The Auschwitz Tours

How to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau isn’t a typical museum visit, it’s a sobering walk through history across two vast sites: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II–Birkenau. It’s emotionally heavy, historically dense, and best approached with time and mental space to process. Planning your route and entry in advance helps you move through it respectfully and meaningfully.

Prepare for your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Navigating your way

Two sites, one story, Auschwitz I and Birkenau (Auschwitz II) lie 3 km apart, connected by a free shuttle. With a little planning, it’s easy to cover both meaningfully.

Learn the story, honor the memory

The Auschwitz experience is vast and emotionally complex, a guided visit adds vital context, historical framing, and helps you move between Auschwitz I and Birkenau without logistical stress, transforming the visit from a visual experience into an informed remembrance.

Watchtower and brick barracks at Auschwitz Birkenau I with visitors nearby.
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How to make the most of your time

Visit type DurationRouteWhat you get

Snapshot visit

2–3 hours

Auschwitz I (Main Gate → Blocks 4–11 exhibitions → Courtyard of Death).

A concise introduction to the site’s history and human stories, covering the most significant museum blocks and preserved evidence of daily life and atrocities.

Half-day visit

4–5 hours

Auschwitz I (key blocks + exhibitions) → Shuttle → Birkenau (railway ramp → women’s barracks → memorial).

A complete view of both camps, understanding the transition from Auschwitz I’s administration to Birkenau’s scale of extermination. Balanced for most visitors.

Full-day immersion

6–7 hours

Auschwitz I (guided visit through full exhibition route) → Birkenau (extended walk to crematoria ruins and watchtower climb).

The most comprehensive experience — ideal for history enthusiasts or educators who want to grasp the site’s full geography, evolution, and emotional weight.

Handy tips

  • Reserve well in advance: Standard tickets often sell out 1-2 weeks in advance while guided tours often sell out 2 months ahead, especially in peak season.
  • Choose a guided tour over free entry: Free unguided visits are limited to late afternoons and offer little context. Auschwitz guided tours provide in-depth narration, seamless transport between sites, and a far more meaningful experience.
  • Pick an early slot: Mornings are quieter and less crowded, letting you move through the sites more peacefully.
  • Choose a Krakow transfer: Auschwitz-Birkenau is located on the outskirts of Oświęcim in southern Poland. Transfers from Krakow save you from parking issues and ensures you reach on time for your timed entry.
  • Arrive early for your slot: Entry times are strictly enforced; being 30 minutes early avoids any stress.
  • Bring your own wired earphones: They work better with the guide’s receiver system for clear narration.
  • Travel light: Bags larger than 30x20x10 cm aren’t allowed inside Auschwitz, storage space is limited.
  • Plan downtime afterward: The visit can be emotionally heavy; keep your schedule light for the rest of the day.
  • Facilities at Auschwitz-Birkenau are intentionally basic: You’ll find restrooms near the entrance and at a few key points, but expect minimal seating and shelter during your walk through the historic outdoor areas, plan accordingly.

Explore Auschwitz-Birkenau

Across two hauntingly preserved sites, Auschwitz-Birkenau invites reflection through original barracks, watchtowers, exhibitions, and memorials that testify to history’s darkest chapter.

Before you get there

Things to check before you reach Auschwitz-Birkenau

Know before booking your Auschwitz tickets

Choosing the right Auschwitz-Birkenau tour is crucial for a meaningful and hassle-free experience.

  • All pre-book tickets allow you timed-access while letting you bypass on-site ticket queues. 
  • Guided Auschwitz tours provide fast-track access with expert commentary and deeper historical context, especially valuable for understanding the significance of both Auschwitz I and Birkenau.​
  • Hotel pickups are available on select tours for added convenience, especially for those staying in Wroclaw and Krakow.
  • Combo tours of Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka Salt Mine allow you to visit two UNESCO sites in one day, maximizing your time and value.​
  • Group sizes vary, with smaller groups (up to 8) available for a more intimate experience, while larger groups maintain high-quality service.​
  • Accessibility is limited, and the experience is not recommended for children under 14 due to the site’s solemn nature.​

Auschwitz tickets explained

Ticket type explainedWhat’s includedBest forPrice from

Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Fast-Track Tickets & Transfer Options

