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Plan Your Visit To The Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Plan Your Visit

The largest Nazi concentration camp built in occupied Europe, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a significant site in the history of the Holocaust. Visiting Auschwitz will allow you to view artifacts, the execution and imprisonment sites, and thousands of preserved objects. A somber and emotional visit, the time you spend at the Auschwitz concentration camp allows you to pay tribute to the many victims of the genocide.

Auschwitz-Birkenau | Visitor information at a glance

Opening hours: From 7:30am
Closing hours: May vary depending on the month.
Last entry: 90 minutes before closing.
Location: Oświęcim, Poland, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Krakow.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) for pleasant weather and smaller crowds.
Key amenities: Paid toilets, information desks, lockers, wheelchair rentals, and a small cafeteria.

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Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Fast-Track Tickets & Transfer Options

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3 hr. 30 min. - 7 hr. 30 min.

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From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfers

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7 hr. - 7 hr. 30 min.

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From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour

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10 hr. 30 min. - 11 hr.

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From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Oskar Schindler's Factory Guided Tour

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Navigate your Auschwitz guide

Things to know before booking your Auschwitz tickets
Overview of Auschwitz as a Nazi concentration and extermination camp
When to visit Auschwitz?
Where is Auschwitz located?
Getting to Auschwitz-Birkenau
Know before you go: Essential information for visiting Auschwitz
Visiting Auschwitz with or without a guide
What your visit will look like: Step-by-step itinerary
Plan your visit to Auschwitz
Frequently asked questions about visiting Auschwitz

Things to know before booking your Auschwitz tickets

Entrance to Auschwitz is free, but booking a timed entry ticket is mandatory.
Lines are consistently long at the entrance, so booking your Auschwitz tour 1-2 weeks before your visit is the best way to save time.
Groups of 10 or more must hire an Auschwitz Memorial guide, but individuals can opt for self-guided visits.
You’ll need to go through airport-style security checks so arrive at least 30 minutes before your time slot.
The two camps (Auschwitz I and II) are 3.5 km apart, with a free shuttle bus running between them every 15-30 minutes.
Children under 14 are not recommended to visit due to the emotional impact of the site.

Overview of Auschwitz as a Nazi concentration and extermination camp

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps, operating between 1940 and 1945. Originally established for Polish political prisoners, it evolved into a site of mass genocide during World War II, where over 1.1 million people, were systematically murdered. Today, Auschwitz stands as a memorial and museum, preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

Auschwitz I

This is the original concentration camp, with barracks, administrative buildings, and the infamous 'Work Sets You Free' gate. It also contains the first gas chamber used by the Nazis.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

This is the largest section, designed explicitly for extermination. It features the famous railway tracks and the ruins of large crematoria and gas chambers.

Auschwitz III-Monowitz

This was a labor camp supplying forced labor to the nearby Buna rubber factory. It is no longer standing today.

Out of the 1.1 million people who lost their lives at Auschwitz, the majority were Jewish victims, alongside thousands of others (Poles, Romani, Soviet prisoners of war) persecuted by the Nazis. The camp was finally liberated by Soviet soldiers on January 27, 1945, an event now commemorated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

When to visit Auschwitz?

Opening hours

Best time to visit

General timings

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

Auschwitz opening hours >

Duration

Visiting Auschwitz can take a minimum of 3-4 hours. You can stay on the site 90 minutes after the last entrance hour.

Best seasons to visit

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer moderate temperatures and fewer visitors, allowing for a reflective and more comfortable visit.
Summer months (July-August) have extended visiting hours but attract large crowds. The summer heat, with limited shade and long queues, can make the experience less comfortable.
Winter (November-March) is the quietest period, but the temperatures are freezing, making it challenging to explore the site as most of the tour is outdoors.

Best time of the day

Visiting Auschwitz in the morning offers a quieter, less crowded experience.
Afternoons typically see higher visitor numbers, especially tour groups.

Best time of the week

Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, offering a more immersive and peaceful visit.

Where is Auschwitz located?

Address: Ofiar Faszyzmu 12, 32-600 Brzezinka, Poland
Auschwitz location on map

Auschwitz concentration camp location: Auschwitz-Birkenau is situated in the southern part of Poland. Nestled in the town of Oswiecim, this solemn site can be found in the Lesser Poland region.

