Auschwitz tickets and tours represent far more than a typical travel booking – they are the gateway to one of the most important historical sites in the world. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, located in Oświęcim, Poland, stands as a solemn testament to the victims of the Holocaust and serves as a critical educational destination for visitors from every corner of the globe.
The site is also known as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and the Auschwitz Memorial, reflecting its dual role as both a museum and a place of remembrance dedicated to honoring the victims of Nazi atrocities. Each year, more than two million people make the journey to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to pay their respects, learn about this dark chapter in human history, and ensure that the memory of those who perished is never forgotten.
Planning a visit to Auschwitz requires thoughtful preparation, respect for the site’s significance, and an understanding of the practical logistics involved. The Auschwitz Museum is not only a memorial but also a venue for significant exhibitions and a key destination for educational visits. Whether you are traveling from Krakow, Warsaw, or internationally, securing your Auschwitz tour in advance ensures you have access to knowledgeable guides, proper transportation, and an experience that honors the gravity of this memorial.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about booking tickets, selecting the right tour, and preparing yourself emotionally and practically for this profound experience.
Understanding the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
The Historical Significance of Auschwitz
The Auschwitz concentration camp complex was established by Nazi Germany in 1940 in occupied Poland. Auschwitz-Birkenau was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. What began as a detention center for Polish political prisoners evolved into the largest Nazi concentration camp and a symbol of the Holocaust and World War II genocide, making it the most extensive nazi concentration camp in history.
After the camp’s evolution, the first mass transport of prisoners to Auschwitz occurred on June 14, 1940, consisting of 728 Polish male political prisoners, and the first gassings took place in early September 1941, using Zyklon B to kill around 850 inmates. Between 1940 and 1945, approximately 1.1 million people – the vast majority of whom were Jewish – were killed within its walls and gas chambers. The site also claimed the lives of Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, Polish civilians, and others deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. The exact number of victims at Auschwitz-Birkenau is estimated to be between 1 to 3 million people, primarily Jews, Poles, and Roma. Birkenau, as one of the extermination camps, played a central role in the systematic murder of millions during the Holocaust.
Today, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum preserves what remains of this infamous complex, including the original barracks, guard towers, crematoria ruins, and vast collections of personal belongings taken from victims. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum was created in April 1946 by former prisoners under the direction of Poland’s Ministry of Culture and Art. A tour of Auschwitz provides visitors with an unfiltered view of the infrastructure of genocide, creating an educational experience unlike any other.
Understanding the site’s history is essential for appreciating the gravity of what occurred here and the importance of remembrance. Walking through the camp gates beneath the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign, visitors confront the reality of industrialized murder and the importance of vigilance against hatred and intolerance. Auschwitz-Birkenau serves as a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and a reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
Two Camps, One Memorial
The memorial site actually comprises two distinct locations: Auschwitz I (the main camp) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the extermination camp). Auschwitz I contains the original brick buildings, administrative offices, and the first gas chamber. Many of the original buildings have been preserved, allowing visitors to experience the authentic architecture and spaces as they were during the camp’s operation.
Here, visitors view the permanent exhibition featuring thousands of personal items – shoes, suitcases, eyeglasses, and human hair – that belonged to the victims. The evidence is overwhelming and intentionally so; the curators understand that confronting this reality is essential to comprehending the scope of the tragedy. Visiting the Auschwitz site, which includes both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, is crucial to understanding the full scope of the Holocaust and the crimes committed by the Nazis.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau, located approximately three kilometers from the main camp, sprawls across 140 hectares. This was primarily an extermination facility, where the majority of Auschwitz victims were murdered upon arrival.
The iconic railway entrance, wooden barracks, and ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria remain as silent witnesses to the atrocities committed here. A complete visit to Auschwitz includes both sites, connected by a free shuttle bus provided by the museum. Free shuttle buses run regularly between the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau sites for visitors with valid entry passes.
Visitors should set aside a minimum of about 90 minutes for the Auschwitz site and the same amount of time for Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Types of Auschwitz Tours Available
Guided Group Tours
The most common way to experience the memorial is through a guided group tour. These Auschwitz tours typically last between three and three-and-a-half hours and include both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Professional guides, including a licensed guide or museum educator, lead groups of up to 30 visitors through the camps, providing historical context, personal stories, and detailed explanations of what occurred at each location.
The standard guided tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours, includes a certified museum educator and headphones, and covers both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Visitors in groups are required to engage an Auschwitz Memorial guide.
Guided tours are available in numerous languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew, and Polish. Booking Auschwitz tickets for a guided tour in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during peak tourist season from April through October. Tours fill up quickly, and securing your spot weeks or even months ahead ensures availability in your preferred language and time slot.
Private Tours
For a more personalized experience, private Auschwitz tours offer dedicated guides for individuals, families, or small groups. These tours allow for a more flexible pace, the opportunity to ask detailed questions, and a deeper connection to the material. Private guides can tailor the experience to your interests, whether you wish to focus on specific national exhibitions, learn about the experiences of particular prisoner groups, or explore aspects of the site not typically covered in standard group tours.
