How to Visit Auschwitz in 2025: The Complete Guide with Tips

Auschwitz-Birkenau, commonly referred to as the Auschwitz concentration camp, is the largest among the Nazi concentration and death camps of World War II, where more than 1.3 million people were killed. The word “Auschwitz” is associated with pain, horror, suffering, murder, and the Holocaust. And because of that, many people make it a priority to visit Auschwitz during their time in Poland.

A visit to Auschwitz is a solemn, emotional, and thought-provoking experience. It is not a destination that excites travelers, and visiting Auschwitz is undoubtedly not for everyone. 

However, I firmly believe that it is necessary not only to gain a deeper understanding of history but also to witness the consequences of ideological brainwashing on human behavior, see the horrific actions of humanity, and ensure our collective efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future. 

And no matter how many movies or books you’ve read/watched about the Nazi concentration camps, walking through the grounds where it happened is an entirely different experience. 

Planning a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau requires slight preparation. Whether opting for an independent journey or a guided tour, here is a complete guide on how to visit Auschwitz and Birkenau Memorial Museum. 

I have visited Auschwitz-Birkenau twice. The first time was more than ten years ago, as a student on a field trip to Krakow from Prague, and the second time was in November 2023 with Oto, my husband. 

I still remember the shock and emotional rollercoaster I felt after my first visit. My second visit to the Auschwitz Memorial was primarily for information purposes to write this detailed post. 

The guide, structured into FAQs and travel tips, contains all the information needed to plan a trip to Auschwitz from Krakow or Katowice, including details on transportation, guided tours, visiting rules, and what to expect during your visit.

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Your complete guide to visit Auschwitz in 2024 in FAQ style

Why should you visit Auschwitz? 

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum will significantly impact you. History, sorrow, and extreme ideology unfold in this singular location. 

Although Auschwitz is mainly recognized as an extermination camp, it was built in mid-1940 as a concentration camp. It was one among more than 40 camps in Poland intended to address the issue of overcrowded prisons filled with local detainees. 

Therefore, the Nazis established a prison camp on the outskirts of Oswiecim town, southern Poland, near Krakow. On June 14, 1940, the first prisoners arrived at Auschwitz from the Tarnow prison.

By 1942 and onward, Auschwitz had transitioned to an extermination camp, where Nazis implemented their plan of Jewish persecution all over Europe and systematically killed them. For more than a million people, the arrival platform of Auschwitz was the end of their lives as guards escorted them straight to the gas chambers.

If an inmate was registered and not immediately directed to the gas chamber, the initial experience started at the prisoner reception center near the gate with the “Arbeit macht frei” sign, which translates as “Work sets you free” in English. Here, individuals underwent tattooing, shaving, and disinfection and were given a striped prison uniform. 

At its peak in 1944, Nazis compartmentalized Auschwitz into three sections: Auschwitz I (the oldest, situated in the former Polish military barracks), Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the largest, established in 1941, where mass genocide happened), and Auschwitz III (a cluster of over 40 sub-camps near industrial facilities designed for forced labor).

The construction of such a vast camp led to the demolition of multiple Polish villages and the displacement of local residents. The camps were isolated from the rest of the world, covering around 40 square kilometers, encompassing all three Auschwitz camps and the designated “interest zone” for offices, Nazi Barracks, and technical and supply infrastructure.

Due to Auschwitz’s strategic location on the front line, the camp’s liquidation began in August 1944, with prisoners transported to Germany and evidence of crimes concealed and destroyed. 

Red Army, a.k.a Soviets, liberated the camp on January 27, 1945, when approximately 7,500 prisoners were still there.

Over the nearly four years of its operation, Auschwitz-Birkenau became the focal point for the Nazi “final solution to the Jewish problem” and claimed the lives of over 1.3 million individuals, predominantly Jewish (around 1.1 million), as well as Polish (approximately 150,000), Roma people (23,000), and other nationalities.

On July 2, 1947, the Polish government passed legislation to create a state memorial commemorating the victims of Oswiecim, and up until 1990, all directors of the Auschwitz Museum were individuals who had been prisoners of this camp.

In 1979, Auschwitz gained UNESCO World Heritage status, distinguishing it as the only former Nazi concentration camp with such recognition in the world.

