Auschwitz was the largest of the camps built by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland, and it has become the defining symbol of the Holocaust. Around 1.1 million people were murdered there, the great majority of them Jews deported from across Europe, along with Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others. The camp was liberated by the Soviet army on 27 January 1945, and the Memorial and Museum was established on the site in 1947. A visit covers two places: Auschwitz I, the original camp of brick blocks behind the gate with its cynical slogan, where exhibitions document the deportations and the victims; and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, about three kilometres away, a vast field of barracks, the railway ramp, and the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria. Entry to the grounds is free, but every visitor must reserve a timed entry pass in advance.
Most people visit from Kraków, about an hour and a half away by road, on a guided tour with transport, which is what the linked Tiqets options provide: the transfer, a reserved entry and a Memorial guide-educator. The guided visit itself lasts about three and a half hours. Independent visitors can reserve free entry passes on the Memorial's own booking site or join one of its guided tours; passes cannot be obtained at the site, and demand is high.
Practical rules matter here. Arrive at least thirty minutes before your slot for security checks, keep bags within the Memorial's small size limit (luggage storage is paid), and dress for long periods outdoors, especially at Birkenau in cold weather. The Memorial does not recommend visits for children under fourteen. Visitors are asked to behave with appropriate solemnity; photographs without flash are allowed in most places but not in a few, which guides will point out.
This is not a sightseeing stop, and it is wise to plan nothing demanding for the rest of the day. Many visitors find it helps to prepare by visiting Schindler's Factory or Kazimierz in Kraków first, which give context about the Jewish community that lived here before the war.
What to expect
The experience
A guided visit to Auschwitz I and then Auschwitz II-Birkenau, usually with return transport from Kraków.
Best time
An early departure, on a day with nothing demanding planned afterwards.
How long
About three and a half hours on site and seven to nine hours door to door from Kraków.
Tips
Reserve well ahead, arrive thirty minutes early, carry only a small bag, dress for the weather and bring ID.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to understand the Holocaust where it happened.
- Families
- The Memorial does not recommend visits for children under fourteen; teenagers should be prepared beforehand.
- Couples
- Go together and allow time afterwards to talk and reflect.
- Pair with
- Schindler's Factory and Kazimierz in Kraków for context on the city's Jewish community.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
Is entry to Auschwitz-Birkenau free?+
Yes, entry to the grounds is free, but you must reserve a timed entry pass online in advance. Guided tours and tours with transport from Kraków are paid.
How long does a visit to Auschwitz take?+
The standard guided visit lasts about three and a half hours. Tours from Kraków with transport take seven to nine hours in total.
Can children visit Auschwitz?+
There is no strict age limit, but the Memorial does not recommend visits for children under fourteen.
How far is Auschwitz from Kraków?+
About an hour and a half by road to Oświęcim. Most visitors go on a guided tour with transport.
What should I bring?+
ID, a small bag within the size limit, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Birkenau is large and exposed, so dress warmly in cold months.