Private tours are especially valuable for those with personal connections to Auschwitz – descendants of survivors or victims who wish to trace family history and visit specific locations within the camp.
Study Tours and Extended Programs
Educational institutions, religious organizations, and academic groups often arrange study tours that extend beyond the standard three-hour visit. These comprehensive programs may include seminars with museum educators, archival research sessions, meetings with Holocaust survivors, and visits to related sites such as the town of Oświęcim or the Auschwitz Jewish Center.
Extended Auschwitz tours can last a full day or span multiple days, providing participants with a deeper scholarly engagement with the history. Such programs require advance coordination with the museum and specialized tour operators experienced in educational tourism.
How to Book Auschwitz Tickets
Online Reservations Through the Official Museum
The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum offers free general admission for individual visitors who book in advance through their official website. All entry passes must be booked online via the official website; free passes are no longer available at the on-site ticket office. Admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge, but entry cards should be reserved online. Free passes and guided tours at Auschwitz should be booked online via the official site or reputable tour operators. Entry cards for self-guided tours from May 1 will only be available by online booking. However, availability for these free slots is extremely limited, particularly during high season. Most visitors find that the free entry times are fully booked weeks in advance, making guided tours the more practical option. For school group visits or educational purposes, prior reservation is required to ensure access to facilities such as the museum’s cinema hall.
When booking through the museum, you will select a date, time, and language for your guided tour. Auschwitz tickets for guided tours include fees that support the museum’s preservation and educational mission. Confirmation emails serve as your entry pass, and you must present them (printed or digital) upon arrival.
Auschwitz Tour Tickets
Auschwitz.nyc provides comprehensive information about tour packages that include Auschwitz tickets, transportation from Krakow, and professional guides. Our website helps you navigate the various options available from licensed tour operators, making it easier to find the right experience for your visit.
Combo tours are available, allowing you to combine your visit to Auschwitz with other sites such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Oskar Schindler’s Factory. Guided tours with transport from Krakow include entrance, an official guide, and round-trip coach transport for a hassle-free experience. Many private tour operators also offer packages that bundle guided tours with round-trip transportation from major cities and may include other attractions.
By using our website, you can find detailed information about reputable tour operators who offer English-speaking customer support, flexible cancellation policies, and professionally organized tours. We provide guidance to help you identify licensed guides and accredited transportation providers that meet the highest standards of quality and respect.
When to Book
Advance booking is essential for any Auschwitz tour. During summer months and around significant dates such as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27), demand exceeds capacity dramatically. We recommend booking at least four to six weeks in advance during peak season and two to three weeks ahead during quieter periods.
Last-minute visitors may find limited availability, less desirable time slots, or no English-language tours available. Securing your Auschwitz tickets early provides peace of mind and allows you to focus on emotional and educational preparation rather than logistical concerns.
Planning Your Visit to Auschwitz
Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow
The vast majority of visitors access Auschwitz from Krakow, located approximately 70 kilometers east of the memorial. Several transportation options exist for making this journey.
Organized tours with transportation represent the most convenient option. Your tour operator handles all logistics, picking you up from a central Krakow location and returning you after the visit. Many operators offer a tour from Krakow as a day trip, with a meeting point or central meeting point for group departures. Some tours provide selected meeting points throughout the city for added convenience, allowing you to choose the most suitable location during booking. For private tours, drop off at your accommodation or preferred address in Krakow is often available, making the experience even more flexible and comfortable.
Public buses operated by Lajkonik run regularly between Krakow’s main bus station (MDA) and Oświęcim. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes each way. From Oświęcim, you can walk or take a local bus to the museum entrance. The Museum is located about 2 km from the train station in Oświęcim and can be reached by local buses. There are PKS and minibus stops adjacent to the Museum, with service to Krakow and Katowice. This option requires more planning and time management but offers budget-conscious travelers an alternative.
What to Expect Upon Arrival
Upon arriving at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, you will proceed through security screening similar to airport procedures. Large bags, larger luggage, food, and beverages (except water) are not permitted inside the camps. Visitors with larger luggage should leave it in vehicles or the car park before entering the museum. The maximum size of backpacks or handbags brought into the Museum cannot exceed dimensions of 35x25x15 cm. Free luggage storage is available at the visitor center. Food is not allowed while visiting the Museum, but visitors can eat during a short break. Photography is permitted in most areas, though the use of flash and tripods is restricted.
During your tour of Auschwitz, you will walk several kilometers over uneven terrain. Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear is essential. The site is largely outdoors, so prepare for Polish weather conditions – warm layers in spring and fall, sun protection in summer, and cold-weather gear in winter.
Emotional Preparation
A visit to Auschwitz is emotionally challenging. The evidence of mass murder – the piles of personal belongings, the cramped barracks, the execution walls – creates an atmosphere of profound sadness and reflection. The atmosphere during the visit is reflective and informative, allowing space for personal reflection. Many visitors describe feeling overwhelmed, tearful, or numb during and after their tour. The visit can be emotionally intense, as the history of the site is very serious.