After establishing the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, the prisoner reception center at Auschwitz I was changed into the visitor service center, where you start the exploration by going under the same “Arbeit macht frei” signed gate. 

What is visiting Auschwitz like?

It is worth visiting Auschwitz to understand the tragic history of Poland and Jews and see firsthand the atrocities of the Third Reich. The emotions you feel when visiting Auschwitz are indescribable and continue to follow you for the rest of your life.  

This section describes what visiting Auschwitz is like and what to expect from the Museum and the guided service. 

The tourist trail, either guided or independent, starts in the oldest section of the concentration camp, Auschwitz I, where the gate with the ironic sign “Arbeit macht frei” (Work sets you free) is. 

There are dozens of brick barracks, but only a few are open to the public. Once the living quarters of the inmates, these barracks now exhibit the harsh and horrifying reality of Auschwitz. 

The most emotional for me on both visits was the halls filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of personal belongings confiscated from arriving prisoners – luggage, shoes, glasses, and bowls. Even more horrifying is the enormous amount of the hair of victims used by Nazis to create carpets and other household items!

The hallway with black and white pictures of the male and female prisoners taken after their arrival at the camp is pretty nerve-wracking. Below the names, you can find the date of arrival and death, their nationality, and why they were imprisoned. Looking at the dates, you realize that the people survived here, on average, from four to six months. However, some died earlier, and some survived longer.  

Information boards detail cruel practices, medical experiments, and torture. There is a big maquette of the gas chambers showcasing the whole process of killing people and cremating them.  

In addition, you will also see the house of the camp commander and the initial crematorium. 

The second sight – Auschwitz II-Birkenau – is where approximately 90% of the victims met their tragic fate, making it the deadliest facility with several gas chambers and crematoriums. 

After the construction of the direct railway to Birkenau in later years, most prisoners arrived here straightway, as opposed to coming first to Auschwitz I and then being transported to Birkenau. 

During this part of the tour, you will walk through the vast grounds, observing the remnants of the camp and listening to terrible stories. You will have the possibility to enter the barracks, learn how people lived there, see the carriage that transported at least 80 inmates crammed inside, and visit the remnants of gas chambers and crematoriums after Nazis destroyed them during the liquidation process along with the barracks.

The current buildings were rebuilt after the camp became a museum, using the original materials salvaged from the ruins. Only a few fireplace chimneys remain to give a slight perspective on the number of buildings that once stood here.  

On our guided visit to the Birkenau, we only visited one brick building used for only female prisoners. The rest of the time, we walked outside. 

On my first visit, I remember we went inside the wooden barrack, which looked like a poorly constructed shack where the wind would blow in from all directions. 

At the end, a memorial is placed to honor the victims. There are 24 plates in different languages native to the inmates, but one is in English because of the visitors to the museum.

Where is Auschwitz-Birkenau located? 

Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is in the town of Oświęcim in southern Poland, where approximately 39,000 inhabitants live today. 

The closest big city is Katowice (35 km away), followed by Krakow (60 km). Other cities you can visit Auschwitz from are Częstochowa (98 km), Wroclaw (209 km), or Warsaw (307 km).

What city should you stay in to visit Auschwitz?

The most popular way to visit Auschwitz is a day trip from Krakow, a trendy tourist city offering various options for visiting the camp. 

Whether you plan to visit on your own or join organized Auschwitz tours, I recommend staying in Krakow. 

If you intend on visiting charming Polish cities, and Katowice is one of them, you can plan a trip from here as it’s closer than Krakow. 

The best way to visit Auschwitz from Katowice would be to drive your car or use public transport. Although there are organized Auschwitz tours from Katowice, I found them slightly overpriced for my budget. 

When is the best time to visit Auschwitz?

The peak season is between June and August. For a more peaceful visit, consider visiting Auschwitz during off-peak seasons such as spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Winter months (December-February) see even fewer tourists. 

Make sure you dress appropriately for early spring, late autumn, and winter visits, as you’ll be walking mainly outside.

If you want to avoid massive crowds, the best time to visit Auschwitz is on weekdays. Although a limited number of people are allowed on the museum grounds at certain times, you might still cross-pass other guided tours. 

Mornings are also quieter than afternoons when the big groups tend to arrive. Moreover, the queue for the security check can be ridiculously long in the afternoons. 

What are the opening hours of Auschwitz-Birkenau?

Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is open year-round. It typically opens at 7:30 am every day, seven days a week. However, depending on the season, it closes at different times. Here are the general opening hours:

• December: 7:30 am – 2 pm
• January and November: 7:30 am – 3 pm
• February: 7:30 am – 4 pm
• March and October: 7:30 am – 5 pm
• April, May and September: 7:30 am – 6 pm
• June, July and August: 7:30 am – 7 pm

Visitors can remain on the site for 90 minutes after the last entrance hour. For instance, you can stay until 6:30 pm in March and October. 

The Museum is closed on January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday.

How much does it cost to go to Auschwitz?

The cost of visiting Auschwitz depends on how you plan it – on your own or with a guided tour that includes transportation. I explain these parts below in more detail. 

The tickets for Auschwitz with a museum-provided educator/guide cost 90 PLN for a regular tour. The ticket includes a headset to listen to your guide, visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau, and a shuttle service between these spots. 

However, it is possible to visit Auschwitz free of charge on certain days and times (more below). Note that the number of such Auschwitz tickets is limited. 

Whether you want to see the place on your own or with a provided guide, all the tickets to Auschwitz should be bought in advance on their official website unless you are joining an organized tour. They do it for you. 

Is visiting Auschwitz free? 

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, followed by ‘Can you visit Auschwitz without a guide?‘ 

Yes, visiting Auschwitz for free and without a guide is possible if you obtain a free entrance pass from the official website. Since the number of free entrance passes is limited, I suggest booking one as soon as you finalize your travel itinerary. 

There are certain times and dates you can visit Auschwitz for free and without a museum-provided guide: 

• January and November: from 1 pm
• February: from 2 pm
• March and October: from 3 pm
• April, May, and September: from 4 pm
• June, July, and August: from 4 pm
• December: from 12 pm

Other times, the entrance to the Museum is only available with a provided guide. 

Even though the museum is well laid out for independent visits, I still recommend purchasing tickets to Auschwitz that include a museum guide. Their extensive knowledge of the location and the tragic events is invaluable, and they are ready to answer all your questions and inquiries. The Museum offers tours in multiple languages. 

One disadvantage of a guided tour for me is that you have to follow the group and only have a little time or space to take pictures or spend a bit more time at specific locations. 

Can you visit Auschwitz without a tour company?

As mentioned above, you can visit Auschwitz-Birkenau without a tour company or an educator and do everything independently. However, joining organized Auschwitz tours has its own benefits, which I explain below. 

The Museum is well-designed for independent visits, with information boards outside and inside the barracks providing detailed information about the place. These signs are very explanatory and describe what happened in certain areas. 

How to buy tickets for Auschwitz? 

Whether buying a free entrance ticket or a guided one for independent visits, you must do it on the official website. When reserving your ticket, you must provide your full name and surname, as the Museum staff will check this on-site. 

Free and English-guided tickets are in high demand, so book at least a month in advance. I wanted to visit Auschwitz on my own, but I was late booking an English-guided visit for the date I wanted. Therefore, we joined one of the Auschwitz tours, which was a great choice after all (more below). 

When purchasing the free Auschwitz tickets, pay attention to the section that says, “Tour for individuals without an educator.” 

Remember that tickets with a provided educator are timed, so you must arrive at the visitor center at least 30 minutes before your tour starts to go through the security check. 

What are the rules for visiting Auschwitz?

You need to observe important rules when visiting Auschwitz, especially clothing etiquette. Remember that Auschwitz is a graveyard where Nazis tragically murdered people, and it serves as their eternal resting place. These rules maintain the mass gravesite with the utmost respect.

• While there are no specific dress code regulations, you should wear something that reflects the nature of the site. 
• The maximum dimensions for backpacks or handbags brought into the Museum are 30x20x10 cm. Joining an organized Auschwitz tour also means you can safely leave your backpacks or bags in the car. 
• All backpacks will be checked under a scanner during security, as in airports. 
• It is not allowed to bring markers, pens, spray paint, or paints. They will be confiscated.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited on the premises.

• It is not allowed to bring food or drinks within the premises, except for a small bottle of water.
• Don’t take any items from the area of the Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum.
• It is allowed to take photos without flash, selfie sticks, or tripods. 
• Taking photos is strictly prohibited in certain places – the basements of Block 11 and the Hall of the Hair of the Victims in Block 4. There are designated signs, but your guide-educator will also remind you. 
• The visitor center has luggage storage rooms for those coming independently with luggage or bags. Look for the signs before going through the security check. 

