How to Plan Your Visit to Auschwitz: Birkenau Memorial Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

Planning to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum can be emotionally challenging. However, it is essential to ensure that we never forget history and the lives lost during the Nazi regime. A visit to this well-known UNESCO World Heritage site will offer an opportunity to learn about the second world war’s devastating impact and pay respect to the victims. Here’s how to plan your visit to Auschwitz with a Birkenau Memorial entry ticket and guided tour.

Booking Your Tour

When planning your visit to Auschwitz, the first step is to book a guided tour. This tour will ensure that you have access to a knowledgeable guide and will learn about the history of the site. There are several tour companies available online, and one of our most recommended is GetYourGuide.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial entry ticket and guided tour is a group tour that includes tickets and a guide. They offer various time slots throughout the day and can accommodate up to 30 visitors per group. It’s essential to book your tour before going to Auschwitz; you can access an online booking link here book here or through the museum’s website.

Getting There

Auschwitz is located in Oświęcim, a town that’s about 66km west of Krakow in Poland. Visitors can take a bus, train, or drive to the site. Access to the former concentration camp is made easy with multiple motorways, including A4, E40, and National Road 44. However, it’s essential to have a designated driver or rental car since visitors are not allowed to access the buildings after drinking any alcohol.

Experience

After booking your guided tour and transportation, you will be ready to commence your tour. During the visit, you will see barrack housing, the infamous entrance gate, and the railway platform. The tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum usually takes 3.5 hours, half of which is at the location where the first camp was established (Auschwitz I). Here, you’ll learn about the camp’s appalling conditions and the lives of prisoners during the Second World War.

The tour’s second part takes place at Birkenau (Auschwitz II), located about three kilometers away from the first part. In “Birkenau”, you will learn about the extent of inhumane treatment and the horrors of the extermination of Jews and other minorities.

Highlights

The Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial entry ticket and guided tour is an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the highlights that you can expect:

Education

The Auschwitz museum is an educational experience and an opportunity for visitors to learn about the Nazi regime’s atrocities. The guided tours are led by professionals who will provide insight and historical context to guide visitors through the experience.

Emotional Connection

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum is an emotionally challenging experience. Visitors will connect with the human experience of the victims and prisoners kept in the concentration camps.

Understanding

The guided tour will provide visitors with a better understanding of the horrors endured in the concentration camps. With first-hand accounts and witness statements, visitors step back in time and experience the camp’s history as if they were there themselves.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in visiting Auschwitz, it’s essential to plan your visit carefully. Start by booking your guided tour and transportation ahead of time, then follow-up the final details. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, water, and tissue. The visit can be exhausting, and prayer books or religious items can be brought along as a way of honouring the victims. Ensure that the visit is respectful to those who suffered and died in this historic location. We hope this guide helps you organize your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Auschwitz Answered

Auschwitz, also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, was the largest Nazi concentration camp and extermination center in World War II. Located in Poland, it is a significant reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Visiting Auschwitz can be an emotional and educational experience, but before you go, you may have some questions. In this post, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Auschwitz.

What Was Auschwitz?

Auschwitz was a complex of Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. It was established in 1940 in German-occupied Poland and was originally intended to hold Polish political prisoners. However, it soon became the site of mass murder, with Jews from all over Nazi-occupied Europe being transported there to be killed in gas chambers, worked to death, or subjected to horrific medical experiments. Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945.

Why Visit Auschwitz?

Visiting Auschwitz is a powerful way to learn about the Holocaust and pay your respects to the millions of victims who were murdered there. It is a place of remembrance and education that helps us understand the horrors of the past and work towards a better future.

How Do You Get to Auschwitz?

Auschwitz is located in the small town of Oswiecim, about 70 kilometers west of Krakow in Poland. The easiest way to get there is by car, taxi, or bus. Many tour operators in Krakow offer guided tours of Auschwitz, which include transportation to and from the site. If you are not part of a tour, you can take a local bus or train to Oswiecim and then walk or take a taxi to the camp.

Do You Need a Guide to Visit Auschwitz?

While it is possible to visit Auschwitz without a guide, we highly recommend taking a guided tour. A guide can provide helpful context, answer questions, and help you navigate the site. They can also offer emotional support and ensure that you are respectful of the solemn nature of the place.

When is the Best Time to Visit Auschwitz?

Auschwitz is open year-round, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences. If you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, visit in the fall or winter. However, if you prefer milder weather and longer daylight hours, visit in the spring or summer.

What Should You Wear When Visiting Auschwitz?

When visiting Auschwitz, you should dress respectfully and modestly. This means avoiding revealing or provocative clothing and wearing comfortable shoes. The weather in Poland can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to bring layers and rain gear.

What Can You Expect When Visiting Auschwitz?

Visiting Auschwitz can be overwhelming and emotional. As you walk through the gates, you will see the infamous sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work Sets You Free”). You will then enter the camp and see the crowded barracks where prisoners were housed, the gas chambers where they were killed, and the crematoria where their bodies were burned. You will also see exhibits of personal belongings, such as shoes and suitcases, that were taken from the victims.

Can You Take Photos at Auschwitz?

While photography is allowed at Auschwitz, it is important to be respectful and mindful of the solemn nature of the place. Avoid taking selfies or making light of the experience. Also, be aware that some areas of the camp may be off-limits to photography.

Is Auschwitz Free to Visit?

While it is free to visit Auschwitz, we highly recommend booking a guided tour to get the most out of your experience. Guided tours are available for a fee and include transportation to and from the site.

Can Children Visit Auschwitz?

Children are allowed to visit Auschwitz, but it’s important to consider their maturity and emotional readiness. The site is not recommended for very young children, and parents should use their discretion when deciding whether to bring their children. Some guided tours may have age restrictions.

What Should You Do After Visiting Auschwitz?

After visiting Auschwitz, take some time to reflect on your experience and honor the victims. You can light a candle or say a prayer at the memorial sites. You can also learn more about the Holocaust and work towards promoting tolerance and peace.

Conclusion

Visiting Auschwitz is a powerful way to learn about and remember the victims of the Holocaust. By taking a guided tour and being respectful of the solemn nature of the place, you can gain a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed there and work towards a better future.