Combining a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial with a short tour of Kraków in one day is possible — but it requires a good plan, strict time discipline and full advance booking. For team-building groups this is an intensive option: it blends moments of reflection with sightseeing and group activities, but you can’t do everything at a relaxed pace in a single day. If you want deep engagement with both places, consider splitting into two days. If, however, you want a meaningful, respectful and logistically sound one-day program — below you’ll find a complete plan and practical tips.
08:00 - this is an example departure time from Kraków assuming the group travels by coach to Oświęcim and has a guided visit with an educator from the Museum. Note: times in this article are approximate; allow margins for traffic and the Museum’s entry procedures.
Pros: it lets you visit one of the most important memorial sites of the 20th century while also seeing key symbols of Kraków — Wawel, the Main Market Square and a glimpse of Kazimierz. For companies and institutions it is an economical logistical solution and a good balance between educational and integrational elements.
Cons: a visit to the Memorial requires time and concentration — after an intense guided tour most participants will not have energy for many hours of sightseeing in Kraków. A tight schedule also raises the risk of delays and organizational stress.
When it’s worth doing: if the group wants to combine a required educational element (Auschwitz) with a short representative walk through Kraków and a friendly group meal — with good organization one day can achieve a meaningful result. If the goal is in-depth sightseeing of Kraków or prolonged reflection at the Memorial — two days are better.
07:30 - meeting point in Kraków, safety rules and a short briefing.
08:00 - departure by coach toward Oświęcim. Travel approx. 60–75 minutes depending on route and traffic.
09:30 - arrival at the Visitor Service Centre at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street, security checks and handsets issued for the group.
10:00–13:00 - guided visit of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with a Museum educator. When planning, reserve at least 3–3.5 hours for the museum and grounds; this allows a calm, respectful look at the exhibitions.
13:15 - group lunch in Oświęcim or a light meal at the Visitor Centre parking area; it’s important to respect the place and avoid loud activities immediately after leaving the museum.
14:30 - departure back to Kraków (approx. 1 hour).
15:30–18:00 - walk in Kraków: Wawel Hill (short visit to the Cathedral and courtyard), then the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church. If time allows, a quick route through Kazimierz to point out places for a possible evening return.
18:30 - group dinner in a recommended restaurant (group menu) or an integrative program tailored to the client’s expectations.
Booking entry to the Memorial is mandatory — entry cards and group visits must be reserved through the Museum’s official system. Keep this in mind and book well in advance, especially in high season. Organized groups are required to use a Museum educator-guide.
Transport and parking: plan the coach route, parking and any municipal permits. In Kraków use official coach stops and bus parking; in Oświęcim the Visitor Service Centre has parking dedicated to groups. Leave large luggage on the coach.
Formalities and safety: every person should have an identity document — the Museum requests identification when reserving entry cards. Follow dress and behaviour rules on the Memorial grounds. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time because of security procedures.
Before departure give participants brief guidelines: the nature of the place, expected silence and solemnity, no jokes or playful team activities during the museum visit, recommend comfortable, subdued clothing and leaving large backpacks on the coach.
For team-building groups it’s worth running a short 10–15 minute preparatory session to outline the historical context and to warn about the emotional weight of the visit. Good preparation helps participants process the experience and reduces the risk of inappropriate behaviour.
After leaving the Museum plan a “quiet zone” — a short break for a meal and the opportunity to share reflections. Avoid immediate loud party-style activities right after the visit; instead offer calm activities or a moderated discussion.
Wawel Hill — a quick photo by the Dragon’s Den, a short visit to the Cathedral and the Castle courtyard. A compact program lets you see the most important symbols without entering all interiors.
Main Market Square — the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Church (a short pause at the altar and hearing the bugle call), the Town Hall area. We recommend walking the Royal Route toward St. Florian’s Gate — a route that gives a feel for the scale and atmosphere of the city.
Kazimierz — if time allows, a short drive or walk through the district to show Nowy Square and the synagogues. This is a good place for participants who want to return in the evening.
For groups we recommend booking in advance and choosing venues that offer group menus. In Kraków there are restaurants well adapted to larger groups — choose established places serving Polish and international cuisine.
Examples of popular, group-friendly spots to consider: Pod Wawelem Restauracja, Wierzynek, Szara Gęś (Szara), or cosy places in Kazimierz such as Restauracja Starka — always confirm availability and group menu before booking.
If you want a meal immediately after the visit in Oświęcim, the Visitor Service Centre has catering points and local restaurants nearby offer group lunch options.
No reservation for the Memorial — result: the group may be refused entry or forced to wait. Solution: book well in advance through the Museum’s official system and confirm the date.
Failing to allow time for reflection after the visit — many groups try to jump straight into ‘fun’ parts of the program. Solution: schedule at least 30–60 minutes of quiet time, a gentle meal and a short debrief.
An overly tight itinerary — it causes stress and reduces participants’ comfort. Solution: include time buffers; it’s better to drop one sight than to risk disrespecting the Memorial.
Is entry to the Memorial free? Entry to the Memorial grounds is free, but an entry card reservation is required; guided tours with a Museum educator are charged separately.
How much time should I plan for visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau? For a calm reading of the exhibitions and grounds plan a minimum of 3–3.5 hours for group visits.
Can children enter the Museum? The Museum does not recommend visits for children under 14; for younger school groups follow the Museum’s educational guidelines and agree the program with the Museum.
The Visitor Service Centre in Oświęcim offers luggage storage and catering points — it’s worth using these services rather than carrying large bags during the visit.
In high season entry cards and guided slots can be limited — free slots appear occasionally, so book early and keep electronic confirmations ready before departure.
Kraków’s rules for coach traffic and parking are strictly regulated; use official coach stops and bus parking to avoid fines and logistical issues.
Organizing a one-day trip combining Oświęcim and Kraków for team-building groups is feasible and can be both educational and bonding — provided you use a sensible schedule, make advance bookings and respect the emotional nature of a visit to the Memorial.
If you’d like the trip planned professionally, sensitively and with experienced guidance, consider arranging the program with tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and service information are available on the guide’s page. Feel free to share this article with colleagues and friends — helpful information is worth passing on!
