Auschwitz-Birkenau tour from Krakow: skip the ticket line

Walk through Auschwitz I and Birkenau with a licensed guide, tickets already secured.

A guided tour from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau covers both camps in a single day with hotel pickup, pre-booked entrance tickets, and an English-speaking guide leading groups of 16 to 30 people. The 1.5-hour drive from Krakow gets you there by mid-morning; you'll spend less than 2 hours at Auschwitz I seeing the "Arbeit macht frei" gate and the surviving gas chamber, then more than an hour at Birkenau exploring the Death Gate, the unloading ramp, and the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria. Transportation, entrance fees, and guide are all included; you'll receive your pickup time 3 to 7 days before the tour. Bags larger than 30cm × 20cm × 10cm are not permitted inside the museum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Auschwitz Birkenau guided tour

• Pick up from Krakow hotel or meeting point
• Travel from Krakow to Auschwitz (1.5 hours)
• Meet guide and enter Auschwitz museum
• Tour Auschwitz I: gate, gas chamber, exhibitions
• Break and transfer to Auschwitz II Birkenau
• Tour Auschwitz II Birkenau: Death Gate, ramp, ruins, monument
• Return to Krakow hotel or accommodation

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Krakow hotel or a set meeting point. The drive to Auschwitz takes about 1.5 hours in an air-conditioned minivan or minibus. Your guide meets you at the entrance to Auschwitz I, where tickets are already waiting—you skip the queue at the gate. The first part of the tour lasts less than 2 hours and covers the main camp: the "Arbeit macht frei" gate, the last surviving gas chamber, and exhibitions with photographs and remains. A break follows before the driver takes you to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest concentration camp built by the Nazis.

At Birkenau, your guide walks you through the Death Gate with the railway tracks leading into the camp, the unloading ramp where prisoner trains arrived, the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria, and the monument to the victims. This part of the tour runs for more than an hour. You'll spend up to 70% of your time outdoors, particularly at Birkenau, so dress for the weather and bring water. The site requires respectful behavior—eating, smoking, and loud activity are prohibited. Bring your passport or ID; it may be checked at the entrance. Bags must fit within 30cm × 20cm × 10cm; you can leave larger ones locked in the vehicle.

After the tour ends, the driver returns you to your hotel or any point in Krakow city centre. The total trip runs about 7 hours from pickup to drop-off. Lunch is not included, though there is time for a snack between the two camps; you can order a lunch box the day before for 49 PLN if you prefer. The museum attracts many visitors daily, so the pace is set by the guide and the crowd rather than by your own rhythm. Pickup times are confirmed 3 to 7 days before your visit, as the museum's capacity limits and visitor volume may shift the schedule.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Krakow or meeting at a set point.
• round-trip transportation by air-conditioned minivan or minibus.
• entrance tickets to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, booked in advance.
• English-speaking licensed guide at each camp.
• drop-off at your Krakow hotel or city centre location.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Welcome in Cracow

Is this one for you?Book this tour for your first or second day in Krakow, when you want the logistics handled and the history explained by someone who knows the sites. The pre-booked tickets and fixed schedule mean the day holds together without you arranging anything—pickup, entry, transport between camps, and return are all set.

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Top questions

What will I see at Auschwitz I during the tour?

Auschwitz I shows the "Arbeit macht frei" gate at the entrance, the last surviving gas chamber, and exhibitions containing photographs and remains of prisoners. The guide leads the walk through the main camp in less than 2 hours.

How much time do I spend walking at each camp?

Auschwitz I takes less than 2 hours of walking. Birkenau takes more than an hour. You'll spend up to 70% of your time outdoors, especially at Birkenau, so wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

Do I need to buy tickets separately, or are they included?

Entrance tickets are included and booked in advance, so you don't wait in line at the ticket office. You'll need to bring your passport or ID, as it may be checked at the museum entrance.

What size bag can I bring into the museum?

Bags must not exceed 30cm × 20cm × 10cm. Larger bags and backpacks are not permitted inside. You can leave them locked in the vehicle during your visit.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. There is time for a snack between the two camps. If you want a more substantial meal, you can order a lunch box the day before for 49 PLN, which the operator will offer you.

When will I find out my pickup time?

Your pickup time is confirmed 3 to 7 days before the tour. The museum's capacity limits and high visitor volume may affect the schedule, so the operator asks that you avoid planning other activities that day.