You want to book a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, but the information has changed in recent years and you are not sure where to begin. Whether you go through an agency, a private guide, or the official website, it is important to clearly understand the different options available.
In this guide, I explain in practical terms how to buy your tickets for Auschwitz-Birkenau, what the differences are between the types of visits, what prices to expect in 2026, and how to avoid common mistakes. This will help you see clearly whether it is better for you to use an agency, book directly on the official website, or hire an English-speaking private guide. My aim is to help you organize this important part of your trip to Krakow in a calm, structured, and respectful way.
- For a guided tour in English, the easiest way is to choose an excursion from Krakow or to book a "General tour 3.5 h" slot in English on the visit.auschwitz.org website and organize your own transportation.
- The most popular tours (English, spring, summer, weekends) sell out very quickly: try to book as soon as sales open, about 3 months in advance.
- Booking on the official website is cheaper, but you will have to handle transportation between Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau yourself.
- Combined Auschwitz + Wieliczka Salt Mine excursions are convenient but very intense: it is better to gauge your sensitivity and fatigue level before choosing them.
- For more information about the camps, how the visit unfolds and what the experience is like on site, also read my full article: Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow.
- 1. Three ways to book a visit to Auschwitz
- 2. Booking an excursion with transportation from Krakow
- 3. Booking your tickets on the official Auschwitz website
- 4. Booking a private English-speaking guide
- 5. Prices of guided tours in 2026
- 6. Combined Auschwitz + Wieliczka Salt Mine tours
- Traveler's Memo for Booking Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow
1. Three ways to book a visit to Auschwitz
You can choose between three main options:
- Go through a local travel agency, which includes transportation and guide.
- Book on the official Auschwitz website (cheaper, but you manage the logistics).
- Hire a private guide for a personalized visit.
Each has its advantages: it all depends on your needs, your budget, and the level of support you want.
| Option | Advantages | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Agency Via GetYourGuide, transportation + Auschwitz Krakow ticket |
Transportation + ticket + English-speaking guide No logistics to manage |
More expensive, but very convenient for a first visit |
| Official website visit.auschwitz.org |
Direct prices, wide choice of time slots | Must be booked on your own, transportation to be organized by yourself |
| Private guide Booking by email with the museum |
Intimate, personalized visit, tailored to your needs | Plan at least 1 month in advance |
Excursions with transportation from Krakow are reassuring, because they take care of all the logistics and often include an English-speaking guide for the group. In contrast, booking via the official website visit.auschwitz.org is the most economical option, especially if you combine it with a trip by public bus or rental car, but it does require a bit more organization. Finally, the private guide option is more suitable for small groups or for people who want to be able to ask many questions and adjust the pace of the visit, for example families with teenagers or for a study project.
2. Booking an excursion with transportation from Krakow
The simplest way to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow is still to book an excursion that includes transportation, ticket, and guided tour.
What an organized excursion includes
In practical terms, excursions to Auschwitz from Krakow generally include:
- Pickup in Krakow (at your hotel or from a central meeting point),
- Round-trip transportation,
- Entry to the site,
- Guided tour with an accredited guide (available in English).
The process is very well organized: you are accompanied throughout the trip, the schedules are coordinated with the time slots reserved on the official website, and you don't have to worry about the shuttle between Auschwitz I and Birkenau, which is included in the itinerary.
Since March 2026, all visits to the museum must be registered in the museum's centralized reservation system. Even if you go through an agency, your ticket is an official ticket, booked via this platform. You therefore have no additional steps to take on visit.auschwitz.org when you book an organized excursion.
How to choose a reliable agency for Auschwitz?
To book this type of package, you can use platforms like GetYourGuide, which bring together different local agencies and make it easier to compare reviews, prices, and cancellation policies. It's also a good way to filter for excursions that offer a guide available in English. In the past, the museum has reported certain abusive practices (schedules changed at the last minute, very early departures imposed, etc.). Choose well-established excursions and check recent reviews before booking.
- Excursion with Krakow Booking (offered in English, with or without transportation).
- Excursion with Poland Explore (pickup in Krakow).
- Excursion with Royal Cracow (English-speaking guide, central departure).
These offers include your Auschwitz Krakow ticket (entry + guide) with pickup at your hotel or in the city center.
What type of traveler is this option suitable for?
This format works particularly well if you have very little time in Krakow, if you don't feel like juggling trains and buses, or if you're traveling as a couple, with friends, or with teenagers who prefer a clear structure. If you like having smooth, hassle-free support, this is generally the most comfortable option.
3. Booking your tickets on the official Auschwitz website
If you prefer to book directly, go to Visit Auschwitz. This option is economical, but you will need to:
- Arrange your own transportation to the camp (train, bus, or car),
- Choose the right time slot,
- Book in advance (slots open 3 months ahead of time),
- Navigate a website that is sometimes not very intuitive.
Since March 2026, it is no longer possible to buy a ticket on site. All admissions (guided tours as well as unguided entries) must be booked online via the official website visit.auschwitz.org. This measure is intended to improve visit planning and eliminate lines at the museum entrance.
Types of tickets available
- General tour 3.5 h (offered in English): standard guided tour.
- One-day study tour 6 h (in English): in-depth tour for history enthusiasts.
- Entry without a guide: be aware that time slots are rare, the signs on site are in English and Polish.
