If you want to visit Auschwitz Concentration Camp from Berlin, a train is the most efficient way to do it. All the while, it allows to reflect on your history and yes, the scenic landscapes of Germany and Poland. This blog post will walk you through how you can travel with train from Berlin to Auschwitz and make it a wonderful experience.

Step 1: Planning your trip

It is important to plan before you begin your journey. First, choose your time of travel and then check opening hours of Auschwitz Concentration Camp. The importance and emotional impact of the site means you should spare at least a full day just for your visit.

Next, you wish to know how you will get to your destination and what train schedule you will end up on. But for this trip, we recommend departing from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station). The city closest to Auschwitz, Krakow, has frequent connections at this station to various cities in Poland.

Step 2: Booking your train tickets

In case you’re planning to take a train trip to an unknown place and book the tickets online, the first thing that should be done is to booking train tickets in advance to secure your seats and get the best fares. On the websites of Deutsche Bahn or GoEuro, you can compare prices and schedules. If you’re scouring for tickets, use “Berlin” as your departure point and “Krakow” or “Oświęcim” as your destination since Oświęcim is the closest town to Auschwitz.

When you’ve picked the date and time that suits you best, you will be guided through the booking process. Be sure to pick a ticket that has flexibility as it’s possible you might want to stay longer at the memorial site or a bit longer in Krakow before or after your visit.

Step 3: From Berlin to Auschwitz

Make sure to arrive to Berlin Hauptbahnhof as early as possible on the day of your journey, before you leave your platform and familiarize yourself with the station layout so that you know where you are. There will be staff available at the station to answer any questions, or address any concerns you may have.

Take the train, make sure you have your valid passport, train tickets and any other necessary identification. Currently it takes anywhere from 5 to 7 hours to train from Berlin to Krakow depending on the train and route used.

After you arrive in Krakow you have a few ways to get to Auschwitz. The most convenient, however, is to take a direct train from Krakow to Oświęcim (town nearest to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp). There are frequent trains from Krakow to Oświęcim and the journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

Buses or taxis are available from the station to Auschwitz Concentration Camp which is a short walk from the station, however, upon arriving in Oświęcim.

In person speaking at Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Auschwitz Concentration Camp is a place that is rightfully solemn and significant. Since it’s advisable to learn about the atrocities that occurred there, it would be advisable to join a guided tour so you can have a deeper understanding of the atrocities, which is exactly why they preserved the buildings and exhibits.

The guided tours usually last either 2 to 3.5 hours or more depending upon language. During peak tourist seasons, it’s advisable to book your tour in advance to make sure you’re on top of it.

Dressing appropriately is a sign of respect for the victims of the visit, so don’t forget to do that. You’ll be doing a good deal of walking, so comfortable shoes are required.

Returning to Berlin

It’s time to pay your respects to Berlin, then return to Berlin. Economical with your trips, make sure you buy your return train tickets in good time to leave yourself plenty of time to get to the train station in Oświęcim.

If you liked Krakow you can once back there explore further. If you’re coming from Krakow, you’ll find direct train connections to Berlin Hauptbahnhof from there.

Conclusion

A trip by train from Berlin to Auschwitz Concentration Camp is an interesting and useful way for young people to have an experience that is also educational. So by following this steps and planning your trip properly you’ll have a smooth and memorable trip. So remember to go into that visit with respect and empathy for the person you’re touring with, but step away later to reflect and share what happened there with the rest of us, as it was one of the darkest histories.