Dachau concentration camp | The dark history of the Holocaust
Visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is a powerful and sobering experience. Just outside Munich, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp, opened in 1933, and became the model for many that followed. Today, it stands as a memorial and museum, honoring the victims and preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Read on for everything you need to know about tours, how to get there, timings, and more.
What to expect on your Dachau concentration camp tour
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An extensive tour
The Dachau concentration camp tour covers all the main areas including the permanent exhibitions, barracks, crematoriums, torture chambers, gas chambers, the international monument, and the memorial sites. It illustrates in depth the role the camp played during the Holocaust.
An expert guide
Explore the camp with an expert English-speaking guide, who will explain the camp’s origins, its role in the Nazi system, and the daily lives of prisoners. A guided tour helps you grasp the depth of the Holocaust and truly understand the suffering endured here.
A documentary film
Watch a 20-minute documentary film about Dachau, which gives you a grim and sobering account of the rise of the Nazi Party and the harrowing history of the concentration camp. While difficult to watch, it lays bare the stark reality of the crimes committed here.
Transfers from Munich
Your Dachau tour tickets include transfers from Munich and back by bus and train, saving you the hassle of figuring out the transportation logistics and reaching the camp by yourself. With your travel taken care of, you can focus on the tour.
Things to know before booking your Dachau concentration camp tour
Guided tours offer deeper insight: Dachau’s history is complex and emotionally heavy. A guided tour helps you understand the site’s significance, covering its origins, prisoner life, Nazi ideology, and post-war legacy, through respectful, in-depth storytelling.
Tours typically start in Munich: Most Dachau tours include round-trip transportation from Munich, often by train or bus, with the guide accompanying you throughout. Be sure to check if your ticket includes transport or if you’ll need a valid train pass like theMunich City Pass.
Beyond the memorial site: Some tours focus solely on the Dachau Memorial Site with expert-led commentary, while others are part of broader Munich packages like the Munich City Pass, which includes entry to multiple attractions and access to public transport. If Dachau is your main focus, go for the dedicated guided tour.
Dress appropriately and be prepared to walk: The site is large and mostly outdoors. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather. Dachau is a solemn memorial, modest, respectful attire is recommended.
Dachau is not suitable for very young children: Due to the heavy and sensitive nature of a visit to a concentration camp, the contents of the exhibits, and the graphic visuals, children under the age of 14 years are not allowed on the Dachau concentration camp tour.
Plan ahead as tickets can sell out: Dachau tours, especially guided ones likeDachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour, tend to fill up quickly during peak seasons (spring through fall). Booking at least a week in advance secures your spot and preferred time.
Accessibility is partial: While much of the memorial is wheelchair accessible, some areas, like the old barracks, may have uneven ground or steps. Check accessibility options when booking.
Which Dachau concentration camp tour is best for you?
If you want a focused, expert-led visit to Dachau
Duration: 4.5–5 hours
Guide: Yes (English-speaking)
This dedicated guided tour from Munich is ideal for those seeking a deep and informative experience. It includes return train travel from Munich and a licensed guide who walks you through the camp’s history, the prisoners’ stories, and the memorial’s significance. It’s the most comprehensive option if Dachau is your main focus.
Recommended ticket:
From Munich: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour
If you want to explore both Dachau and Nazi-era Munich in one day
Duration: 8.5 hours
Guide: Yes (English-speaking)
This combo tour is ideal if you're interested in a broader look at Nazi history, starting with a guided visit to Dachau in the morning, followed by an afternoon walking tour of key Third Reich sites in Munich, including Hitler’s former headquarters, Königsplatz (site of Nazi mass rallies), the Feldherrnhalle (scene of the failed Beer Hall Putsch), and other important buildings linked to the regime. It’s a seamless way to connect the camp’s history with the rise of the Nazi regime.
