Oświęcim, Poland

Auschwitz-Birkenau — Visitor Guide, Tickets & Tours

The most comprehensive visitor resource for the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and Memorial. Plan your visit, compare guided tours, and understand what to expect at this profoundly important site.

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Rail Tracks Leading to Birkenau Main Gate

Top Auschwitz-Birkenau Tickets & Tours

Compare options, pick the best ticket for your visit, and book instantly.

Auschwitz Guided Tour

fromzł 78

3.5-hour guided tour of both sites
Hotel pickup & drop-off in Kraków
Skip-the-line entry included
Licensed museum educator guide

Best Value

Entry + Private Transport from Kraków

fromzł 99

Private transport to Auschwitz & back
Entry pass included
Up to 2.5 hours at the site
No live guide — explore independently

Combo

Auschwitz + Wieliczka Salt Mine Combo

fromzł 195

Auschwitz guided tour in the morning
Wieliczka Salt Mine in the afternoon
Hotel pickup from Kraków
Full-day 11-hour experience

From Warsaw

Day Tour from Warsaw

fromzł 750

Hotel pickup in Warsaw
Train to Kraków + bus to Auschwitz
Guided tour of both camps
Full-day ~15-hour experience

From Wrocław

Day Tour from Wrocław

fromzł 1,050

Hotel pickup in Wrocław
~3h15 drive each way
Guided tour of both camps
Full-day experience

From Katowice

Day Tour from Katowice

fromzł 413

Closest major city (~25 km)
Hotel pickup in Katowice
Skip-the-line guided entry
6-hour tour

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Planning Your Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Everything you need to know before you go.

Opening Hours of Auschwitz-Birkenau

The memorial is open every day of the year except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday, with seasonal hours ranging from 7:30 AM to 7 PM in summer and 7:30 AM to 3 PM in winter.

Getting to Auschwitz from Kraków

Most visitors travel from Kraków, 70 km away, by direct bus (90 minutes), train to Oświęcim (1.5 hours), or an organised tour with hotel pickup and return transport included.

What to Expect at Auschwitz-Birkenau

A guide to the emotional weight of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, the solemn atmosphere on site, and what you will encounter at both the main camp and the Birkenau extermination grounds.

What to Wear and Bring

Dress modestly and respectfully, bring only a small bag (max 35×25×15 cm), wear sturdy walking shoes for uneven terrain, and layer for the weather as both sites are largely outdoors.

How Long Does a Visit Take?

A standard guided tour covers both Auschwitz I and Birkenau in approximately 3.5 hours. Extended study tours run 6–8 hours for deeper historical coverage of the exhibitions and memorial.

Best Time to Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau

Spring and autumn offer the best balance of moderate crowds and comfortable weather. Summer brings the longest hours but heaviest visitor traffic, while winter is the quietest period.

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Things to Know Before You Visit

Practical tips to make the most of your visit.

🎫Free entry — Admission is free. All visitors must book a personalised pass at visit.auschwitz.org in advance.

👜Bag size limit — Bags must not exceed 35×25×15 cm. Larger bags go to on-site luggage storage.

⏰Arrive early — Entry is at your booked time slot only. Allow extra time for security screening.

📸Photography — Permitted without flash or tripod. Banned in Block 4 hair room and Block 11 basement.

👗Dress code — Dress modestly and respectfully. No bright, festive, or revealing clothing.

🚌Free shuttle — A free shuttle bus connects Auschwitz I and Birkenau for guided tour visitors.

What to See at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Don’t miss these key sites and exhibitions during your visit.

Auschwitz I: Complete Visitor Guide

A complete walkthrough of the original camp, from the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei gate through the prisoner barracks, exhibition blocks, Block 11, and the gas chamber and crematorium.

The ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ Gate

The wrought-iron gate bearing the cynical inscription ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ is the most photographed site at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Learn its history, symbolism, and the story of the 2009 theft.

Block 11 was the camp’s internal prison, housing standing cells, starvation cells, and the SS court where prisoners were sentenced without trial. Outside stands the Death Wall where thousands were executed.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau: Complete Guide

A guide to the vast extermination camp at Birkenau, covering the iconic railway gatehouse, the selection ramp, prisoner barracks, the ruins of the gas chambers, and the International Monument to the Victims.

The Railway Ramp at Birkenau

The railway siding inside Birkenau where over 1.1 million people arrived in cattle cars and underwent selection by SS doctors. The preserved tracks and platform remain exactly as they were.

The Gas Chambers & Crematoria at Birkenau

The ruins of Crematoria II through V, destroyed by the SS in January 1945 to conceal evidence of the mass murders. The shattered remains are among the most powerful physical evidence of the Holocaust.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Entry to the grounds is free. All visitors must book a personalised entry pass in advance at visit.auschwitz.org. Guided tours led by licensed museum educators cost approximately 75 zł per person.

The most common options are the Lajkonik public bus (90 minutes, hourly from MDA station), PKP train (1.5 hours to Oświęcim, then local bus), driving via the A4 motorway (~1h20), or an organised guided tour with hotel pickup.

The standard guided tour covers both Auschwitz I and Birkenau in approximately 3.5 hours. Study tours run 6–8 hours for deeper historical coverage. A minimum of 90 minutes per site is recommended even for self-guided visitors.

First-time visitors are strongly recommended to use a licensed museum educator-guide. Self-guided visits are possible at limited hours, but the exhibitions and historical context are far more meaningful with professional guidance.

Personal photography is permitted throughout most of the site without flash or tripod. Two areas prohibit photography entirely: the room containing victims’ hair in Block 4, and the basement of Block 11.

The museum does not recommend visits for children under 14. A childcare facility is available on site for younger children. Older teenagers should be prepared in advance for the emotionally challenging nature of the visit.

Opening hours vary by month. In summer (June–August) the site is open 7:30 AM–7 PM; in spring and autumn hours are typically 7:30 AM–5 or 6 PM; in winter (December–February) the site closes at 3 PM. Last entry is one hour before closing. The memorial is closed on January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday.

Dress modestly and respectfully — no bright, festive, or revealing clothing. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes as you will walk 3–5 km across uneven terrain including gravel paths and open fields. Bring weather-appropriate layers, as both sites are largely outdoors and exposed to wind and rain.

Bags larger than 30×20×10 cm are not permitted inside the exhibition buildings. A paid luggage storage facility is available near the main entrance. Drones, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited throughout the memorial grounds. Food and drink are not allowed inside the barracks or gas chamber ruins.

Walk-up entry is rarely possible, especially between April and October when timed slots are fully booked days or weeks ahead. All visitors must reserve a personalised entry pass at visit.auschwitz.org. During quiet winter months (November–March), spontaneous visits are more feasible but advance booking is still strongly recommended.

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