How Far in Advance Should You Book Auschwitz-Birkenau?
For summer visits (June–August), book as early as possible — ideally as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. The booking system opens 90 days in advance, and popular summer slots can sell out within days or hours of becoming available. For spring and autumn (April–May, September–October), two to four weeks ahead is usually sufficient. Winter visits (November–March) can often be booked a few days in advance. For groups of 10 or more, allow at least two months regardless of season.
Booking your Auschwitz-Birkenau entry pass early is one of the most important practical steps in planning your visit. The daily entry cap means that this is genuinely not a case where you can leave it until closer to the time and assume something will be available — particularly in summer. This guide gives you honest, season-specific guidance on when to book.
The 90-Day Booking Window
Entry passes are released on a rolling 90-day basis via visit.auschwitz.org. This means:
- Today, you can book for any date up to 90 days from now
- Tomorrow, one additional day opens up at the far end of the window
- Passes for any given date become available at 12:00 noon Polish time, 90 days before that date
The 90-day window is the maximum booking horizon — you cannot book further ahead than this, regardless of how far in advance you are planning.
For group bookings (10 or more), the booking request process works differently — requests are submitted and confirmed manually by the museum rather than through instant online booking. Allow additional lead time for the museum to respond and confirm.
How Far in Advance by Season
Summer — June to August: Book Immediately
Summer is the most heavily visited period at Auschwitz-Birkenau, with over 1.8 million visitors per year concentrated disproportionately in July and August. Popular entry times — particularly morning slots in July and August — can sell out within hours of the 90-day window opening. Book the moment your travel dates are confirmed, and set a reminder for 12:00 noon Polish time on the exact day the 90-day window opens for your preferred date.
If you are planning a summer visit and your preferred date and time are already sold out, read the section below on what to do when passes are unavailable.
Minimum lead time for summer: Book as soon as possible — ideally 60–90 days in advance.
Spring — April to May: 2–4 Weeks Minimum
Spring is one of the best times to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau — crowds are manageable, the weather is mild, and entry passes are generally available with far less competition than in summer. Two to four weeks’ advance booking is usually sufficient for most dates and time slots in April and May.
Exception: The weeks around the March of the Living event in April see higher than usual demand, and the museum is closed on the day of the march itself (and has restricted access on surrounding days). If your visit falls near this period, book earlier and verify the exact dates of the march for the year you are visiting at auschwitz.org.
Recommended lead time for spring: 2–4 weeks; 4–6 weeks around the March of the Living period.
Autumn — September to October: 1–3 Weeks
Autumn visitor numbers drop significantly after European school holidays end in late August, and pass availability improves noticeably. September and October are among the easiest months for securing your preferred date and time slot.
One to three weeks’ advance booking is typically sufficient. That said, “easily available” is relative — do not wait until the day before, as passes can still sell out on popular autumn weekends.
Recommended lead time for autumn: 1–3 weeks.
Winter — November to March: A Few Days to a Week
Winter is the quietest period at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Entry pass availability is the easiest of any season, and self-guided passes can sometimes be booked just a day or two before your visit. However, do not assume this means you can leave it entirely to the last minute — guided tour slots, particularly in specific languages other than English, can still require advance booking even in winter.
27 January — the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz — is a significant exception to winter’s general quietness. This date draws large crowds, ceremonies, and international delegations. If you are planning to visit around this date, book well in advance.
Recommended lead time for winter: A few days to one week for most dates; several weeks for 27 January and surrounding days.
Groups of 10 or More: Allow at Least 2 Months
Group bookings operate differently from individual bookings. Rather than instant online reservation, group visits require:
- Submitting a booking request via the group form at visit.auschwitz.org
- Awaiting a response from the museum confirming availability and guide assignment
- Receiving confirmation and entry passes by email
This process takes time — the museum processes requests manually. During peak season, popular dates for group visits fill quickly and the museum needs time to arrange licensed educator-guides.
Minimum lead time for groups: 2 months. For summer visits or visits in specific languages, 3–4 months is safer.
Full details for group organisers are in our group visits and school tours guide.
What to Do When Your Preferred Date Is Sold Out
Finding your preferred date fully booked is frustrating but not the end of the road. Your options:
Check at 12:00 noon Polish time. New passes for dates 90 days away become available at noon Polish time each day. On the day that your target date enters the 90-day window, be online at noon to book immediately — this is the moment when availability is freshest.
Try different time slots. If morning slots are sold out, check afternoon slots on the same date. Afternoon entry is perfectly workable — just be mindful of the last entry time for your chosen month (see our opening hours guide).
Consider adjacent dates. Moving your visit one or two days often opens up significant availability, particularly outside the core summer peak.
Book an organised day tour. Reputable tour operators secure entry slots through the museum in advance and often have availability when the public system does not. Even when visit.auschwitz.org shows no availability, organised guided day tours from Kraków may still have places for your date.
A Note on Third-Party Sellers
When the official system shows no availability, the temptation is to turn to third-party websites offering “Auschwitz tickets”. Be very cautious. The museum does not cooperate with any third-party companies in the sale of entry passes. Purchasing through an unauthorised channel puts your access at risk and may result in financial loss with no recourse.
Legitimate tour operators include transport, a licensed guide, and logistics — not just an entry pass sold in isolation. Our guide to entry passes explained clarifies the distinction in detail.
Booking Lead Time Summary
| Season | Recommended Lead Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | As early as possible; 60–90 days | Slots sell out fast; book at noon on the day the 90-day window opens |
| Spring (Apr–May) | 2–4 weeks | 4–6 weeks near March of the Living |
| Autumn (Sep–Oct) | 1–3 weeks | Good availability; don’t leave it to the day before |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | A few days to 1 week | Except 27 January — book several weeks ahead |
| Groups (any season) | 2 months minimum | 3–4 months for summer or specific language requests |
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I book Auschwitz tickets?
The booking system opens 90 days in advance — this is the maximum booking horizon. Passes for any given date become available at 12:00 noon Polish time, exactly 90 days before that date. You cannot book earlier than this through the official system.
How quickly do Auschwitz tickets sell out?
In summer (July–August), popular morning slots can sell out within hours — sometimes within minutes — of the 90-day booking window opening. In spring and autumn, slots typically remain available for days to weeks after opening. In winter, slots often remain available until very close to the visit date (except around 27 January).
Can I book Auschwitz on the day?
In winter, same-day booking is often possible if self-guided passes are available. In summer, same-day availability is extremely rare. In spring and autumn, it varies — some days have last-minute availability; others do not. Never rely on same-day booking if your visit is time-sensitive.
What if Auschwitz is fully booked for my dates?
Try different time slots on the same date, check adjacent dates, or book an organised day tour — reputable operators often have pre-secured slots when the public system shows no availability. You can also check the booking system at 12:00 noon Polish time on the day the 90-day window opens for your preferred date.
Do I need to book a guide separately from the entry pass?
If you are booking directly through the museum at visit.auschwitz.org, the guided tour booking incorporates the entry pass — you book them together. If you are booking a self-guided free visit, the entry pass is the only thing you book. If you are using an organised day tour operator, everything (pass, guide, transport) is included in the single booking.
