Before Visiting Auschwitz: Key To-Do List
A practical checklist to help you prepare for your visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.
Reserve Your Visit
Weeks before your visit
- Reserve entry passes at visit.auschwitz.org (the only official reservation system)
- Book 2–3 weeks ahead (up to 90 days in advance); summer and weekends sell out fastest
- Choose your tour type: guided tour (3.5h, ~130 PLN), self-guided afternoon entry (free), or study tour (6h, ~170 PLN)
- Avoid third-party resellers — they overcharge for free or low-cost reservations
- No on-site ticket sales since March 2026 — online reservation only
Plan Your Transport from Krakow
70 km, allow a full day (6+ hours total)
- Bus: Lajkonik from MDA station — ~1.5h, 22 PLN, goes directly to the Museum entrance
- Train: Krakow to Oswiecim — ~1h, 18 PLN (station is 1.5 km from the Memorial)
- Car: A4 motorway or DK44 — ~1h, parking 20 PLN at Auschwitz I
- Private transfer: confirm the full cost upfront
Prepare Yourself
Before you go
- Read basic history — Primo Levi’s “If This Is a Man”, Elie Wiesel’s “Night”, or Edith Eger’s “The Choice”
- Visit auschwitz.org for official historical information
- Review the tour route on visitauschwitz.info to know what you will see
- Avoid fictionalized accounts — even bestsellers like “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” or “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” contain false depictions
- Consider a 6-hour study tour for deeper understanding (smaller groups, less-visited areas)
What to Pack
Keep belongings minimal
- ☐ Valid photo ID — passport, national ID card, or driver’s license
- ☐ Entry pass — printed or digital with barcode (name must match your ID)
- ☐ Water bottle — staying hydrated is encouraged
- ☐ Comfortable walking shoes — extensive walking on uneven terrain and slippery stairs
- ☐ Umbrella or rain jacket
- ☐ Warm layers (November–March) or sun protection (summer)
- ☐ Earphones with 3.5mm jack — needed for the guided tour headset
- ☐ Small bag only — max 30×20×10 cm (roughly a small handbag)
Do NOT Bring
- ✗ Large bags or backpacks (free lockers at the visitor centre)
- ✗ Food — eating prohibited inside the grounds
- ✗ Tripods, selfie sticks, or drones
- ✗ Alcohol, drugs, weapons, knives, or scissors
- ✗ Political, religious, or nationalistic flags, banners, or symbols
- ✗ Loud audio devices
- ✗ Pets (except certified guide dogs with vaccination certificates)
Day of Your Visit
- ☐ Arrive early (8 a.m.) or late afternoon for fewer crowds
- ☐ Store oversized bags in the free lockers at the visitor centre
- ☐ Pass through airport-style security at the entrance
- ☐ Dress modestly and respectfully — no offensive or provocative clothing
- ☐ Visit Auschwitz I first — main camp with museum exhibitions
- ☐ Take the free shuttle to Birkenau — runs every 10–15 minutes, ~8 min ride
- ☐ Allow at least 4–5 hours for both sites
- ☐ Visit both sites — Auschwitz I and Birkenau are both essential
- ☐ Give yourself quiet time after the visit
Photography Rules
- Personal photography is allowed in most areas
- No photos: Block 4 victims’ hair exhibit, Block 11 basements, security checkpoints
- No flash photography indoors
- No recording of guided lectures
- No tripods or selfie sticks
- Be respectful — this is a memorial site
Visiting with Children & Accessibility
- Recommended minimum age: 14 — parents should consider emotional maturity
- Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Baby carriers required — strollers cannot be used indoors
- Wheelchairs available on site but cannot enter Auschwitz I buildings; uneven terrain at Birkenau
- Disability ID holders with a guardian may receive special entry
- Guide dogs permitted with valid training and vaccination certificates
- Hearing aid devices may not work well with the tour headset
Quick Reference
- Opening: 7:30 year-round
- Closing: 14:00 (December) to 19:00 (May–August)
- Last entry: 90 minutes before closing
- Closed: January 1, December 25, Easter Sunday
- Distance: 70 km from Krakow (~1–1.5 hours)
- Shuttle: Free, every 10–15 min between sites
- Tour languages: 19 languages available
- Luggage storage: 5 PLN (card only)
- Official booking: visit.auschwitz.org