Auschwitz is one of those places that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. Concentration camps are places that should remain in everyone's memory so that something similar never happens again. Every 27 January is the anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp. In 2005, the United Nations declared 27 January International Holocaust Memorial Day.
However, visiting one of these concentration camps can be a doubly traumatising experience - because of the memory of this dark period in human history and also because of the large number of tourists who visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) at certain times of the year.
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This brief guide can help you plan your visit to Auschwitz and explore the concentration camps in an orderly way, without having to endure large groups of noisy or disrespectful tourists. I say this because, unfortunately, in the final moments of my visit the disrespect was evident and I've read about other similar situations.
Among the repulsive behaviour, visitors could be seen taking selfies in the gas chambers or with mountains of victims' hair as a backdrop. Or groups of visitors chatting as if they were in a café. In this case, the volume was deafening.
Information for visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps
Wake up early and stay close to the countryside
To avoid the behaviour I've described above, wake up early and be one of the first to enter Auschwitz. That's what I did and I was able to visit quietly, with only four or five other visitors as company. The site was empty and quiet until around 9.30am. After that, organised groups and Spaniards started arriving, shouting and laughing.
From then on, it became a traumatising experience, but for different reasons. If you visit after 10am, you're obliged to go in with a guide and you'll already be caught up with all the groups arriving from Krakow. Arrive at least half an hour before the tours start if you visit after 10.00. See the hotel I recommend at the end of this article.
When to visit Auschwitz
You can visit Auschwitz at any time of the year, but I recommend a visit to the concentration camps in the town of Oświęcim during autumn or winter so that you can enjoy it more peacefully and try to assimilate everything that this place represented and still represents for the history of humanity.
Avoid at all costs trips to Auschwitz during the summer and even spring and, of course, during holiday periods or public holidays in Poland.
What's more, a visit during autumn or winter - with fog and snow - will help you get a more vivid picture of the nightmare the victims and survivors of the Holocaust went through.
Entry times to Auschwitz
January and November | 07h30 - 15h00
February | 07h30 - 16h00
March and October | 07h30 - 17h00
April, May, September | 07h30 - 18h00
June, July, August 07h30 - 19h00
December | 07h30 - 14h00
The museum is open all year round, seven days a week, except on 1 January, 25 December and Easter Day.
All visitors can stay for 90 minutes after Auschwitz's closing time. At least three hours is the recommended time to visit the concentration camps.
How to get to Auschwitz
Auschwitz is located on the outskirts of the town of Oświęcim, on national road 933, about 2 kilometres from the train station. From Oświęcim railway station you can easily walk, as I did, or get on a bus or taxi.
The best way to get to Auschwitz is to take a flight to Krakow or Katowice and then catch a train to Oświęcim. The distance between Kraków and Oświęcim is about 70 kilometres and it takes about two hours to travel by train. The other alternative is to take a bus between Kraków and Oświęcim.
How do I travel between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau?
Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau are 3.5 kilometres apart, so it's best to take transport and save your energy for exploring the two concentration camps. There is also a bus that runs regularly between the two sites - most frequently between April and October. The journey between the two sites is free.
If you prefer to walk the route, you may also come across several areas along the way that during the Nazi occupation were used to house factories, workshops or warehouses, where many prisoners worked and died.
How much does it cost to enter Auschwitz
Entry to Auschwitz is free if you visit independently, but must be booked online. If you wish to be accompanied by a guide, you will have to pay and the price is around €12 per person (50 zloty).
Where can I eat during my visit?
At Olecki Hotel, there is a restaurant that is probably the best option. There is also a small café inside the Auschwitz museum. The third option is to buy something at the Carrefour in Oświęcim, very close to the train station.
Rules and tips for visiting Auschwitz
In order to access the concentration camps in Poland, certain rules must be observed - starting with respect for the memory of the victims and survivors. Without wishing to be exhaustive, here are some of the most important:
- Children under 14 are not advised to visit Auschwitz
- Conservative clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended
- Visitors should behave respectfully (e.g. no selfies)
- The maximum size of luggage allowed is 30x20x10 cm. Leave your suitcase at the hotel
- In winter, visitors should avoid deviating from the marked routes
- It is forbidden to remove or damage any structure
- It is forbidden to consume food or alcohol, smoke cigarettes (including e-cigarettes), light candles or enter with animals (except guide dogs).
