Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour from Krakow
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit the 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate
- Explore the barracks and watchtowers
- Learn about the history of the Holocaust
- See the preserved gas chambers
- Reflect at the memorial sites
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Krakow
- Guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Admission tickets to both camps
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Your trip starts with a ride from Krakow, either from your hotel or a meeting spot you pick. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Auschwitz. When you arrive in Oswiecim, take a quick break for coffee or to look around outside. Then, a friendly local guide, licensed by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, will meet you and lead your tour.
When you arrive at your destination, you will be met by your professional guide and enter the site at Auschwitz I, walking through the gate to the camp that bears the inscription Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free). The Auschwitz-Birkenau complex was established in 1940 in place of old polish army barracks. Originally to hold Polish POW`s political prisoners, and operated until its liberation by advancing soviets in 1945. During its operation, more than 1.5 million Jewish, Polish, Italian and French prisoners were brought here ,of which 1.1m. was exterminated as part of largest genocide in human history. Leaving survivors terribly scared for live. The Auschwitz complex comprises of original buildings and you can see the original roads, fences, watchtowers and railway ramps, and death wall. Visit some of the barracks on the Auschwitz I complex, which now house a collection of original exhibitions and documents, as well as articles stolen from prisoners upon camp arrival.
The second part of the tour - Birkenau (Auschwitz II) - the largest camp from over 40 camps and sub-camps from Auschwitz complex. Originally planned as a camp for Soviet prisoners of war, it eventually became a concentration camp for prisoners of various nationalities and a center of the extermination of Jews. Its construction began in October 1941 by hands of slave labourers, in a place of displaced and mostly demolished village of Brzezinka and three kilometres from Auschwitz I. It was design to hold 125 000 prisoners at one time. Who was from the start destined to die from cold, hunger, diseases and of exhaustion. Prisoners was treated as redundant and easily replaceable work force. You will sea unimaginable living condition, prisoners have to adapt. You can walk to preserved camp barracks. You will see rail ramp, when infamous Dr. Mengele oversaw selection process of new arrivals, when split second decided of you life or death in gas chambers. Which were only 200m away.
After the tour, we don't hurry you. You'll have at least 20 minutes to stop at a bookstore, grocery store, or just take a break. Then, after another 1 hour and 15 minutes on the road, we'll take you back to a set place in Krakow.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language for a full experience.
- Children under 14 are not permitted on this tour to maintain a respectful environment.
- The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces; consider your mobility when booking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour involves extensive walking outdoors.
- Bring a valid ID for entry; passports are recommended for international visitors.
- Photography is allowed in most areas, but be respectful and avoid using flash in sensitive locations.
Cancellation policy
0All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- VISIT️️: During the tour, we kindly ask for solemnity and respect due to the tragic nature of this place. Smoking, eating, and loud behavior are prohibited in the Museum.Not recommended for children aged 14 and under
- PICKUP : Some hotels in Krakow are located in a restricted traffic zone. In such cases, your pickup will be arranged from the nearest available location. You will be informed about this one day before the tour.
- BREAKS ⌛️: Breaks during the tour are no longer than 10 minutes. We encourage you to wear comfortable footwear as there will be a lot of walking during the tour .
- DEPARTURE TIME ️: The start time of the tour may change due to the limited number of guides available at the Auschwitz Museum. Please contact the supplier to confirm your exact departure time the day before the tour. If you not specify your hotel adress we will be waiting for you on our pick-up place: Pawia 18b, kiss and ride stop, next to Mercure hotel.
- DOCUMENTS : Please make sure to bring with you ID or passoprt. Because before the entrance seciurity will ask about it.
- LUNCH : We encourage you to bring food and drinks as we do not plan a lunch break during the excursion. You can also choose the option of a tour with lunch included in the price
- WEATHER CONDITIONS⛅: Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. The tour mostly takes place outdoors, so we encourage you to bring an umbrella or a raincoat in case of bad weather.
- REFUND: You'll receive a FULL REFUND, if for any reason, the guide or transportation is not provided.
- IMPORTANT: Choose Your Option Carefully Please review the available tour types. Note that "AB Perimeter & Monowitz Tour" is a specialized historical tour that takes place ENTIRELY OUTSIDE the museum fences.
Traveler reviews
Complete Scam: This Is NOT a Real Auschwitz Tour
I strongly advise against taking this tour. The experience is extremely disappointing and poorly organized. You barely get to see anything inside Auschwitz itself, and the group is rushed around without any consideration for the visitors. No headphones are provided, so it is almost impossible to hear the guide properly because of the surrounding traffic and noise. In addition, the guide walks ahead without waiting for slower participants, making the tour especially difficult for elderly people or anyone with mobility issues. The only thing that seemed to matter was selling breakfast to the group rather than providing a meaningful and respectful experience. Considering the nature and importance of this historical site, the lack of professionalism and empathy was truly shocking. Charging money for such a tour is unacceptable.
Do not book this Trip
Would not recommend this trip, it was a walking tour around the outside Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is not how it was advertised. We did not go in the grounds or the museum. Total waste of a day & money, everyone on the trip was very disappointed & unhappy with the situation.
Auschwitz birkenau
Just wow something I've always wanted to do and ive finally done it A bit of a let down that its so modernised when you get to auschwitz and all the moderation they have done (some old bits still in place) but bit to modern for me Birkenau however blew me away and made me realise a lot Id like to go back but without a guide now if I could and experience it whole heartedly The guide was good but I feel we missed so much and I felt like I was following Hussain bolt he just rushed through everything at one point I was having to run to keep up with the group rather than take everything in which is what I wanted to experience he took us in few buildings yet there was others open that you can go in and people were going in I just wanted to see and explore more This is a must and can be heart reaching but my advise is where you can go and they don't take you go look I will return bit only if I can do an unguided tour
Great education and MUST SEE
A must visit for EVERYONE to learn from and be ashamed BUT put right our mistakes from the past. 5 stars for everything
A must-see
You absolutely must visit this place to realize how much happened during that dark period. The guide was exceptional in the explanation.