Auschwitz, a name synonymous with profound historical significance, often prompts the crucial question for those planning a visit: Where Was Auschwitz Located? The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, a site of immense remembrance and reflection, is situated just outside the town of Oświęcim in southern Poland. Specifically, it lies on provincial road number 933. To commence your tour, you should head to the former Auschwitz I camp, where the Visitor Services Center is conveniently located at Więźniów Oświęcimia 55 Street. For those arriving by car, it is recommended to access this street from Legionów Street (DW 933). Around the Visitor Services Center, you will find essential amenities such as luggage lockers and a restaurant offering kosher snacks.
For visitors arriving by train, the Museum is approximately 1,500 meters from the railway station. Adjacent to the station, a multi-story Park & Ride facility provides ample parking. To facilitate easy access from the station and Park & Ride to the main entrance of the Museum, a special “M” line bus operates between April and October. This shuttle service runs daily from 9 am to 4 pm, with a ride duration of just five minutes. Tickets are available for purchase at ticket machines.
Direct bus services from Kraków to the Museum car park are available via the Lajkonik company. You can consult their timetable for routes to the Museum and return trips to Kraków. Furthermore, bus and minibus stops near the Museum offer connections from major cities like Kraków and Katowice, providing a range of transportation options. For international travelers, Oświęcim is also within convenient reach of two international airports, Kraków-Balice and Katowice-Pyrzowice, both situated approximately 50 kilometers away.
To gather more comprehensive tourist information for your visit to Oświęcim, including local events and further travel tips, the official tourist information website, www.it.oswiecim.pl, is a valuable resource.
Traveling Between Auschwitz I and Birkenau
It is crucial to note that Auschwitz-Birkenau consists of two main camps: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. These sites are located 3.5 kilometers (approximately 2.2 miles) apart.
Car Parks
Paid car parking facilities are available at both former concentration camps, ensuring convenient access for visitors arriving by car. Remember that tours typically commence at the former Auschwitz I site.
Museum Bus
To facilitate travel between the two sites, a dedicated museum bus service operates. During the peak season, from April to October, buses depart from the former Auschwitz I concentration camp every 10 minutes. During the off-season, November to March, the frequency is every 20 minutes. This bus service is complimentary for visitors.
Taxi
Taxi services are readily available through HALO TAXI company. A taxi rank is located directly in front of the Museum entrance at Auschwitz I. Alternatively, you can contact them by phone at +48 32 19 194 to arrange a pick-up.
By Foot
For those who prefer to walk, the distance between the former concentration camps is approximately three kilometers. The route, leading through Więźniów Oświęcimia, Jaracza, Leszczyńskiej, and Męczeństwa Narodów streets, offers a poignant walk through the former by-camp area. During the Nazi occupation, this area housed German industrial plants, workshops, warehouses, offices, and technical facilities where prisoners were forced to work under horrific conditions. Along this route, you can still observe remnants of railway sidings and ramps, including the historical Alte Judenrampe, where trains carrying deportees arrived, and SS officers conducted selections.
