When planning a visit to the Auschwitz Memorial, it’s essential to understand the admission policy and fees. You’ll be pleased to find that access to the grounds of both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau is granted without charge.
To ensure your entry, especially during peak visiting times, you should secure your passes in advance through the official Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum website.
Despite free admission, it’s highly recommended that you consider a Auschwitz Birkenau guided tour to enhance your understanding of the historical significance of the site, which stands as a sombre reminder of the Holocaust.
Engaging a guide-educator does incur a fee, with prices varying based on the type of tour and the language in which it’s conducted. The expert educators on-site provide invaluable insight and context to the haunting history preserved within the memorial’s confines.
Visiting Auschwitz Birkenal Memorial Museum is not only a personal journey but also a communal act of remembrance for the millions who lost their lives during the Holocaust. The museum offers several tours, including those specifically tailored to the education of students, ensuring that the lessons of this tragic past are not forgotten. Book your Auschwitz visit thoughtfully, allowing enough time to fully absorb the gravity of what occurred at this poignant historical landmark.
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Auchwitz Entry Fees and Passes
When you plan your visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, understanding the details about entry fees and pass options is crucial. These will determine how you access and experience this important historical site.
General Admission Information
Admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge. However, to ensure a structured and solemn visit, entry cards must be reserved in advance via the official website (visit.auschwitz.org).
While you can access the grounds without a guide, it’s recommended to visit with a guide-educator for a more comprehensive understanding of the site’s history.
Types of Entry Passes
Guided Tours: A range of guided tour options are available, and these incur a fee.
The tours are designed to cater to various visitor preferences and come in different durations and forms, such as:
- General Tour: Lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
- Shorter General Tour: Takes about 2.5 hours.
- Study Tour: This is an extended tour for a more in-depth experience, lasting around 6 hours.
- Two–Day Tour: Offers a detailed exploration across two separate days.
- Auschwitz and Wieliczka Tour from Krakow
- Auschwitz March Tour
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour with Optional Lunch
- Auschwitz Tour from Warsaw
- Auschwitz Tour with Hotel Pick-up
- Auschwitz Tours from Krakow
- Auschwitz Weekend Tours
- Auschwitz Winter Tour
- Day Trip to Auschwitz from Krakow
- Cheapest Way to Visit Auschwitz
- Krakow Airport to Auschwitz
- Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Full-Day Guided Tour
- Visit Auschwitz Birkenau Camp – Book Online
| Type of Tour | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Tour | 3.5 hours | Includes Guide Service |
| Shorter General Tour | 2.5 hours | Includes Guide Service |
| Study Tour | 6 hours | Includes Guide Service |
| Two-Day Tour | 4 hours + 4 hours | Includes Guide Service |
Personalised Entry Passes: For a more tailored visit, personalised passes can be arranged to suit individual requirements. These may include the rental of headphones for better audio reception during your tour.
Availability and Changes: Given the high demand, booking your pass well in advance is advised. Any changes to your reservation or the need for refunds should be addressed as soon as possible, as they are subject to availability and the memorial’s policies.
Remember to check for any updates or changes in the price list and tour options, as these can occasionally occur. Ensure that you have your personal and payment information ready when making your online reservation for a guided tour.
Booking Auschwitz Birkenau Tour and Visit Information
Admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge, but securing an entry pass through an online reservation is essential. For a structured understanding of the site, it is advisable to visit with a guide.
Online Auschwitz Tour Reservations
To visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, you must reserve your entry cards on visit.auschwitz.org. Reservations are available 90 days in advance starting from 12:00 noon.
Whether you opt for a self-guided or guided tour, booking online is mandatory to ensure your entry is scheduled.
Group Visits to Auschwitz
If you are planning to visit as part of a group, your group is obliged to engage a guide-educator for the visit, which incurs a fee.
Groups must book in advance, and it is recommended to use visit.auschwitz.org for official reservations to avoid any complications upon arrival. Service providers like GetYourGuide also offer booking options that include guided tours for groups.
Individual Visits
For individual visitors, the memorial recommends a visit with a guide-educator for a deeper understanding of the historical context, though it is not obligatory.
Individual visit reservations can be made through the official website. Keep in mind that the Museum advises against visits by children under the age of 14 due to the sensitive nature of the site.
Guided Tours to Auschwitz
When planning your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, engaging in a guided tour can profoundly enhance your understanding of the site’s historical significance. Reservations for these tours should be made in advance to secure your place.
Guided Tour Overview
Guided tours offer a structured exploration of the museum, providing crucial insight into the harrowing history of Auschwitz.
