15 Best Auschwitz Tours From Krakow & Warsaw for 2024

To turn your trip to Poland into an experience of a lifetime, you should definitely take one of the best Auschwitz tours. Here, every stone carries a heavy reminder of the horrible old days.

Of course, you should also take some time to enjoy Krakow’s old town, the Krakow nightlife, and the places to eat delicious Polish food. However, visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps is another tour that you shouldn’t skip.

The best way to get to know a country is through its history, and what happened in Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp during the Second World War stretches far beyond the Polish borders.

In this complete guide, I’ve hand-picked 15 Auschwitz tours from Warsaw and Krakow so that you don’t need to compare all of them – These are all different day trips, and not one is the same. Let’s get right into it.

Best Auschwitz Tours from Krakow and Warsaw – Overview

I understand you may not have the time to go through the whole guide, so here below you’ll find the best-rated tour to Auschwitz from Krakow.

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Why It’s Better to Take a Full-Day Tour to Auschwitz

You can visit Auschwitz on your own but it’s better to join a tour. To this day, Auschwitz is synonymous with all camps in Poland.

The persecution of Jews was one of the worst parts of World War II. If you want to see the off-the-beaten path of the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camps and know the history in detail you should take a tour of the Auschwitz site.

A professional guide will paint a picture of camp life in colors you wouldn’t see on your own. They’ll also point out details and facts you shouldn’t miss.

Auschwitz needs to be heard in full and the best way to do it is to take an Auschwitz Birkenau tour. Guides also provide some of the best concentration camp tours which is better than visiting the site alone.

Finally, after your visit to Auschwitz I and Birkenau many Krakow tours will take you to the Wieliczka salt mine which is another big attraction around Krakow.

How Long Does a Tour of Auschwitz Take?

Auschwitz and Birkenau State Museum are open to visitors, and you’ll get to roam around learning about history. The duration of a visit is determined by the sites you’ll visit inside and how much you want to take in the dramatic feeling.

As a general rule of thumb, these best Krakow Auschwitz tours last at least 7 hours, including the visit of the Auschwitz Birkenau and the camps, as well as transportation.

However, when booking a concentration camp tour with a visit of Krakow or Warsaw, they can last up to 16 hours, which provides a much richer experience.

How Long Does it Take to Visit Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial?

The actual visit of the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex takes anywhere between 2 and 4 hours, and I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

It’s recommended to plan for at least two hours, as this will give you enough time to explore the museum and take part in the virtual tour of the site.

The virtual tour offers more than 200 high-quality panoramic photographs, which present the site of the former camp.

You can also visit the barracks, ruins of the chambers, crematoria and the International Monument to the Holocaust Victims at Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp.

15 Tours to Auschwitz From Krakow and Warsaw

Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s discuss the various tours from Warsaw and Krakow to Auschwitz, with different inclusions and I’ll cover both group and private tours.

Let’s start, these are the best Poland concentration camps tours.

1. Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour from Krakow

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5
✔️ Reviews: 13,000+
🕗 Duration: 8 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

One day deeply moving and educational trip from Krakow to the Auschwitz-Birkenau prison camps is this 8-hour tour. Led by a professional guide you will learn about the history of the Holocaust.

Spend 3.5 hours visiting both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau where millions suffered and died. Walk through the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, see the preserved barracks, and learn about the history of the site.

Pickup options and multilingual guides for flexibility and a full experience of this somber piece of history. And if you’re on a budget or traveling in a big group you’ll love that prices are affordable, which is a bonus.

The catch? This is one of the most popular tours to Auschwitz from Krakow and it always sells out so book now.

2. From Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Full-Day Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 14,000+
🕗 Duration: 7 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

Learn about the history of the biggest former Nazi concentration camps of World War II on this 7-hour best Krakow Auschwitz tour. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Krakow and then taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial where a guide will meet you.

If you’re in Krakow this is one of the best tours to Auschwitz to visit the camps.

You will walk from the unloading railway platforms to the gas chambers and barracks where the prisoners’ personal belongings are still kept.

Walking through Auschwitz II Birkenau you’ll see everything that will remind you that you’re in a place that was feared by people.

It’s not fiction but a real-life torture chamber in the open air. It’s scary but necessary to get into history. In the end, it’s an excellent Auschwitz tour from Krakow you can take.

3. Private Krakow and Auschwitz Day Trip From Warsaw

⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
✔️ Reviews: 50+
🕗 Duration: 17 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is an intense and emotional experience and the best way to do it is with a professional guide.

This Auschwitz tour from Krakow gives you a private experience to learn more about this sad history in a safe way.

On this private Auschwitz tour, you will be guided by a professional who will give you insight into the history of the former camps. Your guide will take you through the barracks, prison cells, and exhibitions of Auschwitz-Birkenau and explain the significance of each site.

