Yes, entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is free of charge, but all visitors must reserve an entry card in advance on the official website. While self-guided entry is free, guided tours, which are highly recommended for context, require a paid fee.
Visits to the memorial site (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau) are free of charge. Due to the large volume of visitors, visitors are now only permitted to visit the memorial site without a guide at certain times. The memorial offers a wide selection of guided tours for individuals and groups.
How much does it cost to visit Auschwitz from Krakow?
An all-inclusive guided tour to Auschwitz from Krakow costs around €39 if you book with Hellotickets. On this tour, you will be accompanied by an expert guide and will arrive at the gates of the concentration camp in just over an hour, without unnecessary waiting or queuing at the Auschwitz ticket office.
A cynical lie: the inscription above the main gate of Auschwitz I concentration camp: “ARBEIT MACHT FREI” (work makes you free). When the SS ordered them to make this sign, the prisoners placed their hidden message in the word “ARBEIT”: they turned the letter “B” upside down.
Behave or speak publicly in a manner: a) violating the good name of KL Auschwitz victims; b) negating Nazi crimes; c) defaming the Memorial Site; d) encouraging hatred of any kind. 17. Carry out manifestations of offensive, provocative or political nature.
Two hours is generally not enough time for a meaningful visit to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, as official tours take around 3.5 hours, with most visitors needing 3-5 hours total to experience both sites properly, considering walking and transport between them. While you might rush through key parts of Auschwitz I in 2 hours, you'd barely see Birkenau, the larger extermination camp, making it a very superficial experience, and official guided tours, which are recommended, last much longer.
Material may be used only in undertakings and projects that do not violate the good name of the Victims of Auschwitz. Photography and filming on the Museum grounds for commercial purposes, at spaces closed to visitors or with a drone, require prior approval by the Museum.
Only a limited number of guided tour entry cards for the given day will be available at the entrance to the Museum. Due to the huge interest, visitors suggest booking in advance at the website visit.auschwitz.org, as well as to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour.
There is also a taxi rank outside the museum entrance, for when you return, though this will probably cost more than booking in advance. Times: The fastest route takes 70 minutes from Kraków Old Town to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Prices: Expect to pay 175-200zł (35-40€) each way, though prices are higher before 6am.
Mala Zimetbaum, the first woman and the first Jewish woman to escape from Auschwitz-Birkenau, was born on January 26, 1918, in Brzesko, Poland, the fifth and youngest daughter of Pinhas and Chaya Zimetbaum.
Auschwitz wait times vary wildly: pre-booked, skip-the-line tickets mean short security waits (10-30 mins), but arriving without tickets, especially in peak season, can mean 1-2+ hour queues just for entry, even with online booking confirmation, as many third-party sites don't secure immediate entry. For the best experience, book direct via visit.auschwitz.org and arrive 30 mins early for security; otherwise, expect significant waits, especially if you need to pick up tickets or buy them on the day.
How many Auschwitz survivors are still alive in 2025?
As of 2025, there are around 220,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide, though the specific number of Auschwitz survivors isn't detailed separately, with their median age being 87, and numbers rapidly declining as 70% are projected to pass within the next decade. Organizations like the Claims Conference https://www.claimscon.org/demographics2025/ track these demographics, highlighting the urgent need for testimony as these witnesses, many of whom were at Auschwitz (like the 99-year-old Leon Weintraub at the 2025 liberation anniversary), are the last generation to share their direct experiences.
What is the best day of the week to go to Auschwitz?
What is the best time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau? The best time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau is on weekdays as soon as the facility opens at 7:30 AM. This allows you to skip the tourist rush.
You need to know that there is only a limited number of tickets available for purchase on the spot. If they run out, there is no possibility to enter the Museum premises.
Don't talk casually about politics or history. Topics like World War II, communism, or Poland's recent political climate can be sensitive. While some people are open to discussion, it's best to avoid controversial opinions or jokes unless you're invited into the conversation. Don't drink alcohol in public places.
There are no cafes or restaurants on the grounds of the Auschwitz Memorial site and you are not able to take in or eat any food or drink on the grounds either. However, there is a cafe in the car park and vending machines for you to grab a bite to eat either at the start or end of your visit.
