This Auschwitz Birkenau visitor guide will help you plan a respectful, properly booked visit to the Memorial from Kraków or Oświęcim. Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau are places of remembrance, not conventional sightseeing stops, so preparation matters: entry is limited, booking is essential, and the experience can be emotionally demanding. Below, you will find the practical details Michelle Thielen’s journey does not fully cover, including official reservations, transport, 2026 prices, where to stay and a calm two-day itinerary.
What Michelle Thielen’s journey shows
- She begins a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial with the seriousness appropriate to a site of Nazi persecution and mass murder.
- The journey introduces Auschwitz I, the former main camp where visitors encounter the preserved buildings and historical exhibitions.
- It then moves to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, whose vast grounds make the scale of the camp system more visible.
- Her route focuses on observing, listening and reflecting rather than treating the Memorial as an ordinary attraction.
- The video closes on the emotional weight of visiting a place dedicated to memory, education and the victims of Nazi crimes.
Watch Michelle Thielen’s visit here, then use the practical guidance below to prepare your own visit responsibly.
How to get to Auschwitz-Birkenau
Most international visitors base themselves in Kraków and make a day trip to Oświęcim, the town where the Memorial is located. The official Auschwitz Memorial advises that the visit begins at Auschwitz I, at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street. Oświęcim railway station is about 2 kilometres from the Museum, and local buses can connect the station with the Memorial. PKS buses and minibuses also stop beside the Museum with services to Kraków and Katowice.
For a straightforward independent plan, book your official entry pass first, then choose a train or bus departure from Kraków that leaves generous time for connections. Do not buy transport-only excursions unless you have separately confirmed your timed Memorial entry: from March 1, 2026, all entry cards, including free unguided passes, are available only through the official Auschwitz reservation system.
If you are driving, use the Memorial’s main visitor entrance at Auschwitz I. The official visitor information lists a free main car park there, but arrive early enough for security procedures and your timed entry.
Best time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau
The best time is the date when you can secure an official guided tour and give the experience the time it deserves. In practical terms, spring and early autumn can be more comfortable for walking outdoors at Birkenau than the coldest winter weeks or the busiest summer period. An early scheduled tour also leaves time afterwards to process the visit without racing straight back to Kraków.
The Memorial is open year-round except January 1, December 25 and Easter Sunday. Entrance hours change by season: in April, May and September, visitors can begin between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; in June through August, the last entrance is 7 p.m.; and in October, it is 5 p.m. Visitors may remain on site for 90 minutes after the final entrance time.
Book well ahead where possible. Guided entries can be reserved up to three months in advance, while free unguided entry passes are released from 90 to seven days before the visit date.
What Auschwitz-Birkenau costs in 2026
Admission to the Memorial grounds is free, but every visitor needs a named entry pass reserved online. The paid option is the guide-educator service, which includes a headset and, for individual guided tours, the transfer between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The standard guided route takes around three and a half hours.
| Official visit option | 2026 verified price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial entry without a guide | PLN 0 | Named online entry pass required; available only during designated unguided-entry hours. |
| Individual guided tour, regular ticket, other language | PLN 130 | General guided tour with headset rental. |
| Individual guided tour, reduced ticket, other language | PLN 120 | For eligible students up to age 26, visitors over 75 and eligible disabled visitors with documentation. |
| Individual six-hour study visit, regular ticket, other language | PLN 170 | Extended guided study visit with headset rental. |
| Individual six-hour study visit, reduced ticket, other language | PLN 150 | Extended guided study visit for eligible reduced-fare visitors. |
The Memorial’s official price list currently displayed in October 2026 is valid from May 1, 2025; check the live booking page before payment because availability and entry times are limited.
Book the Memorial activity directly through the official system, rather than relying on an unverified reseller claiming to have access to entry slots.
Where to stay: Kraków or Oświęcim?
For most travellers, Kraków is the most practical base. It has the broadest choice of accommodation, restaurants and rail or bus connections, and it allows you to give the Memorial one full day while returning to a city with more services. Stay near Kraków Główny if you want the simplest public-transport departure.
Choose Oświęcim if you have an early Memorial booking, want to avoid a long return journey after an emotionally intense day, or plan to explore the town at a slower pace. Do not expect a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau to fit comfortably between unrelated attractions. If you are building a wider Central European trip, our Maramureș travel guide offers a thoughtful next stop for travellers continuing through the region.
Respectful visitor etiquette and essential tips
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry for security checks. Bring only a small bag: backpacks and handbags may not exceed 35 x 25 x 15 centimetres. Larger luggage should be left elsewhere or placed in the paid storage facilities.
Dress for a memorial site and for exposed outdoor walking at Birkenau. Speak quietly, keep your phone on silent, and do not stage photographs. Personal photography without flash or stands is permitted in much of the site, but it is prohibited in the room containing victims’ hair in Block 4 and in the basements of Block 11. Drones and commercial filming require prior approval.
This is not a visit to rush. Take water, wear supportive shoes and avoid scheduling a tightly timed dinner, flight or party immediately after. The Memorial does not recommend visits for children under 14. For another guide to approaching a place of memory with care, read our Gorée Island visitor guide.
Day-by-day (how to travel it yourself)
Day 1: Arrive in Kraków and prepare.
Check into a central Kraków hotel, confirm your official named entry pass and transport for the following morning, and read the Memorial’s visitor rules. Keep the evening low-key and pack only the small bag you can take through security.
Day 2: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Travel from Kraków early enough to reach Auschwitz I at least 30 minutes before your reserved time. Take the official guided tour if available; it begins at Auschwitz I and continues to Birkenau, with the Museum providing the inter-site transfer for individual guided visitors. Leave time after the tour for quiet reflection, food and an unhurried journey back to Kraków.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Auschwitz-Birkenau in advance?
Yes. Every visitor needs a personalised entry pass, and from March 1, 2026, all entry cards must be obtained online through the official reservation system.
Is Auschwitz-Birkenau free to visit?
Entry to the Memorial grounds is free, but timed entry must be reserved. Guided tours cost extra, with a regular individual ticket in a non-Polish language listed at PLN 130.
Can I visit Auschwitz-Birkenau without a guide?
Yes, but only with a free official entry pass and during the unguided-entry times set by month. During much of the day, entry is only possible with a guide-educator.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow at least half a day on site and longer when travelling from Kraków. The standard guided visit lasts about three and a half hours, while the Memorial recommends at least 90 minutes each for Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Facts and prices verified in October 2026. Travel with Influencers is an independent fan/editorial guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators featured. Watch and support the original creator: Michelle Thielen on YouTube.