Closest city to Auschwitz: Krakow (approximately 70 km)

Nearest airport to Auschwitz: John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (59 km)

Auschwitz location

Getting to Auschwitz-Birkenau

The Auschwitz concentration camp has two sections, Auschwitz I, the primary camp, and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which is located 3 km away from the main site. Here are some of the best ways for you to get to Auschwitz from different parts of Poland.

Train

Nearest train station: Oswiecim Central Station

From Krakow: Direct trains run from Krakow's main railway station to Oswiecim station, 2 km away from Auschwitz. The journey takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
From Warsaw: Take a train from Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna) to Oswiecim station. The journey takes approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
From Wroclaw: The train ride usually takes 3.5 to 4 hours.
From Gdansk: The train ride takes 5 to 6 hours.
From Katowice: You can take a train from Katowice station to Oswiecim station. The train journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

Bus

Nearest bus stop: Oswiecim Muzeum

From Krakow: Board the bus at Krakow MDA Station. The journey will take 1.5 to 2 hours.
From Warsaw: Buses from Warsaw to Auschwitz are available, usually departing from the main bus station. The journey by bus may take 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
From Wroclaw: Buses from Wroclaw to Auschwitz are another option, departing from the central bus station. The journey takes 4 to 5 hours.
From Gdansk: Buses from Gdansk to Auschwitz can be taken from the main bus station. The bus journey may take 6 to 7 hours.
From Katowice: Buses depart from Katowice's main bus station and offer a comfortable ride of about 1.5 hours.

Car

From Krakow: If you prefer driving, it's about a 1.5-hour drive from Krakow to Auschwitz.
From Warsaw: It's a 3.5 to 4.5-hour drive from Warsaw to Auschwitz.
From Wroclaw: It's a 3.5 to 4-hour drive from Wroclaw to Auschwitz.
From Gdansk: It's a 5 to 6-hour drive from Gdansk to Auschwitz.
From Katowice: It's a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Katowice to Auschwitz.

Parking facilities:
Paid car parking facilities are available near both former concentration camps, including:

Getting to Auschwitz-Birkenau >

Know before you go: Essential information for visiting Auschwitz

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Understand the historical context

Knowing the history of Auschwitz and the Holocaust before your visit will help you grasp the scale of atrocities committed here and engage with the exhibits more meaningfully. Consider joining a virtual guided tour organized by the Auschwitz Museum to gain deeper insights before your visit.

Visiting Auschwitz with or without a guide

Choosing between a guided tour or a self-guided visit depends on your preference for historical context and convenience:

Guided tours

Expert-led narration: Guides take you through a structured route and provide detailed historical context, survivor testimonies, and explanations of key sites. Some guides may have personal connections to the site, adding unique perspectives.
Priority entry: Auschwitz guided tours offer direct access to the camps, where you can skip long lines and save time.
Transportation included: Many guided tours include round-trip transport from Krakow, with pick-up from a hotel or a central meeting point.
Language options: Guided tours are available in English, Polish, German, and many other languages.
Highly recommended for first-time visitors: Guides help navigate the vast site and provide insights that may be missed on a self-guided visit.

Self-guided visits

A flexible experience: On a self-guided tour, you can move at your own pace and spend more time at specific exhibits of interest.
Lacks live narration: You must rely on signage, prior knowledge, or research to understand key historical areas and events.
Audio guides rentals: Audio guides are available for rent at the entrance for structured explanations without a live guide.
Advance booking is still required: You must reserve a timed entry ticket, even for a self-guided visit.
Recommended for independent travelers: Self-guided visits are ideal only for those who have researched Auschwitz’s history in advance or prefer quiet reflection over structured narration.

What your visit will look like: Step-by-step itinerary

Auschwitz I

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Security check & ticket validation: Your visit begins with security screening and ticket validation at the Visitors Service Center, which also provides facilities like restrooms, lockers, and information desks. Guided tour groups meet their guides here before starting the tour.
Start of the tour: Enter the site through the infamous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ gate and get a brief introduction to the camp’s history and role in Nazi Germany’s concentration camp system.
Highlights:

- Walk through prisoner barracks, showcasing original wooden bunk beds and living conditions.

- View historical photographs, documents, and Nazi records.