Recommended ticket:
Combo: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site & Third Reich Tour
If you want Dachau plus flexibility to explore Munich’s top sights
Duration: Flexible (1–5 days)
Guide: No (Self-guided access via pass)
The Munich City Pass is perfect if you're planning a longer stay in Munich and want to combine a Dachau visit with museums, palaces, and unlimited public transport. While it doesn’t include a guided tour of Dachau, it covers your transport to the site and includes 45+ attractions across the city.
Recommended ticket:
Munich City Pass by Turbopass: 45+ Attractions & Public Transport
What to see on your Dachau concentration camp tour
The Gate
The main entrance to the camp, also known as the “Jourhaus”, the iron gate was a symbol of the brutal Nazi regime and the suffering of the camp’s prisoners. It is marked with the slogan “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work sets you free”), a cruel irony considering the camp’s true nature as a place of forced labour.
Guard tower
One of seven guard towers built for the German SS soldiers at Dachau, a reconstructed watchtower gives you an idea of the oppressive conditions in which the inmates were kept. They were equipped with machine guns and manned round the clock to prevent prisoners from escaping.
Roll-call square
Known in German as “Appelplatz”, this square served as an open area where the prisoners were counted and inspected every morning and evening. It was also where punishments were doled out and prisoners were executed.
The barracks
A complex of 34 barracks was built at Dachau concentration camp in 1937-38. Divided into day and sleeping quarters, they were designed to hold 200 people each, although by the end of the war, there were about 2,000 prisoners crammed here. Demolished after the war, they were reconstructed as the replicas seen today.
Sickbay
The sickbay was initially a camp hospital and was used for propaganda purposes to show that the camp’s inmates were well taken care of. In reality, the prisoners were neglected and in poor health with unsanitary conditions. In time, the SS doctors used this site to conduct inhumane medical experiments on prisoners.
Central kitchen area
One of the permanent exhibition areas at Dachau, the kitchen area today displays the personal belongings of the prisoners, such as small jewellery, letters, small photographs, prisoner uniforms, as well as writings or drawings done by prisoners, their biographies, and other camp items.
Gas chamber & crematorium
One of the most chilling areas of Dachau, today it serves as the main location of the memorial. Inside, you can see the gas chamber that was disguised as a “shower bath” where prisoners were killed, as well as the crematorium. Between 1933 and 1945, over 41,000 people were killed or died at Dachau concentration camp.
Memorial Room
With over 130 commemorative plaques and stones, this room memorializes the people once imprisoned at Dachau. You can learn about the names, nationalities, and places of birth of the identified victims. There is a remembrance book in the room, which contains the names of more than 33,000 people who died here.
The International Monument
Nandor Glid, a Holocaust survivor who was persecuted by the Nazi regime, designed the International Monument, a bronze sculpture commemorating the victims of Dachau concentration camp. You can walk through this monument, which resembles human figures caught in barbed wire. It calls to stand against tyranny and ends with a moving inscription: “Never Again”.
Plan your visit to the Dachau concentration camp
Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm
Closed on: December 24
Address: Alte Römerstraße 75, 85221 Dachau, Germany
By train: Board S2 from Munich Hauptbahnhof in the direction of Dachau/Petershausen Nearest stop: Dachau station
By bus: 726 Nearest stop: KZ-Gedenkstätte
By car: The distance from Munich International Airport to the Dachau concentration camp is 30.7 km. The distance from Munich city centre (near the Munich central station) to Dachau is about 20 km. Nearest parking: At Dachau concentration camp.
Dachau is mostly accessible by wheelchair. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for visitors who need them. Most of the buildings at the camp have ramps at the entrances.
However, keep in mind that many of the paths and the grounds are gravelled, which might make it difficult to navigate for wheelchair users.
Some buildings and some areas of the camp are inaccessible by wheelchair. This is because the rules to preserve historical sites make it difficult to include accessibility measures.
Restrooms: Restrooms for visitors, including wheelchair-accessible toilets, are located in the Visitors’ Center, in the main exhibition in the former maintenance building, and near the seminar rooms.
