Auschwitz I in Oświęcim was the main concentration camp used by the Germans during the Second World War to house political prisoners. Its original purpose was as a prison but later grew to become the largest center of mass genocide in recent history.
It was the office location for the SS garrison administration and commanders for the entire Auschwitz complex of 40 camps. The women imprisoned here made the artillery shells at the Union-Werke factory in the last year of WWII. Visitors enter through metal gates with a sign that says “Arbeit Macht Frei”, “Work sets you free” in English. Like Birkenau [link to other attraction] you are free to explore the facilities on your own. Imagine sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed with two strangers while being imprisoned. The barracks were sparse, the conditions crowded.
A visit here is a must when in Poland. It stands as a reminder of atrocity, and as a reminder of what can be overcome.
By walking:
Take a walk from Oświęcim to Auschwitz I. It is a journey of 1.3 km that is covered in 15 minutes.
Museum Bus:
Every hour the museum bus shuttles from one concentration camp to another. Departures from the former Auschwitz concentration camp: between April - October every 10 minutes, between November to March every 30 minutes. No bus fare is required.
Taxi:
Take a taxi from Oświęcim to Auschwitz I. It is a journey of 1.3 km that is covered in 1 minute and costs 10 to 13 PLN.
Tour of the museum by children under the age of 14 is not recommended.
Visitors to the grounds of the Museum should behave with due solemnity and respect. Visitors are obliged to dress in a manner befitting a place of this nature.
Due to the expected heat, we advise one to have water and headgear while visiting. Because of the high temperatures the visit at the Memorial might be shorter.
The maximum size of backpacks or handbags brought into the Museum cannot exceed dimensions: 30x20x10 cm. Please leave your bags in your cars or buses or use the locker available.
The grounds and most of the buildings at the sites of the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau sites are open to visitors. Some buildings are not accessible to visitors (including the blocks reserved for the Museum administration and its departments).
Due to safety reasons, wheelchair access is only possible on the ground floor of buildings included in the tour.
Photography is allowed in the camps but there are several places at Auschwitz I where they ask you to refrain from taking photographs.
Be sure to wear comfortable footwear as there will be a lot of walking, particularly on uneven ground.
The entrance to the museum is free although the guided tour is 45 Zl (35 for students) inclusive of the film.
The guided tours happen several times throughout the day. They are available in English, Polish, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
Food options do exist here with a cafeteria and also a hotel nearby.
December:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
January and November:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
February:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
March and October:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
April, May, and September:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
June, July, and August:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Monday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
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