- Don't use mobile phones in the exhibition blocks and in the quiet area of Block 11
- Taking photos with a flash or tripod is not allowed. Photography in Room 5 of Block 4 and in Block 11 is also prohibited.
Should I visit both concentration camps - Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau)?
Yes. It is essential to visit both sites to get a more vivid idea of the places that have become the most obvious symbol of the Holocaust and the actions of the Nazis.
What it means Arbeit macht frei?
Arbeit macht frei, is a German phrase that, translated, means "Work sets you free". The phrase is still inscribed at the entrance to Auschwitz, although the original metal element was stolen and destroyed shortly after my trip. Today, the metal element is a replica of the original.
What will I feel when I visit Auschwitz?
I can't answer that question, because each person will have their own sensitivity to the subject, but I assure you that you won't be insensitive. As you walk in silence along the empty tracks, crematoria and gas chambers, as you see the countless photographs of starving people, the piles of hair and shoes, you will feel disgust, revolt and incomprehension.
And you'll struggle to understand how human beings are able to engineer events like the Holocaust, the genocide in Rwanda or the repression of the Rohingya. Until the release of around 7,000 prisoners who remained at the camp site by Red Army soldiers, the Nazis murdered (it is estimated) more than a million people at Auschwitz, mostly Jews, but also Poles, Gypsies, Soviet prisoners of war and other nationalities.
How can I find out more about Auschwitz?
The extermination is well documented. You can watch documentaries or films on the subject, several of which are very popular, such as The Pianist or Schindler's List. You can also read books on the subject, in particular "If This is a Man" by Primo Levi, a chemist and writer who was taken to Auschwitz when he was just over 20 years old and survived to tell us about the nightmare.
Excerpt from the book If This is a Man, by Primo Levi
You who live safely
in their warm homes,
you who, returning at night,
find hot food and friendly faces,
think about whether this is a man
who works among the clay,
who knows no peace,
fighting for a piece of bread,
who dies for a yes or a no.Think carefully about whether this is a woman,
hairless and nameless,
no more strength to remember,
Empty eyes, cold belly,
like a frog in winter.
Think that this has happened:
I send you these words.Carve them into your hearts,
being at home, walking down the street,
when you lie down, when you get up;
repeat them to your children.
Or else your house will collapse,
the illness renders them invalid,
your children turn their faces away so you don't see them.Primo Levi
Extra information
How to get from Auschwitz to the Wieliczka salt mines
There is no direct transport to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Auschwitz. However, there are several ways to get to Poland's salt cathedral. Entry costs around 20€.
Save time (and money)
If you want to immerse yourself even more in the local culture, optimise your trip and even save money, take guided tours and experiences of Auschwitz. Book the best tours and activities in advance. Skip the queues and get your entrances to monumentsYou'll have more time to enjoy your trip.
Hire a car
If you have your own car, it's much easier. Choose to hire a car with Discovercars. This site allows you to compare prices and, in many cases, you can cancel the rental free of charge up to 48 hours before departure.
If you hire a car, you'll have flexibility and save a lot of time by being able to visit several places in one day.
Public transport
Public transport between Auschwitz and Wieliczka takes between two and three hours, with the obligatory stop in Krakow. You can make the journey by bus or train to Krakow (1h50 on the train) and then take another suburban train to the mines (35 minutes) - or a local bus. In any case, you'll always have to take other transport from Krakow to get to the salt mines if you're travelling from Oświęcim (Auschwitz).
On this site you can simulate the route using only public transport. If you put Oświęcim as your starting destination and Wieliczka Rynek as your final destination, it's likely that only bus results will be shown.
The solution I prefer is to split the route. In other words, do two simulations. One to Krakow's central station - Kraków Główny - and another from the capital's railway station to the Wieliczka mines. This way, you'll have access to all options - buses and trains.
Organised tour
On a tour from Krakow you can visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz in just one day. It saves time, but is a little more expensive.
Luggage in Auschwitz
Store your luggage safely and cheaply in Auschwitz. This storage service allows you to shop your belongings in shops, hotels and other partners. Booking can be done online in just a few seconds and the service is available 24 hours a day.
Recommended hotel in Auschwitz and Krakow
The hotel I recommend and where I stayed - Hotel Olecki - is right opposite the entrance to Auschwitz I in Oświęcim, so it's perfect for getting some extra sleep and even having a restful breakfast. The facilities are very good and the breakfast is tasty.
