Are you planning to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Site with a group of friends and not sure how to prepare? You came to the right place. I collected practical information and personal experience to help you plan the logistics, avoid misunderstandings and experience the visit respectfully — while staying aware and minimizing unnecessary stress. I will write plainly, step by step, with practical tips and ideas for how to support one another through the strong emotions this visit often evokes. I will not recommend specific commercial agencies or offers — this is a neutral, helpful guide for your group of friends.
What you can expect in this article: information about reservations and visiting rules, how to get there from Krakow, what to bring, how to behave on site, practical tips for groups and ideas for a calm wrap-up after the visit.
Remember: Auschwitz-Birkenau is a place of remembrance. It requires respect and reflection - plan ahead so you can concentrate and support each other.
Yes - booking entrance tickets is necessary. Access to the Memorial Site is by entry cards and numbers are limited, so the best strategy is to reserve your time slots in advance. This applies both to independent visits and to visits with an educator-guide.
If you plan to visit during the tourist season or on a weekend, book tickets as early as possible - this increases your chances of a convenient time. Organized groups and larger parties should allow extra time for entry formalities and possible rental of an audio system (for groups above a certain size), so plan a time buffer.
In practice: make the reservation, agree on a meeting place and time in Krakow, then add around 1.5 hours for travel (more below). Arriving at least 30 minutes before your tour starts is a good habit - it allows for security checks and gives the group a moment to compose themselves before entering.
From Krakow to Oświęcim/Auschwitz is most often about 70 km and the trip typically takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes depending on road conditions and transport. In practice, plan on about 1.5 hours for the journey.
Travel options: by car or taxi (comfortable and flexible), by train (to Oświęcim station, then a short walk or local transfer), and by regular buses running between Krakow and Oświęcim. If you are traveling together, consider carpooling or hiring transport - it makes coordinating the group and arriving on time easier.
On site there is a Visitor Services Centre with luggage storage and parking at both parts of the Memorial Site. A free shuttle bus runs between the former Auschwitz I camp and Auschwitz II-Birkenau; consider using it if you prefer not to walk (the distance between the camps is about 3.5 km).
Practical tip: check train and bus timetables in advance, agree a meeting point in Krakow and allow time for possible traffic, breaks and leaving luggage. If you drive, remember parking fees and that arriving earlier in the morning makes finding parking easier.
A standard visit covers the areas of both former camps: Auschwitz I (the site of exhibitions and some displays) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (a large open area with the gate and the platform). The minimum recommended time for visiting is about 3.5 hours - consider booking the whole morning or afternoon for this.
Visits usually begin with a short introductory presentation, followed by a walkthrough of selected blocks and exhibitions in Auschwitz I and then a transfer or walk to Birkenau, where there is a vast memorial space and the characteristic gate. The route and pace depend on the type of visit - whether you go with an educator or explore on your own.
With many visitors the flow through some blocks can be slower - plan a time margin. Organized groups often rent an audio system to improve audibility and comfort during the tour.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is a historic area and a place of memory - solemnity and respect are required. Here are the key practical rules to keep in mind:
- Entry cards: entrance is only possible with named entry cards - make sure you have your reservation confirmations and any required ID.
- Dress and behavior: avoid noisy behavior, loud talking or joking at inappropriate moments. Dress appropriately for the character of the place.
- Luggage: large bags and suitcases are not allowed in exhibition areas - maximum size is a small bag/backpack (bring a small backpack or handbag). Larger items should be left in a car or in the luggage storage.
- Photography: photos are generally allowed but without flash and without tripods; some rooms with exhibits prohibit photography. Follow staff instructions and information signs. Commercial photography requires special permission.
- Children and youth: the Museum usually discourages bringing very small children; exercise caution when bringing minors - consider their emotional readiness.
- Alcohol and parties: alcohol and inappropriate behavior are prohibited on the site. Do not plan party activities immediately before or right after the visit.
