Why visiting Auschwitz in the winter gives you a more authentic experience.
There is never a good time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau due to the human atrocities that took place there over half a century ago, but a winter experience of Auschwitz ensures that international visitors get more of a feeling about the level of inhumane activities that were carried out.
A winter trip to the infamous Auschwitz guarantees dark and moody skies and the likelihood of snow filling the harrowing fields of empty wasteland that constitute the majority of Birkenau; but the most haunting aspect of a winter day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau is the sweeping feeling of ghosts surrounding you at every corner of the infamous historical landmark.
Poland’s number one dark tourism spot offers a global history lesson like no other!
The popular day trip from Krakow will give you more than you bargained for, as you catch yourself in moments of surreal reflection on history's worst genocide. Don’t expect a pleasant day as you walk around the sombre surroundings of the camps that housed millions of unsuspecting Jewish people.
This is a unique trip that teaches us so much about the terrifying history of Europe, therefore, a must visit in Poland during winter!
Winter time in Auschwitz adds to the eeriness.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is quieter in the winter time.
Visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camps is very popular with global tourists, with a record breaking 2.3 million visitors making their way through the gates in 2019 (pre-COVID). As the tourist numbers continue to rise annually, being selective about when you visit the landmark can have a great impact on your experience.
There is no doubt that a winter visit to Auschwitz beats the crowds and queues, thus, gives you the opportunity to really observe the preserved solemn scene and pay your respect to the victims. The distressing UNESCO world heritage site has many memorable monuments and zones which are better observed and understood in less crowded moments.
From passing through the famous "Arbeit macht frei" gate entering Auschwitz to the most infamous train tracks in history outside Birkenau, you will feel the eeriness swirling through the air in the frosty winds.
Time is needed to inspect the multiple exhibitions and original barracks etc, so it makes sense to visit during quieter times to avoid the crowds. If you want to move more efficiently through the notorious complex then booking a tour guide is thoroughly recommended.
You can book one here!
The tour guides are very experienced and knowledgeable so it is advisable to take this option and delve a lot deeper into a chapter of history that should never be forgotten!
Tip - wear warm clothes as you will be exposed to the freezing temperatures in the open while checking out the different areas. You want to have the full experience, so you do not want to skip any part as a result of not being wrapped up!
Visiting the iconic Auschwitz in Poland.
Deeper sense of imagination.
There is no better way to take a step back into 1940’s than taking a wander down the infamous train tracks towards the entrance to Birkenau. The harrowing tracks, which are often covered in frost and snow in the winter months present a juxtaposition
Wishing the genocide never happened vs making as many people as possible aware of the dark past to ensure it is never repeated!
Just standing in the spot where millions of doomed prisoners once stood gives you the chills and certainly creates a sense of gratitude in the present moment.
The average temperature at Auschwitz in the winter months is between -4°F −to 3°F, and the prisoners would be awoken at 5.30am for an 11 hour labouring working shift, no matter what the weather!
As the icy winds howl and make for a very uncomfortable wander round Birkenau in today’s age, it is hard to complain when you imagine the 1940’s.
Similar signs are throughout Auschwitz.
Need to know for your visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Costs.
There is no entry fee to Auschwitz-Birkenau if you want to explore the place at your own leisure. In a winter visit to Poland’s most visited historical sight, you will have no problems entering this way.
However, during peak summer months (April until October), when the visitors numbers are really high you may be required to book one of the popular Auschwitz tours.
All the museum educators are authorised Auschwitz guides so will make your day a memorable one.
Opening times.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is open to public visitors most days of the calendar year, with exception to New Years Day (1st Jan), Christmas Day (25th Dec), and Easter Sunday (Varies annually).
The entry times change depending on the month due to sunlight hours.
January: 8am - 3pm
February: 8am - 4pm
March: 8am - 5pm
April-May: 8am - 6pm
June-August: 8am - 7pm
September: 8am - 6pm
October: 8am-5pm
November: 8am-3pm
December: 8am-2pm
Closing time is approximately 90 minutes after the last entry!
Guided tours.
As a result of ever-increasing tourists, the Auschwitz museum has put some rules in place where an official guide is required to control the crowds.
Some benefits of taking this option are:
It guarantees entry during busy periods.
Get detailed historical information about each zone of the camps.
Private return journey with a hotel pickup.
Skip the line entrance (ideal in summer).
Larger groups are looked after.
Some of the best recommended tours are:
Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Pickup & Lunch Options.
Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup
Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine Guided Tour in 1 Day!
