Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Half-Day Bus Tour from Krakow

Our tour was booked through Get Your Guide. The bus was on time (5:45 am) and the bus ride over to Auschwitz was 100%. When we arrived there at about 7:30 we were told to stand in a queue for tickets which was already about half a mile long. We moved about 50m in 90 minutes. When we left the queue of our own accord we found out that there was actually a self service machine where we could get the same tickets (self guided tour) and get straight on the first shuttle bus to Birkenau without waiting in a snaking line for approximately 4 hours. None of this was communicated to us by our “tour guide”. After we figured this out for ourselves after waiting in line for over 90 mins our tour guide then sent a broadcast message to all those on our bus instructing us to do this but to do so discretely. So we got to Birkenau and completed our self guided tour and then got the shuttle bus back to Auschwitz at 11:30 to see some of the same people off our bus still waiting in line since 7:30am. As we had self guided tickets we were not permitted entry to the Auschwitz camp until 4:45pm but we had to go to the airport for 5pm so we never actually got to see Auschwitz and we had to get our own taxi back as the bus wasn’t leaving until 7pm… Do not book a “self guided tour” with Get Your Guide!! Do not visit Auschwitz unless you have a “guided tour”!

The company went out of their way to make sure that we could join the tour group, as we were running late and bring us back to our hotel. The self guide tour was great you could take your time to explore the two sites and conditions that were unimaginable.

The tour was booked in advance for us by our travel agent. We were picked up on time from another hotel around the corner from us. The coach was clean (brand new) and comfortable. A very friendly and knowledgeable guide accompanied us on the coach. During the journey there was a documentary shown on the history of Auschwitz. On arrival at Auschwitz 1, we were given around 30 minutes to visit the toilets and purchase refreshments at the restaurant. It was very very busy with long queues (I would recommend taking a packed lunch which some hotels supply, to save queuing). For the tour you go in smaller groups with a tour guide, you are given headsets so you can hear what is said. Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate. My review is not of Auschwitz itself (for that I have no words, only great sadness). After Auschwitz 1 there is a 10 minute break for the toilets, then onto Auschwitz 2, Birkenau. It was very cold and bleak. I didn’t complete this tour due to my mobility, it’s a long walk. For those that did, on return it was a very quick toilet break again before climbing back on board for the return journey. The only criticism I would have is that the breaks are short. But I think this is out of control of the tour company due to time constraints at Auschwitz itself, there are thousands of visitors so I think tours are strictly timed.