Planning a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum can be a deeply impactful experience. While guided tours offer valuable insights, exploring the site independently provides a different perspective. This guide provides essential information on How To Visit Auschwitz Without A Guide, ensuring a respectful and informative visit.
Essential Pre-Visit Information
Regardless of whether you choose to visit with or without a guide, advance booking of a personalized entry pass is mandatory. This applies to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. You can make reservations online at visit.auschwitz.org or, subject to availability, at the on-site cashier. Due to high demand and limited availability, booking in advance is highly recommended. It’s also advisable to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time. Remember to leave any large luggage in your vehicle as it is not permitted inside the museum. Familiarize yourself with the rules of visiting and the opening hours before your arrival.
Visiting Auschwitz Without a Guide: Timings and Availability
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau without a guide is possible during specific hours, contingent on the availability of free entry passes. These passes can be downloaded from the tour booking system. The times for independent visits vary depending on the month:
- January, November: From 1:00 PM
- February: From 2:00 PM
- March, October: From 3:00 PM
- April, May, September: From 4:00 PM
- June – August: From 4:00 PM
- December: From 12:00 PM
During the earlier part of the day for each month, entrance is only possible with a guide-educator. This schedule is designed to manage visitor flow and ensure a respectful environment.
Map of Auschwitz I
Visiting With a Guide-Educator: Scheduled Tours
If you prefer a guided experience, tours are available in various languages. Here’s a sample of the language tour schedule; for a comprehensive and up-to-date list, consult visit.auschwitz.org.
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January:
- Polish: 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (hourly)
- French: 11:45 AM
- German: 10:15 AM
- Italian: 11:15 AM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM
- Russian: 9:45 AM
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February:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (hourly)
- French: 11:15 AM
- German: 10:45 AM
- Italian: 11:45 AM
- Spanish: 12:15 PM
- Russian: 10:15 AM
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March:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (hourly)
- French: 9:45 AM, 1:45 PM
- German: 9:45 AM, 2:15 PM
- Italian: 9:15 AM, 1:15 PM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM, 2:45 PM
- Russian: 11:45 AM
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April / May / June:
- Polish: 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM (every 30 minutes)
- English: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (every 30 minutes)
- French: 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:15 PM
- German: 9:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:45 PM
- Italian: 11:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:45 PM
- Russian: 9:15 AM, 11:45 AM, 3:15 PM
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July / August:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 8:45 AM, 9:15 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM (every 15 minutes), 4:15 PM, 4:45 PM
- English: 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (every 15 minutes), 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM
- Czech: 10:45 AM, 2:15 PM
- Slovak: 9:45 AM, 1:45 PM
- Russian: 9:15 AM, 11:45 AM, 3:15 PM
- French: 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM
- German: 9:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:45 PM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:45 PM
- Italian: 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM
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September:
- Polish: 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM (every 30 minutes)
- English: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (every 30 minutes)
- Russian: 9:15 AM, 11:45 AM, 3:15 PM
- French: 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM
- German: 9:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:45 PM
- Spanish: 9:45 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:45 PM
- Italian: 10:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:15 PM
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October:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (hourly)
- Russian: 11:45 AM
- French: 10:15 AM, 1:45 PM
- German: 9:45 AM, 2:15 PM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM, 2:45 PM
- Italian: 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM
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November:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (hourly)
- French: 11:45 AM
- German: 10:45 AM
- Italian: 11:15 AM
- Spanish: 12:15 PM
- Russian: 10:15 AM
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December:
- Polish: 8:15 AM, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (hourly)
- English: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM (hourly)
- French: 11:45 AM
- German: 10:15 AM
- Italian: 11:15 AM
- Spanish: 10:45 AM
- Russian: 9:45 AM
Booking a tour can be done at visit.auschwitz.org, where you can also find information regarding available dates and entry pass prices.
Barracks at Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Additional Information for Your Visit
A standard tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours and commences at Auschwitz I. The tour price includes entry to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau with a guide-educator and a headset rental. The museum provides a shuttle bus for transportation between the two sites for individual visitors on guided tours, adhering to Polish public transport security procedures. Ticket sales for language tours end 5 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start. Discounted entry passes are available for students (up to 26 years old), seniors (over 75 years old), and disabled individuals upon presentation of valid identification. During peak seasons, there may be temporary restrictions on group tour availability.
Study Tours
For those seeking a more in-depth experience, study tours are conducted daily, lasting approximately 6 hours. These tours are available in Polish (9:00 AM), German (9:15 AM), and English (9:30 AM).
Planning Your Visit: Guided or Independent?
Deciding whether to visit Auschwitz with or without a guide depends on your personal preferences and learning style. A guided tour provides structured information and historical context, while an independent visit allows for personal reflection and exploration at your own pace. Regardless of your choice, remember to book your entry pass in advance and approach the site with respect and reverence.