Private Auschwitz tours are also perfect for those who want to go at their own pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by big groups.

And since you’re not part of a group, you can take as much time as you need to see everything of Auschwitz-Birkenau without worrying about other people’s schedules or opinions.

After visiting Auschwitz Birkenau and seeing everything you want to see you will head to Krakow for a private visit and then back to Warsaw in a private car.

4. Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine Guided Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
✔️ Reviews: 4,000+
🕗 Duration: 11 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about World War II. And this Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine Tour gives you a deep insight into one of the most important historical sites in Europe.

This full-day tour includes visits to Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

The tour starts with Auschwitz I where you will see the permanent exhibitions and buildings used during World War II.

Then you will be taken to Auschwitz Birkenau state museum grounds, the biggest camp established by Nazi Germany during the war.

With this tour operator, you will learn more about the atrocities that happened during that time. After that, you will be taken to Wieliczka Salt Mine where you will see the underground tunnels and chambers on a guided tour.

This Auschwitz concentration camp tour is for those who want to get into one of the darkest periods of human history. It’s also great for those who want to experience education with sightseeing.

This is the best Auschwitz Museum guided tour if you’re in or around Krakow so book now – tickets sell out fast!

5. From Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 10,000+
🕗 Duration: 7.5 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

This day trip from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a deeply moving experience where you’ll learn about the Holocaust.

The official guided tour of the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum will take you through the largest Nazi camp. You’ll see Nazi cruelty at its worst, the “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, and hear about the camp’s operation and the conditions of the prisoners.

The small group tour includes visits to the original barracks and chambers. A must-see. And last but not least the guide is very knowledgeable and that’s great when you have limited time on site.

6. Affordable & Shared Auschwitz Trip

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 1,000+
🕗 Duration: 7 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

On this Auschwitz tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will visit the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, learn about its history and visit the prisoner barracks and unloading bay.

You will have priority access to the sites and an official guided tour with headsets. Bottled water and entrance tickets are included in the price.

Transport from Krakow’s Old Town is also included. You can buy a lunchbox from the English-speaking driver for an extra charge.

This Auschwitz-Birkenau Best Value Shared Tour is an unmissable experience to learn more about one of Europe’s darkest periods. Don’t miss this chance to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in-depth, one of the top things to do in Poland.

7. Day Tour from Krakow to Auschwitz & Wieliczka

⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
✔️ Reviews: 1,000+
🕗 Duration: 11 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

Looking for Auschwitz guided tours from Krakow? This trip will give you a deeper understanding of what happened in Poland during the Second World War.

See the best of Poland in one day on this official guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow.

This 11-hour Auschwitz tour starts with a hotel pickup in central Krakow, then you will be driven by a comfortable shuttle bus to Auschwitz-Birkenau where you will spend about 2 hours at the camp.

Then you will have lunch and visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine for a 2-2.5 hour sightseeing tour. This package includes entrance tickets, guided tours, and door-to-door transfers from/to central Krakow hotels.

Visit the memorials at Auschwitz before going underground to the Wieliczka Salt Mine – an engineering and art masterpiece.

8. Auschwitz & Salt Mine from Krakow With Lunch

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 2,000+
🕗 Duration: 10 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine in Krakow are a must-see for anyone interested in World War II and its impact on Poland.

With this Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine from Krakow tour, you will visit both sites with a guide and watch a documentary about the concentration camp.

The Auschwitz tour starts with a hotel pickup in Krakow, then a bus transfer to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Here, your guide will explain in detail the history of the site and its importance during World War II. You will have time to take photos and wander on your own.

Then you will go to Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the oldest salt mines in Europe. Here you will learn about the mining process and see some of the amazing salt sculptures inside.

Note: This is one of the most popular Krakow to Auschwitz tours, so book early.

9. Concentration Camps Tour from Krakow With Licensed Guide

⭐ Rating: 4/5
✔️ Reviews: 1,000+
🕗 Duration: 7 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

See the history of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust with our full-day tour from Krakow. This tour includes visits to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau camps and a guided tour.

You will be accompanied by a licensed guide who will explain in detail the history of the camp and its importance during the war.

The tour starts with a hotel pickup in Krakow, then a bus transfer to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

Upon arrival, your licensed guide will take you through the barracks, watchtowers, gas chambers, and crematoriums of both camps. You will hear about the Holocaust and narratives from former prisoners.

You will also see museum exhibits and witness memorials which are a reminder of what happened here.

The tour is 7 hours long and includes transportation from Krakow which is very convenient.

10. Auschwitz and Birkenau Fully Guided Tour

⭐ Rating: 4/5
✔️ Reviews: 2,000+
🕗 Duration: 7 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

The Auschwitz and Birkenau Fully Guided Tour from Krakow is a serious but worthwhile experience, a full visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This tour with a sensitive and knowledgeable guide covers both camps and will give you a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in history.

