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Overview
A note on geography: Auschwitz-Birkenau is located in Oświęcim, a town in southern Poland — not Ukraine. The two countries share a border, but Oświęcim is approximately 70 km west of Kraków in the Małopolska (Lesser Poland) region of Poland. This guide covers the site as it actually exists.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum preserves the remains of two of the most notorious Nazi German concentration and extermination camps operated during World War II: Auschwitz I (the main camp) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the much larger extermination site roughly 3 km away). A third camp, Auschwitz III-Monowitz, no longer exists as a preserved site.
Between 1940 and 1945, the Nazi SS imprisoned more than 1.3 million people here — primarily Jews from across occupied Europe, as well as Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, and others. At least 1.1 million people were killed at the complex. The site was liberated by Soviet forces on 27 January 1945, a date now observed internationally as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The Memorial was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. It functions today as both a museum with extensive collections of evidence and personal effects, and a place of mourning and reflection for visitors from around the world. It is not a tourist attraction in a conventional sense — visitors are encouraged to approach it with solemnity and respect.
Before You Go
Visas: Poland is a member of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements vary significantly by nationality. Do not rely on this guide for visa information — check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official Polish immigration authority or your nearest Polish consulate well in advance of travel.
Emotional preparation: Many visitors, regardless of background or heritage, find a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau deeply affecting. It is advisable to read about the history beforehand to give the experience context. The Memorial's official website (auschwitz.org) offers educational resources. Consider whether very young children are ready for what they will encounter.
Booking: Entry to the grounds is free of charge, but organized guided tours — which are required during peak visiting hours on certain days — must be booked in advance via the Memorial's official website. Timed-entry slots fill up weeks or months ahead in summer. Verify current booking requirements and any admission fees for tours on the official site before you travel.
What to bring: Dress modestly and in layers; much of Birkenau is outdoors with little shelter. Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear is essential — the sites involve significant walking on uneven ground. There are lockers on site for larger bags.
Getting There
From Kraków
Kraków is the principal gateway city. It is served by Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK), with connections across Europe and beyond. Kraków's main railway station (Kraków Główny) links to Warsaw, Wrocław, and other Polish cities.
Kraków to Oświęcim
- Bus: Direct buses run from Kraków bus station (MDA/Dworzec Autobusowy) to Oświęcim. Journey time is typically 1.5–2 hours depending on service. Verify current schedules and fares locally or via the bus operator's website.
- Train: Direct trains run from Kraków Główny to Oświęcim. Verify current timetables via PKP Intercity or the Polish Railways portal.
- Organized day tours: Numerous tour operators in Kraków offer guided day trips that include transportation and a guided tour at the site. This is a convenient option for those who want structured context.
- Car: Oświęcim is roughly 70 km west of Kraków, primarily via road 780. Parking is available near the Memorial; verify charges on the official site.
From the Memorial to Birkenau
Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau are approximately 3 km apart. A free shuttle bus typically connects the two sites during peak season; verify availability on the official Memorial website. It is also possible to walk.
Things to See & Do
Auschwitz I — Main Camp
This is where most preserved buildings, exhibitions, and archival collections are housed. The iconic gate bearing the inscription Arbeit Macht Frei stands at the entrance. The blocks (barracks) contain exhibitions documenting the history of the camp, the lives of victims, and the mechanics of the Nazi extermination system. Among the most powerful displays are collections of personal belongings confiscated from prisoners — shoes, luggage, hair, eyeglasses — which serve as direct evidence of scale and individual human loss.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
The far larger Birkenau site conveys the industrial scale of the extermination operation. The ruined remains of gas chambers and crematoria, destroyed by the SS before liberation, are present. The vast field of barracks — most in various states of preservation or ruin — stretches across the landscape. The International Monument to the Victims of Fascism and the memorial plaques stand at the far end of the main rail spur, where selection took place on arrival.
Guided Tours
Official guides trained by the Memorial provide essential historical context that is difficult to obtain from self-guided visits alone. Tours are available in multiple languages; check the official site for language availability and booking. For school or educational groups, specialized educational programs are offered.
Documentation and Research
The Memorial's archives contain records relating to prisoners, victims, and camp operations. Those researching family history connected to the camps can enquire with the Memorial's archives department — details on the official site.
Food & Drink
There is a café and a small restaurant facility on the grounds of Auschwitz I, intended to serve visitors' practical needs during what is typically a long visit. The town of Oświęcim itself has restaurants and cafes where visitors can have a more substantial meal.
Kraków, as the main base for most visitors, offers a wide and excellent range of Polish and international restaurants across all price points. The city's historic centre is well known for traditional Polish cuisine — żurek (rye soup), pierogi, bigos (hunter's stew) — as well as a vibrant modern food scene. Verify any specific restaurant's current hours and status locally.
Practical Information
Official Website
All essential planning information — booking, opening hours, guided tour schedules, educational programs, accessibility — should be verified at the Memorial's official website: auschwitz.org
Photography
Photography is permitted in much of the site but must be conducted respectfully. Certain exhibition rooms restrict photography out of respect for victims. Follow staff guidance and posted signs.
Accessibility
The site makes efforts to accommodate visitors with mobility limitations, though the outdoor terrain at Birkenau in particular is uneven and can be challenging. Wheelchairs are available; contact the Memorial in advance to arrange assistance. Verify current accessibility provisions on the official site.
Emergency contacts
- General European emergency number: 112
- Polish Police: 997
- Polish Ambulance: 999
- Polish Fire: 998
Currency and Payments
Poland uses the Polish Złoty (PLN). Euro is not generally accepted. ATMs are available in Oświęcim and widely throughout Kraków. Card payments are broadly accepted in Poland.
Safety
Oświęcim and the Memorial are safe for visitors by general travel standards. The usual precautions appropriate for any European destination apply: keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas, particularly during peak tourist season.
The site can be emotionally and physically demanding. Ensure you are rested, hydrated, and have eaten before a full-day visit. First-aid facilities are available on site. If you or a member of your party is significantly distressed, Memorial staff are trained to assist.
Local Culture & Etiquette
A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is unlike any other travel experience. It is a place of historical witness, mourning, and education, not leisure. The Memorial asks that all visitors behave accordingly: speak quietly, refrain from eating or drinking except in designated areas, and treat every object, structure, and space with the respect owed to a site where more than a million people were murdered.
Many Jewish visitors observe traditional mourning customs at the site, including Kaddish. Organized memorial ceremonies — particularly around Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January) and Yom HaShoah — draw delegations, survivors and descendants from around the world. If your visit coincides with a ceremony, be aware that access arrangements may differ.
Oświęcim itself is a living town with a community that has existed long before and continues well beyond the events of 1940–1945. The Jewish community of Oświęcim was devastated during the war; the town's Jewish museum (verify current status locally) documents that community's history. Treat the town and its residents with ordinary courtesy — residents live with the weight of the site's association every day.
