A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau combines history, memory and the stark architecture of the place. It is not a typical tourist attraction — it is a Memorial Site that requires emotional and logistical preparation. Understanding the basic division between Auschwitz I (brick buildings and museum exhibitions) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (a vast site with the railway ramp and wooden barracks) will help you plan your walk and better read what you see.
Be prepared that some parts of the exhibition are outdoors and some are inside museum buildings. Touring takes time — plan at least 3.5–4 hours so you don’t have to rush and can move through both areas with dignity. Show respect for the site and remember appropriate dress and behavior.
Auschwitz I consists of brick barracks and adapted administrative buildings. There you will find exhibition rooms with evidence and personal items, as well as fragments of original infrastructure. Birkenau, by contrast, is an expansive transit camp — dominated by wooden barracks, the railway platform and a spatial layout that makes the scale of the tragedy immediately visible. Keep these differences in mind when planning your route and photographs (always observing rules of respect).
The architecture of the site is an important testimony: austere, functional building forms, fence lines, guard towers and the trackbed are elements that speak as loudly as the exhibits in the museum halls.
Choosing the right time and day matters a great deal. Peak crowds arrive in the morning and when coach groups come. To minimize crowds, consider an afternoon visit outside the high season (weekdays are best).
Official access rules also allow self-guided visits at specific afternoon hours — those are moments when visitor numbers are lower. If you want silence, avoid July and August and skip weekends. Suggested route planning: start in Auschwitz I, spend more time on the indoor museum exhibitions in the morning or early afternoon, and leave Birkenau for the end of the visit when many groups have already left.
Entry to the Memorial Site is free, but entry is possible only with a named admission card reserved online. The number of entries is limited, so book in the official reservation system in advance.
Visits are offered in different forms: self-guided visits (without an educator-guide) are available only at certain afternoon hours depending on the month, while visits with an educator-guide provide a deeper historical narrative. Because places are limited, plan ahead and arrive at least 30 minutes early for security checks.
The Memorial Site is open for most of the year, but entry hours change seasonally. Entry slots usually start early in the morning; the last available times depend on the month. Always check current opening hours and the availability of admission cards in the official reservation system before you travel.
Note also luggage size limits for the site (small bags are allowed; larger items may need to be left in a car or coach). It’s better to bring a small backpack or compact bag.
Direct trains and buses run from Kraków to Oświęcim. Travel usually takes about 1–1.5 hours depending on the chosen connection. The railway station in Oświęcim is some distance from the Memorial Site, so plan onward travel (bus, taxi or a walk) after arrival.
A car gives you time flexibility, but remember parking restrictions and the designated coach arrival area. If you return the same day, check return train and bus schedules — plan your return so you are not left without options after the visit.
Comfortable walking shoes for uneven outdoor surfaces, weather-appropriate clothing (Birkenau is open), a water bottle and light snacks for the journey. Since part of the exhibition is indoors, a light jacket can be useful on cooler museum floors even on warm days. Avoid loud or flashy clothing that might be seen as disrespectful.
Have your reservation confirmation and an ID ready. Large luggage may be refused at the entrance — measure your bag before you leave to check that it fits allowed dimensions.
Buying admission cards from unverified intermediaries who promise guaranteed places for high fees. Use the official reservation system or reputable offers that include the work of the Memorial Site’s educators.
Planning the trip without checking return train/bus times to Kraków — visitors sometimes have trouble returning, especially after afternoon visits. Always check schedules in advance and leave a time buffer to reach the station or stop.
Lack of emotional preparation and rushing. This is a place of memory — plan for quiet, reflection and do not treat the visit as a quick stop on your itinerary.
After returning to Kraków we recommend calm, well-reviewed places to rest and eat after an intense day. In the Old Town and Kazimierz you will find cafes and restaurants with a peaceful atmosphere — for example Cafe Camelot, Charlotte, Mleczarnia (Kazimierz) and Starka. If you prefer traditional Polish fare, consider restaurants that serve classic dishes in a respectful setting.
For overnight stays consider boutique hotels in the city center or reliable chain hotels around the Market Square — they offer comfort, are close to attractions and are often favored by travelers. After a demanding day a convenient location and the option of late check-in can be very helpful.
The Memorial Site includes two main camps with very different characters: one with exhibitions and architecture adapted from existing buildings, and the other — a vast area designed as a camp for mass extermination and transit. This contrast is visible immediately and helps to understand the scale of what happened here.
Although entry to the Memorial Site is free, the reservation system regulates visitor flow and helps ensure that everyone has an opportunity to visit calmly. The system makes the site more orderly but requires active planning by the visitor.
Do I need to reserve in advance? - Yes, entry requires an admission card reserved in the system; places are limited, so plan ahead.
Can I visit on my own? - Yes, self-guided visits are possible but only at certain afternoon hours; for fuller understanding, visits with an educator-guide are recommended.
How much time do I need? - Plan at least 3.5–4 hours to move calmly through both parts of the Memorial Site.
Can I take photos? - Photography at the Memorial Site is allowed, but you must behave respectfully and avoid inappropriate poses; photography may be restricted in some spaces.
A well-planned route and a few practical choices help you experience Auschwitz consciously, respectfully and without unnecessary rush. Share this guide with friends traveling to Kraków — it may save them stress and misunderstandings.
If you’d like extra support planning your visit — both logistical and historical — consider the private guiding services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact information for the guide is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata will help craft a route tailored to your needs, focused on a calm pace, historical context and maximum comfort during the visit. Let us know if this article was helpful and feel free to recommend it to others.
