Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: Plan Your Visit

• The memorial includes the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau camps.
• The visit begins at the former Auschwitz I camp; the two parts are about 3.5 kilometres apart.
• Admission to the grounds is free, but a personalized admission pass must be reserved in advance.
• Admission passes are issued online through visit.auschwitz.org; none are issued at the entrance.
• Allow at least about 90 minutes for each part of the site.
• Large bags are not allowed; the museum sets a maximum size of 35 × 25 × 15 centimetres.
• Official visitor rules, opening hours, and available tours may change before your visit.

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a place of remembrance, historical education, and documentation of Nazi crimes. The official visitor information from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum explains access, what to expect, and the requirements for visitors. Appropriate clothing, quiet conduct in the exhibitions, and following instructions all contribute to a respectful visit.

The site is also a historic place with preserved buildings, paths, railway tracks, and open spaces. UNESCO lists Auschwitz-Birkenau as a World Heritage Site and describes it as evidence of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration and extermination camps. The UNESCO entry for Auschwitz-Birkenau provides historical and heritage-conservation context.

A personalized admission pass is required to visit the museum. Reservations are made through the official museum visit portal, where available visiting times and options are shown. An admission pass is also required if you plan to explore the site without a guide. Since the number of passes is limited, reserve as early as possible for your preferred travel date.

Security checks take place before entry. The memorial advises visitors to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of their booked visit. Handbags and backpacks must not exceed the stated maximum dimensions. Larger luggage should be left in your vehicle or at a designated luggage storage facility; this is especially important if you are making a day trip by train or bus.

The two parts are connected in terms of their history but are geographically separate. Visits start at Auschwitz I. A free museum shuttle runs between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau; the official travel and connection information also provides details on the walking route and distance. Allow at least about 90 minutes for each part; according to the museum, a standard guided tour lasts around three and a half hours.

A set return time, protection from heat or bad weather, and drinking water are just as important to plan for as learning about the site beforehand. There are outdoor paths between the two parts. If travelling with children, older people, or anyone with limited mobility, take particular care to plan the length of the day, breaks, and the current accessibility of the areas you wish to visit.

The visitor centre is at Więźniów Oświęcimia 55 in Oświęcim, at the former Auschwitz I site. The museum is outside the town centre, on provincial road 933. According to the official information, it is approximately 1,500 metres from the railway station. Local buses, buses from Kraków and Katowice, and minibuses may be available depending on the timetable.

For planning your route around Poland, the information on travel and transport, train travel and railway stations, and entry requirements and documents may be helpful. Check timetables, cross-border connections, and ID requirements with the relevant authorities for your specific travel date.

According to its official information, the museum is open seven days a week all year, except on 1 January, 25 December, and Easter Sunday. For specific admission times, refer to the museum’s opening hours. The admission time and the time you must leave are not the same: according to the museum, visitors may remain on the grounds for a limited time after the last admission. Your booked admission time is therefore key to planning your day.

You can combine the trip with other destinations in Poland, but avoid overloading your schedule. Poland provides the broader travel context; Kraków and Katowice are possible places to arrive or stay. Warsaw, Gdańsk, and Zakopane are in other regions and should be treated as separate stops, with enough time allowed for travel.

The photograph shows the railway tracks and entrance gate at Auschwitz II-Birkenau. It was taken by Ingo Mehling on Wikimedia Commons and is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. The image offers a restrained exterior view of the historic site; it is not a substitute for an introduction or guided tour on site.

Is admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum free?

According to the museum, admission to the grounds is free. However, visitors need a personalized admission pass, which must be reserved online in advance. Guided tours and special options may have their own terms.

Where can I reserve an admission pass?

Reservations are made through visit.auschwitz.org. According to the official visitor information, admission passes are not issued at the entrance.

How much time should I allow for a visit?

Allow at least about 90 minutes each for Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. A standard guided tour takes around three and a half hours; travel, security screening, and the journey between the two parts are additional.

How do I get from Auschwitz I to Birkenau?

A free museum shuttle runs between the two sites. They are about 3.5 kilometres apart; current departure times and the option of walking are listed in the official travel information.

What size bag can I bring?

The museum sets a maximum size of 35 × 25 × 15 centimetres. Do not bring larger luggage to the entrance; leave it in your vehicle or at a designated luggage storage facility beforehand.