Staying in this hotel so close to the site - where horrors were planned and executed - allowed me to reflect before and after the visit on this dark historical event.
If you need a hotel in Krakow, I've stayed in two places: the Zajazd Srebrna Gora and the Atelier Aparthotel. I have no hesitation in recommending both.
Other great places to sleep when visiting Auschwitz
- Willa nad Sołą guest house (9.6)
- Villa Astra - Apartments & Breakfast (9.4)
- City Apartment (9.6)
- Apartament Julek (9.8)
- Hampton by Hilton Oswiecim (9.4)
- Hotel Galicja Superior Wellness & Spa (9.1)
- Tosia Apartment (9.6)
Travel Insurance
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I organise and lead group trips to destinations I know well. And I only travel with small groups (maximum 12 people).
I've been to 60 countries, so if you have a trip in mind with a group of friends, family or work colleagues, contact me and I'll be happy to plan, organise and lead the trip you want. The itinerary can be customised, as can the budget and activities.
See the travel calendar and sign up or tell me where you want to travel as a group and I'll take care of everything.
Good afternoon, I'm a "Tuga" from Caldas da Rainha living in Belgium.
Married to a young man who is fascinated by the Second World War and everything that surrounds it on both sides.
After a few bad health moments, I wanted to boost the lad's morale with a 20-day trip to Brussels Auschwitz.
I have some serious problems: my lack of knowledge on the subject and the lack of information on what I'm looking for.
In other words, small towns with their footprint in history, not the big cities like Colonia, but the small ones that harboured fugitives and were part of history.
I travel in an early VW T3 van, so big cities aren't really our thing.
If you could give me a little push with some sites to visit, blogs and so on.
The most important thing is that the boy doesn't know anything, and I hope he stays that way until April next year.
Thank you so much
Hello, Deborah. I think the "boy" will be delighted with this surprise. It's not very easy to find information about these places. By doing a little research I managed to find some places that are linked to that period in history.
The most popular seems to be Oradour-sur-Glane in France, but it's just outside the loop between Brussels and Auschwitz. Then there are other locations, which can also be interesting, such as Oranienburg, Opijnen, Vierhouten, Jedwabne.
This site has some information (I think made with material supplied by veterans), as well as the Alsace tourism website.
Information on the subject is very fragmented on the internet, but for example on this site (in Portuguese) has a lot of information about the Second World War.
I hope it helped. If you get the chance, let us know how your trip went!
Hello Jorge, what is the price of the hotel in Auschwitz? Do they speak English? French? Thank you
Hello Adelina. The price varies depending on the date, but you can check the rates for your dates on this site. They speak English, yes. French, I can't say.
Good afternoon Jorge. My name is Sandra and I would like to ask you how much time you think is reasonable to visit the two concentration camps in Auschwitz? Thank you
Hello Sandra. I'd say between two and three hours for Auschwitz I and about one hour for Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Although the latter is larger in area, there's less to see.
Good evening, Jorge.
I'm going to be in Krakow soon and I'd like to visit the camps but without a guided tour, independently. When I go to the website you've linked above, it only gives me results for individual visits and group visits, both of which will be charged for. Could you help me? Thank you
Hello Beatriz. You have to choose the option "Visit for individuals for whom a tour in groups with an educator is organised or for individuals without an educator".
Then go ahead and choose the date. Then you have to find the option "Visit without an educator" again. If you don't see this option, there are no tickets available for that day. If you see the option without a guide available, select it and then go one step further until you see the price, which will be "zero".
I hope it helps 🙂
Good morning, the post is spectacular with fantastic help.
However, my question concerns entry to the space. Do you always need validation to enter? In the case of the "Visit without an educator" entry, it only appears in the afternoon. Do you know how to enter "visit without an educator" in the morning? If I get there early in the morning, how can I enter the space without prior booking?
Thank you.
Hello Altino. Thank you very much for your kind words. I've been checking and there are morning times on several days. Perhaps those times are already filled on the day you've chosen.
Good afternoon. I'd like to know if it's better to buy the ticket online from Krakow to Oswiecim, or if you can buy it at the station. Thank you
Hello, Igor. I bought it at the station without any problems.
