How Long Does a Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Take? A standard guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau lasts approximately 3.5 hours and covers both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The museum recommends allowing a minimum of 90 minutes per site. Study tours run for 6 or 8 hours. If you are travelling independently from Kraków, set aside a … Read more
On-Site Facilities at Auschwitz-Birkenau Auschwitz-Birkenau has a café, bookshops, and paid toilets near the main entrance at Auschwitz I, and a café and toilets near the Birkenau entrance. Luggage storage is available at the main entrance for a fee. Bags over 35×25×15 cm cannot be brought inside — leave them in your vehicle or in … Read more
Opening Hours of Auschwitz-Birkenau Auschwitz-Birkenau is open every day of the year except 1 January, 25 December, and Easter Sunday. Opening hours vary by month — the site opens at 7:30am year-round, but last entry times range from 2:00pm in December and January to 7:00pm in July. Visitors may remain on the grounds for up … Read more
Photography Rules at Auschwitz-Birkenau Personal photography is permitted throughout most of Auschwitz-Birkenau without flash and without a tripod. Photography is completely prohibited in two specific locations: the room displaying victims’ hair in Block 4 at Auschwitz I, and the basement of Block 11. Signs clearly mark both spaces. Commercial photography, drone photography, and filming for … Read more
Rules of Conduct & Visitor Etiquette at Auschwitz-Birkenau Auschwitz-Birkenau is a memorial site and a cemetery. Visitors are required to dress modestly, behave with solemnity and respect throughout, speak quietly, refrain from eating and drinking on the grounds, and follow all photography restrictions. These are not suggestions — they are binding conditions of entry. Failure … Read more
The Free Shuttle Bus Between Auschwitz I and Birkenau A free museum shuttle bus connects Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau for visitors on guided tours. The journey between sites takes approximately 10 minutes. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible, fitted with a ramp platform. It operates in coordination with the guided tour schedule rather than on … Read more
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau with Children The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial does not recommend visits for children under 14, due to the graphic and emotionally intense nature of the exhibitions. This is guidance, not a legal prohibition — the decision rests with parents and guardians. For families with children younger than 14, a supervised childcare facility is available on … Read more
What to Expect at Auschwitz-Birkenau Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is one of the most emotionally and historically significant experiences a person can have. Expect a solemn, deeply affecting journey through two sites covering approximately 5–7 km of walking over 3.5 hours. You will see original buildings, authentic artefacts, ruins of gas chambers, and exhibitions documenting the systematic … Read more
What to Wear and Bring to Auschwitz-Birkenau Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes and dress modestly and appropriately for the weather — much of the tour, particularly at Birkenau, takes place outdoors with little shelter. Bags must not exceed 35×25×15 cm inside the museum. Bring water, a valid photo ID, and your entry pass. Leave large rucksacks, … Read more
Where to Stay Near Auschwitz-Birkenau Most visitors to Auschwitz-Birkenau stay in Kraków, approximately 70 km away, and make the trip as a day visit. This works well and is the most practical option for those combining Auschwitz with time in Kraków. For visitors who want to be closest to the site — and avoid an … Read more
