The trip from Kraków to Oświęcim usually takes about 1.5 hours one way, and a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial with an educator typically lasts around 3.5 hours — so when planning a trip for 30–60 people it is worth thinking of a full day, not a "quick tour".
Planning a large group also requires extra time for registration, security checks and unloading participants from the coach — underestimating these elements is one of the most common causes of delays and frustration.
Entry passes to the Memorial and guided tour slots must be reserved online through the museum’s booking system. Capacity is limited and popular times fill up quickly, so book as early as possible.
In practice, for a group of 30–60 people you should start reservations several weeks, preferably months, before the planned date. The museum asks for participant details and the number of people at booking time; in many cases that number cannot be increased later within the same reservation — so accuracy when you register matters.
Below is a practical "skeleton" day that allows time for travel, formalities and the guided visit: depart Kraków in the morning, arrive in Oświęcim around 9:30–10:00, registration and entry, 10:00–13:30 guided tour with an educator, break for a meal, return to Kraków in the afternoon. This plan gives about 7–8 hours total.
If your group is close to 60 people consider hiring two coaches or splitting into two subgroups with separate guided-tour reservations scheduled close to each other. This improves the visiting experience and helps avoid crowding at the exhibits.
When choosing a transport company check coach capacity, waiting-time policy, parking conditions near the museum and the carrier’s experience handling school trips and organized groups. For 50–60 people it is safest to have either two vehicles or one very large coach plus a reserve minibus.
Remember that larger luggage must remain on the coach according to museum rules — plan baggage storage and labeling. On site, short roll-calls, a clear meeting system and a designated person to liaise with museum staff are very helpful.
The museum offers several kinds of visits: 3.5-hour tours, general visits of 2.5–3.5 hours, and longer study programs. For group bookings choose a guided visit, specify the language of the guide and the number of participants.
In practice that means you should decide the route length (for example Auschwitz I + Birkenau), whether you want the tour split into two shifts, and if you need headset sets. The museum provides transfer between the former camps for guided tours, which simplifies logistics for large groups.
An optimal split is roughly 25–35 people per group inside the buildings — smaller subgroups hear the guide better and have better access to exhibits. If you have 50–60 people, book two nearby tour slots or two educators.
Assign group leaders in advance (for example a marshal and an assistant), set clear meeting points and give participants a short instruction before entry: behave calmly, avoid loud comments and respect the solemn character of the site.
Do I need to arrive earlier? Yes — the museum suggests arriving at least 30 minutes before the tour starts because of security checks and registration.
How long does the visit last? A standard guided tour with an educator lasts about 3.5 hours (Auschwitz I + Birkenau).
Are there age restrictions? The museum recommends caution when bringing younger children — generally participants are recommended to be at least in their early teens depending on the educational program.
Do I have to pay for the guide? Entry to the grounds is free, while educator/guide services are paid. For organized groups a guided visit reservation and payment for the educator are required.
After an intense and emotional visit it is good to plan a meal in a calm place. If you return to Kraków for lunch, consider well-known, highly-rated places: Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa (traditional Polish cuisine), Cafe Camelot (a café near the Market Square) or Restaurant Wierzynek (historic interior and strong reputation). When booking for large groups, check in advance whether the restaurant accepts big groups and offers a group menu.
There are also tourist-friendly restaurants in Oświęcim — with larger groups it’s wise to contact a restaurant ahead of time to arrange catering or set meal options to avoid long waits.
Last-minute reservations — in high season this often means no available slots; book well in advance and get confirmations in writing.
Too few coaches or no backup plan — for 50–60 people have a plan B (additional minibus) and identified coordinators for attendance management.
No short briefing for participants before departure — explain what to expect, rules of conduct and the purpose of the visit. This makes the day run smoother and prepares people emotionally.
If you plan to visit on hot days remember that Birkenau is a large outdoor area — bring water and hats. This simple detail greatly increases group comfort.
Consider a short, quiet moment of reflection after leaving the sites — it helps participants process emotions and gives the program a more thoughtful ending.
Guide fees depend on route length and group size; for larger groups the price is often calculated per person and can be more economical. Add transport, parking and possible meal costs. Exact rates should be agreed individually with the educator and the transport company.
Confirm reservations in the museum system and with the educator, check the participant list, contact numbers, travel plan and meeting point.
Label luggage, assign people responsible for order in the group and prepare a short briefing explaining the character of the place and rules of conduct.
If you want your group to be guided calmly, professionally and with empathy — consider using the private guiding services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and contact are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — the guide will help coordinate reservations, transport and the program so everything runs smoothly.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends, send it to your group organizer or post it on social media. Good preparation leads to a calm and meaningful visit. Thank you and have a peaceful trip.
