Yes — but it requires good organisation, advance reservations and a realistic plan. In practice the day works best when the group arrives in Kraków in the morning, has a short walk around the centre or a quick coffee, then travels by coach to Oświęcim to visit the Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial (allow at least about 3.5 hours for the museum part) and returns to Kraków for an evening meal or the trip’s finish. The most important elements are booking entry passes/educator‑guides in Oświęcim, arranging pick‑up and drop‑off points for the coach in Kraków, and planning restroom breaks for the whole group. Below I’ll walk you step‑by‑step through where to take care of formalities and how to make the day comfortable for participants.
If budget or time are tight, consider two options: a) reduce the number of attractions in Kraków to a single short stop (Main Market Square and Wawel seen from outside), or b) spend more time at Auschwitz and skip longer sightseeing in the Old Town. For groups of 30–60 people the safest choice is a simple plan with a strictly kept timetable.
Below you’ll find practical tips: when and what to reserve, where toilets are in the centre, how to organise coaches and suggestions for meals, plus an FAQ for the organiser.
The Memorial in Oświęcim requires advance reservation of entry passes and engagement of an educator‑guide for organised groups. From experience and according to the museum’s rules, it’s best to arrange a group booking well in advance — ideally a month or more before the planned date. Changes introduced in 2025 bring additional restrictions on reservation windows and on increasing the number of people after a booking has been made, so plan your final group size early.
Groups are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time because security checks and collection of listening devices take place. Groups larger than 10 people must use the on‑site audio system (rented at the museum), which helps the guide and eases movement through the more crowded exhibition spaces.
Allow at least 3.5–4 hours for the whole exhibition if you want to see both camps (Auschwitz I and Birkenau) at an unhurried pace and with appropriate solemnity. For school or study groups the museum also offers preparatory films and educational activities — decide if you want these and include them in your booking.
A coach is the most convenient option for groups of 30–60 — it gives a flexible daily schedule, space for luggage and fast transfers between the Kraków meeting point and the museum car park in Oświęcim. Travel time is usually about 1–1.5 hours one way, depending on traffic and time of day; plan at least 3 hours total for transfers during the day (there and back) plus time for the visit.
Alternatively you can use trains or regular passenger buses, but for 30–60 people the logistics of tickets and transfers is less convenient than a single coach. If an organisation or company is arranging the trip, book the coach early and make sure the driver knows the pick‑up time — delays can disrupt museum reservations.
The museum has a main coach parking area where the group can be dropped off and larger luggage stored; inform the driver to stop there following the organiser’s instructions.
A toilet plan is absolutely essential for a large group — several dozen people mean multiple urgent breaks in a short time. In Kraków centre there is a network of public toilets in key tourist locations, including the Main Market Square (Sukiennice), near the Planty (Sienna Street, Straszewskiego, Szczepański Square), on the river boulevards and in the underground passage near Pawia Street. Opening hours and availability vary seasonally, so check the day before the trip.
Additional convenient options for large groups are the toilets at Galeria Krakowska and at Kraków Main Station — these have high capacity and are useful for a quick group ‘service’ just before departure. For stops en route consider service stations or motorway restaurants which handle larger groups and offer toilets and spots for a short meal.
A practical idea: split the group into smaller subgroups (for example 5–8 people) with assigned return times to the coach — this prevents long queues at a single WC. You can also ask the driver for a short stop where there are many cubicles (shopping centre, station).
In Kraków’s historic centre there are designated tourist coach stops for short drops (usually 10–15 minutes) to let passengers on or off. After dropping off it’s safest for the driver to move the coach to a long‑term coach parking area and return at the agreed time (this may be a stadium car park, a P+R or another coach lot outside the strict centre).
For the group’s convenience plan a meeting point 5–10 minutes’ walk from the coach parking so you don’t waste time negotiating a prolonged stop in a crowded centre. Reserve coach parking in advance if you expect a long wait. Short stops near Wawel or the Market are for quick boarding/disembarking only — don’t plan to wait there for lunch or lengthy activities.
For groups of 30–60 one coach is usually enough (standard tourist coaches hold about 50–60 seats); if you have 60 people it’s wise to have a backup option (a second smaller coach or minibus) in case you need to split the group — for example if some people want to stay longer in Kraków.