- Do not touch exhibits or cross barriers. Staff may ask you to leave the site for rule violations.
This visit is often emotionally intense. When traveling with friends it is worth planning not only logistics but also emotional support and clear rules for group behavior.
Before the trip:
- Talk honestly: a short conversation about what each person expects from the visit will avoid misunderstandings. Who wants focused visiting, who prefers a quiet moment at the end? Agreeing on this beforehand will make the day run more smoothly.
- Agree on a meeting point and time in Krakow and a backup plan (who is responsible for bookings, who is driving, phone numbers).
- Make sure at least one person has a copy of the reservation and contact numbers for everyone.
During the visit:
- Stay together or decide whether you’ll explore at your own pace and meet later. Clear rules will save frustration.
- Respect others' boundaries: people react differently to difficult material. If someone asks for a break, give them time and space.
- Keep phones muted and limit comments during exhibitions - silence and focus are important here.
After the visit:
- Plan a moment for a shared wrap-up. A short calm conversation over coffee or a walk by the river can help process the experience. Avoid loud, party-like activities immediately after the visit.
- If someone needs more time, respect that. Signal that you can return to the conversation later when everyone is ready.
Comfort matters, but remember the rules of the memorial. Here is a practical list of items to have with you:
- A small backpack or bag that fits within allowed dimensions - leave large suitcases or big backpacks in the car or in storage.
- Comfortable, non-slip shoes - surfaces can be uneven, especially in Birkenau.
- A jacket or an extra layer - depending on the season it can be cool, and part of the exhibition is outdoors.
- Water - useful to have but remember food and drink are prohibited in exhibition areas; keep a bottle tucked away and drink after the visit.
- Phone and power bank - for photos and contact, but keep it muted; respect the place when photographing.
- ID and your reservation confirmation.
If you are organizing transport from Krakow: confirm your meeting point and tell everyone the expected departure time. Traffic, roadworks and stops can lengthen the journey, so better to leave earlier than to risk arriving late.
If you use the train, check timetables and remember that the walk from Oświęcim station to the Visitor Services Centre takes a few minutes. A good practice is to assign someone to check reservations and keep everyone punctual - it simplifies the whole logistics.
Also agree before you leave who looks after luggage, who carries the map or phone with the reservation confirmation and where you will meet after the visit.
Many people feel strong emotions after leaving the Memorial Site. This is normal and it is important to honor those feelings.
Simple debrief ideas for the group:
- A few minutes of silence or a short collective reflection on what moved you the most.
- A warm drink and a quiet place to sit - avoid immediately switching to noisy activities.
- If someone needs it, suggest a shorter walk or a moment alone - not everyone will want to talk right away.
If emotions are very strong and persistent, consider contacting close ones or, if necessary, professional support. Remember that the site can trigger traumatic memories for some people - be attentive to your friends' needs.
Can I take photos? Yes, but respect photography bans in some rooms, do not use flash or tripods and photograph with sensitivity to the exhibits.
Can children come on the trip? Very young children are generally not recommended; the decision should depend on the child's maturity and preparation. Discuss beforehand and assess whether the content is appropriate.
How long does the visit take? Minimum is about 3.5 hours; if you want to see everything more slowly and talk about it, allow more time.
Do I have to go with a guide? Organized groups are required to work with an educator-guide; individuals can visit independently or join scheduled tours. Visiting with an educator provides deeper historical context.
Are there facilities for people with disabilities? Yes, but due to the site's authentic character some areas may be difficult to access; there are solutions on site to assist access and provide help.
If you are going to Auschwitz with friends, treat the trip as an important experience - both for knowledge and for empathy. Thoughtful logistics, a short conversation before you leave and a plan for a calm finish to the day will make the visit fuller and more meaningful.
Be kind to one another. Not everyone can immediately process the emotions this place brings up. Mutual support and respect will make this important lesson of memory also a moment of strengthening mutual understanding. If you have questions while planning a specific day trip from Krakow - I am happy to help and suggest practical solutions.
