Visiting Auschwitz from Krakow: what the day involves and how to prepare

Visiting Auschwitz from Kraków takes a full day: the Memorial is about 90 minutes from the city, and the standard guided visit across its two former camps lasts about three and a half hours. Entry is free, but every visitor needs a named pass booked in advance at visit.auschwitz.org, because none are issued at the gate. Spice Escapes offers the trip as an optional day on Kraków Discovery, a hosted break of 4 nights for people travelling on their own.

Below, from the Memorial's own guidance: what you see, how to book, how long to allow, and then the evening after. If you would rather join our optional trip from a hosted break, see the dates and book online on the Kraków Discovery page.

Two former camps, 3.5 km apart, and why you see both

The camp was set up by Germans on the edge of Oświęcim, a Polish city the Nazis annexed to the Third Reich. In the Memorial's words, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the Shoah all over the world.

Visits begin at Auschwitz I and its permanent exhibitions. Auschwitz II-Birkenau is 3.5 km away, linked by a free shuttle bus, and a guided visit there takes in the prisoner barracks, the unloading ramp and the ruins of a gas chamber and crematorium.

The Memorial says about a million people died at Birkenau, more than nine in ten of them Jews, along with Poles, Roma and Sinti, Soviet prisoners of war and others. It calls seeing both parts essential, and asks visitors to allow at least about 90 minutes at each.

How to book: free named passes, released 90 days ahead

Passes are issued only on visit.auschwitz.org, released daily at noon, 90 days ahead, and numbers are limited. Each carries your name and a bar code, so bring it printed or on your phone, with an identity document. Bookings for individual visitors cannot be changed.

You can go round on your own or with one of the Museum's educators, which carries a fee and is what the Memorial suggests for a better understanding of the history. Tours for individual visitors run at set hours, in English and several other languages.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early for security. Be late for a tour with an educator and you go in at the first available hour, perhaps for a shorter visit or none, with no refund.

How long it takes: three and a half hours there, a full day in all

If you go independently, Lajkonik buses run from Kraków to the Museum car park.

Entry opens at 7.30am every day. The last entry moves with the seasons, from 2pm in December to 7pm in June, July and August, and you may stay 90 minutes after it. The Memorial is closed on New Year's Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

• A small bag only. Nothing larger than 35 × 25 × 15 cm goes in, and there are lockers near the visitor centre.
• Eat before or after. Food is not allowed on the grounds, and there is a restaurant by the visitor centre.
• Comfortable shoes. The Memorial warns of uneven ground and limited lighting in the original buildings.
• Quiet clothes, quiet phone. The rules ask for dress that suits the place, and no calls inside the buildings.

The evening after: plan nothing, and have company if you want it

Our itinerary calls it a full day, partly for the travel and partly for the heavy emotional effect it has on those who visit. You may want to talk it through over dinner, or want an hour alone first, and either is fine.

On Kraków Discovery, Jackie Whyte is with the group for all 4 nights, so there is company at dinner when you are ready for it.

Kraków Discovery: days of your own, a hotel by the Main Market Square and the Auschwitz day

Kraków Discovery is 26 May 2027 – 30 May 2027, from £589, at the Best Western Plus Kraków Old Town, a restored 19th-century townhouse a few steps from the Main Market Square.

The days are left open, with optional trips on separate days to Schindler's Factory Museum, the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Places on them are limited and each is booked in a name, so book them when you book the holiday.

Most people book on their own. Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty. Every holiday carries a single supplement or room-to-yourself cost, explained on our single supplement page. New to this? Read first-time solo travellers, or see over-50s solo holidays.

If that week does not suit: Berlin or Lisbon

Berlin Bound suits the same interest in the last century: 3 nights, 4 Jun 2027 – 7 Jun 2027, from £549, by Alexanderplatz. A coordinator leads one day, and the rest is yours for the Reichstag and what remains of the Berlin Wall.

For a lighter break, A Taste of Lisbon is 3 nights, 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027, hosted by Pam Harte, with Alfama, Belém and pastéis de nata suggested.

More ideas: Poland, our culture and discovery holidays and short breaks for solo travellers over 50.

Questions people ask

How long do you need at Auschwitz?

The standard guided tour of both sites lasts about three and a half hours. With the journey from Kraków and the early arrival for security, plan on a full day.

Can you visit Auschwitz without booking?

No. Entry to both sites is only with a named pass booked in advance at visit.auschwitz.org, and none are available at the entrance.

Can you take photographs at Auschwitz?

Yes in most places, but not with flash or a tripod inside the buildings. Filming and photography are not allowed at all in Block 4, Room 5 or in the basement of Block 11.

Is it all right to visit Auschwitz on your own?

Yes. The Memorial takes individual visitors, who can go round independently or join a tour with one of its educators. On Kraków Discovery, Jackie Whyte hosts the group for all four nights, so there is company at dinner afterwards.

See the dates and book Kraków Discovery online

The Kraków Discovery page has the live dates, the price and the Book button. Availability today: 9 places left. See the dates and book online there, and add the Auschwitz-Birkenau day when you book.

Questions first, about the optional day or a room to yourself? Ask Rosie, the chat on the holiday page, or contact us and the team can put them to Jackie Whyte, who hosts the break.