Anyone visited Auschwitz?

2StepSteve · 12 Feb 2017 at 01:12

Will be making our own way there via bus but can't decide whether to go with a guided tour or experience it without a guided tour. Seems a lot of mixed opinions regarding this.

Has anyone been?

Goodie · 12 Feb 2017 at 07:01

Myself and the missus went a couple of years ago whilst visiting krakow. It was around about an hours journey in taxi and cost equivalent in £30 for the round trip with the taxi waiting for us outside, which I thought to be very cheap considering. We went around solo and it was fine, it was relatively quiet and quite often we'd be the only ones in the buildings. There are signs and information boards all over that explain the stories and goings on. You also get a map at the entrance showing points of interest.

I can't compare against the guided tours as such but I can't see what benefit it would have been for us really, I thought it better that we could go at our own pace and not travel in a large crowd.

Apologies for any glaring spelling mistakes, posting on my phone which I'd usually avoid.

Sliver · 12 Feb 2017 at 08:26

OP, when you go take plenty of pictures and post some here please. I'd love to go myself at some point as it's such a significant part of 20th century history.

VapourTrail · 12 Feb 2017 at 08:56

Went on a guided tour on a trip from Krakow a few years back. The guide was excellent and could not fault the trip. Yes it was busy but he gave us radio headsets so we could hear his commentary as we walked around both sites. https://500px.com/photo/122747453/carriage-ii-by-colin-moore?ctx_page=3&from=user&user_id=120910

Rich · 12 Feb 2017 at 09:12

Went in winter a couple of years ago. We took the bus from Krakow, which cost a tiny amount. Pretty sure it was like £2 each. There is a shuttle bus that runs between the two camps. You should see both while you are there to get a sense of the scale of it all.

~Divine~Wind~ · 12 Feb 2017 at 09:23

I'd deffo suggest the guided tour mate, there's a lot you may miss if yer just pottering around. The radio headsets are a great Idea and it was the first time I've came across that.

We went at new year, stayed in a lovely place in krakow, quick walk to the main centre and the jewish quarter.

It was so cold, was awesome

Maundie · 12 Feb 2017 at 10:34

Went a couple of years ago, you have to go to both camps as Birkenau is the extermination camp part.

I would also suggest taking the guided tour as there is so much information to absorb and there is quite a few snippets that surprised me, after the tour you can just wander around to re-check any areas that piqued your interest.

When we left I said to my missus that a visit should be on every European schools curriculum as we must never forget what transpired there.

kinetic747 · 12 Feb 2017 at 13:45

I would definitely recommend a guided tour as the extra information provided is invaluable. I would also recommend planning a visit toward the end of your trip and not the beginning. I know everyone is different but we were extremely moved by the whole experience and it left a lasting impression that was hard to shake off.

Nutella33 · 12 Feb 2017 at 14:11

Yes to the guided tour as well.

Do go to the salt mines as well if you can

StevieP · 12 Feb 2017 at 14:17

Nutella33;30496146 said:
Do go to the salt mines as well if you can

Great advice! (and it's worth paying the extra so you can take photo's!)

Greebo · 12 Feb 2017 at 14:53

Agreed on that it affects you deeply. We went on a stag weekend. That night there was no banter and everybody was really quiet.

rexehuk · 12 Feb 2017 at 15:11

2StepSteve;30495265 said:
Will be making our own way there via bus but can't decide whether to go with a guided tour or experience it without a guided tour. Seems a lot of mixed opinions regarding this.

Has anyone been?

You have to do a guided tour. You can not roam around without a tour guide. That is at least my understanding due to the thefts/damage that has been done over the years.

But yes do a guided tour (externally imo) as it won't be that great without all the context a guide can provide. We ended up shopping around and paying less than going alone (and getting a guide there).

2StepSteve · 12 Feb 2017 at 15:53

Thanks for your input all, I'm swinging more towards the guided tour now. There is a 6 hour study tour available and reading a review about it, you get to visit buildings which are off limits to those that are visiting unattended (you can visit unattended, and there is no cost of entry for this) and have wireless headsets to hear the guide.

My concerns regarding the guided tour were that it might be rushed, but 6 hours sounds like a good amount of time for both sites.

Sliver;30495434 said:
OP, when you go take plenty of pictures and post some here please. I'd love to go myself at some point as it's such a significant part of 20th century history.

I will be taking a lot of photos, it's one thing which initially put me off doing the guided tour as I didn't want to be rushed. But on thinking further, I'd rather learn and experience all that is on offer there. Not sure reading information signs will have the same effect. As I'm traveling there via public transport, there is nothing stopping us from walking back around to areas of interest.

kinetic747;30496077 said:
I would definitely recommend a guided tour as the extra information provided is invaluable. I would also recommend planning a visit toward the end of your trip and not the beginning. I know everyone is different but we were extremely moved by the whole experience and it left a lasting impression that was hard to shake off.

Thanks for that advice, I hadn't really thought about that. I think it will be a very deeply moving visit.

Housey · 12 Feb 2017 at 16:18

Greebo;30496244 said:
Agreed on that it affects you deeply. We went on a stag weekend. That night there was no banter and everybody was really quiet.

Rightly so too. It shocks you to the core to know what went on there.

Guest2 · 12 Feb 2017 at 16:37

Yep, cold grim place but good to see once. Would not go back and would certainly not go when on a stag do weekend

edit, the thought of the 'standing booths' was one of the things that got to me the most. A small brick space where they would cram in 4 people at once and leave standing for days. No toilets, food or sleep

jellybeard999 · 12 Feb 2017 at 16:49

Watching thread with interest.

Got a trip to Krakow booked for next month, with a trip to Auschwitz included. I'm expecting it to be very interesting but also depressing and moving.

Ryan0r · 12 Feb 2017 at 16:59

I went to Krakow for my 30th (a long time ago now). We opted against Auschwitz for obvious reasons (why go there during a stag??), but we did do the salt mines. Well worth a look if you get the chance, it's stunning. The scale and detail of everything down there is mind-blowing, the stories of what they did down there uplifting and heart-breaking.

Pay the couple of quid to be able to take photos, I didn't and regretted it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine

koolpc · 12 Feb 2017 at 17:10

Been there a couple years ago. Harrowing place but definitely recommend that everyone should see it. Didnt spend long enough there.

Going to Poland in April so may go back if i get the chance.

I really could not bring myself to take photos. Didn't seem right.

timmy85 · 12 Feb 2017 at 17:52

I had a guided tour there when on a stag trip. Everyone was glad we went. Was a break from the booziness and was an experience I will never forget. Being shown around by a guide who knew everything inside out just added to the experience.

SexyGreyFox · 12 Feb 2017 at 18:56

These are my videos

Anyone visited Auschwitz?

Can't type for toffee