- See exhibits displaying personal belongings of victims, including suitcases, shoes, glasses, and children’s toys.
Infamous locations:

- Block 11 (‘The Death Block’): This is the camp prison where prisoners were tortured and executed.

- Gas Chamber and crematorium: This is the only surviving gas chamber in Auschwitz I, a stark reminder of mass executions.

Note: Auschwitz I involves a long walk of approximately 1.3 km, including a 600m straight passage and a 300m tunnel—the longest uninterrupted section of the tour.

Transfers to Birkenau: The 3.5 km distance between the camps makes walking impractical. You can take the shuttle bus (which runs frequently) or drive to the second site.

The Gate of Death entrance: The train tracks leading into Birkenau are the first sight upon arrival. This was the arrival point for thousands of deported victims.

Selection ramp: The rail tracks lead to the selection ramp, where SS officers decided who would be sent to forced labor and who would be immediately executed in gas chambers.

Highlights:

-Explore the remains of Crematoria II, III, IV, and V, destroyed by the Nazis before liberation.

-See the collapsed gas chambers, providing a haunting reminder of the genocide.

-Walk through rows of wooden and brick barracks where prisoners were held in overcrowded, inhumane conditions.

Memorial area:

-Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, dedicated to honoring the victims.

-Take a moment of quiet reflection here, as this is one of the most solemn parts of the visit.

Optional reading & reflection

Throughout Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, plaques, exhibits, and memorial stones in multiple languages provide detailed historical context and personal stories of survivors and victims. Many visitors take time after their tour to reflect in silence or read the inscriptions left in memory of those who perished.

Plan your visit to Auschwitz

Entrances

Facilities

Accesssiblity

Map

Rules

Tips

Temporary closures

Dine

Stay

Auschwitz-Birkenau has two entrances:

The main entrance to Auschwitz I: This well-known wrought-iron gate, which bears the haunting inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Liberates), marks the entrance to the Auschwitz I camp.
Hell's Gate entrance to Auschwitz II Birkenau: The second entrance provides access to the extensive grounds of Auschwitz II Birkenau, highlighted by the iconic railway tracks leading into the camp.

Auschwitz entrances

Auschwitz is not designed as a tourist attraction but rather as a place of remembrance. As such, amenities on-site are minimal:

Information desk for assistance
Paid toilets (coins required)
Free parking at Auschwitz I main entrance
Small cafes/kiosks outside memorial grounds with limited options
Storage lockers for small bags (strict size limits are enforced: max 35x25x15 cm)

Due to historical preservation needs, Auschwitz is only partially wheelchair accessible. Some areas, like the barracks, lack ramps or elevators, limiting entry for those with severe mobility restrictions.

Facilities for disabled visitors:

Free wheelchair and walker rentals are available for visitors who require them. These must be reserved in advance by sending a request to reservation.office@auschwitz.org.
There are dedicated parking spaces close to the entrance for visitors with disabilities, making it easier to access the memorial site.
Accessible restrooms are available at key locations within both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Recommended preparation: It’s best that those with limited mobility plan for extra time, as navigating the uneven terrain can take longer than expected. If needed, bringing a companion for additional support may be helpful.

Auschwitz I map

Auschwitz II map

You must pre-book your visit online, as walk-in entries are rarely allowed due to limited daily visitor capacity.
If you are visiting as part of a group, hiring an official Auschwitz Memorial guide is required. Individual visitors have the option of either joining a guided tour or exploring the site on their own.
Maintain a respectful demeanor throughout their visit. Certain areas, such as gas chambers, crematoriums, and execution sites, require absolute silence.
Photography is permitted in most areas, but flash photography, tripods, and drones are strictly prohibited. Certain sections, such as the Room of the Hair of the Victims and parts of Block 11, do not allow any photography at all out of respect for the victims.
The recommended visitor age is 14 and above due to the intense emotional content.
Food, drinks, and smoking are not allowed anywhere within the memorial grounds.
You are expected to dress modestly and appropriately, considering the solemn nature of the site.