Is Auschwitz tour outside? 

Most parts of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum tour involve walking outside despite weather conditions. In Auschwitz I, where the tour typically starts, brick barracks exhibit personal items taken from the prisoners upon arrival, pictures of the deceased, their living conditions, and hygiene facilities. 

The tour also takes you to the punishment standing cells in the basement and one of the crematoriums. 

In Birkenau, the tour takes you through the vast camp’s land with minimal buildings to visit and few trees. Therefore, expect a slight wind during spring or autumn and scorching heat during summer. 

How much time do you need at Auschwitz?

A guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau typically takes 3:30 to 4 hours. The time is divided between visiting Auschwitz I and Birkenau separately. Usually, the tour of Auschwitz lasts around 2 to 2:30 hours, and the rest is saved for Birkenau. 

If you are on your own, there is a shuttle bus service between the sights, as they are 2.3 km apart. This could be your short break; otherwise, you won’t get a break until the museum-provided guide finishes the tour. 

What are some tips for visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau?

Even though nothing can fully prepare you emotionally for a visit to Auschwitz, you may still want to do some pre-trip preparation. Here are some essential and practical recommendations:

• Allocate a whole day to your visit to the Auschwitz Museum, whether you go on your own or with a tour company. As I explain below, things do happen.
• Plan a visit on the second or third day of your Krakow or Katowice itinerary, and don’t do it on the last day before going home. This way, you will have more time to reflect and slightly divert your emotions towards other  Krakow attractions, for instance, on the following days. 

• Before your visit, you can read about Auschwitz itself or do more broad research about concentration camps, the Nazi plan for the “final solution to the Jewish problem,” or World War II tactics and horrific stories. You can also find Auschwitz survivor stories. Below, you’ll find my recommended books and films. 
• Due to the sensitive nature of the site, visiting Auschwitz with children under 14 years old is not recommended. 
• If you are visiting Auschwitz on your own, take your time and don’t rush through. One disadvantage of touring the camp with the guide-educator is that you don’t have as much space or time as you need to follow the group. Remember that, considering the emotional impact, you can leave if needed.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time, especially if you’re driving or using public transport. This gives you enough time to park the car (if you’re driving), go through security checks, and meet your guide (if you’re on tour).

• Bring your ID or passport to verify your identity during security checks. The names on the booking should match. 
• Make sure you comply with the visiting rules I wrote above. 
• Bring your own food and drinks to enjoy during the rides to and from Auschwitz, whether you are taking an organized tour or public transport. Eating and drinking (except for a small water bottle) are prohibited within the museum premises. There are vending machines at the visitor center of Auschwitz I and a cafe near the parking lot of Birkenau. However, prices are pretty high.  
• The bathrooms are at the entrances of Auschwitz I and Birkenau; no bathrooms are inside the premises. 
• There are two bookstores within the museum, one at the exit of Auschwitz I and another at the parking lot and a cafe at Birkenau. 

How to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?

You can visit Auschwitz by joining an organized tour or DIY-ing your trip. 

Both options are doable, but opting for an Auschwitz tour offers a slightly more convenient experience as everything is taken care of for you. 

Joining an organized tour – the easiest option

I typically like exploring places independently; however, some destinations are better seen and experienced with a tour – and a visit to Auschwitz is one of them. 

Numerous tours are available if you plan to visit Auschwitz from Krakow. But which Auschwitz tour is best depends on your preferences. Most cover similar aspects, including pick-up options, transportation to and from Auschwitz, the entrance ticket to the concentration camp, and an on-site guide.

We decided to take this Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour with pick-up options offered by the Super Cracow company. The group was small, exactly as we like, and the staff who accompanied us were extremely friendly and professional. 

One drawback of these Auschwitz tours is that they mainly depart early, at 6 am, and take around 7 hours in total. However, this also means you have half a day to explore Krakow when you return from the camp. You can choose different departure times when booking the tour if your budget allows. 

On our visit with a tour company, we also got lucky and didn’t need to queue for a security check before entering the Museum grounds. But according to our guide, Magda from Super Cracow, that’s not always the case; most times, everyone must wait in line. 

