Auschwitz & Birkenau Tour

Our regular excursion to the most well-known symbol of Holocaust, with door-to-door service.

from 54 €/person
6,5 Hours Free Hotel Pickup Lunch available

Book Auschwitz tour from Krakow to visit the place of the most tragic genocide in world history – former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. If you are looking for the best organized and guided sightseeing in Poland, we are the answer! Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is not an easy task. Since it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Europe (more than 2 million visitors each year), finding an opening and securing the tickets on your own can be challenging. However, the greatest difficulty of Auschwitz is how heavy and important it is. Many people say that the trip changed them forever and that they will never forget. However, despite how sad it was, they consider the experience worth its price. Even the birds do not want to fly or sing there. The camp at Oswiecim was turned into a factory of death, exterminating millions of people. To fully grasp the scope of this atrocity, you should take the tour of Auschwitz with the assistance of a professional guide who will provide you with the context necessary to understand each step of the trip. Since this trip is emotionally taxing, we recommend a door-to-door service that will allow you to not care or bother with figuring out your way home once the tour is done. With us, you don’t have to worry about logistical details – just focus on the experience.

Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Auschwitz-Birkenau is the site of the world’s greatest tragedy and atrocity. More than a million people paid the price of Nazi ambitions, facing terrifying and inhuman fate. Hitler turned extermination into an industry, and Auschwitz-Birkenau was his biggest factory of death. The gas chambers spared nobody, terminating men, women, and the elderly alike. There is not enough words in the world to describe Auschwitz in a way that gives all of its victims justice. This is why so many people decide to pay their respect in person. With help of a guide, you see the complex, understanding its workings in detail. Administrative headquarters, crematoria, women’s camp, all these spaces can only be really understood by visiting them and feeling them. Auschwitz-Birkenau is an experience that will change you forever, but an important one. This is why it remains one of the most visited places in Europe. Many choose to travel to Poland just to commemorate those who lost their lives there. Join them by taking our trip. If you are in Kraków already, there really are no excuses to not do so.

You can find more information about the Museum under this link.

With us you don't have to stand in the line to buy the tickets.

What is also important booking the tour in advance, will secure the spot to enter the museum as there is a limited amount of places on any given day.

Tours of Auschwitz – Tickets, Transfer and Guide

Our regular tour has been reviewed by many travellers from around the globe. You can read all the reviews on KrakowShutttle.com Trip Advisor profile. We’re also proud to announce that since 2014 until now we were awarded by users and we received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence!

Krakow Shuttle Tripadvisor reviews
Trip Advisor Recommended

Our trip is recommended on Trip Advisor by over 97% of travellers.

Auschwitz trip was delicately delivered, our guide Michael was brilliant, he delivered just enough dialogue to portray the mood. He collected us on time and was polite and helpful. I did not like the Salt Mines, they were too dragged out.

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Sharron R2020-01-18
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This is a trip not to be missed. We booked the tour of Auschwitz, Birkenau and Wieliczka from the UK and read several reviews of previous tours. Although we knew that it was going to be a long day, the tour was so engrossing, moving and well organised that it was hard to believe that it lasted 12 hours. On the coach journey to Auschwitz from Krakow a video of the liberation of the camp gave a graphic reminder and set the emotional tone for the visit to the two camps. The tour driver/guide was excellent throughout the day and provided detailed explanation and descriptions of the camps and answered questions. As this was mid-January, the queues were not long and the places relatively uncrowded. However, this being January it was worth being prepared for being out in the open for much of the time and for a lot of walking - warm clothes were essential. The salt mine visit provided a welcome contrast at the end of the day. Lots of steps down and then a waking tour through the passages and hollowed out chambers. It was well guided by a humorous member of the mine staff. And it was warmer underground than outside! We had visited a bakery in Krakow to get breakfast to take with us before being picked up from outside our apartment at 7.45am The packed lunch was fine and there were opportunities to grab a coffee during the breaks. Thank you to our guide for pacing the day well and dropping us back to our apartment at the end of the day.

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bobstertj2020-01-22
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Fantastic trip! The van driver was on time, very nice and accommodating. The schedule was perfect and not too demanding. We had a wonderful time and will be recommending to family and friends. Thank you!