Step-by-step procedure to book a visit to Auschwitz on the official website
- Go to Visit Auschwitz and, if needed, switch the site to English by clicking on the flag at the top right.
- Click on "Next" next to the line "Visit for individuals".
- Complete the captcha by ticking the box and clicking on "Send".
- Choose a date for your visit.
- Choose the type of visit you want:
>> "General tour 3,5 h" in English for the standard 3.5-hour tour that includes Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau;
>> "One-day study tour 6 h" in English ("English") for an in-depth study tour.
Click on "Next".
- Indicate the number of tickets you want at full price (Guided service for individuals for guided tours +GTS) or at the reduced rate (Reduced guided service for individuals for guided tours+GTS). The reduced rate applies to young people under 26, seniors over 75, and people with disabilities.
- Enter the name of the visitor(s) and then click on "Next". It is not possible to modify the names on the booking afterwards.
- You have 30 minutes to finalize the booking, either without creating an account ("Buy without signing up") or by registering on the museum's website. You must enter your contact details, accept the terms and conditions of sale, and then pay. The tickets are automatically sent to the e-mail address you provided.
How far in advance should you book on the official website?
Time slots for individual visits are generally released about 3 months before the visit date. English-language time slots usually offer a bit more flexibility than languages such as French, simply because more slots are generally available. Even so, it is still best to book ahead, especially during school holidays, on weekends, and from May to September.
If you absolutely want a guided tour in English, it is advisable to keep an eye on when bookings open and to book as soon as your preferred dates appear.
4. Booking a private English-speaking guide
If you would like a more intimate experience, or to visit in a small group, it is possible to book a private guide (including in English).
You can book an accredited private guide for Auschwitz-Birkenau if you would like a more intimate visit, in a small group and tailored to your specific needs.
When should you choose a private guide?
This option is particularly worthwhile if you are traveling as a family, with a group of friends, or as part of a specific project (school group, association, remembrance work). A private English-speaking guide can adapt their explanations to the age of the participants, their level of historical knowledge, or the questions that arise during the visit.
Some travelers also appreciate the possibility of allowing more time for silence or reflection at certain moments, without the faster pace of a large group.
How to contact the museum for a private guide
To book a private guide, the museum recommends sending a request by email to: reservation.office@auschwitz.org. In your message, it is helpful to specify:
- The desired date or time frame for your visit.
- The size of your group and your preferred language (for example, "English").
- The type of visit you are considering (standard 3h30 visit or 6h study visit).
- Optionally, the profile of your group (students, adults, family, etc.).
For this type of service, you should plan at least one month in advance.
Duration and prices of private visits
There are two main options for private guides: the standard visit of about 3h30 and the study visit of about 6h. Current prices are listed in this official PDF document published by the museum.
Prices are given in zloty (PLN) and may change over time, but the document is a reliable reference for estimating your budget. In addition, you will of course need to factor in the cost of transportation from Krakow if you do not have your own vehicle on-site.
5. Prices of guided tours in 2026
Guided tours of Auschwitz-Birkenau are still generally affordable, but prices have changed in recent years and vary depending on the duration and type of visit.
- Classic guided tour of 3h30: ➤ 110 PLN (about 26 €) full price ➤ 100 PLN (about 24 €) reduced price
- 6h study visit: ➤ 150 PLN (about 36 €) full price ➤ 130 PLN (about 31 €) reduced price
These prices apply only to the guided tour on-site. If you book through an organized excursion from Krakow, the price will be higher because it will include round-trip transportation, logistical coordination and, in some cases, additional services (hotel pickup, English-speaking escort from Krakow, etc.).
Arrival time and security checks
Whichever type of visit you choose, it is important to arrive at least 30 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket.
This gives you time to go through the security checks at the entrance, possibly leave items in the cloakroom (if you are carrying a large bag, for example), and reach your group's meeting point. It is better to allow a generous margin than to arrive late and risk losing your time slot, especially if you are coming by public transportation.
6. Combined Auschwitz + Wieliczka Salt Mine tours
Some agencies offer a full-day excursion that includes:
- Auschwitz in the morning and the salt mines in the afternoon (or the other way around),
- Transportation, tickets, and guides included.
Should you combine Auschwitz and Wieliczka on the same day?
The main drawback of these combined tours is their intensity. The visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is emotionally heavy, especially if you are sensitive to history or personally affected by what happened in the camps. Adding to that the visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a long and physically demanding tour (stairs, tunnels, underground galleries), can make the day exhausting.
Some people prefer to separate the two experiences over two different days, while others appreciate being able to "come up for air" a bit by ending the day in a less emotionally charged setting. There is no universally right answer, but it is helpful to keep in mind your own way of handling fatigue and emotion.
- Auschwitz + Wieliczka excursion (Krakow Tours) — Structured day with transportation, tickets, and guided tours included.
- Combined tour with pickup in Krakow (KrakowTouring.com) — Convenient if you want to be picked up at your accommodation.
Traveler's Memo for Booking Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow
Here are the answers to the most common questions about booking a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, to help you finalize your plans with peace of mind.
If this article helped you better understand the different options for booking your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, feel free to share it with others. You can also ask your questions in the comments: I do my best to reply so that everyone can prepare for this moment with as much peace of mind as possible.
