Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Everything you need before you go — opening hours, how to get there, what to wear and bring, accessibility, visitor etiquette, and on-site facilities.

Essential Guides → Read FAQs

Entry

Free admission. All visitors must book a personalised entry pass at visit.auschwitz.org.

Duration

Standard guided tour is 3.5 hours covering both Auschwitz I and Birkenau.

Getting There

70 km from Kraków. Bus (90 min), train (1.5h), or organised tour with pickup.

Bags

Max 35×25×15 cm. Larger bags must be left in luggage storage at entrance.

Essential Planning Guides

Everything you need to know before you visit.

Opening Hours of Auschwitz-Birkenau

Site opens at 7:30am year-round. Last entry varies by season from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Closed 1 January, 25 December, and Easter Sunday.

Best Time to Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau

Spring and autumn offer the best balance of crowd levels and weather. Summer is busiest; winter is quietest but cold with shorter opening hours.

How Long Does a Visit Take?

A standard guided tour of both camps takes 3.5 hours. Including travel from Kraków, allow a full day of 7–8 hours.

What to Expect at Auschwitz-Birkenau

A sobering, structured visit across two separate sites. Expect security checks, outdoor walking, and emotionally challenging exhibitions.

What to Wear and Bring

Modest, comfortable clothing and broken-in walking shoes are essential. Bags must not exceed 35×25×15 cm inside the museum.

What is Auschwitz-Birkenau?

A former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum open to visitors year-round.

Visiting Auschwitz with Children

The museum recommends against visits for children under 14. A supervised childcare facility is available on site for families with younger children.

Accessibility at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Free wheelchairs available at the Visitor Service Centre. The shuttle bus is wheelchair accessible. Some areas have limited access due to historical preservation.

Photography Rules at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Personal photography is permitted throughout most of the site. Photography is prohibited in the hair room in Block 4 and the basement of Block 11.

Auschwitz Official Website

The official website of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: book entry passes, access educational resources, and find up-to-date visitor information.

Rules of Conduct & Visitor Etiquette

Respectful behaviour, modest dress, and silence in sensitive areas are expected. Food, smoking, and recreational activities are strictly prohibited on site.

Where to Stay Near Auschwitz

Options range from hotels in Oświęcim (walking distance) to Kraków city-centre hotels with organised day tours including transport.

On your visit to Auschwitz

Getting there and making the most of your time on site.

Getting to Auschwitz from Kraków

Four options: Lajkonik bus (~20 PLN, 90 min), PKP train to Oświęcim, car via A4 motorway (~80 min), or organised day tour with hotel pickup.

Getting to Auschwitz from Warsaw

A long day of approximately 13–15 hours. The guided day tour by fast train via Kraków is the most practical option for visitors from Warsaw.

Getting to Auschwitz by Public Bus

The Lajkonik bus runs from Kraków’s MDA bus station directly to the Oświęcim Muzeum stop outside the museum gate. Approximately 90 minutes, ~20 PLN.

Getting to Auschwitz by Train

PKP trains run from Kraków Główny to Oświęcim in approximately 90 minutes. A local bus or taxi connects the station to the museum entrance.

The Free Shuttle Bus Between Sites

A free museum shuttle runs between Auschwitz I and Birkenau for visitors on guided tours. Journey takes approximately 10 minutes.

Driving to Auschwitz: Routes & Parking

Approximately 80 minutes from Kraków via A4 motorway. Paid car park at the main entrance (20 PLN/day); free overflow car park 700 metres away.

Getting to Auschwitz from the Airports

Kraków (KRK) and Katowice (KTW) airports are both approximately 55 km away. Transfer options include private transfer, rental car, or organised day tour.

On-Site Facilities: Café, Shop & Luggage

A café near the Auschwitz I entrance, a bookshop, and paid luggage storage are available on site. Food is not permitted on the museum grounds.

After Your Visit: Resources & Reflection

Recommended reading, documentaries, and reflection resources to help process and extend the experience after leaving the memorial.

Group Visits & School Tours

Groups of 10 or more must book in advance and are required to have a licensed museum educator-guide. School programmes are available in multiple languages.

Practical Information

Quick-read guidance for scheduling, pacing, and general comfort during your visit.

Visiting Hours & Seasons

Opening times change monthly and affect how you should plan your day.

The museum is open daily year-round except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday
Summer hours (June–August) run 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM; winter hours (December–February) are 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Arrive at least 90 minutes before closing to be admitted — last entry is strictly enforced
Spring and autumn offer the best balance of moderate crowds and longer daylight for outdoor sections at Birkenau
Free-entry hours (no guide required) are typically early morning and late afternoon — check the official calendar monthly

Getting There from Kraków

Most visitors travel from Kraków, roughly 70 km west of the memorial.

