
From Krakow: Guided Tour Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Transportation included
- Skip the ticket line
- Duration: 7 hours
From
US$ 52.86
US$ 26.43
per person
With the world distracted by war, the Nazis brutally reshaped the demographics of Europe in the south of Poland. The harrowing truth wasn't revealed until far too late, but here are a few of the many things you'll learn on your tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Auschwitz-Birkenau – or Auschwitz II – was used as a death camp from 1942, primarily for Jews. Auschwitz I had already been holding Polish political prisoners for two years.
There was a third camp too. Monowitz – or Auschwitz III – was set up to provide slave labor for IG Farben. The Allies dissolved the chemical company the war.
90% were Jews, but thousands of Poles, Romani, Soviets, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals also died at Auschwitz. As did prisoners from other nationalities.
Not even most Germans knew what was happening at the camps. Arrivals were met with the slogan "Work sets you free." In hindsight it's hard to say how convincing that actually was.
Disguised as a farmer in Gottrupel, Rudolf Höss evaded capture for a year after the war. In spite of his expressed remorsed, he was hung outside the camp's crematorium in 1947.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau museum is open daily from 8am except for January 1st, December 25th, and Easter Sunday. It closes at 3pm from December to February, 4pm in March and November, 5pm in April and October, 6pm in May and September, and 7pm from June to August. The site can be accessed for free but it is advisable to take a tour. If you decide to do so, book your tickets in advance. The best ones fill up very quickly!
The easiest way is simply to book an all-in-one tour that leaves from the city. Alternatively, inexpensive buses frequently leave from the basement floor of Krakow's main bus station. You can also take a train to the nearby town of Oświęcim.
Krakow is a wonderful city with a great deal of attraction to please tourists. Though Auschwitz may be an essential part of your trip, it can be emotionally overwhelming. We recommend that you leave it till last.
This trip Auschwitz-Birkenau was a very enriching experience, of which was expertly led by the guides Francesco and Lucina respectively. Francesco met us at the meeting point in Krakow and was very organised and helpful. Lucina was the guide at Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Her knowledge was superb and she explained in so much details the horrors that took place here. I highly recommend taking the excursion here if you visit Krakow- it is a truly humbling experience. This tour enabled us to see everything we wished and learn so much. Thank you!
Had an interesting trip today to Auschwitz, although it was extremely cold I think this made us feel and get the real experience. The guide however was rushing and wasn't always waiting for the rest members of the group. But our driver who is also a guide, Francesco, was amazing and very kind with us. Very informative and willing to show you around.
Not the best place for an excursion with children. The museum and its history are shocking. But everyone should visit it, it is very important to know our history. The guide in the museum very delicately and tolerantly explained all the information to us. In some places, tears rolled over my eyes.
The tour lasts about 7 hours, but the road takes a lot of time. The buses are very comfortable, you can sleep on the road. There is a shop, cafe and toilets near the museum. But it is better to take food and water with you, because the breaks during the day are 15 minutes.
Organization of excursions at the highest level. The bus arrived on time. Transport inside is clean. The bus was not fully loaded and I could sit next to a friend. The leader of the group was very nice, clearly explained all the information at the beginning of the tour.