On-Site Facilities at Auschwitz-Birkenau

Knowing what facilities are available — and where — helps you plan your day practically. This guide covers every amenity at both Auschwitz I and Birkenau so there are no surprises on the day.

Café and Restaurant

At Auschwitz I (Main Entrance)

A café and restaurant is located near the main entrance to Auschwitz I, in the visitor services building. It offers hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, light meals, and snacks. This is the most substantial food provision on site.

When to use it: Before your tour begins, during the 10–15 minute break between the Auschwitz I and Birkenau portions of the tour, or after completing the full visit. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the museum buildings or on the camp grounds — the café area is the only place to consume food on site.

Practical tip: If you are visiting in summer and your tour runs through the midday heat, bringing a water bottle is strongly advisable — you cannot drink from it while on the grounds, but you can fill it at the café before your tour and drink during the break. There is no free drinking water elsewhere on site.

At Auschwitz II-Birkenau

A smaller café facility is located near the main Birkenau gate, providing drinks and light snacks. Opening times at Birkenau may be reduced compared to the main café at Auschwitz I, particularly in winter months.

Bookshops

The museum operates several bookshops on site, offering one of the most comprehensive selections of Holocaust history and Auschwitz-specific publications available anywhere. Titles cover the history of the camp, survivor memoirs, academic studies, photography collections, and educational materials, in multiple languages including English, Polish, German, French, Hebrew, and others.

The bookshops are located near the main visitor entrance at Auschwitz I. They also stock the museum’s official guidebooks, maps of both sites, and documentary DVDs.

If you are looking for recommended reading before or after your visit, our after your visit guide suggests key titles — many of which are available in the on-site bookshops.

Toilets

Toilets are available near the main entrance at Auschwitz I and near the Birkenau gate. Both sets of facilities are paid — bring small change. The cost is typically a few Polish złoty per use.

Important: There are no toilets within the museum grounds themselves — only at the designated entrance and facility areas at each site. The break between Auschwitz I and Birkenau is the main opportunity to use facilities mid-visit. Plan accordingly, particularly if you are visiting with children.

Luggage Storage

A luggage storage facility is available near the main entrance at Auschwitz I, for visitors who cannot leave bags in a vehicle. A fee applies.

Bags exceeding 35×25×15 cm are not permitted inside the museum. This includes large rucksacks, suitcases, and oversized camera bags. If you are arriving by public transport and cannot leave luggage elsewhere, the on-site storage room is the solution — but plan for the additional time this adds to your arrival process.

Visitors arriving by car or coach can leave large bags locked in their vehicle. This is the simplest approach and avoids the luggage storage fee. See our driving and parking guide for parking location details.

Visitors on organised day tours can typically leave larger bags on the tour coach, which is parked nearby throughout the visit. Confirm this with your tour operator when booking.

Wheelchairs

Free wheelchairs are available for loan at the Visitor Service Centre near the main entrance at Auschwitz I. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors with their own wheelchair or mobility device may bring it — the bag size restriction applies to bags and personal items, not mobility equipment.

The museum shuttle bus between Auschwitz I and Birkenau is equipped with a wheelchair ramp. Full accessibility information — including which buildings and routes are accessible — is in our accessibility guide.

Parking

A paid car park is located at the main museum entrance at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street. Parking costs 20 PLN for a standard car per day. A second, free overflow car park is available approximately 700 metres from the museum entrance. Full parking details and routes are in our driving and parking guide.

A separate car park for visitors is also available near the Birkenau gate on Obozowa Street for those driving between sites.

Taxis

A taxi rank is located in front of the main museum entrance at Auschwitz I, operated by the HALO TAXI company. Taxis are available for journeys between Auschwitz I and Birkenau (approximately 10 minutes, 15–30 PLN) and for return journeys to Oświęcim town or the train station (approximately 5–10 minutes).

Taxi availability can be limited during very busy visitor periods in summer — if you are relying on a taxi for the return journey, allow extra time.

What Is Not Available On Site

To avoid surprises, here is what the site does not provide:

• Free drinking water — bring your own bottle; water is available to purchase at the cafés
• ATM or cash machine — bring cash for paid toilets and the bookshop; card payment may be available at the café but is not guaranteed at all facilities
• Baby changing facilities — not formally designated, though the main toilet facilities have space
• Left luggage lockers — there is a staffed luggage room, but no self-service lockers
• Mobile charging — no charging points for phones on site; ensure your phone is fully charged before arriving, particularly if you are storing your entry pass digitally

Facilities Summary