Since Auschwitz strictly controls visitor numbers, it is necessary to book your ticket online in advance, especially during peak seasons. Walk-ins are rarely accepted.
You must present an official ID or passport when checking in at the entrance. Ensure you have one with you.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour to account for security checks, which are similar to airport-style screening.
Wear closed-toe shoes, as the ground in Auschwitz is primarily made of dirt and gravel.
The majority of the tour takes place outdoors, so dress according to the season. In winter, temperatures can drop well below freezing, and in summer, the sun can be intense, with little to no shade available.
Restrooms are paid facilities, so bring small coins to avoid inconvenience.
Auschwitz has a strict bag policy, so leave large bags at your hotel or in your car.
Food is not allowed inside the memorial grounds; eat beforehand or bring minimal snacks for dietary needs.
Free parking is available near Auschwitz I, but it fills up quickly, especially in peak tourist seasons. If you are driving, it is best to arrive early to secure a spot.

Parts of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Part of the exhibition in Block 5 in Auschwitz I
The Russian exhibition in Block 14
The so-called Central Sauna building in Auschwitz II-Birkenau
The exhibition in Block 13

On-site options:

There is a cafeteria near the main entrance of Auschwitz I, offering snacks, sandwiches, and drinks.
Vending machines or small kiosks are available in designated spaces for quick refreshments.

Nearby restaurants: For those who wish to eat before or after their visit, the town of Oświęcim, located just minutes from the memorial, has a few casual dining options. Local restaurants, like La Rossa and Chata na Zaborskiej, serve traditional Polish cuisine, including pierogi (dumplings), hearty soups like żurek (sour rye soup), and grilled meats.

Dining in Krakow: Many visitors return to Krakow after their Auschwitz visit for a better selection of restaurants. Krakow’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter are home to numerous eateries, serving everything from traditional Polish cuisine to international dishes.

Some of the best hotels near Auschwitz include:

Budget: Hotel Dąbrowski, B&M Guesthouse, Villa Centro apartamenty ze śniadaniami
Mid-range: Hampton by Hilton Oswiecim, Hotel Olecki, Novotel Katowice Centrum
Luxury: Qubus Hotel Bielsko-Biała, Hotel Imperiale

Frequently asked questions about visiting Auschwitz

How far is Auschwitz from Krakow?

Auschwitz is approximately 70 kilometers from Krakow. The drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Trains and buses are also available, typically taking 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

How long does a typical visit last?

Most visitors spend around 3.5-4 hours visiting both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Some visitors spend even longer for deeper reflection.

Is there a dress code to be followed when visiting Auschwitz?

There’s no dress code, but you are expected to dress respectfully, keeping the historical significance of the place in mind. Since Auschwitz is an outdoor site with little shelter, dress according to the season. In winter, wear warm layers, gloves, and waterproof boots. In summer, wear light clothes and bring sun protection, as shade is limited.

Is there Wi-Fi at Auschwitz?

No, Wi-Fi is not available within the Auschwitz Memorial. Mobile signal strength can also be weak in some areas.

Are there any special commemorative events at Auschwitz?

Yes, Auschwitz hosts annual memorial ceremonies, including International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27), the March of the Living, and other educational events. These days may have restricted access to certain areas.

Can I take photos and videos for a documentary or project?

Photography for personal use is allowed, but if you are filming a documentary, educational content, or commercial project, special permission from the Auschwitz Museum is required. Certain areas, such as the Room of the Hair of the Victims, prohibit any photography out of respect.

Are there any lesser-known parts of Auschwitz I and II that visitors should pay attention to?

Yes, while many focus on the main sites, lesser-known areas like the ruins of the Central Sauna (Birkenau), the Kanada warehouses (where stolen possessions were sorted), and the experimental barracks in Auschwitz I provide additional insight into camp operations and prisoner experiences.

Can you take food inside Auschwitz?

No. Consuming food is prohibited on the memorial grounds.

Are there any refreshments offered during my visit to Auschwitz?

Refreshments are not offered during your visit to Auschwitz, but you can visit the cafeteria in Auschwitz I camp for a quick bite.

Can I bring flowers or candles to leave at the memorial?

Yes, visitors are welcome to leave flowers, candles, or small memorial tributes at designated areas, particularly near the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. However, large displays or unauthorized plaques are not permitted. Candles should be placed carefully and never left burning unattended.

What country is Auschwitz in?

Auschwitz is in Poland.

Which is the closest city to Auschwitz?

Krakow is the closest city to Auschwitz. It is located approximately 71 km away.