Why Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp complex, operating from 1940 to 1945. Over 1.1 million people were murdered here—approximately 1 million of them Jewish men, women, and children. This wasn't merely a prison; it functioned as an industrial-scale killing facility designed to implement the "Final Solution."

Reading about the Holocaust in the UK differs entirely from standing where it happened. Physical evidence—piles of human hair, children's shoes, suitcases with names painted on them—creates understanding that no book can replicate. In 2025, with antisemitism rising across Europe and Holocaust denial spreading online, bearing witness carries critical importance.

The site received UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1979 as a permanent reminder. Preservation efforts continue to maintain the physical evidence before it deteriorates beyond recognition.

Understanding the Camp Structure

Auschwitz I (Main Camp) served as the administrative centre. Here you'll see the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, prisoner barracks converted into exhibitions, and the first crematorium. Approximately 70,000 people died here.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau was the primary extermination site, built specifically for mass murder. The vast majority of victims died here in gas chambers disguised as shower rooms. Over 900,000 Jews were murdered immediately upon arrival.

Auschwitz III-Monowitz and dozens of sub-camps provided slave labour to German industrial companies.

Planning Your Journey from the UK

Travel Logistics

Getting from the UK to Auschwitz requires planning but remains straightforward. Regional airports including Birmingham, Manchester, and London hubs offer regular flights to Krakow John Paul II International Airport. Budget airlines operate direct flights taking approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Prices fluctuate between £50-150 return when booked several months ahead.

From Krakow, Auschwitz is approximately 70 kilometres west. Choose from three transport options:

• Organized tour with transport (most convenient)
• Public bus from Krakow bus station (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, £3-5)
• Private transfer or rental car (1 hour 15 minutes, £40-80)

Best visiting times: Summer (June-August) offers the best weather but brings overwhelming crowds—sometimes 2,000 visitors per day. Visit in April, May, September, or October for smaller crowds and appropriate weather. Avoid January-February unless you're comfortable with snow and freezing temperatures.

Budget approximately £300-500 per person for a 2-3 day trip including flights, accommodation, tours, and meals.

Accommodation Strategy

Stay in Krakow rather than Oświęcim (the town where Auschwitz is located). Krakow offers hundreds of accommodation options from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The city provides excellent restaurants, historical sites, and the emotional balance needed after visiting Auschwitz. Mid-range options in Krakow's Old Town or Kazimierz district: £50-100 per night. Book early for 2025, especially for high season visits.

Essential Pre-Visit Preparation

Booking requirements: You cannot simply show up at Auschwitz. The site requires advance booking, and tours fill up months ahead, especially from April to October. For 2025 visits, book at minimum 2-3 months before your intended visit date. Summer visits may require 4-6 months advance booking.

Check https://krakowdirect.com/auschwitz-tours/ for organized tour options that handle logistics including transport from Krakow, simplifying your planning considerably.

Mental preparation: Prepare yourself emotionally. This isn't a regular tourist attraction. You're going to see evidence of the systematic murder of over a million people, including approximately 232,000 children.

Read before you go:

• "Night" by Elie Wiesel
• "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
• "Auschwitz: A New History" by Laurence Rees

Watch these documentaries:

• "Night and Fog" (1956)
• "Shoah" (1985)
• "Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution" (2005)

What to pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 3-5 kilometres)
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Small bag only (30cm x 20cm x 10cm maximum)
• Water and tissues

The Auschwitz Tour Experience

Tour Options

Standard Guided Tours (3.5-4 hours): These cover Auschwitz I in detail and provide an overview of Birkenau. For most first-time visitors, this provides comprehensive coverage without overwhelming exhaustion. Cost: Approximately £50-70 per person including transport from Krakow.

Extended Study Tours (6-7 hours): These include both camps in depth, with time for reflection and more detailed historical context. Be aware that seven hours of bearing witness to genocide is emotionally and physically draining. Cost: £80-110 per person.

Private Tours: These offer flexibility and customized pacing but cost significantly more (£250-400 for a small group).

For self-guided options, explore https://krakowdirect.com/auschwitz-self-guided-tour/, though guided tours are strongly recommended for first-time visitors. Guides provide essential historical context that makes the experience far more meaningful.

What You'll See

At Auschwitz I, expect to see the "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, prisoner barracks housing national exhibitions, and Block 4 with evidence of extermination. Block 5 contains devastating material evidence—rooms filled with victims' belongings including thousands of shoes, human hair, suitcases, and personal items. Photography is prohibited in these rooms. You'll also visit Block 11 (the Death Block) and Crematorium I.

At Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the true scale becomes apparent. Walk through the iconic railway entrance where selections occurred. See the destroyed gas chambers and crematoria—ruins remaining after Nazis attempted to hide evidence. Visit remaining barracks showing horrific living conditions. Walk the vast grounds (Birkenau covered 175 hectares) to understand the camp's incomprehensible size.

Practical Information

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time for security screening. Security procedures resemble airport screening. Prohibited items include large bags, tripods, professional camera equipment, and food (except water in clear bottles).

Photography is generally permitted in outdoor areas and most buildings, but strictly prohibited in specific exhibitions (clearly marked). Consider the ethics—this is a cemetery where over a million people died. Document your visit respectfully, avoiding selfies and inappropriate poses.

Visitor Guidelines and Etiquette

Maintain respectful conduct throughout your visit. Speak quietly. Dress modestly in neutral colours. Stay with your tour group. Don't touch exhibits or structures unless specifically permitted.

Manage your emotional responses—crying, anger, or numbness are normal reactions. Tour guides are trained to support emotional visitors. Quiet areas exist where you can sit and process feelings. Take breaks when needed.

The experience doesn't end when you leave. Many visitors report strong emotions continuing for days or weeks. Talk about your experience with travel companions. Keep a journal. Consider speaking with a counsellor if the emotional impact becomes overwhelming.

Extending Your Visit: Krakow Context

Don't visit Auschwitz without exploring Krakow's Jewish history. Before the Holocaust, Krakow hosted a vibrant Jewish community dating back six centuries.

Visit Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, once the centre of Jewish life. Explore Schindler's Factory Museum, which documents life in Krakow during Nazi occupation (2-3 hours, book timed tickets in advance). See the Galicia Jewish Museum focusing on traces of Jewish culture through photography and exhibits.

Recommended itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in Krakow, explore the Old Town
• Day 2: Auschwitz tour (full day), quiet evening for processing
• Day 3: Explore Kazimierz and Schindler's Factory Museum
• Day 4: Additional Krakow exploration or return home

Don't rush Auschwitz between other activities. Give the experience the time and emotional space it demands.

Key Takeaways

Book your Auschwitz visit 2-3 months ahead minimum (4-6 months for summer). Choose organized tours from Krakow to simplify logistics. Allocate a full day for Auschwitz with no other activities. Stay at least 2 nights in Krakow to provide processing time. Prepare emotionally through reading and documentaries beforehand.

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau requires significant time, money, and emotional energy. Yet it stands as one of the most important journeys you can make. Standing where over a million people were murdered confronts you with humanity's capacity for evil and our responsibility to prevent its repetition.

Bear witness. Learn. Remember. Commit to ensuring that the lessons of Auschwitz guide us toward a more just and humane future. Start planning your visit today—this educational journey will change how you understand history and human responsibility.