How to visit Auschwitz from Kraków independently without a group tour

Although most people visit Auschwitz on a group tour, it’s easy to get the train and visit Auschwitz from Kraków independently.

This guide walks you step by step through the process: how to reserve your ticket, the exact train you’ll need, what to expect when you arrive, and the little details (like bag rules and water breaks).

We’ve done this journey independently using the official booking system, so everything here is current and tested. If you’re the type of traveller who prefers control, respects the history of the site, and doesn’t want to pay a tour company for something you can do yourself, this is for you. By the end you’ll know how to book, when to leave Kraków, and how to make your visit respectful and smooth.

At a glance

• The train is the easiest way to reach Auschwitz from Kraków. Trains run frequently from Kraków Główny and drop you in Oświęcim. From there it’s a straightforward 20-minute walk to the museum.
• Admission to the Memorial grounds is free, but you must reserve a personalised entry pass (time slots are limited). We recommend buying a guided tour.
• Guided tours cost (roughly) 120–130 PLN and include an educator and headset; these are paid and separate to the free entry pass.
• Allow 3-4 hours for a proper visit (90 minutes for Auschwitz and 90 minutes for Birkenau minimum). The museum recommends arriving 30 minutes before your slot.

Can I visit Auschwitz from Kraków independently?

Yes, you can absolutely visit Auschwitz independently, meaning you arrange your own transport and book your ticket directly with the museum.

The journey from Kraków is straightforward (see below for details).

Once there, the ticket your tour company will give you is the same as you would buy online. Tour operators don’t give you a guided tour themselves – the tour guides are employed by the Auschwitz museum and are the same as you would get if you bought a ticket direct online.

Can I visit without a guided tour?

Yes, you can enter Auschwitz without a guided tour – the free tickets allow independent entry without a guide or tour.

But we strongly recommend booking a guided tour: the site is big, with few signs or maps, and without a guide you’ll miss a lot of context. Without it, we don’t think you’d get nearly as much from your visit.

Free entries are still ticketed (and are in high demand, so book early).

How do I buy my ticket to Auschwitz?

The only place to buy your ticket is on the official museum website. This is true for the free tickets, and for paid guided tour tickets.

If you see another company offering tickets then they may be legitimate, but the tickets they are offering are the ones which are available to everyone from the official site – there are no special or extra tickets available to tour companies.

Tickets are released 90 days in advance and sell out quickly. If you don’t see availability, keep checking the booking site – new passes are often released throughout the day as tour companies cancel. We managed to grab a slot this way the day before our visit.

You’ll need to give the names of who the tickets are for when you book, which is checked upon entry.

How to I get from Kraków to Oświęcim (where Auschwitz is)?

The museum sits just outside the town of Oświęcim (Polish name) from Kraków.

Direct trains run Kraków Główny to Oświęcim (and from Kraków Grzegórzki, which might be more convenient depending on where you’re staying).

Journey times are 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the service. Trains run every 30-60 minutes. Google Maps and CityMapper will show an up to date schedule.

The trains are comfortable and cheap. They have plug sockets (polish and USB), plus clean toilets and air conditioning.

The easiest way is to buy the ticket on the train from the conductor, but there are also machines available on the train (they have an English option but we still found them confusing, so bought from a conductor). You can pay via debit/credit card or Contactless payment.

How do I get from Oświęcim to Kraków?

The Auschwitz museum is about a 20 minute walk from the train station.

Once you’ve arrived, cross over the roundabout and go straight over. Follow the road for about 20 minutes, until you arrive at the museum (you’ll easily see it). It’s a nice walk, and Google Maps has accurate directions.

There’s also taxis available outside the station if you prefer.

What happens on arrival?

Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

You’ll go through a basic security check, and show ID. This isn’t strict but they do need to match the name given when booking the ticket (a variation on this is normally fine, for example Tim on the ticket but Timothy on my passport).

You’ll then be given a sticker which shows the language and time of the group you’ll be joining. There’s a small area which you’ll hang about in before your tour guide comes out. Make sure you’re in the right group, and they’ll then sort out your audio equipment and take you on the tour.

