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Anyone ever been to Auschwitz
Mon, 02/18/2008 - 16:53
New Member
Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever been to Auschwitz before (the concentration camps). I have been looking at going recently, as I feel this would be an amazing experience to take in and behold.
Before I go jumping off to Poland, I need to know a few things…
First of all the transport issues:
Having checked the wikitravel website, it seems like there are numerous ways to get there from Krakow, but ideally I would be looking to book the transport before I go there – to be assured or actually getting there. I have heard that you can book a tour-guide before arriving, and also a mini-bus as well if required.
Photographs:
I understand that there are lots of people paying their respects at the concentration camps, and it might be frowned upon to take some pictures, but I have seen a loads of pictures online, and video footage, etc of the camps, so I was wondering if it is possible to take some pictures, or are they not allowed within the camps ?
Times:
Ideally I would be looking to go there around the 10-16 March (when I get a holiday from work), and the flights I have been looking at arrive around mid-day.
+What times do the camps close at ?
+How long does it usually take to walk around the whole complex (both sites) ?
+How long does it take to get to (and from) Krakow ?
+Are the camps open all year round ?
Any help muchly appreciated, as my searches online have become exhausted.
Thanks in advance.
I don’t see why photographs would be an issue. This is a place where terrible things happened, and photographs help tell the story to the billions of people who have not been there and may never have the chance to visit.
I’m also curious to hear from those who have been to Auschwitz on 
beach-lunch-siesta-beach-shower-dinner-nightlife-repeat
I’ve been to Dachau and took lots of photos. I think I even bought film there. It’s very somber and gaggle of friends all taking laughing photos of each other around the crematory ovens would be disrespectful, but no one seemed opposed to normal, respectful photos. My husband’s been to Auschwitz and took photos. However, I see from this site that you aren’t supposed to take photos indoors
http://www.auschwitz…
http://www.auschwitz… Should answer some of the rest of your questions.
Thank you, I’ll have a wee look at that site.
You are not allowed to take pictures inside the buildings at Auschwitz, but outside is ok. Any hostel in Krakow can book you a tour that will pick you up and drop you off at front desk of the hostel.
I’ve visited Auschwitz. It was such a harrowing experience.
Nothing can prepare you for the sorrow. It really hit me.
Auschwitz itself houses a few “museum” type exhibits in the prison blocks. There are items here that may reduce you to tears.
Pay for a guided tour, it’s worth it. Auschwitz themselves provide an authorised guide and it’s good to get that extra knowledge as you walk around. It also includes a shuttle bus to take you to the second site, Birkenau (or Auschwitz II).
Photographs of the exhibits weren’t allowed but photos of the outside was OK. I didn’t feel I was being disrespectful either.
We pre-booked a tour from Krakow and it took 90 minutes to travel to Oswiecim where Auschwitz is situated. We spent four emotional hours at the site.
Here’s my travelogue of the day:
http://www.colin-julie.com/krak02.htm
[image]local://68510/4C9F6240F1624FB281E6191ED1C55A2E.jpg[/image]
http//www.colin-julie.com/travel.htm
we just went there on Jan 08 do it our self by local bus. It ‘s very easy. There is a bus station right next door to the train station. The bus take 90 minutes and stop right in front of the concentration camp.
Vauxhallgazz:
From Krakow, there are about 15 trains a day to Oswiecim (Oswiecim using Polish characters) and there is also a bus service. The city of Oswiecim is Auschwitz itself, Auschwitz is just a German name for that city. Once there, everyone will be able to tell you where the camp is.
The exact timetable can be found at
http://rozklad-pkp.p…?
just input Kraków into From field and Oswiecim into To field. Don’t forget the Polish characters (just copy the whole word from here and paste it there). If the search engine tells you “your input is ambiguous”, just hit Search once again.
In Krakow, as well as in Oswiecim, there are many travel agencies that offer guided tour to the Auschwitz concentration camp, usually with transfer included, just in case you don’t want to go there on your own. You can also buy a guided tour right on spot.
If you have any questions about Prague or Czech and Slovak republics, ask me.
If you only want to search train or bus connection within Czech&Slovakia and/or to neighboring countries, use www.cp.sk or www.idos.cz search engines. For domestic transport, they also show prices.