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569thomasy2020-01-19
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Guide is well organised and they answer all your questions, pay per use toilets but otherwise good value and lots of steps

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joewH4545LO2020-01-18
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Experience itinerary

It is a door to door service so you will be picked up in the morning from you place of stay. Our English-speaking driver will take care of you all day long. Here is how it looks:

7.00 - 8.00* Hotel Pickup
We will pick up up early from your hotel.
Transfer
First we will go to Auschwitz during the ride you will watch the documentary about the Camp
Auschwitz I Museum
You will have 2-hour long tour in the camp which was the administrative headquarters of the complex.
Auschwitz II Birkenau
After first part we will go to Birkenau camp where you will spend another 1-hour with a guide.
Transfer and Hotel Drop off
Our service covers door-to-door transportation. That means You will be taken back to the hotel

Please note that you must bring your ID or passport to enter Museum’s grounds.

It is a long day so You can also order a lunch box which will be served on the way back. Just let us know whether you have any special requests (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or lactose free)! Our lunches are freshly prepared with the best Polish ingredients and your driver will make sure it will be delivered to you.

*All times are approximate and depend on traffic and guide availability.

Krakow to Oswiecim – KrakowShuttle vs. Bus

You can visit Auschwitz from Krakow, as it is located only 50 kilometers (around 30 miles) from Krakow City Center. It will be more comfortable and less expensive to join our organized tour rather than take a bus from Krakow to Oswiecim by yourself. Why? Mr.Shuttle offers a door-to-door service so you won’t need to search for Krakow-Oswiecim Bus at the bus station, as well as transportation back to Krakow. You will be picked up directly from your hotel and our driver will take care of you for the entire duration of the trip. English-speaking guide is included to the tour — you won’t need to buy any tickets on your own, or stand in the line as we book tickets beforehand. Finally, our offer includes also English-speaking driver assistance so you won’t need to worry about anything and you can ask him about everything you want to know. Groups are small and driven by comfortable Mercedes Sprinter Mini Bus or Mercedes Vito equipped with AC and video screens.

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The nearest airport is Krakow Balice Airport and we can pick you up for the trip from there as well! Although our pickup time is usually in the morning, if you are arriving later just let us know! We will try our best to find a solution for you, including the possibility of a private car.

  • To book please select the date and number of people. 
  • You will be redirected to our secure reservation system. 
  • After completing the reservation you will receive verified voucher.
  • 12 hour before the tour you will receive text message about exact pickup time.
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With us you don't have to stand in the line to buy the tickets.

What is also important making a booking in advance, will secure the spot to enter the museum as there is a limited amount of places on any given day.

Auschwitz day trip from Krakow

If you are wondering how to plan a day trip from Krakow during your stay, you can find some practical tips here:

  • For your day trip try do not to plan any other special activities as most probably you will be tired after coming back to Krakow
  • Eat your breakfast early, you will be picked up between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m., we will inform you about the exact pickup time 12 hours before with a text message and email.
  • You can carry your umbrella, extra jumper or backpack with you, but bear in mind that the maximum size of bags and backpacks allowed to carry on the Museum grounds is 30 x 20 x 10 cm — in case you won’t need it you can always leave it in the car, the driver will be waiting for you the entire time.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, it is a walking tour!
  • The weather in Poland can be really tricky so if it is cloudy and chilly bring extra jacket as it might be windy.

You will be back in Krakow around 3.00 – 4.00 p.m., book Mr.Shuttle packed lunch box if you would like to eat something on the way back.

One day trip to Auschwitz and Salt Mine

If you short on time during your stay in Krakow, you can always book our Auschwitz and Salt Mine One Day Tour bundle which will take one full day but you will manage to see both places! In the morning, you will be picked up for visit in Auschwitz directly from your accommodation and you will visit both camps with an English speaking guide. In the afternoon, our bus will take you to famous Salt Mine in Wieliczka, where, once again, you will join the tour with museum’s English speaking guide. You will be driven back to your hotel around 6 or 7 p.m.  It will be a long day but we promise you will have enough time to visit both places (both excursions aren’t shortened in any way, you will manage to see exactly the same things as you would on the regular tour) and we will make it as comfortable as we can.

Prices & packages

Our prices may change every day depending on many factors, including availability or date, and you can always check them on our website by choosing a specific date or ask one of our staff members to do it. We try to make special deals for our trips as often as possible so you can always find the best price for you!

Apart from our regular excursions mentioned earlier, we offer many more special packages that will adhere to anyone’s special needs: whether they concern the price, places you want to visit or the comfort of your service.

If you value privacy and don’t want to depend on the rest of your group during your exploration, you can always book Private version. We offer two options: a trip with shared or private guide. In case of shared guide, we offer a private transportation both on your way to Auschwitz and back – there will be no one else bothering you and your group in the car. After arriving, you will join the rest of the group and carry the tour with them and the English speaking guide. The latter means that both your transfer and the sightseeing itself will be for you only – if you value the highest quality of experience, it is the right choice for you. In case of private options, please contact KrakowShuttle staff directly – these trips need to be prepared in advance as we need to find the guide for the time slot that’s the best for you.