Cafeteria: You can visit the cafeteria, which offers a variety of snacks, sandwiches, meals, coffee, and refreshments. You’re not allowed to bring any outside food to the site, so you can plan to have your lunch here.
Photography: You can take photographs for personal use inside the camp and at the memorial site. However, audio, video, and written recordings are not allowed. Commercial photography or videography and tripods are not permitted at the site.
Bookshop: A bookshop called ‘Literaturhandlung’ is located at the visitor’s center. It specializes in the literature on the history of the camp, victims of the Nazi regime, and Jewish literature.
As Dachau is a place of remembrance, you are expected to wear appropriate attire. Avoid wearing extremely revealing clothing. Clothes with extremist symbols or inflammatory messages are prohibited.
Quite a lot of your Dachau concentration camp tour will involve walking outdoors, so make sure you’re well-wrapped if visiting in the winter. If you’re visiting during the summer months, wear sunblock, and carry umbrellas or hats for protection.
The tour is about 5 hours long and you will have to walk quite a bit, so ensure you wear comfortable shoes.
Keep in mind that there are no storage lockers available on-site at the camp, so we recommend not bringing any heavy bags or luggage with you, as you’ll have to carry it around with you everywhere.
Explore beyond Dachau concentration camp
Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the site that inspired the iconic Disney logo. Enjoy a day trip and opt for a guided tour to learn more about the former residence of King Ludwig II, who was known as “Mad King Ludwig”.
Explore Nymphenburg Palace, the 17th-century baroque masterpiece that served as the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria. Wander its sprawling gardens and admire its ornate facades and magnificent interiors.
SEA Life Munich
Visit SEA LIFE Munich to see Germany’s largest variety of shark species and over 8,000 sea animals. Learn about the animals that live in the aquarium’s 33 themed habitat tanks and enjoy the various interactive installations and displays.
Frequently asked questions about Dachau concentration camp tours
Entry to the camp is free, and you don’t need a ticket to gain admission. However, you need to pay if you want to take a guided Dachau concentration camp tour.
It takes about 4 to 5 hours for an expert guide to give you a complete tour of Dachau. If your guided tour includes transfers to and from Munich, you will be bound by the duration of your tour. If you are visiting on your own, you can spend as much time as you require at the concentration camp.
Depending on the experience you choose, you can cancel your Dachau concentration camp tour tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund. However, make sure to check these details before purchasing your ticket online.
Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage facilities at Dachau. It’s best to visit the camp without heavy bags or suitcases.
Most areas and buildings at Dachau are accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility issues. However, some paths and areas of the grounds might be difficult to access as they are paved with gravel.
Dachau was the location of some of the most horrific crimes against humanity. Keep in mind that some of the exhibits, like the gas chambers, the crematoriums, and the documentary film about the camp, might be a particularly intense and overwhelming experience.
Dachau is a place of immense horror and tragedy, and visiting it will be an emotionally intense experience. We recommend taking short breaks between exhibits and pacing yourself so that you don’t get too overwhelmed. In case you need to step away for a bit, spend time in the camp’s open areas, near trees, to fortify yourself.
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A deeply moving, fully guided tour of Dachau Memorial Site with expert commentary and round-trip transfers.
Everything you get: Experience a 5-hour, English-guided tour led by trained, Memorial Site-approved guides. Benefit from round-trip train and bus travel from Munich, and the chance to explore original camp buildings, the crematorium, prisoner barracks, and memorial monuments.
Why choose this: Gain powerful historical insight with guides trained for sensitivity and accuracy, plus seamless transfers from Munich for a hassle-free visit.
Upgrades: Watch a 20-min Dachau documentary before your tour for powerful historical context and deeper understanding of the site.
Inclusions
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5-hour half-day tour of Dachau Concentration Camp
English-speaking guide
Round-trip transfers from Munich meeting point by train/bus
20-min documentary about Dachau (as per option selected)
Exclusions
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Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Keep in mind food is not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!
Safety is a priority so this experience is restricted for guests under the age of 14 years.
Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
This experience is wheelchair accessible.
