Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow

It was an amazing day. The history of this place just makes you so sad but glad I went to visit. We booked a private transfer from krakow. Our hotel did it for us and our driver waited while we did the tour and then brought us back. It was very reasonable at about £120 for 5 of us. We booked the tour separately from the uk. I had read that booking a tour on another website didn’t alway guarantee you would get the time you wanted and some had even been cancelled and didn’t want to take the chance as it was the main reason we were visiting. Our guide was amazing and very informative and took her time even though it was very busy. I would say if you are at all mobility impaired some of it is quite difficult. There is a lot of walking involved both at Auschwitz and Burkenau.

The most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever experienced, it’s a place I would recommend everyone visit at least once in their lifetime but also recommend people watch a few YouTube videos of the survivors so you you know what your looking at when you go. Amazing day but my heart felt heavy looking at everything left behind. As it was winter it got dark pretty early so was quite haunting going in the bunkers with just your phone flash light on, the last photo I uploaded is when we were leaving and it’s a view I will never forget, I didn’t take photos in the work camp it just didn’t seem appropriate.

Booked a tour beforehand but was cancelled by operator the evening before. Mad dash to find another as this was one of the main reasons for coming to Krakow. Managed to find another with private transfers.. most definitely worth the extra cost! Auschwitz-Birkenau tour itself is busy!!! Possibly a bit too busy but maybe I like to take my time to understand what I am observing. Lots and lots of groups converge at the start and you have headphones so your guide can share information ( this is pretty good). You move around to specific parts of the site in groups.. sadly I feel that I missed much of the valuable information due to not going into all of the available areas. It’s like the groups are doing alternate routes rather than taking time to allow you to absorb the enormity of the horrific treatment that the people endured. I also feel that it depends on your guide too. Birkenau- a few km transfer from Auschwitz 1. I don’t think, unless you visit, can’t even begin to comprehend the enormity of the place. Again our guide seemed to race us around to the points of interest but to be honest the information boards painted enough of a picture of what happened. 1. Wear a jacket/ hoodie and good footwear as uneven surfaces and lots of mucky puddles. 2.Read the information boards or take pictures so you can read later. Honestly I’m glad we did because you can’t process it all. 3. Pay attention to the model in Auschwitz I as it makes more sense when you get to Birkenau I think it will be a good while before I stop thinking about this experience. I’m glad this is a UNESCO site.. and we should never ever forget what these poor souls endured.