The Auschwitz‑Birkenau State Museum has rules you should know before you leave Krakow. Entry cards (including the free ones for self-guided visitors) must be reserved through the museum’s official reservation system — slots are released in advance and space is limited. Organizing your visit ahead of time is not just convenient, it’s often the only way to guarantee entry at your chosen time. Plan your day to allow extra time for travel, security checks and possible luggage storage.
This guide contains practical tips on how to lower the risk of standing in queues, how to get there from Krakow, and how to behave so that respect for this place of remembrance is always the top priority.
The only safe place to reserve entry passes for the Museum is the official booking system. Booking there guarantees your entry at the chosen time and in the chosen language. Intermediaries and third-party sites sometimes sell “places” for an extra fee — on occasion these bookings turn out to be unconfirmed, canceled or otherwise problematic. Buying directly through the official system helps you avoid unpleasant surprises and false promises like “guaranteed entry without queues.”
Remember that free entry passes (for self-guided visitors) are also limited and released in specific time windows — reserve them well in advance.
Reserve your entry pass in advance — this is the most reliable way to avoid long lines at the ticket desk. If you plan to take a guided tour with a museum educator, those reservations are often available further in advance and secure your time slot.
In high season some individual-visitor slots are assigned to later hours — to manage visitor flow the Museum enforces specific entry times in certain months. If you cannot reserve ahead, there is a chance of obtaining a place on arrival, but it is not guaranteed — do not rely on that as a plan.
Come with small luggage (maximum size is usually about A4 / ~30x20x10 cm). Larger bags will be directed to left-luggage, which takes time and may cause you to miss your reserved slot. Allow extra time for transport delays and security checks — it’s better to arrive early than late.
Getting to Oświęcim is straightforward and you have several options: train (about 1–1.5 hours depending on the connection), buses and minibuses running directly from Krakow, or driving yourself. Buses usually stop near the museum car park, while the railway station is within walking distance of the entrance (about 1.5 km).
During the tourist season there may be a short shuttle line between the train station and the entrance — check the timetable on the day of travel. There is a free museum shuttle bus between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II‑Birkenau. Book your return to Krakow with a sufficient time buffer — traffic delays or a longer visit can cause stress if you’re on a tight schedule.
If you travel by train, it’s a good idea to buy your ticket in advance and check the current timetable — connections and travel times can vary depending on the day of the week.
The Museum allows photography in many outdoor areas, but strict rules apply: no flash, no tripods and no photos where explicitly prohibited. There are interiors and displays where photography is forbidden — obey the signs and the staff’s instructions.
Most important: this is a place of remembrance and learning, not a backdrop for content creation. Avoid dramatic poses, dancing, jokes or other behavior typical of light social-media clips. Smiling selfies or playful faces are inappropriate. If you plan to publish photos or short posts, do it seriously and respectfully, without trivializing the tragedy.
Respect privacy and dignity — do not record long segments of lectures, do not film people who clearly do not want to be recorded, and avoid using material in ways that trivialize the events commemorated here.
Auschwitz is not a place to look for “instagrammable” shots. Culturally and ethically it is wrong to treat the former camp grounds as a set for striking photos. Instead:
- photograph in a documentary and reflective manner;
- focus on the historical message rather than on originality of the shot;
- if you share an image, add context and explain why the visit was important to you.
If you want attractive photos for your social channels, choose other places in Krakow — the Old Town, Kazimierz, Wawel or charming streets and cafés. There you can create light, creative content while preserving solemnity at the memorial site.
Buying tickets from dubious intermediaries — buy only via the official booking system.
Arriving with large bags or without the ID used for the reservation — check allowed luggage dimensions and have the ID that matches your booking.
Assuming “I’ll get in if I come in the morning” — free passes are limited; planning and booking are your best strategy.
Emotional unreadiness — this is a hard place to visit; plan time to rest afterwards and talk with your travel companions about what to expect, especially if you are traveling with teenagers.
Do I have to reserve entry? - Yes. Even free entry passes must be reserved through the official system.
Can I enter without a guide? - Yes, but many visitors recommend a museum educator for historical context.
Can I take photos? - In most outdoor areas yes, but there are bans in certain interiors; no flash or tripods. Maintain a solemn attitude.
How long does a typical visit take? - A full guided visit of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II‑Birkenau usually lasts about 3–4 hours; an individual visit also requires several hours to see both sites.
Can children enter? - The Museum does not recommend visits for children under about 14 years of age due to the difficult subject matter.
If you plan to eat in Krakow before leaving for Oświęcim or after you return, you’ll find many welcoming places in the Old Town and Kazimierz. A few tried-and-true options: Café Camelot (a cozy café near the Market Square), Charlotte (breads and bakery on the square), Mleczarnia in Kazimierz (a snug local spot) and Pod Wawelem (traditional Polish cuisine).
In Oświęcim there are eateries near the Museum offering simple meals and snacks — check menus and opening hours before you go, as local offerings can change seasonally.
In some periods the Museum releases additional late-afternoon slots — check available dates and times for the season, as this can help you avoid the busiest hours.
The Visitor Services Center at the entrance offers facilities: left-luggage and a small refreshment point — using them can help if you arrive with larger baggage.
Plan time in your day for reflection and rest after visiting the Museum — emotions after such a visit can be intense.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or on your profiles — but when sharing add context and respect the importance of the site.
If you prefer certainty and comfort during your visit, consider booking a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — full information and contact details are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa website. This is a good option if you value personalized planning help and a calm, reflective visit. Thank you for reading — we wish you a safe, thoughtful and respectful visit.
