Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour from Krakow
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit Auschwitz I and II Birkenau
- Learn about Holocaust history
- Explore preserved barracks and gas chambers
- See original railway platforms
- Reflect at the memorial sites
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Round-trip transportation
- Guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: The pickups are provided between 5:300 and 7:30, depending on the entry time, your accommodation, and our schedules. The pickup time is always confirmed by text and email the day before the tour. The tour is operated in a group of a maximum of 30 people. During the trip, you will watch a documentary movie about the history of the Nazi concentration camps (subject to availability).
Guaranteed entry tickets! Visit the most well-known former concentration camp and the place of the biggest and most tragic genocide in the world history – The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum that has witnessed death of around 1.5 million people committed by the Nazis. During your trip, you will visit Auschwitz I, which was the first and main part of the camp but also served as administrative headquarters for the whole complex and Birkenau, which was initially designed as a concentration camp and quickly turned into the main place of the genocide with gas chambers and crematoria. Birkenau was also the place where women’s camp was located. It definitely is a must-see place in Poland, but also in Europe altogether.
Pass by: After the tour, you will be dropped off at your accommodation or in the Krakow city center. If your hotel is located within the Old Town or Jewish Quarter, we will drop you off at the closest meeting point.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in English; check availability for other languages.
- Photography is allowed in most areas; however, some sites may have restrictions.
- The tour involves visiting solemn sites; maintain respectful behavior throughout.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
- Bring a bottle of water and snacks, as facilities may be limited.
- Be prepared for a significant amount of walking and standing.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Please note that the maximum size of bags and backpacks allowed on the museum grounds is 30 x 20 x 10 centimeters (roughly 12 x 8 x 4 inches). You can always leave your belongings inside the bus which will be parked nearby
- The Museum is not recommended for visitors under the age of 14. The final decision depends on parents or legal guardians.
Traveler reviews
Shock and Awe
Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably for several miles over the course of the tour. Especially if your tour includes Birkenau. The tour itself brings it home. It’s a hit of reality that is shocking. It’s such a rude awakening to hear and see how much the Auschwitz prisoners actually suffered. It makes you realize how fortunate we all are to be alive today and hopefully no one will ever have to relive their tragedy. I highly recommend this tour to bring to light our history and how so many countries were impacted by one insane man. If you’re going to do any tour while visiting Krakow make it this tour. You won’t regret it.
Great visit. Not so much the tour guide.
Auschwitz is extremely well kept, well maintained, Entrance - no issues with entrance. We were straight in, assigned our tour guide, received our headsets. 1st camp - this is probably the most emotionally draining. However, we were rushed through it all. Convinced we missed some (wait. The tour guide said we would be skipping bits...). Couldn't keep up with the tour guide, Charles, and what he was talking about. What I'm really disappointed about was that we went down to the cells and he decided it was appropriate to try and bring in some humour about torturous ways. Whether it is his way or dealing with the emotions, we don't know. But we were quite disgraced by it. All of the things we wanted to stop and take in, we were just rushed through. Barely any stopping, just a walk by. When I say rushed, it's a quick glance at the death wall, quick look at the shoes/cases/prosthetics, cells, etc. But you'll spend more time looking at photos. That part of the tour came to an end. We were told to meet again at 1.10pm, others thought 1.20pm. Where were we meeting to go to the 2nd camp? What was the time? No one really knew. So we decided to get the shuttle bus and head to the 2nd camp. We never saw anyone from our group again other than 2 people who must've done the same as us - just went our own way. Camp 2 - we explored this camp on our own. And I'm glad we did as it looked like the tour groups weren't seeing as much as us. I've read reviews that people visited there and left within an hour. We saw so much way beyond the main area that it took us 3 hours to do just take camp. So, top tip, when you get to the huge memorial, follow the path to the right. There's so much more to see! More has chambers, more buildings and stories. We spent 2 hours at the first camp, 3 hours at the 2nd. 1 hour break for lunch. And we don't walk slowly! We're quite fit people. So definitely take walking shoes. Restaurant - grabbed a spinach and feta roll and some strawberries. Came to £12. So we didn't go back in - so expensive! Shop - nice selection of books in all languages. Picked one up that isn't sold in England too. Looking online, it seems hard to get hold of. Overall, it was an educational visit. Just a shame that the tour guide wanted to rush through everything at the 1st camp. So extremely grateful that no one knew what was going on so we went our own way.
Powerful and unforgettable
A deeply moving and important place to visit. The guided tours are incredibly informative and respectful. Not an easy experience emotionally, but definitely one everyone should see at least once.
Auschwitz/Birkenau + transfers
We have recently returned from a four night stay in Krakow. We prebooked transfers from / to the airport with MrShuttle and also booked on their Auschwitz / Birkenau excursions. They were always prompt with good clean vehicles and pleasant and polite drivers. Can't fault the service. The specifics of the Auschwitz excursion for those who might wish to go on it were as follows. We were picked up at 5:50 by a 27 seater minibus. On route we were shown a DVD about the liberation of Auschwitz, this was very graphic but set the scene for what was to follow. We arrived at Auschwitz around 7:20 with time for a toilet break before our guided tour started at 7:45. Finished around 9:45 with then a 10 minute drive to Birkenau. The tour there finished around 11:30 when we then had around 30 minutes for lunch before heading back to Krakow. The tour and tour guide were excellent and the tour itself was emotional at times as you would expect given where you were. Can highly recommend the tour and MrShuttle.
Auschwitz & Birkenau tour
Easy pick up around the corner from my hotel. Very well organised & a great service! Would highly recommend Mr Shuttle.