Fast-track entry, guided tour, round-trip transfers in AC vehicle

Visitors wanting quick entry and hassle-free transfers

€39

From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfers

Guided tour, round-trip coach transfers from Krakow

Travelers based in Krakow seeking convenience

€39

From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers

Guided tour, round-trip coach transfers from Krakow + Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Door-to-door convenience with immersive visit

€42.25

From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour

Combo tour with guided visits to both sites, round-trip transfers

Exploring the contrast of history and nature

€101.10

From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Oskar Schindler's Factory Guided Tour

Combo tour with guided visits to both sites, round-trip transfers

History enthusiasts interested in multiple landmarks

€75.11

From Katowice: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfers

Guided tour, round-trip transfers from Katowice in AC vehicle

Visitors starting from Katowice

€69

From Wroclaw: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfers

Guided tour, round-trip transfers from Wroclaw

Travelers from Wroclaw

€121

Auschwitz timings

SiteDayTimings Last entryClosed on

Auschwitz I (Main Camp)

Mon–Sun

7:30am → varies by month

See note below

Jan 1, Dec 25, Easter Sunday

Auschwitz II–Birkenau

Mon–Sun

7:30am → varies by month

See note below

Jan 1, Dec 25, Easter Sunday

Monthly closing hours

Best time to visit

Takeaway: Arrive at opening time on a weekday during the shoulder months (spring/early autumn) for a calmer, more absorbing visit.

👉 See full timings →

Where is it located

Getting to Auschwitz-Birkenau

The Auschwitz concentration camp has two sections, Auschwitz I, the primary camp, and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which is located 3 km away from the main site. Here are some of the best ways for you to get to Auschwitz from different parts of Poland.

Facilities

  • Restrooms are found throughout the site, including accessible facilities for visitors with mobility difficulties. 
  • Audio-guide devices in multiple languages available at the Visitor Services Center.
  • Luggage storage is available with paid lockers for bags exceeding allowed dimensions 35×25×15 cm.
  • Cafeteria & bookshop can be found in the Visitor Services Centre, offers light meals and souvenir books.
  • Car and coach parking is available near the main entrance for guests arriving by vehicle.

Accessibility at Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial and Museum

Visiting with family

  • Baby changing units and adapted toilets are available in the Visitor Services Centre near the main entrance.
  • Stroller access is limited inside Auschwitz through certain original barracks due to historic flooring; consider using sling carriers where possible.
  • The bookshop near the exit offers child-friendly educational guides related to Auschwitz’s history.

Rules and restrictions

  • Entry to Auschwitz requires a dated pass reserved online; security check is obligatory at the entrance.
  • Bags must not exceed 35×25×15 cm; larger items must be left in vehicles or stored in paid lockers.
  • Photography for personal use is permitted without flash; commercial filming and drones require prior approval.
  • Eating, smoking or drinking within the historic zones is prohibited; these activities are allowed only in designated areas.
  • Behavior must reflect the solemn nature of the site; running, loud voices and disrespectful acts are not allowed.
  • Animals are not permitted, except certified service animals.
  • Re-entry on the same ticket is not allowed unless explicitly stated.

What to wear

Where to shop

Where to eat

Where to stay

💡 Tip: Book accommodation early for visits in high-season (spring–autumn) and allow extra time for morning transfers so you arrive first-slot for the memorial.

Insider tips

  • Weather matters; many parts of the camp (especially Birkenau) are open-air and exposed. If rain is forecast, carry a small foldable poncho or waterproof jacket so your visit isn’t cut short by weather.
  • Take the free shuttle, but check the Auschwitz timing carefully. It runs roughly every 10–15 minutes, but it pauses midday and near closing time. The last shuttle leaves Birkenau about 30 minutes before site closing, so plan your return accordingly.
  • Before entering the exhibitions, take 2-3 minutes at the Visitor Services Centre map/chart of camps and sub-camps — it greatly helps to understand scale (you’ll cover several km of paths including between camps) and avoid back-tracking.
  • Don’t rush the last section, near the memorial wall in Birkenau and the preserved crematoria ruins, many visitors leave too early; staying those extra 20-30 minutes gives you space for quiet reflection and fewer people around you.
  • There’s a post office next to the parking area where you can buy a stamp and send a postcard marked from Oświęcim, a quiet, symbolic memento many visitors overlook.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Auschwitz Birkenau

Avoid loud talk, laughter, or selfies. Don’t eat, smoke, or sit on memorials. Follow signage and refrain from touching exhibits or restricted areas.