
4-6 hrs
On Site
Book
In Advance
A Note on This Visit
Auschwitz-Birkenau is not a tourist attraction. It is a place of remembrance for over a million murdered human beings. This guide provides practical information to help you plan a meaningful and respectful visit. Please approach this experience with the solemnity and reverence it requires.
Getting There
Organized Tour from Krakow
The most convenient and recommended way to visit, especially for first-time visitors. Organized tours include hotel pickup, round-trip transport, a licensed English-speaking guide, skip-the-line entry, and a guided tour of both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The guide provides essential historical context that you would miss on a self-guided visit. Most tours depart at 6:30-7:30 AM and return to Krakow by 3:00-4:00 PM. Book through reputable operators well in advance — tours sell out weeks ahead in summer.
Public Bus from MDA Bus Station
Regular buses operated by Lajkonik depart from the MDA bus station (Małopolski Dworzec Autobusowy) next to Krakow Główny train station. Buses run approximately every hour and drop you directly at the Auschwitz Memorial entrance in Oświęcim. This is the most affordable option and gives you flexibility to spend as long as you need at the site. Buy tickets at the MDA station or on the bus. The return buses run until early evening.
What to Expect
The memorial consists of two main sites, 3 km apart, connected by a free shuttle bus.
Auschwitz I (Main Camp)
Main SiteThe original concentration camp, established in 1940 in former Polish army barracks. The visit begins here with the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate. Inside the brick buildings, exhibitions display thousands of personal belongings confiscated from victims — suitcases with names written on them, shoes, eyeglasses, and, in the most devastating room, tons of human hair. The punishment cells in Block 11, the execution wall between Blocks 10 and 11, and the first gas chamber are all part of the route. The guided tour of Auschwitz I takes approximately 2 hours.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Extermination CampThe much larger site where the systematic mass murder took place. Birkenau is vast — covering 171 hectares — and the scale is what makes it so overwhelming. The railway tracks leading through the iconic gatehouse to the selection platform, the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria (demolished by the Nazis in an attempt to hide evidence), the rows of wooden barracks, and the memorial at the far end of the tracks — all contribute to an experience that words cannot adequately describe. Much of Birkenau is walked outdoors, so weather matters. A free shuttle bus connects Auschwitz I to Birkenau (3 km apart).
Booking & Costs
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Individual visit (no guide) | Free — but book time slot online |
| Guided tour (English, from site) | 75-100 zł per person |
| Organized tour from Krakow | 120-180 zł per person |
| Private guided tour from Krakow | 400-600 zł per group |
| Headset rental (for guided tours) | Included in guided tour price |
Important Rules & Preparation
Book Online in Advance
Entry to Auschwitz requires a timed reservation, even for free individual visits. During peak season (May-September), slots book out weeks in advance. Visit visit.auschwitz.org to reserve. Free individual visit slots are limited and released periodically. Guided tour slots are easier to secure but still require advance booking.
Photography Rules
Photography is permitted in most areas of Auschwitz I and Birkenau for personal, non-commercial use. However, photography is strictly forbidden in the room containing human hair (Block 4) out of respect for the victims. Flash photography and tripods are not allowed anywhere. Drone photography is prohibited. Use your camera thoughtfully and respectfully — this is a memorial, not a photo opportunity.
Dress Appropriately
This is a memorial and cemetery. Dress respectfully — avoid revealing clothing, party wear, or clothing with offensive slogans. In practical terms, wear comfortable walking shoes (you will walk 3-5 km on uneven surfaces), dress for the weather (much of Birkenau is outdoors), and bring layers as it can be cold even in summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, hat, and gloves.
Emotional Preparation
A visit to Auschwitz is emotionally overwhelming. The exhibitions contain graphic images and descriptions of suffering, and the physical reality of the camp — the gas chambers, the barracks, the belongings of victims — creates an experience that stays with you. It is normal and natural to feel distressed. Allow yourself time to process. Many visitors find it helpful to sit quietly at the Birkenau memorial before leaving. There is no appropriate way to rush this visit.
Behavior and Respect
Auschwitz-Birkenau is a place of remembrance for over 1.1 million people who were murdered here. Maintain silence or speak quietly. Do not climb on any structures. Do not pick up or take any objects from the ground. Do not eat or drink inside exhibition buildings. Do not take selfies. Turn off phone ringtones. Children should be supervised at all times. Remember that this was — and remains — a cemetery.
Bag Size Restrictions
Bags larger than 30x20x10 cm are not allowed inside the Auschwitz I site. A left-luggage facility is available near the entrance for larger bags (free). Small backpacks, handbags, and camera bags are permitted. Avoid bringing large bags to save time at security. Water bottles are allowed.
Practical Tips
Go with a Guide
A licensed guide transforms the visit from a walk through buildings into a deeply informative historical experience. Guides provide context, personal stories, and historical details that you cannot get from reading plaques. The guided tours use headsets so you can hear clearly. This is one of the few places where a guide is genuinely essential, not just recommended.
Visit in Winter for Perspective
While summer is the most popular time, visiting in winter provides a visceral understanding of what prisoners endured. Walking through Birkenau in freezing temperatures, imagining people in thin striped uniforms, gives the experience an added dimension of horror and empathy that summer visits cannot replicate.
Allow the Full Day
Do not try to combine Auschwitz with other sightseeing on the same day. The emotional weight of the visit needs space. Plan to return to Krakow in the mid-afternoon and allow yourself a quiet evening to process what you have seen. Many visitors find a walk along the Vistula or a quiet meal in Kazimierz helps decompress.
Bring Water and Snacks
There is a cafeteria and shop at Auschwitz I, but once inside the memorial grounds, refreshments are not available. Bring a water bottle and a snack, especially for the Birkenau visit which involves significant walking outdoors. There are no shops or cafes within Birkenau itself.
Read or Watch Before You Go
The visit is much more meaningful if you arrive with some background knowledge. Read Primo Levi's "If This Is a Man," watch "Schindler's List" or "Son of Saul," or explore the memorial's website (auschwitz.org) which has extensive educational resources. Understanding the context makes the physical evidence more impactful.
Early Morning Is Best
The first entry slots (7:30-8:00 AM) are the quietest. The memorial gets progressively busier throughout the morning. Early visits also mean you complete Auschwitz I before the large tour groups arrive mid-morning. If visiting independently, the earliest slots give you the most contemplative experience.
More Krakow Day Trips
Explore more excursions from Krakow — from underground salt mines to mountain villages.
Frequently Asked Questions
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