The word “Auschwitz” carries the weight of history and emotion, so a short note first: fully understanding this place takes time and reflection. Official museum information suggests allocating about 3.5 hours to visit both parts of the former camp, but if your time is limited and you want to see the most important points, you can arrange a visit to see the key places in roughly 3 hours in as calm a way as possible.
This text is a practical plan: what to see, how to split your time, how to get there from Kraków, what to avoid and how to behave respectfully. I write with tourists in mind who want to experience the place attentively, not just tick boxes.
Note: entry to the Memorial is free, but you must have an entry pass reserved in advance. To prepare well, check the museum’s information before you travel and arrive with time to spare.
The plan I suggest is calm — with short stops for reflection — and assumes you want to avoid the main tourist clusters.
Also remember respect — this is a place of remembrance. Dress and behavior should be appropriate.
Admission is free, but you must reserve an entry pass (the reservation system works online).
The most important parts to see are: Auschwitz I (the gate with the inscription “Arbeit macht frei”, exhibition blocks, Block 11) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the ramp, wooden barracks, ruins of the crematoria).
Auschwitz I and Birkenau are about 3–3.5 km apart. There is a free shuttle bus for visitors in certain visiting scenarios, but you can also walk between them — walking takes about 40–50 minutes.
To get a calm introduction to both camps the museum recommends around 3.5 hours; there are shorter options too (for example an overall visit of around 2.5–3.5 hours).
Arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry is a good idea because of security checks and formalities.
The most popular options are bus, train or car. Travel usually takes from about 1 to 1.5–2 hours depending on the mode of transport and road conditions.
The train to Oświęcim is convenient and relatively inexpensive — from Oświęcim station it’s a short walk or a short local transfer to the museum. Buses from Kraków’s bus station often stop closer to the museum and can be more convenient if you prefer to avoid an extra transfer.
If you drive, plan extra time to find parking. Paid parking for visitors is available near both former camps.
In practice — align your departure time with your reserved museum entry; it’s worth planning so you don’t waste time waiting to enter.
If having the fewest people around is important to you, the earliest morning slots are often less crowded than midday.
This plan assumes 3 hours on site and focuses on the most important points: Auschwitz I + Birkenau. If you have more time, stay longer and explore the exhibitions more deeply.
Start: Auschwitz I — entrance and the square before the gate (15 min) - a short moment to enter the mood of the place and read the introductory information boards. The gate with the inscription “Arbeit macht frei” is symbolic, but also pause at the first exhibitions and the site map.
Main exhibitions in Auschwitz I (45–60 min) - focus on the blocks that present camp life and the fate of prisoners. Choose 2–3 exhibition blocks: displays with artifacts and photographs and Block 11 (the prison) with information about punishments and executions. Don’t try to read everything — pick the most important rooms and pause at the exhibits that speak most to you.
Transfer to Birkenau — shuttle bus or walk (20–40 min). The bus saves time and energy; walking takes you to the ramp on foot and gives you time to cross the grounds where the ruins and barracks stand.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau — the ramp, barracks and crematoria ruins (35–45 min) - start at the ramp, the site of selection, then walk along the tracks, see the wooden barracks and the memorial sites. Pay attention to the crematoria ruins and the many information boards. This is a space that requires silence and reflection.
Finish and a moment of reflection (5–10 min) - before leaving, spend a few minutes in silence at a designated memorial spot. It’s a good time to gather your impressions and return calmly to Kraków.
If you only have one to one-and-a-half hours: focus on Auschwitz I. See the gate, the main exhibition (Blocks 4/5) and Block 11. This will help you understand the essence of the camp system.
If you can choose Birkenau at the expense of part of Auschwitz I: go to the ramp and visit the crematoria ruins — this place illustrates the scale of the crime and the structure of the extermination camp.
In the extreme short version: the “Arbeit macht frei” gate + an exhibition block with artifacts + the Birkenau ramp — together these convey the most important elements of the site’s history.
If you’re visiting alone or in a small group, choose a reflective pace rather than racing through a checklist.
I encourage making short internal notes instead of extensive photographing — photos are allowed, but remember respect and that flash may be prohibited in some spaces.
Reserve your entry pass in advance — this removes anxious waiting and makes planning your trip from Kraków easier.
Choose the earliest time slots — mornings are usually quieter at the first tours of the day.
Avoid weekends and holidays if you want more quiet. Summer attracts the most visitors.
Getting around: use the museum shuttle if you want to save time and energy; walking between the camps is possible but longer.
Keep silence and seriousness — this is not a place for loud conversations or jokes. Brief comments with companions are natural, but remember other visitors.
Comfortable shoes — the Birkenau grounds are extensive, can be muddy after rain and are uneven.
A light jacket or layers — the weather can change, especially on the open Birkenau site.
A small backpack or bag that fits the museum’s rules — larger luggage must be left in a car or bus.
Water and a small snack for later — it’s hard to find long breaks to buy food during the visit.
Phone and your reservation confirmation — keep your booking confirmation with you.
The museum provides information about accessibility and facilities for visitors with reduced mobility. A shuttle runs between the camps with a platform for wheelchair users.
Follow safety rules and staff instructions. Some parts restrict entry to interiors or taking photos.
If you have doubts about accessibility of specific exhibitions or blocks — check current information before your visit.
If you travel with children, remember the subject is difficult and requires age-appropriate preparation and explanation.
If you feel unwell on site — contact museum personnel.
Auschwitz is not just a tourist attraction, but above all a place of remembrance. Plan time for silence and reflection after leaving the camp — that is a natural part of the visit.
If you want to deepen your knowledge, come back for a longer visit someday or use the museum’s educational materials. Even a short, well-prepared visit can be the beginning of deeper understanding.
If you’re traveling from Kraków in a single day, plan your return so you don’t rush unnecessarily — it’s better to process your impressions slowly and return in quiet.
I wish you a mindful and safe journey. If you have questions about logistics from Kraków or want to tailor the route to your own pace, I’m happy to help with further tips.
Wishing you a reflective visit — Małgorzata Kasprowicz
Do I need to print the pass? You can keep the reservation confirmation on your phone, but have a photo ID with you for entry checks.
When is the site least crowded? Early morning slots and off-season months (late autumn to early spring) are quieter. Avoid high-season summer weekends for more solitude.
Are photos allowed? Photography for personal use is generally permitted, except in specific rooms (for example the hall with victims’ hair and certain basement areas). Respect rules and other visitors at all times.
How long should I plan for the trip from Kraków? Allow around 1–1.5 hours depending on transport and traffic, plus at least 30 minutes extra before your entry time for security checks.
Where to eat afterwards? There are simple cafés and restaurants in Oświęcim and many excellent options back in Kraków’s Old Town. Give yourself time to sit quietly and process what you saw before returning to a busy schedule.
