Auschwitz Birkenau Tour from Krakow: Guided with Transport

Walk through two camps with a trained guide, entry and transport arranged

A guided tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau departing from Krakow, with round-trip transport, pre-booked entry tickets, and a museum-trained English-speaking guide leading groups of 16 to 30 people through both sites. Hotel pickup is available on some options. All tours include the driver's contact details sent the day before. Lunch is not included, though snacks can be brought or ordered in advance. Visitors must bring a passport or ID and wear smart casual dress. Large bags over 30cm x 20cm x 10cm are not permitted inside the museum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour from Krakow

• Pick up from Krakow hotel or apartment
• Travel from Krakow to Auschwitz (1.5 hours)
• Meet guide at Auschwitz museum entrance
• Tour Auschwitz I museum and exhibitions (2 hours)
• Break and transfer to Auschwitz II Birkenau
• Tour Auschwitz II Birkenau camp (1.5 hours)
• Return transfer to Krakow hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel or apartment in Krakow, or from a designated meeting point if your accommodation is in a restricted traffic zone. The drive takes about 90 minutes in an air-conditioned minibus or minivan. You'll receive the driver's phone number and vehicle details the day before, so there's no confusion about meeting. Once you arrive at Auschwitz I, your guide meets you at the entrance: no ticket line, since entry is booked in advance.

At Auschwitz I, you walk less than two hours through the camp with your guide. You see the "Arbeit macht frei" gate, the surviving gas chamber, and exhibitions of photographs and prisoner remains. The guide is trained by the museum and employed by it, so the tour follows the museum's own route and standards. After this section, there's a break before the driver takes you to Auschwitz II Birkenau, the larger camp built by the Nazis. You meet your guide again at the entrance gate and walk for more than an hour through the Death Gate, the unloading ramp where trains arrived, the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria, and the barracks where prisoners lived. The whole experience from pickup to drop-off takes about seven hours.

You'll spend up to 70 percent of your time outdoors, especially at Birkenau, so dress for the weather and bring water. The museum requires a security check at entry, similar to airport procedures. Bags larger than 30cm x 20cm x 10cm are not allowed inside. You can leave yours locked in the vehicle. Eating, smoking, and disruptive behavior are not permitted on the grounds. Photographs are generally allowed except inside buildings with flash. Bring your passport or ID. It may be checked at entry and is required by the museum. The tour operates regardless of weather, and pickup times may shift due to museum regulations and visitor volume, so avoid scheduling other activities that day.

What’s included

• Hotel or apartment pickup in Krakow with driver contact details sent the day before.
• round-trip air-conditioned transport in a minibus or minvan.
• entry tickets to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau, pre-booked so you skip the ticket queue.
• a museum-trained, English-speaking guide at Auschwitz I.
• a museum-trained, English-speaking guide at Auschwitz II Birkenau.
• drop-off at your hotel or anywhere in central Krakow.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Fully guided in English with meeting point6 departure times: the first at 06:05, the last at 11:05Meet at the gathering point at one of these addresses: 65 Starowiślna street, 2 Wielopole street, 18 Pawia street, 3 Rajska street, or 14 Floriana Straszewskiego street. Joining the collection point reduces unnecessary driving and fuel use, which helps protect the environment. Includes a certified Auschwitz and Birkenau guide, a shared group in the museum, and transportation. Duration: 7 hours, made up of 3 hours of sightseeing and a 1-hour 20-minute drive each way. Vehicle type: van or minibus.

Fully guided in English with hotel pickupAvailable from 10 Dec · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:10Hotel pickup: this option includes door-to-door service. Includes a certified Auschwitz and Birkenau guide, a shared group in the museum, and transportation. Duration: 7 hours, made up of 3 hours of sightseeing and a 1-hour 20-minute drive each way. Route: pickup from 1 to 4 hotels, a 1-hour 20-minute drive, 3 hours of sightseeing, then return and drop-off at the requested location in the City Centre. Vehicle type: van or minibus. Pickup is included.

Small group, English-language tourOnly on 5 Nov · 09:00Small group of up to 15 people: the museum visit is led by an English-speaking guide in a group of no more than 15 participants. Hotel pickup is included. Duration: 7 hours. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:05

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (27 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (11 to 26 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Welcome in Cracow

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to understand both camps without arranging tickets, transport, or a guide yourself: the museum's own trained guides and the fixed schedule mean the day holds together and you're not navigating logistics on a site that demands your full attention.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 26 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4).

What exactly will I see at Auschwitz I?

Auschwitz I includes the "Arbeit macht frei" gate at the entrance, the last surviving gas chamber, and multiple exhibition buildings with photographs and remains of prisoners. Your guide walks you through these sites in less than two hours.

How long is the drive from Krakow to Auschwitz?

The drive takes about 90 minutes each way in an air-conditioned minibus. You'll receive your driver's phone number and vehicle details the day before your tour.

Can I bring a large backpack or suitcase into the museum?

No, bags larger than 30cm x 20cm x 10cm are not permitted inside Auschwitz-Birkenau. You can leave your bag locked in the vehicle during your visit.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. There isn't time for a full meal between the two camps, so bring a snack or light food. Lunch boxes can be ordered in advance for an additional fee. The offer is sent the day before your tour.

What documents do I need to bring?

Bring your passport or identification card: the museum requires verification of personal information for all visitors, and your ID may be inspected at entry. Without it, you could be refused admission.

How many people will be in my group?

Groups are typically between 16 and 30 people, the standard size recommended by the museum. Your guide is trained by the museum and leads the tour according to the museum's own route.