Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Krakow

At a glance

Duration6 to 7 hours (round trip)

TransportPrivate hotel pickup & drop-off

TicketsOfficial Memorial entry included

GuideLicensed, MPTI-certified

WalkingAbout 3 km, moderate, outdoors

GroupSmall group, max 12

ToiletsAt the visitor centre

BreakShort break, cafe on site

LanguageGuided in English

BookingFree cancellation, no prepayment

What makes this tour different

No queues, no guesswork. Everything is arranged so the day is about understanding, not logistics.

Licensed Memorial guideAn MPTI-certified educator accredited by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, trained to lead the visit with depth and sensitivity.

Official entry tickets includedTimed Memorial passes are reserved and booked for you in advance. None are sold at the gate.

Small groups, max 12A calmer, more personal visit where you can hear every word and ask questions.

Hotel pickup & drop-offPrivate, comfortable transport from and back to your Kraków accommodation.

Free cancellationCancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour. No prepayment required.

A respectful approachThis is a place of memory. The visit focuses on historical education, led with the care it deserves.

Your day, step by step

A typical morning departure. Exact times are confirmed with your booking; the full round trip runs about 6 to 7 hours.

08:00
Private pickup from your Kraków hotel or a central meeting point.
09:30
Arrival at the Memorial, security check and entry.
10:00
Guided tour of Auschwitz I: the brick blocks, the museum exhibitions and the "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate.
12:00
Short break at the visitor centre.
12:30
Transfer by the free Memorial shuttle to Birkenau, 3.5 km away.
13:00
Guided tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau: the barracks, the railway ramp and Gate of Death, and the ruins of the gas chambers.
15:00
Return drive to your Kraków hotel.

The railway tracks leading into Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Auschwitz I and Birkenau: the difference

You visit both. Many people do not realise they are two distinct sites, 3.5 km apart.

Auschwitz I

The original 1940 camp and administrative centre. It holds the surviving brick blocks and the main museum exhibitions.

Museum blocksExhibitions"Arbeit Macht Frei" gate

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Far larger, and the principal site of extermination. Here you walk among the barracks and the railway ramp.

Huge campRailway rampWatchtowersRuins

Kraków70 km→Auschwitz I3.5 km→Birkenau70 km→Back to Kraków

Before you go

A few practical things the Memorial asks of every visitor.

Carry your passport or ID. It can be checked at the Memorial.

Bags

Only bags up to 30 x 20 x 10 cm are allowed inside. Larger bags go into paid lockers (about 5 PLN). Travel light.

Comfortable shoes

Around 3 km of walking on uneven, historic ground, mostly outdoors.

Weather

Most of Birkenau is open and exposed. Dress for the day: sun, wind, rain or cold.

Security

An airport-style check (X-ray and metal detectors) at entry, so allow a little time.

Photography

Allowed in most areas for private use, but forbidden in the hair exhibition (Block 4) and the basement of Block 11.

Food & toilets

A cafe and toilets are at the visitor centre; eating is not allowed on the memorial grounds.

Age

The Memorial recommends visitors be aged 14 and over.

Good to know

This is a memorial and place of mourning, not a tourist attraction. The visit is calm and respectful.
There are no dramatic reconstructions and no "jump scares", the site speaks for itself.
Your guide sets a measured pace and gives context, not shock.
Photography has restrictions in a few sensitive areas, which your guide will explain.
It is a moving experience. Most visitors find it profound and important rather than distressing.

Who is this tour for?

A great fit if you

Are visiting for the first time and want real context
Are interested in WWII and Holocaust history
Are an adult, or a family with teenagers (14+)
Prefer a small, unhurried group with a licensed guide

Perhaps reconsider if you

Are travelling with children under 14 (the Memorial's guidance)
Have limited mobility or cannot walk ~3 km on uneven ground
Are looking for light, casual sightseeing

Meet your guide

Your visit is led by a licensed, MPTI-certified educator accredited by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, specialised in WWII and Holocaust history. Their role is not only to show you the site but to help you understand it: the individual stories, the historical context and the meaning of what happened here. Tours are conducted in English.

Plan the rest of your trip

Planning more time in Kraków? See our complete Kraków Guide.→Looking for another UNESCO site? Explore the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour.→Want more ideas beyond the city? Browse our Kraków day trips.→

Ready to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?

Reserve your date with a licensed guide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and no payment until after the tour.

Full details & FAQ

About this tour

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is one of the most important historical sites in the world - the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, where over 1.1 million people were murdered between 1940 and 1945. A visit here is a profound act of remembrance and an essential part of understanding 20th-century history.

Our licensed guide leads you through both Auschwitz I - the original camp with its infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, prisoner barracks, and exhibition blocks - and the vast grounds of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, with its reconstructed watchtowers, rail tracks, and ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria. The guide provides deeply researched historical context while ensuring the tour remains respectful and emotionally supportive.

We depart early from Kraków to arrive before the main crowds, maximising the time and atmosphere for reflection. Entry tickets are included. This tour is not about shock - it is about understanding, honouring the victims, and carrying their memory forward.

Highlights

Auschwitz I - original camp, prisoner barracks, exhibition halls
The "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate and Appellplatz (roll call square)
Auschwitz II-Birkenau - the massive extermination camp grounds
Ruins of gas chambers and crematoria at Birkenau
Licensed, MPTI-certified memorial guide with deep historical expertise

What's included

Entry tickets to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
Licensed English-speaking guide (MPTI certified)
Private transport from Kraków
Hotel pickup & drop-off
Headsets for guided tour

Not included

Meals (café on-site, budget ~30-50 PLN)
Gratuities for guide
Personal travel insurance
Audio guide upgrade

Meeting point

Main Market Square, Kraków - we will send exact pin after booking

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour

Frequently asked questions

Is photography allowed at Auschwitz?

Photography is permitted in most areas but must be done with respect. There are specific areas - such as inside gas chambers - where photography is not allowed. Your guide will explain the rules.

How emotionally difficult is this tour?

This is a deeply moving experience. Most visitors find it profound and important rather than traumatising. Our guides are trained to provide emotional support and historical context throughout.

Are children allowed?

The memorial recommends visitors be at least 14 years old. We follow this guidance. The content is graphic and sobering - parental discretion is advised for younger teens.

Why should I use a guided tour rather than visiting independently?

Licensed guides bring the history to life in a way that self-guided visits cannot match. Their knowledge of individual stories, historical context, and the layout ensures you understand - not just see - what happened here.