Memorial stone at Auschwitz.
How to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow?
Auschwitz is the most popular day trip from Krakow due to its close proximity - at around 65 km away, sitting on the edge of Oświęcim.
Even if you are visiting Krakow in winter, you will find many good transport options available to you, such as buses, trains and taxis.
Bus.
Buses are the most direct method of travelling between the two Polish cities, with a travel time of around 90 mins - 2 hours, depending on local traffic. If the buses fill up, they will cram you on, so, beware that you may be standing!
(this happened to us on our outward bus journey).
As of summer 2022, the current departure times are as follows:
6:20am, 8:40am, 9:40am, 11:10am, 12:30pm, 14:45pm, 15:50pm, 16:55pm, 19:05pm
A key advantage of travelling by bus is how close you will be dropped off to Auschwitz (about a 2-5 min walk).
A one way bus ticket from Krakow to Auschwitz is approx. 20 PLN (£4). In peak summer months you should pre-book your ticket, but in the winter months you can buy your bus ticket from the station or from the driver.
You catch the bus from the main Krakow Dworzec MDC station, behind the Krakow Glowny train station.
You will find signs throughout the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall pointing you in the right direction.
You can’t miss it!
The Muzeum Auschwitz stop is your destination, located in the official car park at Auschwitz. This is where you will get the return from.
Train.
Travelling by train is the most complicated method of travelling to Auschwitz from Krakow, as Oświęcim’s main train station is approximately 2 km away from the concentration camps. You will be required to catch a bus/ taxi or take the 25 minute walking option - not bad in the summer!
Kraków Glowny (main train station) is the departure point for trains to Oświęcim. You are looking at a very similar travel time to the bus journey of 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the trains run hourly.
If you want to beat the crowds and get to Auschwitz for opening time - you need to book the 6:44am train.
You are expected to have purchased your train tickets at the train station office or on your phone before you enter the train.
You can expect to pay around 15 PLN (£3) for a one way ticket.
Car/taxi.
Some visitors have less time and more cash!
If you fall into this category then you can grab a taxi for around 175-200PLN (35-40€) each way.
Your hotel may be able to help you negotiate a better price in advance for a round trip.
If you can’t face the bus or train home after your emotional tour, there is a taxi rank outside the museum to grab a last minute taxi.
If you have rented a car, read on.
From Krakow city centre you can expect a journey of just over an hour.
Take the A4 motorway from Kraków, for most of the way until you come to the Balin junction, and then follow the signs south to Oświęcim on the DW933.
Please note - there is a 24PLN (£5) toll charge each way, however, parking is free at Auschwitz.
Map showing directions from Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau.
Travelling between Auschwitz & Auschwitz II (Birkenau).
There is around 3.5 km distance between Auschwitz & Birkenau, and it is essential that you visit both sites to get a full understanding of the tragic history.
In summer months when the weather is nice, you can easily walk between the two complexes.
There is a free shuttle bus that runs frequently regardless of the time of year, however, they do operate more services in the summer.
A very frosty day at Auschwitz in Poland.
How long do you need on your winter day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau?
During the 1940’s, Birkenau was the largest of the Nazi concentration camp, where over 1.1 million people lost their lives. There were over 300 wooden barracks and 200 hectares of land, so it can take a while if you want to check it all out.
Auschwitz is also full of exhibitions and information about the first camp opened during the holocaust, so that can also take some time to get the full idea of what happened. You will learn about the first Nazi experiments, where Zyklon B was used to murder people.
Spending some time learning about medical block 10 will add some time to your tour, however, it is well worth it. You will experience the exact location where Germna doctors peformed experiments on prisoners.
60-90 minutes for each site (+ the shuttle bus time) should be enough time during a winter trip to get the full experience.
Allow an extra 30 minutes per site in peak summer months due to queues and crowds.
One of the many rooms where prisoners slept.
Gas chamber at Auschwitz.
The train tracks leading to Auschwitz.
Summary of your winter trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Whichever time you decide to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau you are sure to have an emotionally charged experience, as it is hard to believe what happened at the concentration camps. It is unfathomable!
The benefits of the summer are nice weather and longer days, however, I don’t think this particular day trip should be enjoyed. The crowds can also make for a draining day and ruin the learning experience which should be your main reason for visiting the dark history of Nazi Germany.
The camps were open all year round, so why not visit during the winter time and feel the chill which millions of prisoners had to feel daily. It really puts a perspective on life and human history.
In terms of dark tourism - it does not get anymore real than Auschwitz-Birkenau!