How to Plan Your Auschwitz Concentration Camp Guided Day Trip from Krakow

If you’re planning a trip to Krakow, then visiting Auschwitz, the former Nazi concentration camp, is an experience you shouldn’t miss. The unforgettable visit to Auschwitz offers a glimpse into the history of the Holocaust, showing the horrors and brutality suffered by its victims in this dark period of human history. Here’s a guide on how to plan your Auschwitz Concentration Camp Guided Day Trip from Krakow.

Experience

The guided day trip to Auschwitz offers you the opportunity to visit both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau, skip the line tickets and see the sites with a licensed guide. You’ll learn about the history of the camp, the gruesome conditions, and the stories of survival and life’s loss.

Highlights

• Visit the former Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz & Birkenau
• Select your preferred pickup location
• Explore both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau with a skip-the-line ticket
• Witness the horror of Nazi concentration Camps with a licensed guide

Full Description

Your day trip to Auschwitz from Krakow starts with convenient pickup from one of several pickup locations in the city. The journey to Auschwitz takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and once you arrive, there’s a 15-minute break before the tour commences. The Auschwitz tour is divided into two parts; firstly, Auschwitz I memorial site for approximately two hours and then Birkenau, the second camp located three kilometers away from the first.Your tour begins at Auschwitz I, where you’ll get the chance to see some of the preserved buildings and exhibits while learning from a professional guide about the camp’s history. The guided tour starts at the main entrance, where you’ll see the infamous sign with the words “Arbeit Macht Frei” (work sets you free). The tour then visits the barracks, the gas chamber, and the crematorium, where prisoners were executed, and their bodies burned to ashes.Next, you’ll visit Auschwitz II Birkenau, where you’ll see the remains of the gas chambers and the ruins of the crematoria. You’ll also learn about the life of the prisoners at the camp and the horrifying conditions they were subjected to daily.

Museum Visit

At Auschwitz I, you’ll take a tour of the impressive museum exhibits that showcase various objects such as personal belongings of prisoners, historical artwork, and documents. Some of the exhibits show the cruel medical experiments conducted on the prisoners and how they were tortured by the Nazi officers.

Booking

Booking the Auschwitz Guided Day Trip is simple, with GetYourGuide offering an easy-to-use website that can be accessed by the link below. Choose the date of your travel and select a pickup location of your convenience. You’ll receive instant confirmation, and the tour company will email you with all the important tour details, including what to expect and what to bring.Book the Auschwitz Guided Day Trip here.

Conclusion

Visiting Auschwitz is an experience that gives us an insight into the horror of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit. Plan your visit with a knowledgeable guide to ensure you’ll see the sites’ most significant sites and learn about the camp’s history. Book your Auschwitz Concentration Camp Guided Day Trip from Krakow with GetYourGuide and make your visit to Auschwitz unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Auschwitz

Auschwitz is a poignant symbol of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. This concentration and extermination camp in southern Poland is now a museum and memorial. Although it has been over 75 years since the liberation of the camp, people still have many questions about Auschwitz. In this post, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the camp.

1. What is Auschwitz?

Auschwitz was a concentration and extermination camp established by Nazi Germany during World War II. The camp was located in Oswiecim, a small town in southern Poland that the Germans called Auschwitz. It was the largest of the concentration camps and consisted of three main camps: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and Auschwitz III-Monowitz. Over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered at Auschwitz.

2. Why was Auschwitz created?

The Nazis established concentration camps like Auschwitz to imprison people they deemed undesirable, including Jews, Romas, homosexuals, political dissidents, and others. The camps were initially set up as forced labor camps but evolved into extermination camps, where people were sent to be killed.

3. Who was sent to Auschwitz?

The majority of people sent to Auschwitz were Jews, but other groups were also targeted, including Romas, homosexuals, disabled people, and political prisoners. Anyone who was seen as a threat to the Nazi regime was at risk of being sent to Auschwitz.

4. How were people killed at Auschwitz?

The methods of killing people at Auschwitz evolved over time. At first, the camp used gas vans to kill people, but in 1941, they began using Zyklon B gas in gas chambers. Some people were also killed through starvation, disease, medical experiments, and forced labor.

5. Was Auschwitz liberated?

Yes, Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945. When they arrived, they found only about 7,000 prisoners who were too sick or weak to be evacuated by the Germans. The Nazi commandant of the camp fled, and the remaining guards tried to destroy evidence of their crimes before escaping.

6. Is Auschwitz open to visitors?

Yes, Auschwitz is now a museum and memorial that is open to visitors. The museum aims to preserve the memory of those who suffered and died at Auschwitz and to educate people about the Holocaust.

7. How do I visit Auschwitz?

To visit Auschwitz, you need to book a guided tour in advance. You can do this online through the museum’s website. The tour lasts about three and a half hours and includes a visit to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Keep in mind that the museum can be emotionally intense, so it may not be suitable for all visitors.

