Prices, Concessions & Free Entry at Auschwitz-Birkenau
Admission to the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau is free for all visitors. A fee is charged only for the licensed educator-guide service — approximately 75 PLN per person for a standard guided tour. Concessions on the guide fee are available for students up to 26 years, people over 75, and disabled visitors. All entry requires a pre-booked personalised pass from visit.auschwitz.org — no walk-in entry is available.
The pricing structure at Auschwitz-Birkenau is simpler than most visitors expect, but it is frequently misunderstood. This guide sets out every cost clearly — what is free, what carries a fee, and who qualifies for a concession.
Entry to the Grounds: Always Free
Admission to the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge for every visitor, without exception. There is no entrance ticket, no entry fee, and no age-related charge for access to the site itself.
What is free:
- Access to the grounds of Auschwitz I (the main camp)
- Access to the grounds of Auschwitz II-Birkenau
- Use of the free museum shuttle bus between sites (for visitors on guided tours)
- Access to the outdoor areas of both sites
What this free access does not include:
- A licensed educator-guide
- Guaranteed entry at any time (a pre-booked entry pass is always required)
The Guide Fee
The fee at Auschwitz-Birkenau is charged for the educator-guide service — a licensed museum professional who leads your visit and provides the historical and contextual commentary that makes the site comprehensible.
Standard guide fees (verify current pricing at visit.auschwitz.org):
| Tour Type | Duration | Fee (per person, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General guided tour | 2.5 hours | ~60 PLN |
| General guided tour | 3.5 hours | ~75 PLN |
| Individual guided tour | 3 hours 45 min | ~75 PLN |
| One-day study tour | 6 hours | ~90 PLN |
| Two-day study tour | 3+3 hours | ~160 PLN |
| Two-day study tour | 4+4 hours | ~200 PLN |
| Online guided tour | 2 hours | ~45 PLN |
These prices are subject to change without notice. Always verify the current fee schedule at auschwitz.org before booking. The museum updates its pricing periodically and the figures above are approximate.
The guide fee is paid through the booking system at visit.auschwitz.org when you book your guided tour slot. Entry to the grounds is bundled into the guided tour booking — you do not pay for entry separately.
Concessions on the Guide Fee
Concessions are available for the guide fee (not the entry, which is free for all). The following groups qualify:
Students and pupils aged up to 26 years
A valid student ID or pupil card must be presented at the museum on the day of the visit. The concession applies regardless of nationality — it is available to any student up to the age of 26 with valid documentation.
People aged 75 and over
A valid identity document confirming age must be presented on the day. No advance registration for the concession is required — it is applied at the point of verification.
Disabled visitors
Visitors with a documented disability qualify for a concessionary guide fee. Appropriate documentation (a disability card, certificate, or equivalent) must be presented on the day.
Important: Concessions apply to the guide fee only. Since entry itself is free, there is no “free concession ticket” — the concession reduces the cost of the guided tour service.
Self-Guided Visit: No Guide Fee
Visiting without a licensed educator-guide is free. A self-guided visit requires only a pre-booked free entry pass from visit.auschwitz.org. There is no cost associated with visiting independently — as long as you are not part of a group of 10 or more (which requires a licensed guide by museum policy).
For the decision between guided and self-guided, see our full comparison at guided vs self-guided visits.
Headset Fee for Large Groups
Groups of more than 10 people are required to use a headphone guiding system (whisper system) so that all group members can hear the educator-guide clearly across both indoor and outdoor sections of the site. This fee is typically included in the group guided tour rate — verify when booking.
Online Guided Tour Pricing
The live online guided tour — available for individuals and groups who cannot visit in person — carries a separate fee. Current pricing is approximately 45 PLN per person, subject to change. Details and booking are available at visit.auschwitz.org. Read our full online virtual tours guide for more information.
Organised Day Tour Pricing
If you are booking an organised day tour through a third-party operator from Kraków, Warsaw, or another city, the pricing you see covers a package — transport, entry, and guide — rather than the museum’s guide fee alone.
Typical organised day tour costs from Kraków per person:
| Tour Type | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Guided tour with hotel pickup (t88880) | ~130–250 PLN |
| Transport + entry, no guide (t293880) | ~80–120 PLN |
| Auschwitz + Salt Mine combo (t92097) | ~250–400 PLN |
These prices vary by operator, season, and group size. The cost difference between booking direct (guide fee + Lajkonik bus) and an organised tour narrows significantly when transport in both directions is factored in.
What Third-Party “Tickets” Actually Cover
A common point of confusion: websites selling “Auschwitz tickets” at various prices are not selling museum entry — they are selling transport and guiding packages. Entry itself is always free. If you see a website offering “Auschwitz tickets” for a low price without mentioning transport or a guide, treat it with caution — this may be an unauthorised reseller rather than a legitimate tour operator.
The museum’s official warning is clear: visit.auschwitz.org is the only platform through which entry passes can be legitimately booked directly. Our guide to how to book tickets explains this in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auschwitz free to visit?
Entry to the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau is free for all visitors. However, all visitors must reserve a personalised entry pass in advance at visit.auschwitz.org — no walk-in access is available. If you choose to visit with a licensed educator-guide, a guide fee of approximately 75 PLN applies per person for a standard 3.5-hour tour.
How much does a guided tour of Auschwitz cost?
The museum’s educator-guide fee is approximately 75 PLN per person for the standard 3.5-hour general tour. The 2.5-hour tour is approximately 60 PLN. Prices are subject to change — always verify the current fee at auschwitz.org before booking.
Are there discounts for students at Auschwitz?
Yes. Students and pupils aged up to 26 years qualify for a concession on the guide fee. A valid student ID must be presented on the day of the visit. The concession is available to students of any nationality.
Is Auschwitz free for children?
Entry to the grounds is free for all visitors including children. The guide fee concession applies to students and pupils up to 26 years of age with valid documentation. Note that the museum recommends the visit is not suitable for children under 14.
Are there senior discounts at Auschwitz?
Yes. Visitors aged 75 and over qualify for a concession on the guide fee. A valid identity document confirming age must be presented on the day.
Why do some websites charge for Auschwitz tickets?
Third-party websites that charge for “Auschwitz tickets” are selling transport and guiding packages — not museum entry, which is always free. Reputable operators include transport, a licensed guide, and logistical support in their price. The guide fee itself is always approximately 75 PLN per person when booked directly through the museum. Be cautious of sites selling what appears to be a standalone entry ticket, as the museum does not authorise third-party entry pass sales.