For the ones that care about their independence during the trip and don’t have time to visit both parts of the camp, we prepared Auschwitz II – Birkenau Concentration Camp Tour. This is a self-guided visit, during which you will see just Death Camp. It is also a cheaper option than our regular tour, so if you’re looking for the most economic option, this is something right up your alley.

If you you want to discover something more we have prepared Auschwitz-Birkenau Premium Tour. Trip looks exactly the same during your visit in the museum, but after it we will drive you either to Kosciuszko Mound (Premium Tour) from which you can see the most beautiful panoramic view of the city .

Here are few more reasons why you should use our services:

We have itroduced this experience on the market and we are the best in it.

Regular daily tour

Every day, all year round.

Professional Guide

Certified, passionate and experienced people.

Skip the lines

All admission fees and tickets are included so you don't have to worry about a thing and stand in the lines to buy the tickets

Free Hotel Pickup

We will pick you up and drive you back to your hotel or apartment.

Documentary Movie

On your way, you will watch a documentary introduction movie.

Lunch available

If you want to order a launch package during the tour please select this option during booking.

Find out more

Here is a break down of all the activities

In Auschwitz I Museum You will join an English tour – provided by the Museum’s guide – for about 2 hours. After that, we will transfer You to Auschwitz II – Birkenau, which is about 2 km away. You will spend there about 1 hour with the same guide.

Please note that you must bring your ID or passport to enter Museum’s grounds.

Please note that this tour is not available on: 25th of December, 1st of January, Liberation Anniversary, Easter Saturday afternoon, Easter Sunday and March of the Living Day.

Auschwitz-Birkenau is the most well-known Nazi concentration camp, somehow a “point zero” for the history of other camps. Operating in 1940-1945, it ended up being the place of a massive extermination, not known to human history before. 1 million Jewish people were exterminated there, which also makes it the main place where Holocaust took place.

Auschwitz consisted of around 40 subcamps, but the most tragic events happened in Auschwitz I (administrative headquarters) with Crematorium I and Birkenau (Auschwitz II) with crematoria II-V. The inmates in the first mass transport in June 1940 were political prisoners – Poles, there were around 700 of them. Ever since 1942 and Wannsee Conference, a massive transportation of Jews from all over Europe has started. Initially, Auschwitz was not a death camp and the first gassing was in September 1941 – it included Soviet soldiers and some of the most sick prisoners. The situation quickly changed, though.

Due to the great location of Oswiecim – the city where the camp was located – where railroad tracks from many places in Europe crossed their paths, it was possible to organise transports of Jews, Roma, Russians and various other nationalities. Auschwitz-Birkenau was the only Nazi concentration camp with such an organised number and tattooing system, which later allowed to estimate almost the exact number of prisoners/murdered there. There were around 1.3 million of inmates in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the 5 years of its existence, with approximately 1.1 million (mostly Jews) of them being killed.

We use a fleet of new Mercedes-Benz Vans and Minibuses. Our drivers are well trained and fully licesned for travel ground transportation. Our door to door service means that you will be pickup directly form your hotel and delivered to the same spot after the tour, for free.  

Guides are local experts certified by the museum. Maximum group size is 30 people. You will be equipped with headphones to hear guide better in crowded areas.

On the way, we will serve you our delicious packed lunch set freshly prepared everyday including: chicken salad, one of a fruit, chocolate wafer and bottle of water. We also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options so if you need one, please remember to add a remark in your booking form.

With us you don't have to stand in the line to buy the tickets.

What is also important booking the tour in advance, will secure the spot to enter the museum as there is a limited amount of places on any given day.

Have more questions?

Here is our FAQ list of the Auschwitz visit

Please note that the maximum size of bags and backpacks allowed to carry on the Museum grounds is 30 x 20 x 10 cm. You can always leave your belongings inside the bus which will be parked nearby. Your whole tour is operated by the same driver so you don’t need to worry about your bag being left behind.

Please note that this activity does not take place on: 25th of December, 1st of January, Liberation Anniversary, Easter Saturday afternoon, Easter Sunday and March of the Living Day. If you have any doubts about availability on any particular day, please do not hesitate to ask our staff about it!

Please note that for Balice airport/hotels near the airport pickup the additional fee is 70 PLN per booking.