For groups of 30–60 the best choice is restaurants that accept large bookings and offer group menus or a reserved dining room. In Kraków consider places experienced with tour groups and corporate bookings — book well in advance and arrange a fixed menu per person so the kitchen can serve the group efficiently.
Practical tips: - Contact the restaurant several weeks before the trip and reconfirm the final number 7–10 days prior. - Ask for a per‑person menu price and check whether the venue can provide a separate room or a reserved section for your group. - If you want something fast and convenient, choose a venue near Galeria Krakowska or Kraków Main Station — there are restaurants and food courts there with high throughput.
Typical venues that commonly handle large groups include historic Market Square restaurants with banquet rooms, regional eateries in Kazimierz with private rooms, and several chain restaurants near the Main Station and Galeria Krakowska. Book early — weekends and the tourist season fill up quickly.
07:30 — Meeting point in Kraków, quick welcome, and dividing the group into smaller toilet subgroups. Take attendance. 08:00 — Coach drop‑off in the centre or meeting point; short walk and optional brief Market Square panorama (approx. 45–60 min). 09:15 — Depart by coach to Oświęcim (about 1–1.5 hours). 10:30 — Arrive at the Memorial, check in at the car park, collect listening devices and prepare for the visit. 11:00–14:30 — Guided visit with an educator (Auschwitz I and Birkenau) — include walking time and short breaks. 14:30 — Depart Oświęcim towards Kraków, stop en route for a quick meal/toilets (if you are not eating in Oświęcim). 16:00–17:00 — Return to Kraków, optional evening meal at a reserved restaurant or end of the tour.
These times are approximate — always allow a margin for traffic delays, security checks or extended educational conversations with participants.
For school or institutional groups add extra time after the visit for reflection and short debriefing — participants often need a moment to process their impressions.
Before departure: - Book entry passes for the Memorial and an educator‑guide with sufficient advance notice. - Book the coach and coach parking in Kraków (for the return pickup). - Confirm the restaurant and menu if you plan a group meal. - Prepare a list of participants and assign coordinators for smaller subgroups (one coordinator per 6–8 people).
On the day: - Arrive at the meeting point with extra time; remind participants to dress modestly and wear comfortable shoes. - Inform the group about the solemn nature of the visit to Oświęcim and the rules of behaviour. - Provide at least two short restroom breaks before travelling to Oświęcim — this will save a lot of stress.
During the visit: - Keep to the reservation timetable and be punctual for coach pick‑ups. - Ensure people with disabilities or mobility limitations have support — the museum provides certain accommodations (for example wheelchairs for loan). - Do not leave large luggage inside the museum area; keep it on the coach in line with the museum’s rules.
Can the number of people be increased after making a reservation? - For some reservation types the options are limited; from 2025 there are additional rules regarding changing group size after booking, so it’s best to confirm your final number before you submit the reservation.
How long does visiting Auschwitz‑Birkenau take? - As a minimum allow about 3.5 hours for a basic guided visit covering Auschwitz I and Birkenau; if you include educational meetings or time for reflection, add extra time.
Can children come? - The museum discourages independent visits by children under 14; school groups have special programmes and preparatory materials — check the museum’s guidelines before booking.
Where should the group keep luggage? - Larger luggage should be left on the coach; only small bags within allowed dimensions are permitted into the exhibition area.
What if someone is late for the museum entry? - The museum asks groups to arrive 30 minutes early; lateness may result in losing the group entry slot, so synchronisation with the driver and the group coordinators is essential.
Organising a full‑day trip Kraków + Oświęcim for 30–60 people is a challenge but also very rewarding when everything is well planned. The most important things are advance reservations at the museum and the restaurant, clear rules for participants (punctuality, splitting into small toilet subgroups) and well‑coordinated coach logistics (where to drop off, where to park).
Look after participants’ comfort — regular breaks, a clear timetable and a calm pre‑warning about the emotionally demanding nature of the visit. This way the day will be both logistically smooth and educationally meaningful. Good luck with planning — if you want, I can help prepare a detailed timetable tailored to your exact arrival time and number of coaches.
Wishing you a calm and well‑organised trip — one that allows you to visit important places with proper respect and without unnecessary hurry.
