Self-Guided Tour of Auschwitz

If you’re planning a self-guided tour of the former nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz, this guide will show you how to plan your visit on a day trip from Krakow.

Visiting Auschwitz and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum – How Far Is It?

Today known as Oświęcim, Auschwitz is about 50 kilometres west of Krakow in southern Poland. The city is accessible via a busy railway, with an expressway currently under construction (2024).

Visitors can explore two former concentration camps. Auschwitz I, located near central Oświęcim, features the iconic “Arbeit macht frei” gate. And the second concentration camp, called Auschwitz II-Birkenau, is just outside the city in a village called Brzezinka, or “Birkenau” in German, approximately a mile away. A bus service, included with your ticket, connects both sites every ten minutes or so.

The main visitor centre, ticket offices, and restaurant are at Auschwitz I, which is where your tour should begin. The museum entrance is located right next to the ticket offices, so you can start your visit immediately after you purchase your entry ticket.

How to book Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau entry tickets?

The standard guided museum tour lasts around 3.5 hours. You’ll spend about 2 hours at Auschwitz I before a bus takes you to Auschwitz-Birkenau for a nearly 1.5-hour tour. For a more thorough exploration, consider the extended 6-hour tour. Independent visitors should note that non-guided entry tickets are available after 1:00 p.m. Advance booking is recommended through the museum’s website, though off-season visits might not require this.

Reklama

Getting There by Train – Practical Information

The most direct route to Auschwitz is by train from Kraków, with over a dozen daily connections. Intercity or TLK trains are fastest, taking about 50 minutes (2024). Regional trains on the SKA3 line by Koleje Małopolskie take just over an hour, while the SKA2 line takes nearly two hours. Note that SKA2 and SKA3 depart in opposite directions from Kraków Główny; schedules are available here.

Walking from the Train Station to the Camp Gates

Whether you’re visiting Auschwitz on a self-guided trip or an organized tour, you’ll start at Auschwitz I. From the station, it’s a 2-kilometre walk along Więźniów Oświęcimia Street. After 20-odd minutes you’ll reach the visitor centre and a large parking area. To reach Auschwitz II, exit the platform the same way and walk just over 2 kilometres along Wyzwolenia and Męczeństwa Narodów streets.

From the Train Station to Auschwitz I (Visitor Center) by Bus

Cover the 2-kilometer distance from the station to the camp gates by city bus on lines 3, 8, or 12 (as of 2024). The bus stop is directly opposite the station. Disembark at the Museum II stop, a 5-minute walk to the camp gates. Check the bus schedule here.

From April to October, a special “M” line connects the railway station and the Auschwitz I site. It departs from the bust stop right next to the main bus stop at the railway station. A ticket machine is available at the bus stop.

Self-Guided Tour of Auschwitz by bus

For those preferring not to use the train, direct buses from Krakow are an excellent option for self-guided tours. Check the carrier’s website for timetables; buses depart from the Municipal Bus Terminal (MDA) near Kraków Główny. The 90-minute journey is slightly longer than by train but drops you directly at the Auschwitz I ticket office. Shuttle buses to Auschwitz II are included in your ticket.

Oświęcim by Car?

Driving to Auschwitz offers flexibility for those preferring to explore independently. Ample parking is available at both camps, and the drive from Krakow takes about an hour. It’s advisable to park at the main lot at Auschwitz-Birkenau and use the bus to navigate the site.