The Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour provides a comprehensive and educational experience for those seeking to understand the profound historical significance of this tragic site. Featuring a 7-hour excursion with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, you will embark on a 1.5-hour journey to the Auschwitz memorial, where they’ll explore both Auschwitz I and the larger Auschwitz II-Birkenau with knowledgeable guides. With skip-the-line entry and optional lunchboxes, this tour offers a seamless and impactful way to explore the history of one of the most infamous and harrowing events of the 20th century. As visitors step onto the grounds of these former Nazi concentration camps, they’re sure to be left with a deep sense of contemplation and reflection.
Key Points
- The guided tour includes round-trip transportation from Krakow, skip-the-line entry to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and an optional lunchbox.
- The comprehensive 7-hour day trip or full-day excursion is suitable for ages 12 and above, with live guides available in multiple languages.
- The tour provides an in-depth exploration of the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, with knowledgeable guides sharing historical context and insights.
- Participants must have a valid passport or ID card, and large bags are not allowed on the tour.
- The tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with positive feedback for the live guides, transportation, and organization.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Auschwitz Guided Tour from Krakow offers a comprehensive experience, ranging from a 7-hour day trip to a full-day excursion, with prices starting at Kč461 (Kč231 per person).
Participants can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance and reserve their spot without an upfront payment, ensuring a convenient booking process.
The tour includes round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus, skip-the-line entry tickets, and the option to add a lunchbox.
However, the tour may not be suitable for children under 12 and wheelchair users, and participants are required to bring a valid ID and avoid large bags.
Itinerary and Experience
The tour begins with pickup from the hotel between 6:00 AM and 1:30 PM, depending on the selected option, and transfers participants to Auschwitz, a journey that takes approximately 1.5 hours. Once onsite, the guided tour explores Auschwitz I, including the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign and administration buildings. After a brief 15-minute break, the tour proceeds to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, where a 1-hour guided tour takes visitors through the barracks and entry points. The tour then returns to Krakow, with drop-off at 10 different locations in the Old Town and Kazimierz districts.
| Itinerary | Duration |
|---|---|
| Pickup and Transfer to Auschwitz | 1.5 hours |
| Guided Tour of Auschwitz I | Included |
| Break | 15 minutes |
| Guided Tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau | 1 hour |
| Return to Krakow | Included |
Guided Tour Details
Live tour guides typically are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian, English, French, and Dutch, to accommodate the diverse needs of participants.
The tour also includes round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus and skip-the-line entry tickets.
Optionally, a lunchbox with ham, hummus, and cheese can be added to the tour. This allows visitors to have a convenient meal during the tour, ensuring they’re well-nourished throughout the experience.
The guided tour provides a comprehensive and informative exploration of the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, allowing guests to learn about the history and significance of this important site.
With the assistance of knowledgeable guides, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of this solemn chapter in history.
Important Information
Participants must be at least 12 years old, as the tour isn’t suitable for younger children, and wheelchair users are also not able to join.
Visitors should bring a passport or ID card, as entry will require identification, and large bags are prohibited.
Prompt arrival 15 minutes before departure is essential for a timely start to the tour.
The local partner will provide confirmation and additional details via WhatsApp, email, or phone prior to the tour, and the name on the booking must match the ID presented for entrance.
These guidelines ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all participants visiting the historically significant and sobering site of Auschwitz.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Customers have provided an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 2,304 reviews for the Auschwitz guided tour from Krakow.
The tour’s live guides received a 4.7/5 rating, with reviewers praising their knowledge.
Transportation also scored highly at 4.6/5, and the service and organization of the tour both received 4.6/5.
While the majority of feedback was positive, some participants noted issues with audio clarity and pacing during the tour.
Pickup and Transportation
The tour includes round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus, with pickup from hotels between 6:00 AM and 1:30 PM depending on the selected option. This saves travelers the hassle of driving themselves and navigating the 1.5-hour journey to the Auschwitz memorial site.
The comfortable bus ride allows guests to relax and prepare for the emotional experience ahead. Upon arrival, the tour provides skip-the-line entry tickets, ensuring a seamless transition into the historical site.
After exploring Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the bus will return passengers to 10 different drop-off points in Krakow’s Old Town and Kazimierz neighborhoods, making it easy to continue the day’s activities.
Auschwitz I Tour
Upon arrival, the tour guides lead visitors through the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free) gate at Auschwitz I, the first Nazi concentration camp established in 1940.
Guests then explore the administration buildings and other structures that housed the camp’s operations, learning about the grim history and somber realities of life and death within this notorious site.
The tour provides a sobering and thought-provoking experience, as guests witness the stark conditions and emotionally charged locations where countless prisoners were subjected to unimaginable cruelty.
Throughout the visit, the guide shares historical details and personal accounts, ensuring visitors gain a deeper understanding of the horrors that occurred at Auschwitz I during the Holocaust.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau Tour
After exploring the haunting grounds of Auschwitz I, the tour continues at Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi concentration camps.
Here, visitors embark on a 1-hour guided tour, delving deeper into the atrocities committed at this extermination camp. The guide leads the group through the remains of the barracks and the entry points, providing a sobering account of the horrors that took place.
The scale of the camp is overwhelming, with the vast railway platform and the ruins of the gas chambers serving as reminders of the immense suffering that occurred.
Throughout the tour, the guide offers insights and context, allowing visitors to better understand this dark chapter of history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks to the Tour?
According to the information provided, participants are allowed to bring their own food and drinks on the tour. Large bags, however, are not permitted inside the Auschwitz sites.
Is Photography Allowed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial?
Photography is generally allowed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, but visitors must follow certain rules. Visitors can take photos, but they’re asked to be respectful and avoid disrupting the solemnity of the site.
What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?
The tour generally does not have a strict dress code, but visitors are advised to dress respectfully and comfortably. Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is recommended out of respect for the solemn nature of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial site.
Can I Extend My Stay at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Site?
The tour itinerary does not allow for extended stays at the Auschwitz-Birkenau site. Participants are provided a guided tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, with a limited break time, before returning to Krakow.
Are There Any Discounts Available for Students or Seniors?
The tour provider offers discounts for students and seniors, up to 50% off the standard price. Customers can book the tour and take advantage of these reduced rates, starting from KČ231 per person.
Recap
The Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour provides a profound and educational experience, offering convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, skip-the-line entry, and optional lunchboxes.
Participants will embark on a 7-hour excursion, exploring both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau with knowledgeable guides, gaining a deeper understanding of the historical significance of this tragic site.
