KRAKÓW TO AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU · A VISIT OF REMEMBRANCE

Auschwitz-Birkenau. Time to understand and remember.

Private transport arranged around your Memorial admission, with time for a considered visit and an unhurried return.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau gatehouse and railway tracks

YOUR DEFENDER 130Your route. Your time. Your private journey.

Suggested day7–8 hours

On your feetWalking across both sites

Best suited toHistory & remembrance

Private transportDefender 130

THE EXPERIENCE

A dedicated day of remembrance.

Auschwitz-Birkenau is the Memorial and Museum at the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. A visit calls for time, attention and respect. This page focuses on arranging the journey from Kraków and the practical timing around an official visit; the Memorial’s own educators provide historical interpretation.

Choose a dedicated Memorial visit or the extended Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka itinerary below. Both allow time for Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The day is planned around confirmed entry times; private road transport does not grant admission, bypass security or make the guided visit private.

WHAT MAKES THE JOURNEY

Places worth your time.

Auschwitz I

Allow the official visit to lead your understanding of the preserved buildings and exhibitions. Follow the Memorial’s visitor and photography instructions.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Plan time for the second site rather than assuming one stop covers the whole Memorial. Transfers between sites should follow the selected visit arrangements.

Time after the visit

Leave time for a pause after the Memorial. Return to Kraków on the standalone itinerary, or continue to Wieliczka after a meal break on the extended day.

A SUGGESTED ITINERARY

How your day could unfold.

An example around a 10:00 guided visit. Follow the time and entry point on the actual reservation.

Illustrative times from central Kraków, not a confirmed timetable. Traffic, weather, admission slots and your chosen pick-up point can change the plan.

08:00
Depart Kraków
Travel from your chosen address with a buffer before admission.
09:30
Arrival & security
Allow at least the arrival buffer requested by the Memorial.
10:00–13:30
Official visit
A standard guided visit covers Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
13:30–14:00
Pause & collection
Meet at the agreed point after the visit finishes.
14:00–16:00
Return to Kraków
Return timing depends on traffic and the actual visit finish.

EXTEND YOUR DAY / Around 12 hours

Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka in one day

A full day combining a visit to both parts of Auschwitz-Birkenau with the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tourist Route. Your private driver connects the two visits, with a meal break and time for admission checks between them.

St Kinga’s Chapel in Wieliczka Salt Mine — The Memorial at Birkenau and St Kinga’s Chapel in Wieliczka.

THE COMBINED ITINERARY

One private journey.
A fuller day.

Both timed visits must fit together before the transport schedule is confirmed. The sample below allows 3.5 hours at the Memorial and up to three hours underground. Visit order may change to match available tickets and guide languages; private transport does not include private guided admission.

Suggested times from central Kraków, subject to traffic, opening hours and confirmed admission. Another pick-up location can be arranged.

Prefer the shorter itinerary?Explore separately: Wieliczka Salt Mine

07:00
Private collection
An early departure from Kraków leaves time for the first admission. Collection elsewhere changes the schedule.
08:30–09:00
Arrival & security
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the Memorial visit and follow the entry-card instructions.
09:00–12:30
Auschwitz I & Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Allow the full scheduled visit with an official guide-educator, including movement between the two sites.
12:30–14:30
Meal break & transfer to Wieliczka
Pause after the visit, then travel to the mine. The meal stop and road allowance are adjusted together.
14:30–15:00
Mine arrival & meeting point
Check in for the confirmed language and admission slot. Follow your ticket’s arrival instructions.
15:00–18:00
Wieliczka Tourist Route
Explore the underground route with a guide. The visit usually takes two to three hours and includes many stairs.
18:00–19:00
Private return
Meet your driver after exiting the mine and return to the agreed address.

BEFORE YOU SET OFF

A well-planned visit.

Reserve entry first

The Memorial currently issues entry cards online. Reserve through the official system and provide the exact time and visit language when planning transport. Admission to the grounds is free; guide-educator services carry a fee.

Allow security time

The Memorial requests arrival at least 30 minutes before the visit. Check current identification, bag and visitor requirements directly before travel.

Prepare for the setting

There is indoor and outdoor walking, and the subject matter can be emotionally difficult. Read the Memorial’s preparation guidance when deciding whether the visit is appropriate for your party.

YOUR PRIVATE JOURNEY

Clear arrangements.

Request a private vehicle and driver for the agreed route, with collection and return planned around your party. Kraków is the main hub; another starting point can be requested.

See the Defender and passenger space

Agree separately

Attraction admission, guides, meals, optional activities and parking arrangements must be itemised in the confirmed plan. A private vehicle does not mean private access to attractions.

Tell us the number of guests, bags, child-seat needs and your travel date. Seating and luggage capacity are checked together. Availability and the final itinerary are confirmed before travel.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Your questions, answered.

Is the guide private because the car is private?

No. Your transport and Memorial reservation are separate. A private guided visit must be specifically reserved and confirmed.

Can you guarantee an entry time?

No admission guarantee is made on this page. Confirm the official reservation before fixing your transport itinerary.

Can the journey start outside Kraków?

Yes. Share your address and the confirmed visit time so a suitable departure can be considered. The sample timings here assume central Kraków.

Can I combine these visits in one day?

Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka in one day: yes. Allow around 12 hours from Kraków. Keep the standalone itinerary for a shorter trip, or choose the extended schedule on this page. Admission and final timings are confirmed separately.

Official visitor information

Check the operator before choosing admission or activities. Information reviewed 3 October 2026; opening times and access can change.

YOUR NEXT JOURNEY