Learn about the awful conditions, medical experiments, and gas chambers where over a million people died during the war.

The tour includes round-trip transportation from Krakow, entrance fees, and headsets so you can hear the guide clearly. A respectful and educational way to pay homage to those who suffered in these camps.

11. One-Day Guided Auschwitz Birkenau Tour With Transfers

⭐ Rating: 5/5
✔️ Reviews: 300+
🕗 Duration: 7 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

A visit to Auschwitz Museum is a heavy experience but one not to be missed.

With a 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau tour with hotel pick-up, you can visit the former camp where so many lost their lives during Nazi-occupied Poland.

This includes pick up from your hotel, entrance, and a guided tour of the museum. By visiting Auschwitz Birkenau with a guide you will get a deeper understanding of the history and what happened at the site.

You also avoid the long queues as entry tickets and a guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau are included in this package.

Plus you will have access to headphones rental so you can hear your guide clearly as they commentate throughout your tour.

12. All-Inclusive Auschwitz and Salt Mine Tour

⭐ Rating: 5/5
✔️ Reviews: 300+
🕗 Duration: 11 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

This all-inclusive day trip to Auschwitz and Salt Mine offers a comprehensive experience, combining visits to two of Krakow’s most significant sites.

Enjoy the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off, and skip the long lines with included admission tickets. Engaging English-speaking guides provide valuable insights at both the Auschwitz museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a big plus.

What I particularly like about this group tour is the headphones, which help you hear your tour guide at all times and you won’t miss anything, even the smallest details.

Plus, it’s a relatively inexpensive group tour, given everything you get.

This tour is an efficient way to explore both the somber history of the former concentration camp and the fascinating depths of the salt mine in just one day.

13. Auschwitz Tour + Wieliczka Salt Mine

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 700+
🕗 Duration: 12 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: Viator

This 12-hour tour to both the concentration camps and Wieliczka Salt Mine is a comprehensive experience combining two of the most notable landmarks in Poland.

You can visit Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine in one day or over two days, which is a great option if you don’t want to do both in one day.

The tour includes visit to the former Nazi concentration camp complex where you will learn about its history and see the barracks and the “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate.

The second part of the tour will take you to the Wieliczka Salt Mine to see the underground tunnels and salt formations.

700+ reviews so you know you will get what you pay for. And a good experience despite the heavy experience of Auschwitz.

14. From Warsaw: One-Day Auschwitz Concentration Camp Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5
✔️ Reviews: 20+
🕗 Duration: 14 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

If you are in Warsaw and want to take an Auschwitz tour, then look no further than this 14-hour day trip. You will take a 2,5 hours train journey from Warsaw to Krakow (included in the price) and then head to Auschwitz II Birkenau.

You will visit Auschwitz Birkenau Museum and your guide will tell you the story of the largest concentration camp of the World War and explain the crimes against humanity.

If you are in Poland’s capital, this is one of the best Auschwitz tours from Warsaw.

You will be taken to the gas chambers and the dead cells where the Nazis planned to eradicate the Jews. Moreover, the heavy atmosphere that has been there for over 70 years will only add to this uncomfortable but important experience.

After that, you will get back to Krakow, where you will explore the city center and then take the train back to Warsaw Old Town. In short, this is one best Auschwitz tour to come from Warsaw but also to see the Polish countryside during your trip.

15. Full Day Trip From Warsaw to Krakow & Auschwitz

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
✔️ Reviews: 10+
🕗 Duration: 15 Hours
🚐 Where to Book: GetYourGuide

If you want to mix leisure with history this is one of the best full-day Auschwitz tours. Visit Krakow and spend the afternoon in the largest complex.

You will explore the most interesting parts of Krakow. From walking the coronation path to the Royal Castle to shopping at the Main Square and visiting Kazimierz, Krakow’s Jewish quarter. Then you will head to Auschwitz II Birkenau.

Your guide will tell you about the horrors that happened every day behind the main gate. It’s definitely different from walking around Krakow.

However, a trip to the past is good for the present. After 15 hours you will get on the train back to Warsaw.

In short, this is the best guided tour to visit Krakow and Auschwitz.

Conclusion – Auschwitz Tours from Warsaw and Krakow

In short, these are the best Auschwitz tours from Krakow, Warsaw, and wherever you are in Poland.

From the sad stories to the countryside from the train, you will have a unique experience, despite the Auschwitz day tours being pretty sobering.

Of course, these tours from Warsaw to Auschwitz are heavy to take in and you should be mentally prepared for it, but overall it’s one of the places you can’t miss when visiting Poland.

Thank you for reading until the end and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about these Auschwitz tours from Krakow.