We encourage visitors to research the history before arriving so that the experience serves to deepen existing knowledge rather than provide an initial shock. Traveling with companions who can offer support, allowing time for quiet reflection after the visit, and journaling your thoughts can help process the experience. The experience at Auschwitz is designed to be handled with dignity and respect for the victims, and it is recommended that visitors dress in a manner befitting a Holocaust memorial site.
The visit to Auschwitz is not recommended for children under the age of 14 due to the nature of the site. Parents and guardians should carefully consider whether their child is emotionally prepared for the graphic content on display.
Making the Most of Your Auschwitz Tour
Choosing the Right Time
The museum is open year-round, with opening hours varying by season. The Museum is open all year long, seven days a week, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday. The opening hours of the Museum vary depending on the month, with the earliest opening at 7:30 AM and the latest closing at 7:00 PM in summer. Summer days offer the longest visiting windows, while winter hours are more restricted due to early darkness. Early morning tours tend to be less crowded than midday slots, though all time periods see significant visitor numbers during peak season.
Winter visits offer a unique perspective – the cold and snow evoke the brutal conditions prisoners endured. However, be prepared for icy paths and freezing temperatures. Summer visits allow more time and better weather but require booking well in advance due to high demand.
Maximizing Your Learning
Engaging actively with your Auschwitz tour guide enhances the educational value of your visit. Listen carefully to their explanations, ask questions during designated times, and read the informational plaques throughout the site. The museum has created comprehensive exhibitions that deserve careful attention.
Consider visiting the national exhibitions housed within the barracks of Auschwitz I. Countries including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, and others have created displays honoring their citizens who perished here. These exhibitions provide personal stories and national perspectives that complement the main museum narrative.
The bookstore at the visitor center offers an extensive collection of literature on the Holocaust, memoirs of survivors, and historical analyses. Purchasing a book to read after your visit can deepen your understanding and help process the experience.
Photography and Conduct
While photography is permitted, we encourage visitors to approach it thoughtfully. Selfies and casual photography can feel inappropriate in this context. The museum explicitly prohibits certain poses and behaviors that disrespect the memory of victims. Many visitors choose not to photograph at all, preferring to experience the site without the mediation of a camera lens.
Silence and solemnity are the expected norms of conduct. Speaking quietly, not running, and maintaining respectful behavior honor both the site and fellow visitors engaged in their own emotional journeys.
Beyond the Tour: Honoring the Memory
The Importance of Witness
In the years following World War II, survivors of Auschwitz took on the solemn duty of bearing witness – sharing their experiences so the world would never forget. As the survivor population diminishes, visitors to the memorial become the next generation of witnesses. Your visit to Auschwitz makes you part of this chain of memory.
Many people find that their Auschwitz tour transforms their understanding of history and humanity. The abstract numbers – six million Jewish victims, over one million murdered at Auschwitz – become concrete when confronted with physical evidence. This transformation from knowledge to understanding represents the educational power of memorial tourism.
Supporting Preservation Efforts
The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum operates as a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the site and educating visitors. Your Auschwitz tickets directly support conservation work, scholarly research, and educational programming. Additional donations are welcomed and fund ongoing preservation of the crumbling barracks, artifacts, and archives.
Continuing Education
A tour of Auschwitz often sparks a desire to learn more. We encourage visitors to explore Holocaust museums in their home countries, read survivor memoirs such as Primo Levi’s works or Elie Wiesel’s “Night,” and engage with contemporary discussions about genocide prevention. For a comprehensive Krakow experience, we also recommend visiting Oskar Schindler’s Factory, a historical museum highlighting Schindler’s heroism and Jewish resistance during WWII, as well as the mesmerizing and historically important Wieliczka Salt Mine, both considered essential attractions alongside Auschwitz. The lessons of Auschwitz extend beyond history into present-day responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auschwitz Tickets and Tours
How far in advance should I book Auschwitz tickets? During peak season (April through October), book four to six weeks ahead. During off-peak months, two to three weeks is usually sufficient, though earlier is always better.
Are Auschwitz tours suitable for children?
The museum recommends visitors be at least 14 years old due to graphic content. Parents should carefully consider their child’s emotional readiness.
How long does a visit to Auschwitz take?
Standard guided tours last approximately three to three-and-a-half hours. With transportation from Krakow, expect a full-day commitment of six to seven hours.
Can I visit without a guide?
Yes, but free individual entry slots are very limited. Most visitors join guided tours for both availability and educational value.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and modest attire respectful of the site’s significance.
Book Your Auschwitz Tour Today
Planning a visit to Auschwitz represents a meaningful commitment to historical education and remembrance. Auschwitz.nyc is dedicated to providing you with the information you need to plan this important journey with confidence.
Use our guides and resources to find the right tour for you and join the millions of visitors who have witnessed this essential memorial.