It can be a bit chaotic but just ask one of the staff if you’re not sure you’re in the right group.

What other practical information should I know?

• Bag rules: larger luggage must go to paid storage. Leave unnecessary luggage in Kraków or in your hotel.
• Length of visit: plan 3.5+ hours – Auschwitz and Birkenau together take time; rushing misses the point.
• Dress and behaviour: this is a memorial site. Dress and behave respectfully; no loud groups, no drinking, picnicking or taking selfies in the exhibition areas. The museum is strict about maintaining solemnity.
• Bring water: there is water to purchase at the end of the Auschwitz tour (before you get the bus to Birkenau), but not during the tour. You’ll be outside for some of the visit and it can get hot and sweaty, so bring water.
• Accessibility: Some exhibition buildings are historic and have limited accessibility. The museum offers information and facilities but parts of the site remain original structures.
• High demand: High season (April to September) is busiest. If you’re aiming for solitude, try shoulder seasons (April, late September) or the earliest opening slot. However, unguided passes are often restricted to late afternoon in high season.

How else can I get to Auschwitz?

Several intercity buses and private coach operators run from Kraków’s MDA bus station to Oświęcim. Expect roughly 1–1.5 hours travel depending on traffic. Companies such as FlixBus and local carriers serve the route.

Driving takes around 1–1.25 hours outside rush hour (approximately 70–75 km). You can park in the museum car park at Więźniów Oświęcimia 55. Be mindful that coach and parking areas can be busy in summer.

The train really is a lot quicker and simpler though.

How do I get back from Auschwitz?

Once you’ve done your tour of Auschwitz you’ll have a short break and get the free shuttle bus to Birkenau. You’ll meet the same tour guide and finish your tour, of around 60-90 minutes.

Once you’ve finished, you can walk from Birkenau back to the station. The walk takes about 30 minutes and is simple to follow (see Google Maps). Or, you can get the free shuttle back to Auschwitz and walk back from there.

We didn’t see any taxis in Birkenau, so if you want one you’ll need to pre-order or get one from Auschwitz.

There’s a few small restaurants in town if you want to eat before you go back, or there’s some small supermarkets opposite the train station (and a café in the train station) if you want to buy something to eat on the train.

How long should I plan for a visit to Auschwitz?

A tour takes around 3.5 hours in total.

Our tickets were for the tour at 10.30am. This is how our day looked:

• 8:20 – Leave Kraków from Grzegórzki station.
• 9:50 – Arrive Oświęcim. Walk to the Auschwitz museum.
• 10:10 – Arrive at the Auschwitz museum. Go through security and wait for the guide.
• 10:30 – start tour.
• 12:20 – get free shuttle bus to Birkenau and start tour of Birkenau.
• 13:30 – finish tour and walk back to Birkenau. Wait for train.
• 14:30 – get train back to Kraków.
• 16:00 – arrive Kraków.

Frequently asked questions

Are entry passes free?

Yes, entry to the memorial grounds is free, but you must reserve a timed, personalised ticket online. Fees apply for guided tours.

Can I book the same day?

Yes, tickets do become available on the same day or the day before. They come up randomly though (as tour companies cancel them) so it’s better to book in advance.

How long should I plan?

Minimum 3.5 hours in Auschwitz. Many people spend longer, and travel included takes most of the day.

Can I combine it with the Wieliczka Salt Mines tour?

You can, and if you stay on the train from Auschwitz to Kraków then it will take you to Wieliczka, where you can walk to the salt mines.

However, it’s a long day and we recommend splitting it into two. It will give you more time and headspace to visit and absorb Auschwitz, and enjoy the Salt Mines.

Should you visit Auschwitz independently?

Visiting Auschwitz independently means you set the pace: you choose when to travel, how long to stay, and where to pause.

It’s cheaper too – booking directly and taking the train saves a big markup compared with group tours.

But, if you’re less adventurous or want someone to show you the way, a tour might be better.

This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links we make a small commission to help run this site, at no cost to you. Making a commission never affects the advice we give - see our content policy.