Good afternoon. I would like to know the approximate time it takes to visit the two parts of the Auschwitz camp. thanks
Margarida, I'd say 2/3 hours for Auschwitz I and about 1 hour for Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Good evening Jorge, I'm going to visit Auschwitz in February and I've already booked my ticket. Do you know if there are audio guides available? Thank you
Hello Alexandra. There are currently no audio guides in Auschwitz. The only way to find out more is to take a guided tour. But even without a guide, the experience is powerful...
Good morning, Jorge,
How does the revolut card actually work?
Thank you
Sónia M.
Hello, Sonia. I think this article on Revolut will answer all your questions ? But if you have any questions, I'll try to help. Thank you.
Hello, can I enter both camps without hiring a guide? I mean, on my own
Hello, Victor. Yes, you can enter any of the Auschwitz concentration camps without a guide.
Hello, I'm planning a interrail for next year and the aim was to visit Krakow and then on the journey to Katowice stop in Oświęcim and see the countryside. Our problem at the moment is this: are there any places to leave our rucksacks? in the camps or at the railway station, thank you 🙂 I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
Hello Almerinda. What great plans for next year! ? When I visited, there was a place to leave your luggage at Auschwitz. Not lockers, but a room that (I assume) is secure.
I don't think there is one at Oświęcim railway station, but there is luggage storage in Krakow.
Good plans!
Jorge very good help, can you tell me if I can get from Munich with a hire car? is it complicated: is there parking? is it safe? Thank you
Hello José. You'll have to check with the car hire company whether you're allowed to cross external borders and what the cost is, because sometimes it's high. In terms of security, I didn't experience any problems. With regard to parking, I was able to find information that there is plenty of space to park, paid car parks and free spaces. As far as I know, there are two car parks near Auschwitz I.
If you need a hotel, I recommend Hotel Olecki. According to the hotel's description, it has a free car park.
I visited Auschwitz by train.
Hi Jorge, I loved your post, which will be very useful to me, I have a question, I don't know if you can help me, I want to do the salt mines and Aushwitz on the same day, but to book it myself without organised tours and my question is what is the best way to get from Aushwitz to the salt mines... Thanks
Hello Mariana. I think it's a bit tight to see Auschwitz (the two camps) and the Wieliczka Salt Mines on the same day, unless you have your own transport or you're on a boat. tourPublic transport between the two places takes almost three hours, with the obligatory stop in Krakow.
As I've already been asked this question a few times, I've updated the article with the details I need to know. you can see it here. And I've also added the hotels where I stayed, in case that comes in handy 🙂 .
If you need any more help, I'll try to help.
Hi Jorge, thanks for sharing your experience. I'm planning to go to Poland on my own. Could you tell me if it's possible to understand what happened in the concentration camp by going on your own, without the help of a guide? Thank you
Hello, Elaine. Yes, it's possible. I did it without a guide. There is a lot of information available and the experience is very strong and real, given the objects on display. With or without a guide, it's an essential visit.
I'm stationed in Warsaw for a few months and was keen to visit the two concentration camps and the salt mines. It has been a great help to read all these comments in preparation for my visit over the Easter weekend 2021. Cheers ...
Thank you, Antonio. I'm glad the information helped. Take a trip to Krakow if you have time, too.
Hello, Jorge,
is it possible to visit the camps on your own without booking on the website?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hello, Tania. Yes, it's possible. That's how I visited 🙂
Hello, Jorge,
Thanks for the excellent article. I just have one question, is the train station in Krakow close to the airport?
Thank you, and keep travelling.
Hello Jorge. Thanks for your comment. 🙂 The airport is about 15 km from the city and there are regular trains between the airport and the centre - you'll arrive at Kraków Główny station. The journey takes around 17 minutes.
Hello, Jorge,
Thanks for the tips!
I'm going to visit Auschwitz without a guide. I've already booked the tickets. The earliest I could get was for 4pm. I'm worried because the last bus to Krakow is at 6.45pm and the last train at 7.10pm... I'm afraid I won't have time to see the camps!
What do you think?
In the meantime, I've searched for other alternatives and haven't found any...
Hello, Marta. That sounds a bit tight, but it's not impossible. With that kind of time you can only go to Auschwitz, but that doesn't give you time (in my opinion) to see Auschwitz II-Birkenau as well. At the very least, allow 90 minutes for the Auschwitz camp and perhaps the same amount of time for Auschwitz II-Birkenau. And then you still have to get to the station. All in about 3 hours 🙂
Why don't you stay in hotel near Auschwitz and take the bus/train the next day? Don't you have time? You could visit the camp right at the opening with fewer people. I see you've already booked your tickets, but this could be a good option.
