The Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour offers a unique and powerful experience for those seeking to learn about one of history’s most tragic events. Participants embark on a 7-hour journey, including a 1.5-hour transfer from Krakow, to explore the memorial sites of Auschwitz I and II-Birkenau. Guided by licensed experts, the tour provides insightful commentary and the use of headsets, ensuring an immersive and educational experience. With optional lunch catering available, this tour caters to a range of dietary preferences. However, the true significance of this tour lies in its ability to profoundly impact visitors, as they confront the weight of the past and reflect on its lasting implications.
Key Points
- The tour offers a 7-hour guided experience to visit both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camps from Krakow.
- The tour price is €91.06 per person and includes pickup, transfers, entry tickets, licensed guide, headsets, and optional lunch.
- The tour has security requirements such as providing full names and valid ID, as well as restrictions on mobility, pets, weapons, and alcohol.
- The tour includes a 1.5-hour transfer from Krakow, a 2-hour guided tour of Auschwitz I, and a 1.5-hour tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
- The tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with positive feedback on organization, punctuality, and professionalism, but some issues with seating and return logistics.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour from Krakow is priced at €91.06 per person and lasts for 7 hours, with the option to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can choose the ‘reserve now & pay later’ option.
The tour includes pickup from selected locations in Krakow, transfers to and from the memorial site, entry tickets, a licensed guide, headsets for the guided tour, a digital info book, and optional lunch.
Visitors must provide full names and valid ID at the time of booking, as security checks similar to airport procedures are in place. The tour isn’t suitable for those with mobility impairments, and certain items like pets, weapons, and alcohol are prohibited.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Memorial And Museum Auschwitz Birkenau.
Itinerary and Experience
Pickup from selected locations in Krakow, including Aparthotel Lwowska 1, Starowiślna 65, Józefa Dietla 97, Wielopole 2, and Pawia 18, kicks off the 7-hour tour.
Next, you’ll be transported to Auschwitz, which takes around 1.5 hours.
Once there, you’ll embark on a guided tour of Auschwitz I for 2 hours, followed by a 10-minute transfer to Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Your guide will then lead you through a 1.5-hour tour of the Birkenau site.
Finally, you’ll head back to Krakow, arriving after a 1.5-hour journey.
Throughout the experience, you’ll have the benefit of headsets for the guided tours and an informative digital book in English.
Included Services
This Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour includes an array of valuable services to enhance the experience.
Visitors receive hotel pickup (if selected), entry tickets to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, as well as the services of a licensed guide who’ll provide commentary through provided headsets.
Plus, participants are given a digital information book in English and an e-book for each person.
Guests can also opt for an included lunch box with ham, vegetarian, or vegan options.
These comprehensive inclusions ensure a smooth, informative, and memorable tour of the historic Auschwitz-Birkenau sites.
Visitor Information
Participants must provide the full names of all attendees at the time of booking. Valid identification is required for entry, and security checks similar to airport procedures are in place.
The tour isn’t suitable for individuals with significant mobility impairments, and visitors aren’t permitted to bring pets, weapons, oversized luggage, alcohol, or drugs.
Visitors should be prepared for a somber and thought-provoking experience. The tour covers sensitive historical events, so discretion and respect are essential.
While the guides strive to provide an informative and poignant experience, some visitors have noted challenges with seating arrangements and return logistics.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyCustomer Reviews and Ratings
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 37 reviews, indicating a generally positive reception from customers.
The tour’s guides received a 3 out of 5 rating, while the transportation and value for money were rated higher at 4.5 out of 5.
Customers praised the organization, punctuality, and professionalism of the guides, as well as the convenience of the tour.
However, some noted issues with seating arrangements and return logistics.
Pickup Locations
Pickup from selected locations in Krakow provides convenient access to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour, with participants able to board the tour bus at one of five designated spots around the city.
These pickup points include:
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Aparthotel Lwowska 1
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Starowiślna 65
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Józefa Dietla 97
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Wielopole 2
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Pawia 18
This flexibility ensures that travelers can easily join the tour regardless of their starting point in Krakow.
The pickup and drop-off service adds to the overall convenience of the tour, allowing participants to focus on the powerful and emotional experience of visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.
Transfer to Auschwitz
After being picked up from their designated locations in Krakow, the tour group embarks on the 1.5-hour transfer to the Auschwitz site. During the journey, they’ll have the opportunity to take in the Polish countryside, passing through small towns and villages along the way. The transfer is included in the tour package, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.
Once they reach the Auschwitz Memorial, the group will be met by a licensed guide who’ll lead them through the somber and profound experience of exploring this historic site. The transfer sets the stage for a deeply impactful and educational visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Guided Tours
Upon arrival at the Auschwitz Memorial, the group is met by a licensed guide who leads them through the guided tours of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
During the tour, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the historical significance and horrors of the Nazi concentration camp. The guide provides:
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Insightful commentary on the key sites and exhibits within Auschwitz I, including the infamous gatehouse and gas chambers.
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An in-depth exploration of the vast scale and layout of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the atrocities committed there.
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Thought-provoking discussions that encourage visitors to reflect on the lessons of the past and the importance of remembrance and human rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Bring Any Specific Documentation?
Visitors must provide a valid ID for entry and have their full names registered at booking. Security checks similar to airports are mandatory, so guests shouldn’t bring prohibited items like weapons or oversized luggage.
Is the Tour Suitable for Children?
The tour may not be suitable for children, as it covers sensitive historical events. Visitors with mobility impairments are also advised against joining the tour. It’s best to consider the child’s age and maturity level before booking.
Can I Take Photos During the Tour?
Photography is generally permitted at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, but visitors should be respectful and avoid disturbing the somber atmosphere. Some areas may have restrictions, so it’s best to follow the guidelines provided by the tour guides.
Are There Any Restrictions on Personal Belongings?
Visitors to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial are not allowed to bring certain personal items, such as pets, weapons, oversized luggage, alcohol, or drugs. Security checks are conducted, similar to airport procedures, to ensure compliance with these restrictions.
Are There Any COVID-19 Protocols in Place?
The tour follows COVID-19 protocols, including mandatory mask-wearing, temperature checks, and reduced group sizes. Visitors must provide contact information for contact tracing. Strict sanitization measures are in place throughout the tour.
Recap
The Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Tour provides a profound and educational experience, allowing visitors to respectfully remember the historical events that occurred at these sites.
With convenient transportation, guided tours, and optional meal choices, this tour offers a comprehensive and impactful way to explore the memorials.
Its high ratings and customer reviews further demonstrate the tour’s value for those seeking to learn about and honor this significant part of history.
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