The tour offered three pick-up locations in Krakow, each centrally located. It also included a printed ticket with our names, a museum-provided guide, and a transfer with our vehicle between Auschwitz I and Birkenau. 

Important: even though our tour was scheduled for 6 am, we got a message from the organizers a day before saying that due to the extensive number of people expected on that day, our tour and entrance to the Museum were postponed for later. So, instead of 6 am, we were picked up at 9:30 am. Therefore, always have a whole day allocated to this visit if things change at the last minute. 

Using public transport – slightly challenging but doable

If you use public transportation to visit Auschwitz, you must adhere to the schedule of the trains or buses and plan your arrival at the Museum with extra time to spare; hence, a tour is a preferable option. 

Nevertheless, you can visit Auschwitz on your own, and here is how. The visitors center is at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street in Oswiecim. 

Because Auschwitz is a popular tourist destination, frequent trains and buses depart from Krakow or Katowice. Depending on which public transport you take from which city, it takes 1 to 2:30 hours to reach Oswiecim.  

Even though I love train travel in Poland, I don’t recommend taking a train to Oswecim. The station is 1.5 km from the visitor center, adding more time and effort to your packed itinerary. However, if this is still your preferred method, local buses #O, 3, and 8 bring you close to the visitor center. Hop off at the Museum I stop and walk 5 minutes to the center. 

When taking a bus, check with the driver if they stop at the visitor center. Some buses only go to Oswiecim town near the train station and not to the Museum. 

→ Check the timetables here when planning a visit to Auschwitz from Krakow or Katowice by bus. 

Driving a car – the most flexible option

This could be the best option if you prefer to drive a car and be flexible with your time. To rent a car, I recommend DiscoverCars, as they have one of the most extensive selections of international-standard cars. 

Driving from Katowice to Auschwitz takes around 45-50 minutes, and 1:40 minutes from Krakow. However, the roads can be busy, as visiting Auschwitz from Krakow is the most popular option. 

Once you get to the visitor center, there is a spacious parking lot for your car. The parking fee varies depending on the vehicle you arrive in. The prices are also displayed on the board at the lot’s entrance. 

For instance, parking a motorbike costs 15 PLN, while a passenger car of up to 9 people is 20 PLN. Scooters and bicycles are free. 

Which Auschwitz-Birkenau books and films you can watch before or after? 

If you want to read or watch something before or after you visit Auschwitz, here are a few things I recommend. 

Night by Elie Wiesel: a haunting memoir that portrays his experiences as a teenager in Auschwitz and Buchenwald (Germany) camps during the Holocaust. His heartbreaking story explores the loss of innocence and the struggle for survival.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: written while hiding with her family in Amsterdam, captures the challenges and hopes of a Jewish girl during these dark times, showing life in hiding and the impact of Nazi persecution.

Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally: this historical novel tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jewish lives by employing them in his enamel and ammunition factories during World War II. 

As a side note, the factory’s administration building, now a museum, is one of the must-see Krakow attractions.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris: inspired by a true story, this novel follows the life of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish man forced to tattoo inmate numbers on prisoners at Auschwitz. His love story with Gita Furman is particularly moving.

Life is Beautiful (1997): I think this was one of the very first films I saw about the Holocaust and the concentration camps as a teenager. Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, this Italian film tells the story of a Jewish father’s attempt to shield his son from the atrocities of a concentration camp by creating a fantastical world for him.

Schindler’s List (1993): This powerful film, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a screen adaptation of the book of the same name. The movie is considered an all-time classic and has won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The Pianist (2002): Roman Polanski’s movie, based on Władysław Szpilman’s autobiography, shows a Polish-Jewish pianist’s difficult journey as he travels from Warsaw Ghetto and survives the war.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008): adapted from John Boyne’s novel and directed by Mark Herman, explores the unlikely friendship between the son of a Nazi officer and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp, emphasizing the innocence of childhood in such darkest times. 

Inglorious Basterds (2009): Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds is one of my favorite movies, although it’s not straightforwardly connected to the concentration camps. It is an alternate history war film set during World War II, where the story unfolds with two parallel storylines. The main plot is that several Jewish soldiers are on an undercover mission to take down the Nazi government and end the war. At the same time, a woman seeks to avenge her family’s death from a German officer.