Visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is one of the most powerful and meaningful experiences during a stay in Krakow. However, not all tours are created equal. Every year, thousands of travelers face unnecessary stress, confusion, and disappointment — all because they booked a tour without understanding how Auschwitz entry and guiding really work.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure your visit is smooth, respectful, and truly meaningful — and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
1. Not all tours guarantee entry
Many tour listings on popular platforms seem to offer a complete package — transportation, tickets, and guide. But read the small print carefully.
Problem: Some operators do not pre-book tickets or guides at Auschwitz. They might only sell transport and hope to buy tickets on arrival.
Result: You may face:
- Long queues at the entrance.
- No guided tour available.
- Last-minute cancellations.
- Or worst of all — no entry at all, especially during peak season.
2. Guided tours must be reserved in advance
Access to the Auschwitz Museum (Auschwitz I) and the memorial site at Birkenau is strictly controlled.
If you want a guided tour — and most visitors do — you must have a timed-entry ticket with an official museum guide.
These tickets are limited and sell out days or even weeks in advance.
You cannot count on buying them on-site, especially from April to October.
3. „Transportation only” = risky option
Some tours only provide round-trip transportation, and that’s all. They may not:
- Include a museum ticket.
- Guarantee a guided visit.
- Clarify this clearly during booking.
- You might be dropped off and left to queue, or sent away if no tickets are available.
What we offer: guaranteed, stress-free experience
At TripMaster Kraków, we believe such an important visit deserves proper preparation and respect.
That’s why we ONLY offer Auschwitz-Birkenau tours with guaranteed, pre-booked entry tickets and licensed museum guides. Every tour includes:
- Reserved time slot for both Auschwitz I and Birkenau
- Guided tour with an official museum educator
- Comfortable shared transportation from Krakow
- English-speaking driver or tour leader
- No queuing, no surprises — just a respectful and smooth visit
We make sure all logistics are handled in advance so you can focus fully on the experience.
Questions to ask before booking any Auschwitz-Birkenau tour:
Before you confirm your booking, ask the provider:
- Is the museum entry ticket included and pre-booked?
- Is a licensed museum guide included?
- Will I have to stand in line or try to buy tickets on arrival?
- Is the tour guaranteed even in high season?
If the answer isn’t 100% clear — it is better to walk away.
Don’t wait too long to book
Guided tours at Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum are limited daily by the museum’s capacity. To secure your place book as early as possible (ideally 2+ weeks ahead in peak season).
Avoid relying on last-minute options, especially on weekends or holidays.
