Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is one of the most significant things you can do in Poland. The site draws around 2.3 million visitors per year, and peak-season slots for guided tours can disappear months in advance. This guide explains exactly how to secure your place, what options exist, and what to expect when you arrive.
The Ticket Situation: Free Entry, But Not Simple
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum charges no admission fee. Entry to both Auschwitz I (the main camp) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the extermination complex 3km away) is free. What does cost money is the guided tour, which is mandatory at Auschwitz I during peak visiting hours.
Between 10am and 4pm, all visitors at Auschwitz I must join a licensed guided tour. These tours are sold via the Memorial’s official booking system at auschwitz.org, and through partners including Tiqets. The guided tour at the Memorial itself costs approximately PLN 85 per person as of 2026. Outside those hours (before 10am, after 4pm), you can explore Auschwitz I independently and for free, but you still need to register online to guarantee entry.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau is open for self-guided visits throughout the day at no cost. Most visitors combine both sites in a single day.
Search for Auschwitz tickets and tours
Booking Direct via auschwitz.org
The Memorial’s own website is the most reliable booking source. You can:
- Reserve a free time slot for a self-guided visit (outside peak hours)
- Book a guided tour led by a licensed Memorial educator (PLN 85 per person, approximately)
- Book educational programmes and group visits
The website releases slots on a rolling basis. For summer dates, check at least 2-3 months in advance. Slots are released in batches and popular time windows (mid-morning departures) disappear first. If your preferred date is fully booked, try early morning (7:30am-9am) slots, which tend to have more availability.
Booking via Tiqets or Third-Party Platforms
Tiqets and similar platforms list guided tours of Auschwitz run by licensed operators. These typically bundle transport from Krakow with access to the Memorial. If you plan to travel independently and simply need entry to the site with a guide, booking via the Memorial is cheaper. If you want door-to-door transport from Krakow included, a packaged tour works out more practical.
Browse Auschwitz tours on Tiqets
Guided Tours from Krakow
Most visitors base themselves in Krakow, 70km east of Oświęcim. Guided tours from Krakow include return transport and a licensed guide at the site. See our full Auschwitz tours from Krakow guide for a detailed comparison of operators and price tiers.
The main options at a glance:
- Basic tour (Auschwitz I only): from approximately PLN 100-150 per person as of 2026, covering minibus transport and guided entry to Auschwitz I
- Full-day tour (Auschwitz I and Birkenau): from approximately PLN 150-250 per person, covering both sites with a licensed Memorial guide
- Small group tours: typically 8-15 people, more personal, from approximately PLN 180-280 per person
- Private tours: available from approximately PLN 400-600 for up to 4 people; useful for families or those wanting flexibility on timing
View Auschwitz guided tours from Krakow
Self-Guided Visits: What You Need to Know
Visiting independently is entirely possible. The considerations:
From Krakow by public bus: Buses run from Krakow’s MDA (Malopolska) bus station to Oswiecim roughly every hour. Journey time is approximately 1.5-2 hours each way. The fare is around PLN 14-18 each way as of 2026. From Oswiecim bus station, it is a 10-minute walk or short taxi ride to the Memorial.
From Krakow by train: Trains also run from Krakow Glowny to Oswiecim, taking around 1.5 hours. This is slightly less direct than the bus for reaching the Memorial.
Driving: The Memorial has a car park on site. If driving from Krakow, the journey takes approximately 1 hour via the A4 motorway.
Arriving early (before 9am) gives you the best chance of a quieter experience at Auschwitz I before the main groups arrive. The Memorial recommends arriving no later than 30 minutes before your booked time slot.
Opening Hours (2026)
Hours vary by season. The Memorial typically opens at 7:30am and closes at dusk, which ranges from 3pm in December to 7pm in July. The last entry is usually 90 minutes before closing. Check auschwitz.org for the exact schedule on your date, as hours shift monthly.
The Memorial is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday.
What to Bring and Wear
- Comfortable walking shoes (there is significant ground to cover across uneven surfaces)
- Water and a small snack (cafes are available on site but can have queues)
- A jacket or rain layer even in summer (Birkenau is very exposed)
- No large bags (lockers are available at the main entrance for a small fee)
Photography is allowed throughout most of the site, with restrictions in some blocks such as Block 4.
Visiting Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Birkenau is the larger of the two sites and covers several hundred hectares. A free shuttle bus runs between Auschwitz I and Birkenau roughly every 10-20 minutes. Many visitors underestimate the scale of Birkenau: the main railway platform, the ruins of the crematoria, and the memorial monument at the far end of the site require at least 1.5-2 hours to see properly.
There is no admission fee for Birkenau and no time slot required during the day. However, if you have a guided tour at Auschwitz I, the guide will typically take your group to Birkenau as part of the same visit.
Tips for a Respectful Visit
Auschwitz-Birkenau is an active memorial. The Memorial’s guidelines ask visitors to maintain respectful behaviour throughout the site, including speaking quietly, not eating or drinking inside the exhibition buildings, and treating all objects and structures with care.
For background on the site’s history and what you’ll encounter on arrival, read our full guide to visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau.
If Auschwitz is part of a wider Krakow trip, our Krakow day trips guide covers other excursions worth combining with your time in the city.