Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Krakow with Hotel Pickup
At a glance
Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in one day
This trip can be combined with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine on the same day. Send us your date and the number of people on WhatsApp or by e-mail, and we will plan the day and send you the price.
See the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour→How the visit is organised
We take care of the transport and the named entry passes in advance, so the day is about the visit itself, not logistics.
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.
-
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.
-
12:15
Transfer by the free Memorial shuttle to Birkenau, 3.5 km away.
-
12:30
Guided tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau: the barracks, the railway ramp and Gate of Death, and the ruins of the gas chambers.
-
13:30
Return drive to your Kraków hotel.
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.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Far larger, and the principal site of extermination. Here you walk among the barracks and the railway ramp.
Before you go
A few practical things the Memorial asks of every visitor.
Bring your passport or ID. Entry passes are issued by name and are valid only together with an identity document, which is checked at the entrance.
Only bags up to 35 x 25 x 15 cm are allowed inside. Larger bags go into paid lockers (5 PLN, card payment only). Travel light.
Around 3 km of walking on uneven, historic ground, mostly outdoors.
Most of Birkenau is open and exposed. Dress for the day: sun, wind, rain or cold.
An airport-style check (X-ray and metal detectors) at entry, so allow a little time.
Allowed in most areas for private use, but forbidden in the hair exhibition (Block 4) and the basement of Block 11.
A cafe and toilets are at the visitor centre; eating is not allowed on the memorial grounds.
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.
- Nothing here is staged for effect. The site speaks for itself.
- The Museum educator sets a measured pace and gives context, not shock.
- Photography has restrictions in a few sensitive areas, which the educator 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+)
- Want a visit led by a Museum educator
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
Who guides you at the Memorial
Your visit is led by an 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.
Plan the rest of your trip
Ready to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?
Reserve your date; we arrange the transport and the entry passes, and the visit is led by a Museum educator. For larger groups we ask for a deposit to buy the entry passes; passes already bought are non-refundable.
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 around 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.
A Museum educator 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 watchtowers, rail tracks, and ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria. The guide provides deeply researched historical context while ensuring the tour remains respectful.
We usually depart from Kraków in the morning; exact times are confirmed with your booking. 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
- A Museum educator with deep historical expertise
What's included
- Entry tickets to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
- Visit led by a Museum educator
- Private transport from Kraków
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
Not included
- Meals (café on-site, budget ~30-50 PLN)
- Tips for the driver, at your discretion
- Personal travel insurance
Hotel pickup
We pick you up from your hotel or apartment in central Kraków. Exact time after booking.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light jacket or layers
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Small backpack with water
- Valid ID / passport
- Cash (PLN) for meals and tips
Accessibility
If walking is difficult for you, write to us before booking and we will check what can be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Is photography allowed at Auschwitz?
Photography is permitted in most areas but must be done with respect. It is not allowed in the room with the hair of victims (Block 4) or in the basements of Block 11, and flash and tripods are not permitted. 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. The Museum educators provide 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?
Museum educators 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.
Is the Auschwitz tour from Krakow in English?
The visit is led by a Museum educator, and English is one of the 20 languages in which the Museum guides visitors. Which languages are available on a given day is up to the Museum, so please give us your preferred language when you book.
How long is the Auschwitz tour from Krakow?
Plan on 6-7 hours for the whole round trip from your hotel; Oświęcim is about 70 km from Krakow. According to the Museum, the standard visit with an educator takes about 3.5 hours. Auschwitz I and Birkenau are 3.5 km apart, linked by the free Memorial shuttle bus.
How much is the Auschwitz tour from Krakow, and what is included?
The tour costs 500 PLN per person. That covers private transport with hotel pickup and drop-off in Krakow, named entry passes that we book in advance, and the visit led by a Museum educator. You can pay in cash or by card.
How do I get from Krakow to Auschwitz on my own?
You can go by train or by bus; our guide to getting from Krakow to Auschwitz explains both. Keep in mind that entry passes can only be reserved online at visit.auschwitz.org; none are available at the entrance.
Can I visit Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in one day?
Yes, you can visit both in one day, starting from Krakow. Message us on WhatsApp (+48 503 966 687) or write to hello@yourkrakow.com with your date and group size; we will work out the timing and quote a price.