Jorge, your comments and explanations of the location are excellent. I would like your help. I intend to visit without a guide, in which case do I need to book my visit? On the website you left the link to, I can only see that you can buy the tour with a guide. Thank you.
Hello Alexandre. You can find both options there. Just look for this: "Tour for individuals without an educator". Some days there may no longer be availability 🙂
Hello, I have a question, I have a one year old baby and she's going to visit us, she's going to be attached to my body by a bag, do you think there could be a problem? When did you see small children? The post is incredible and very useful, congratulations on the content.
Hello, Nathalia. Thank you for your comment. As far as I know, there are no restrictions on visiting Auschwitz with children. There is a recommendation not to visit Auschwitz with children under the age of 14. This recommendation is due to the fact that the site is very visual and can be traumatic for children. Some people choose to take babies, because at that age the question won't arise, as they shouldn't feel any negative influence from what is on display. However, this is the parents' decision.
Is it necessary to buy entrance tickets for babies or are the tickets only for adults?
Hi Taynan. A baby does not pay admission. However, it is not advisable for children under 14 to visit. Please note that it is not forbidden, but it is not recommended. As far as I know, pushchairs aren't allowed, so you'll have to carry your baby.
Hello Jorge. I'm planning a visit to Krakow and consequently to Auschwitz. I'm thinking of sleeping in Auschwitz and visiting it in the morning. My question is this: the distance between the two camps is still considerable, and if you have a hire car can you make the journey by car or do you have to walk? I'm going at the end of November and the cold should be an obstacle.
Hello Carlos. I recommend taking the car, as it's about 3.5 kilometres away. And in winter I recommend it even more 🙂
Hi Jorge, I read your post and found it very interesting
I may be going to Krakow in October from São Paulo, on a tour of Europe. I want to stay 3 days in Poland, what do you recommend, where to stay (city) as I won't have much time.
A big hug
Hello André. I recommend Krakow as a place to stay. Not only is the city very beautiful, but you can also eat very well there. You can also visit the salt mines and take a trip to Auschwitz.
Hi Jorge
Thanks for the publication and the valuable tips.
I'd like to go in June, but at the moment the earliest available date is in May.
I understand that I should wait, but as we're only going on a weekend with a public holiday (3 days), I'd like to stay in Oświęcim to start the tour in the morning. I've checked the online booking site, but the NON-guided tours are only available in the afternoons and not first thing in the morning...
Does Jorge know if we buy it for an hour in the afternoon, if we can get in in the morning?
Thank you very much for your attention.
Hello Cilinha. From what I can see now, individual entry (without being in a guided group) seems to have to be done in the afternoon only. I don't know if this is temporary or a new procedure to favour guided tours.
If you want to go in the morning (or if you can only go in the morning), it's best to buy a ticket for the morning. As you know, you don't pay for individual visits. But you won't be able to get in in the morning with an afternoon ticket.
Hello, it's not recommended to enter the concentration camp, but can you? Is it allowed? My children are 13 and 12.
Thanks for the tips.
Hi. Yes, entry is permitted.
Hello,
I've booked individual tickets for 13.15. As I'm going in December, the information I have is that the camps close at 14.00. Does that mean I have to finish my sightseeing at that time or is that the time of the last booking?
Can someone please enlighten me?
Thank you!
Hello Nazaré. You can visit Auschwitz up to 90 minutes after the last entry time. In other words, if the last entry time is 14:00 in December, then you can stay inside until 15:30.
Enjoy your visit!
Hello Jorge. This sharing is absolutely enlightening, thank you very much.
I've had the desire and curiosity to visit both camps for a long time and, in fact, the ideal thing would be to do it as quietly as possible, I don't like a lot of noise, especially on a visit like this. I'm strongly considering going this year, and there are five or six of us.
Given your experience and knowledge, can I ask if you're thinking of organising a trip there this year? Perhaps in the autumn?
Thank you
Hi Rute,
Thank you very much for your message and your words.
Regarding your question, I'm not planning to organise any trips to Auschwitz this year. The visits I make to that place are always in a personal and individual context, precisely because of the need for silence, time and recollection that such an experience requires.
Even so, I hope you manage to find the best way to visit with the tranquillity you're looking for - it's a place that deserves to be experienced with respect and without haste.
Thanks for the contact and best wishes for a good trip, should you go ahead.