Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum Tour from Krakow: A Journey into World War II History
4.1
1,089 Ratings
Kraków
Embark on a 7-hour tour from Krakow to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Explore the camps, learn about the Holocaust, and hear the stories of the prisoners. A unique and eye-opening experience into World War II history.
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau - When you arrive at your destination, you will be met by your professional guide and enter the site at Auschwitz I, walking through the gate to the camp that bears the inscription Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free).

The Auschwitz-Birkenau complex was established in 1940 in place of old polish army barracks. Originally to hold Polish POW`s political prisoners, and operated until its liberation by advancing soviets in 1945. During its operation, more than 1.5 million Jewish, Polish, Italian and French prisoners were brought here ,of which 1.1m. was exterminated as part of largest genocide in human history. Leaving survivors terribly scared for live.

The Auschwitz complex comprises of original buildings and you can see the original roads, fences, watchtowers and railway ramps, and death wall.
Visit some of the barracks on the Auschwitz I complex, which now house a collection of original exhibitions and documents, as well as articles stolen from prisoners upon camp arrival.
- Brzezinka - The second part of the tour - Birkenau (Auschwitz II) - the largest camp from over 40 camps and sub-camps from Auschwitz complex.
Originally planned as a camp for Soviet prisoners of war, it eventually became a concentration camp for prisoners of various nationalities and a center of the extermination of Jews. Its construction began in October 1941 by hands of slave labourers, in a place of displaced and mostly demolished village of Brzezinka and three kilometres from Auschwitz I.

It was design to hold 125 000 prisoners at one time. Who was from the start destined to die from cold, hunger, diseases and of exhaustion. Prisoners was treated as redundant and easily replaceable work force.

You will sea unimaginable living condition, prisoners have to adapt. You can walk to preserved camp barracks. You will see rail ramp, when infamous Dr. Mengele oversaw selection process of new arrivals, when split second decided of you life or death in gas chambers. Which were only 200m away.

What's Included
  • Admission to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
  • Auschwitz Birkenau booklet in your chosen language (with self-guided tour)
  • Expert local guide for guided tours
  • Headsets provided for tour clarity (with guided tour)
  • Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
  • All fees and taxes included
  • Convenient centrally located meeting point
  • Optional hotel pick-up service
Additional Information

Embark on a 7-hour journey from Krakow to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, a World War II Nazi concentration camp, and be educated about the Holocaust. You’ll be collected from the city centre and transported by motor coach to the UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Oświęcim.

Take a tour of the two camp sites with an experienced guide who will thoroughly, yet compassionately, describe everything you will see. You’ll view the living quarters and moving museum exhibits at Auschwitz I, along with the death chambers, observation towers and monuments at Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust history, the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, and hear personal accounts of some of the camp’s detainees.

This is a powerful and eye-opening experience that everybody should encounter at least once in their life. It will astonish and horrify you as you realise the atrocities humans are capable of inflicting on each other.

  • VISIT️️: During the tour, we kindly ask for solemnity and respect due to the tragic nature of this place. Smoking, eating, and loud behavior are prohibited in the Museum.Not recommended for children aged 14 and under
  • PICKUP : Some hotels in Krakow are located in a restricted traffic zone. In such cases, your pickup will be arranged from the nearest available location. You will be informed about this one day before the tour.
  • BREAKS ⌛️: Breaks during the tour are no longer than 10 minutes. We encourage you to wear comfortable footwear as there will be a lot of walking during the tour .
  • DEPARTURE TIME ️: The start time of the tour may change due to the limited number of guides available at the Auschwitz Museum. Please contact the supplier to confirm your exact departure time the day before the tour. If you not specify your hotel adress we will be waiting for you on our pick-up place: Pawia 18b, kiss and ride stop, next to Mercure hotel.
  • DOCUMENTS : Please make sure to bring with you ID or passoprt. Because before the entrance seciurity will ask about it.
  • LUNCH : We encourage you to bring food and drinks as we do not plan a lunch break during the excursion. You can also choose the option of a tour with lunch included in the price
  • WEATHER CONDITIONS⛅: Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. The tour mostly takes place outdoors, so we encourage you to bring an umbrella or a raincoat in case of bad weather.
  • REFUND: You’ll receive a FULL REFUND, if for any reason, the guide or transportation is not provided.
Location
Pawia 18b
Pawia
Kiss&Ride park, Pawia 18b street, next to the Mercure Hotel. Please contact the supplier to confirm your exact departure time day before the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(1089 Ratings)
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Wendy_m
Jun 23, 2024
Auschwitz tour - Second visit to Auschwitz and would highly recommend even if been before as more to see this time. Only downside with tour was informed would be a air conditioned transport and it was not and was the hottest day of year so far and we were melting
Review provided by Viator
Mary_o
Jun 17, 2024
Auswitch Tour - The guide Nicholas was fantastic, greeted all of us personally and managed to deal with a private group arriving late to join the group . Hi tour was sensitively delivered and his delivery was engaging and very interesting. Ann experience to remember for ever.
Review provided by Viator
Maryann_p
Jun 12, 2024
Depressing trip but necessary - Very important to visit, but also so uncomfortable. Hard to believe mankind can be so cruel. Never forget!
Review provided by Viator
Linda1901
Jun 10, 2024
Not a pleasant trip but a must - Excellent transfers from hotel. Driver looked after group well. The guide was informative but tour felt rushed, a lot of walking at quick pace
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annicken_f
Jun 17, 2024
Important experience - Terrible story. Wish we had more time - felt a bit rushed with new groups coming behind you on tiur indoors.
Review provided by Viator
Mariadelurdes_m
Jun 22, 2024
Disappointing and Rushed Auschwitz Tour - First o all, I booked a tour for 10:30 a.m. and got a message the day before saying it would be at 6:30 a.m. instead. The main problem was that we had an official tour guide from Awschwitz who could only speak Polish and the "guide" that accompanied us was only a translator. As you can imagine, a lot of information was missing cause we needed to keep on going because of the other groups behind us. Aditionally it was only a mechanichal translation lacking emotion. It was my second tour of Auschwitz and this one and it fell far short of my expectations.
Review provided by Viator
Linda_e
Jun 21, 2024
Unsimpathetic guide - The experience was very emotional but also very moving! When we reached Birkenau my friend and I found it very hard to walk, me being 70 and my friend with bad hips we struggled and was told by the guide to keep up. Told her we were in pain and all she said was’well, you can always come back another day’, very unhelpful and we were so dissapointed we had to give in and return to the bus!! Couldn’t believe her attitude!
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Vasilebogdan_v
Jun 12, 2024
They can ruin the day - Tour is great, not to crowded, good punctuality. But….. the day before trip they let us know that starts at 5am not 9:45 like we booked. It’s just not pleasant at all.
Review provided by Viator
Marienah
Jun 17, 2024
Didn't tell us about time change of tour - The tour operator changed the meeting time of the tour and never told us, so we didn't get to go. They also denied us a refund. Would not choose this company again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_p
Jun 17, 2024
Terrible service no refund - Discover Cracow told me to be at a hotel - not my own for 5.30am pick up for a 10am booking. Driver left at 5.15am and text me to get the train when I called him at 5.30am to find he had left already. No refund.
Review provided by Viator
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