8. Is it appropriate to take photos at Auschwitz?

The museum allows visitors to take photos, but certain areas are off-limits for photography, such as the gas chambers and crematoriums. It’s important to be respectful and mindful of the solemnity of the site.

9. What should I wear when visiting Auschwitz?

Visitors should dress appropriately when visiting Auschwitz, meaning conservative clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Sunscreen and hats are also recommended, especially in the summer months.

10. Can I bring children to Auschwitz?

The museum recommends that children under the age of 14 do not visit Auschwitz due to the sensitive nature of the museum’s exhibits. However, if you do bring children, it’s important to talk to them beforehand about the history of the site and prepare them for what they will see.

Conclusion

Auschwitz is a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. While visiting the museum’s exhibits can be emotionally intense, it is also a powerful way to honor those who suffered and died at the camp and to ensure that their memory is not forgotten. By addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about Auschwitz, we hope to provide visitors with a better understanding of the site’s significance and history.

How to Spend Your Time as a Tourist in Auschwitz

Visiting Auschwitz is a heart-wrenching but necessary experience for anyone looking to learn about the Holocaust and pay their respects to the millions of victims who lost their lives in the concentration camp. It’s crucial to approach the experience with sensitivity and respect. This guide will help you plan your visit to Auschwitz and make the most out of your time there.

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance

It’s essential to plan your visit to Auschwitz in advance to ensure your tickets are available and to avoid long lines. You can purchase tickets online or in person, but it’s best to buy them online. Earlier in the day, when the grounds are less crowded, you will have a better opportunity to view exhibits and take photos than later in the day. It’s also essential to set aside enough time for the visit – it can take several hours to see everything.

2. Take a Guided Tour

Booking a guided tour is highly recommended as it provides a more in-depth experience and a better understanding of the camp’s history. It’s also an easier way to navigate the extensive grounds, as you won’t have to worry about figuring out the map. A knowledgeable guide can offer insights that an audio guide would not be able to provide.

3. Dress Appropriately

Dressing appropriately when visiting Auschwitz is a sign of respect. Since it’s a place of mourning, avoid wearing summer clothes such as shorts, tank tops, or flip flops. Wearing comfortable shoes is essential as you will be walking a lot, especially if you take the longer tour.

4. Observe Silence and Respect

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a somber, sobering place, and it’s essential to maintain a respectful attitude. Observe silence, especially in the memorial areas, and try to avoid taking selfies or joking around. It’s essential to be empathetic and attentive to your surroundings.

5. Visit the Auschwitz Museum

The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is one of the most informative and comprehensive memorial museums worldwide, offering visitors an opportunity to understand the atrocities committed at the camp. The museum houses extensive displays and artifacts that illustrate life in the camp, the crimes committed by the Nazis, and the incredible efforts of resistance and survival by prisoners.

6. Tour Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Auschwitz I was the administrative center of the camp, the place where prisoners were received, registered, and selected for forced labor or extermination. Visitors can see the complex of brick barracks, watchtowers, and other buildings and explore the exhibits that document the genocide atrocities.

7. Visit Birkenau Concentration Camp

Birkenau was the extermination center, where mass murder happened during WWII. It is the final resting place for over 1 million souls, with crematoriums, gas chambers, watchtowers, and barracks littered across the sprawling 420-acre facility. Walking around these areas is a poignant and emotional experience that offers a glimpse into the atrocities that occurred there.

8. Learn About the Resistance Efforts

One of the aspects showcased at Auschwitz is the incredible resistance movements within the camp. Education about these crucial efforts should not be overlooked. Visit the Wall of Death, the reconstructed prisoner resistance cells, and the Block 11 Death block, and Honor Roll of the 15,000 executed prisoners.

9. Avoid Taking Picture of Everything

It’s critical to remember that Auschwitz is a memorial site and not a photo opportunity. Avoid taking photos of everything and anything as it can be perceived as being disrespectful. Instead, focus on taking a few meaningful shots that depict the importance of the site or the feel of the place.

10. Take Your Time

Last but not least, take your time while visiting Auschwitz. Don’t rush around, especially if you’re taking a self-guided tour. Take moments to be reflective and respectful, and appreciate the enormity and solemnity of the place. When you leave, you will have gained a greater sympathy for the victims who suffered and died there.

Conclusion

Auschwitz is a significant destination for anyone interested in the history of the Holocaust. It’s essential to remember that it’s a place of mourning and reflection and to approach it with sensitivity and respect. Plan your visit in advance, take a guided tour, dress appropriately, observe silence, visit the museum and concentration camps, learn about resistance efforts, take few pictures, and remember to take your time. A visit to Auschwitz will leave an indelible impact on anyone who goes there, and it is an experience that everyone must have at least once in their lifetime.