Direct minibuses depart from Kraków’s main bus station (MDA) every 15–30 minutes and take about 90 minutes
PKS and Lajkonik buses are the cheapest option at roughly 15–20 PLN one way
Organised tours from Kraków include transport and a licensed guide, departing around 6:30–7:00 AM
Driving yourself takes about 1 hour 15 minutes via the A4 motorway — free parking is available at Auschwitz I
A free shuttle bus runs between Auschwitz I and Birkenau (Auschwitz II) every 10–15 minutes, a 3.5 km journey

Booking Tickets & Guided Tours

Entry is free but timed tickets are mandatory during peak hours and strongly recommended year-round.

Reserve timed entry passes on the official visit.auschwitz.org website — slots open roughly 3 months ahead
Between April and October, individual visitors can only enter with a guided tour during midday hours (10:00 AM–3:00 PM)
Guided tours last approximately 3.5 hours covering both Auschwitz I and Birkenau
Tours are offered in over 20 languages — English and Polish have the most daily departures
If slots are sold out, check for cancellations 1–2 days before your visit or arrive for free-entry early morning slots

What to Expect On-Site

Prepare physically and emotionally for a solemn memorial visit across two large sites.

Wear comfortable walking shoes — you will cover 3–5 km across uneven ground, gravel paths, and outdoor terrain
Large bags, food, and luggage are not permitted inside; free luggage storage is available near the entrance
Photography is allowed in most areas except the basement of Block 11 and certain sensitive exhibits
Plan at least 3.5–4 hours total: 2 hours at Auschwitz I and 1.5–2 hours at Birkenau
The site is a place of remembrance — dress respectfully, maintain silence in exhibition spaces, and follow staff guidance

Things to Know Before You Visit

Key reminders for a smooth visit.

🎫Book online in advance — Free timed-entry passes sell out weeks ahead, especially from April to October; same-day availability is extremely rare.

🕐Allow at least 3.5 hours — Auschwitz I and Birkenau are separate sites 3 km apart, and a thorough visit requires time at both.

📷Photography rules vary — Photos are permitted in most areas, but flash and tripods are banned; photography is strictly forbidden inside the Block 11 basement.

👗Dress respectfully — This is a memorial site; wear modest, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain.

🚌Use the free shuttle between camps — A complimentary shuttle runs every 10–15 minutes between Auschwitz I and Birkenau; driving separately wastes time on parking.

🎒Bags are size-restricted — Only bags smaller than 30×20×10 cm are allowed inside; free luggage storage is available near the entrance.

Continue Exploring

Discover more about Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Tickets & Tours

Compare guided tours, transport options, and combo tickets from Kraków and beyond.

Explore ticket options →

What to See

A complete guide to both camps — key sites, exhibitions, and the memorial.

Explore highlights →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about plan your visit.

Yes, admission to Auschwitz-Birkenau is free. However, all visitors must book a personalised entry pass in advance at visit.auschwitz.org. Guided tours have a separate fee, typically around 75 PLN.

A standard guided tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours, covering both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Study tours run 6–8 hours for deeper coverage. Allow additional time for transport from Kraków.

Auschwitz is 70 km from Kraków. Options include organised tours with hotel pickup (most popular), public bus (90 minutes), or train to Oświęcim (1.5 hours) followed by a local bus.

Dress respectfully and for the weather. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as you will cover several kilometres on foot. In summer, bring sun protection and water.

Photography is permitted in most outdoor areas and some exhibition spaces. Flash photography and tripods are not allowed. Certain sensitive areas, including the gas chambers, have photography restrictions.

Children under 14 are not recommended to visit due to the nature of the exhibits. Those under 14 must be accompanied by a guardian who takes full responsibility for their care during the visit.

From April through October, entry to Auschwitz I during peak hours (10:00–16:00) requires a guided tour booking. Outside those hours and during winter months, individual visits without a guide are available free of charge.

Yes, a paid car park is located near the entrance to Auschwitz I on ul. Stanisławy Leszczyńskiej. A free shuttle bus runs between Auschwitz I and Birkenau every 10–15 minutes, so you only need to park at one site.

Large bags, luggage, and backpacks exceeding 30×20×10 cm are not allowed inside. A bag storage facility is available near the entrance. Drones, tripods, and selfie sticks are also prohibited on the grounds.

Guided tours are available in approximately 20 languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Polish. English-language tours run most frequently, but less common languages should be booked well in advance as they fill quickly.

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