If you are planning on visiting Krakow you are probably thinking of Asuchwitz – Birkenau Museum as your main place to see. No wonder why – it is one of the most important mementos of II WW. This article will help you prepare your visit.
Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum- Plan your visit.
A trip in the footsteps of John Paul II
Traces of John Paul II can be found in his hometown of Wadowice, where the previous flat of the Wojtyła family is situated near the market square- today, it houses a museum
Krakow airport transfer
Let us pick up from the airport and take you straight to your destination.
Wieliczka, Salt Mine tour
It is a world class monument, featuring among twelve objects on the UNESCO's World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Full of unique beauty and active continuously since the Middle Ages.
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Museum and Memorial Auschwitz- Birkenau.
Poland was attacked by Nazi Germany on September 1, 1939, and by the Soviet Union on September 17. Polish territory was divided up. The area where the town of Oświęcim was located, was annexed to the Third Reich.
Auschwitz was established by the Nazi Germans in 1940 as a camp for Polish political prisoners. The German expelled at least 8000 Poles from Oświęcim and nearby villages. Auschwitz was the first Nazi German concentration camp founded in German-occupied Poland. During World War II it was the largest concentration camp of Nazi Germany where around one and a half million people from 28 countries perished, mostly Jews, but also Poles, Poma, Russian and prisoners of other nationalities. The basic elements of the Nazi German ideology were hatred of democracy, communism, and Jews combined with a belief that the German people were superior to others.
Auschwitz was made up of three main parts: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II Birkenau, Auschwitz III- Monowitz. The first and oldest part of camp was Auschwitz I. The second part was the Birkenau camp, also known as Auschwitz II. This was the largest part of the Auschwitz complex.
Auschwitz and Birkenau were liberated in January 1945. After the War (in 1947) a state Museum was established at the Auschwitz- Birkenau concentration camp. Now it is part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide and the bestiality of the 20th century. The camps and their legacy are an indelible part of today’s world, and visiting them is both sobering and edifying.
The basic structures of both camps have survived, and the experience of these is amplified by a number of exhibitions about the major victims of the atrocities, chiefly the Jews, but also Poles, Gypsies and Russians. There are many different exhibits, and the apparatus of the camps, as well as the personal belongings left behind by the victims, will speak for themselves. Auschwitz I is preserved almost in the same condition as when it was left by the Nazis. The barracks feature exhibitions devoted to the camp life and the extermination of prisoners. Auschwitz is known all over the world. A place definitely worth seeing.
You can find more information about the Auschwitz Museum under this link
If you are not staying in Krakow long enough, you can always book two tours in one day and which will take one full day to visit both places: Auschwitz Museum and Wadowice.
Auschwitz Concentration Camp was a Nazi Concentration Camp built and operated during World War II in Polish Areas. Wadowice is the city of birth of Saint John Paul II.
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Visit two Museums in one day during your stay in Krakow, Auschwitz Museum as it is located around 50km from Krakow. It is the most well-known former concentration camp and place of genocide in the World.
The Schindler Museum houses an exhibition on the city's history during the nazism and tells the story about its owner, Oskar Schindler.
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If you are not staying in Krakow long enough, you can always book our Auschwitz and Salt Mines tours in one day. Auschwitz Concentration Camp was a Nazi Concentration Camp built and operated during World War II in Polish Areas, next to Oswiecim. Nowadays, turned into Auschwitz Museum. During the trip, you will visit one of the oldest working Salt Mines in the World – the Wieliczka’s Salt Mine.
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Upon your arrival at Krakow airport, our driver will be waiting for you. The journey from Krakow Airport to Auschwitz Museum will take approx. 1 hour.
Visit the most well-known former concentration camp and place of genocide in the World.
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Auschwitz- Birkenau tour from the Krakow Airport
Do you want to see as much as possible in one day?
Auschwitz- Birkenau day tour from Krakow with private round transfers. Here are reasons why you should use our services: read the review
- Hiring a Private Guide in the Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum
- Joining the guided tour- individual audio system- You will be given headphones and a receiver so you can clearly hear the local guide during your visits.
- Visiting on your own free of charge, more independent - valid only with starting in Auschwitz before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. If you decide to walk on your own (without the guide) in the camps the pickup time should be set for 8.00a.m. or earlier.
- Not recommended for child aged 14 and under.
- Taking photos in the buildings with the use of flash is forbidden.
- The maximum size of bags/backpacks allowed to carry on the Museum is 30 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm. You can always leave it in the car which will be parked nearby.
- Wear comfortable shoes, it is a walking tour. Most of the tour takes place outside (prepared for the different weather conditions).
- Eating and smoking, as well as acting in a loud manner are forbidden at the Museum.
The Auschwitz- Birkenau Museum is open all year long, seven days a week except:
January 1; Easter Sunday; April 28 (March of the Living); December 25; Liberation Anniversary.
- The main gate with the inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei";
- Living and sanitary-hygienic conditions of the prisoners;
- Personal belongings seized from murdered prisoners;
- Enlarged camp mugshots and victims' hair;
- The collective gallows;
- The roll call square;
- Death Block and Death Wall;
- Crematorium and gas chamber;
- The Gate of Death- the main entrance to Auschwitz II Birkenau;
- Prisoners barracks;
- Fence system, watchtowers;
- The unloading platform the so-called "Judenrampe".
It will be more comfortable and less expensive to take an organized tour rather than use a bus or train from Krakow to Auschwitz. We offer door-to-door service. You will be picked up directly from your hotel/ apartment. Auschwitz tour includes English-speaking driver assistance. Tickets (with or without guide assist) in Auschwitz Museum is included to the tour — you won’t need to buy any tickets on your own. You can also order a lunch package (extra paid) which will be served on a break between Auschwitz and Birkenau Museum or on the way back.
What's included:
- hotel pick up;
- transfers by a comfortable car just for yourselves to/from Auschwitz Museum;
- transfer between the two parts of the Museum (Auschwitz I and Birkenau);
- English speaking driver/ tour leader assistance during the whole trip;
- in car WiFi internet access;
- DVD documentary film about the liberation of Auschwitz played on the way to the memorial;
- drop off at the hotel or anywhere else in the old town of Krakow.
- Morning or afternoon pick up from your hotel.
- Private transfer to Auschwitz Museum.
From central Krakow to Auschwitz (Oswiecim) are about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Visiting Museum (tour with or without a guide).
- Break.
15 min break to grab a cup of coffee, snack or to go to the restroom.
- Visiting Birkenau Museum (tour with or without a guide).
Your tour covers both Auschwitz and Birkenau Camp. The visit to former Auschwitz Concentration Camp lasts around 1hour 30minutes. After a short break, our driver will take you to Birkenau. Auschwitz I and Birkenau are situated 3.5km from each other. The visit to Birkenau lasts ca. 1 hour.
Tours at Auschwitz and Birkenau Museum can only be conducted by an official guide.
After the guide has left, you'll have free time to reflect or visit the camp's book store.
- Transfer. The 90-minute journey from Auschwitz to Krakow.
After the tour, we will drop you off at your hotel or wherever you wish to in Krakow.
We are at your disposal all the time during the tour.
Auschwitz- Birkenau tour description
Auschwitz tour from Krakow
Access to Cracow- private tours & transfers 2011-2019
