Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfer and Ticket
Description
Visit one of the most important memorial sites in Europe on an organized Auschwitz-Birkenau tour from Krakow. The former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a place of remembrance for more than one million victims of World War II. Preserved barracks, watchtowers, the railway ramp in Birkenau and memorials bear witness to the history of the Holocaust. Several visit options are available (please read carefully before booking): • Options with a Licensed Museum Guide - Guided visit inside both camps. • Independent Visit Option - Entry without a Museum guide inside; introduction provided by our guide before the visit. All options include round-trip transport from Krakow and pre-arranged entry passes. The visit is conducted with appropriate respect. ✔ Visit both camps ✔ Transport from Krakow included ✔ Entry tickets arranged ✔ Licensed guide in selected options
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour begins with transportation from Krakow (hotel you specified or a meeting point you choose from). Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is located in the town Oswiecim, about 1h15min in one way (65km). Every driver we cooperate with has all required by EU permissions for passenger transport. An English speaking and friendly leader of the group will assist you at any time you need. After arriving in Oswiecim, have a short break to grab a coffee or keep an eye on outdoor exhibitions.Then be kindly introduced to your local and professional guide who is licensed by Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
Start your tour by walking through the gate to the first camp - Auschwitz I - originally conceived as a concentration camp, to be used as a detention centre for the many Polish citizens arrested after Germany annexed the country in 1939, with the most recognizable sign Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes You Free).This part usually takes 2 hours and you will be using a headset to hear your guide clearly. The group according to the Museum’s rule counts up to 30 people making the visit comfortable and accessible for every participant. Visit the original wooden buildings, fortified walls, barbed wires, gas chambers and crematoria - all of those leave a shocking impression allowing to imagine the scale of Holocaust.
After the 1st camp short break up to 15 minutes is planned. You will be taken by us to visit the second part of the tour - Birkenau (Auschwitz II), only 3 minutes away, which is the largest camp built and operated for the specific purpose of making Europe ''Judenrein'' (free of Jews). The same guide continues a poignant lecture about the camp in the village Brzezinka (Birkenau) which was constructed in 1941 on the order of Heinrich Himmler (SS commander) and could hold some 90 000 prisoners.You will be told about terrible stories of unimaginable living conditions as well as cruel selection and pseudo-scientific medical experiments made by prominent Nazi doctors including Josef Mengele. A history about soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, which meant the final liberation, ends your tour with a feeling, both this genocide should never have happened and it can not happen again.
When the tour ends, you are not rushed by us. There is at least a 20 minutes break which you can spend in a bookstore, grocery store or just rest. After another 1h15min on the way, you will be taken to a predetermined address in Krakow.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
• Please provide your accommodation address in Krakow, or choose a meeting point if you've selected a lower-priced option. • Departure time depends on Auschwitz Museum availability and will be confirmed the day before the tour. • You will receive a welcome message along with your booking confirmation. • Guests staying near the Main Square will be assigned the nearest possible pickup point. • Guests staying outside the city center will be asked to wait at a designated location. • Due to major roadworks in western Krakow, pickups from that area are currently unavailable. • The meeting point at Floriana Straszewskiego 19 (next to the Philharmonic) is temporarily closed. If you're staying nearby, we will arrange an alternative safe and convenient pickup location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- [DEPARTURE] Booked times are approximate and may change due to museum scheduling or traffic.
- [DOCUMENTS] **Full names of all participants MUST be provided during booking (the same as on ID or passport, no nicknames). Passport or ID is MANDATORY for each participant and will be checked. NO ID = NO ENTRY!**
- [VISIT] Guided group tour only, no individual pacing. Respectful behavior and smart casual dress required. Eating, smoking, and loud behavior are not allowed.
- [PICKUP] Some Krakow hotels are in restricted traffic zones; pickup will be arranged from the nearest accessible point and you will be informed in advance.
- [LUNCH] Lunch is not included. There is no time for a full meal between visits, and no food facilities on-site, so please bring a snack.
- [SECURITY] An airport-style security check is required before entering the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
- [WEATHER] The tour runs in all weather. Up to 70% of the visit takes place outdoors, so please dress appropriately and bring water on warm days.
- [CHILDREN] Children must be accompanied by an adult. Infant seats are available. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, the tour is recommended for ages 13+.
- [PHOTOS] Photography is allowed except in marked areas. Flash is not permitted inside buildings.
- [RENOVATIONS] Due to roadworks in western Krakow, pickups in that area are not possible. The Straszewskiego 19 meeting point is temporarily closed. We will arrange a nearby alternative if needed.
Reviews(9,492)
It feels mixed to give a lower rating. The Hello Cracow organisation worked flawless. But visiting Auschwitz and Birkenau in summer apparently means its so incredibly busy, the tour guides just rush you through the camps, often skipping over stuff. The massiveness and rushed feeling really hurts what should be, in my opinion, a solemn and respectful experience.
This was a fabulous trip. So well organised. Picked up on time, spotless air conditioned coach. Our guide Mikal was wonderful. So knowledgeable, took his time to explain everything in a compassionate way. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip. We also purchased the packed lunch which was great value for money.
The visit was very well organised and communication about arrangements were excellent. Michael, our guide on the day was informative and respectful. I would encourage everyone to do this tour while in Krakow ; very poignant but we should all have an understanding of what a dreadful period in history this was
We took this tour to Auschwitz and Birkenau from Kraków and overall had a very good experience. The bus arrived about 10 minutes late at the meeting point, so we started to wonder if we were waiting in the right place, but after that everything went smoothly and according to schedule. Our guide was respectful, knowledgeable, and spoke clear, easy-to-understand English. There wasn't much free time, but honestly, there isn't much you need it for during this kind of visit. We had a short 15-minute break between Auschwitz and Birkenau, plus the brief bus ride between the two sites. It was an extremely hot day. Auschwitz offered some shade and indoor areas, while Birkenau involved a longer walk almost entirely under the blazing midday sun. Because of the heat, I personally could have skipped that part, but of course the tour followed the advertised itinerary. There are very limited opportunities to buy drinks. There are vending machines near the entrance, but when we visited they were already running low. At the exit, the souvenir shop only sold bottled water. I would definitely recommend bringing your own drinks and a small snack, especially on a hot day. The coach was comfortable, and the air conditioning was set at a pleasant temperature—not too cold. Overall, this was a well-organized tour and definitely worth doing. I would recommend this agency.
We felt that our visit, though difficult emotionally, was important to experience so we don't forget the millions of people who lost their lives due to the horror of the holocaust. The tour guide, Eric, was very helpful and clear in his directions. The tour bus was comfortable and air conditioned on the hottest day of the year.
A thought provoking and really confrontational tour. Just incredible. Guide was exceptional in her knowledge Thoroughly recommend this tour.
Great service to be picked up from our apartment and dropped back. The tour itself was very well organised and thought provoking. Really recommend.
Absolutely unforgettable experience, lots of walking involved and was a heatwave when we went so be prepared ( lots of water needed) our guide Hubert was amazing so helpful right from booking, they keep in touch via WhatsApp and you can ask anything, not just about the tours, they gave me recommendations on where to eat and drink, other places to visit, so helpful with our entire trip to krakow, they message meeting times address and link on how to find it, they call you when they arrive and even supply a packed lunch which is well worth ordering as there isn’t much break time your lunch is waiting for you to eat between camps, would absolutely recommend emotional day but well worth a visit. Thank you so much you made the experience perfect
Lot of walking if you are older .Take water was very hot when we went.The guide was very informative
Very good feedback and well organized tour. Very helpful