Tours are available in several languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish. The duration of these tours can vary:
- General tour: approximately 3.5 hours
- Shorter tour: approximately 2.5 hours
- Study tour: approximately 6 hours
Prices for these tours differ and may be subject to change, so checking the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information is essential.
Educator-Led Tours
Tours led by educator-guides provide an in-depth perspective, allowing you to learn about the history from knowledgeable professionals.
These educators are thoroughly trained to convey the sensitive history of the camp and its victims with respect and accuracy.
For the best comprehension of Auschwitz’s complex past, it is recommended to participate in a tour with an educator-guide. This not only deepens the understanding but also personalises the experience, making the visit a more poignant and educational journey.
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Planning Auschwitz Visit and Entry Fees
When preparing to visit Auschwitz, it’s crucial to consider both travel arrangements to the memorial and the facilities available on site to ensure a smooth experience.
Travel and Accessibility
By Car: Parking is provided at the Auschwitz Memorial. If you’re driving, there are car park facilities available for your vehicle.
Public Transport: You can reach the memorial by bus from nearby cities. Direct bus services are commonly available from Kraków and Katowice. Oświęcim, the town where the Auschwitz Memorial is located, is also accessible by train.
Airports: If you’re travelling from further afield, the nearest international airports are located in Kraków and Katowice. From there, you can hire a car or use public transport to reach Oświęcim.
Auschwitz On-Site Facilities
Admission: Entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge, but it is advisable to reserve your entry card in advance through the official website.
Guided Tours: For a more informative experience, you have the option to engage a guide-educator for a fee. The prices for these guided tours vary and can be checked online prior to your visit.
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Experience
In your visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, you’ll encounter a valuable educative atmosphere that demands a respectful and contemplative approach. This experience is not only a walk through a historical site but a lesson in the events of one of the darkest periods in human history. Read also Why visit Auschwitz?
Historical Context about Auschwitz
At the Auschwitz I Camp, the original site, you will learn about the circumstances that led to the establishment of the camp and its evolution into a major site of the Holocaust.
It was here that the SS developed the largest and most efficient extermination complex consisting of gas chambers and crematoria. Birkenau Concentration Camps, also known as Auschwitz II, dramatically expanded the capacity for carrying out the Final Solution, with its vast expanse highlighting the industrial scale of the genocide.
Exhibitions and Grounds
- Exhibitions: You’ll find several permanent exhibitions maintained by the museum, detailing the lives of the prisoners and the conditions within the camps. Each of the exhibitions, including those held in the surviving prison blocks, contributes to your deeper understanding of the history and the atrocities committed.
- Gas Chamber and Crematoria: The remains of the gas chambers and crematoria are stark reminders of the systematic murder that took place and stand as evidence to refute denial of the Holocaust.
- Kanada Warehouses: The area known as Kanada, where the possessions of the camp’s victims were sorted and stored, is part of the museum exhibits, offering an eerie perspective on the vast number of people who passed through the camp.
- Visitor Service: While admission to the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is complimentary, you are encouraged to engage a guide-educator for a deeper understanding. There are fees associated with guided tours, which vary depending on the tour type and group size.
- Buildings and Grounds: The Memorial covers two main camp sites: Auschwitz and Birkenau. You’ll have the opportunity to walk through the barracks, the unloading platforms, and other historic buildings while reflecting on the lives of the millions of people affected, including survivors who have since shared their stories.
It is a profound experience visiting these grounds, and it’s advisable to prepare both mentally and emotionally for the weight of what these sites represent.
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Visitor Policies and Services
When visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, your safety is paramount, and enhancing your understanding of the site’s historical significance is facilitated through guided educational services.
Security and Regulations
Security Check: You will undergo a security check upon arrival. It is critical to comply with all security guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all visitors.
- Backpacks and Bags: Large bags and backpacks are not permitted within the Memorial. Smaller bags up to the size of A4 paper are allowed following inspection during the security check.
Educational Services
General Tours: You have the option to reserve a place on general tours. Each tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
- Guided-Educator: Engaging a guide-educator is highly recommended to gain a comprehensive understanding of the site. Charges apply for their services, and the fee varies depending on the tour’s length and content.
Study Tours: For a more in-depth experience, you can participate in study tours, which last up to 6 hours. These tours are especially beneficial for those who require a detailed examination of the history and its implications.
- Guide-Educator: Study tours are usually led by guide-educators to provide expert insights and context. Charges applicable are similar to general tours.