Photography is permitted but no audio, video, or written recordings are allowed.
Food and drinks are not available for purchase at the Memorial Site, so please remember to bring your own refreshments.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
On a guided tour of the Dachau Concentration Camp available and learn about the tragic losses during the Nazi rule in Germany.
Accompanied by an expert guide, listen to commentary about the camp in English, and learn how Dachau went on to become a model for every other concentration camp set up by the Nazis.
Explore the massive camp, and get to see the barracks, bunkers, crematoriums, torture chambers, and gas chambers firsthand.
Enjoy convenient and hassle-free transport to Dachau from Munich, saving you the effort of finding a way to reach the destination by yourself.
Inclusions
#
Guided tour in English
Expert guide
Transport between Munich and Dachau
20-min documentary about Dachau
Exclusions
#
Pick up and drop off to hotel
Tip: - The tour will include a fair amount of walking, so please wear appropriate footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.
The duration of the tour is approximately 5 hours.
For entrance there is an additional fee of 15 € per adult, to be paid at our tour office when checking in for the tour.
If you wish to upgrade to the ticket with the boat ride, an additional fee of 23 € per adult must be paid directly at the tour office.
Children under the age of 14 are not allowed on this tour.
Food cannot be purchased or eaten on the Memorial grounds.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Explore Third Reich-era Munich, then journey to Dachau, all with one seamless guided combo.
Everything you get at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Gain deep insight during a guided visit to Germany’s first Nazi concentration camp, with expert-led narratives that contextualize the site’s chilling history. The experience includes access to preserved barracks, the crematorium, and exhibition spaces, brought to life through powerful storytelling that honors the memory of those who suffered here.
Everything you get at Third Reich Munich Walking Tour: Walk through key Munich landmarks tied to Hitler’s rise, including the Feldherrnhalle and Hofbräuhaus, as your guide unravels events from early Nazi rallies to the city’s role as the regime’s power base. Layered with historic photos and firsthand accounts, this tour paints a vivid portrait of the era where it all began.
Why choose this combo: Pairing Munich’s WWII-era historical sites with a visit to Dachau offers unmatched narrative continuity, see the ideological start and its horrific outcome in one compelling package, saving time and offering deeper historical context.
Inclusions
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8.5-hour full-day Munich combo tour
Round-trip transfers from Munich
Expert English-speaking guide
Small group size (limited to 25 guests)
5-hour Dachau concentration camp memorial site tour
45-minute lunch break (meal not included)
2.5-hour Munich Third Reich walking tour
Free time to explore Munich's Old Town
Exclusions
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Food & drinks
Stay mindful of time during the lunch break—the break in Munich is short, so plan accordingly to avoid delays and ensure you rejoin the group on time.
Tour starts at the Radius Tours Sales Office located at Dachauer Straße. Please arrive 15 minutes early, as late arrivals may miss the tour due to the guide's schedule.
If you’ve booked online, you must pick up your ticket from the sales office before the tour begins.
Dachau Memorial is partially wheelchair accessible, but some areas, such as the original barracks, are challenging due to uneven and gravel paths.
The Munich walking tour includes cobblestone streets and extensive walking, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues. Rest stops are provided for comfort.
Tipping is prohibited at Dachau to respect the memorial site's rules.
Students with a valid ID are eligible for a discount.
Dress in layers—Munich’s weather can be unpredictable, so layering your clothing allows you to adjust easily to changes in temperature throughout the day.
Large bags or backpacks are prohibited at Dachau; please bring only what you would need for the day.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can enter any attraction only once.
Inclusions
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1/2/3/4/5-day validity
Access to hop-on hop-off tours
Access to unlimited public transport
Museums: Bavarian National Museum, Jewish Museum, State Museum of Egyptian Art & more
Attractions: FC Bayern Museum, Umadum Ferris Wheel, SEA LIFE Munich & more
Guided Tours: City Hall German guided tour, Oldtown German guided tour, and Bicycle Tour through Munich in German and English
Firstly, choose the city pass and the period of validity and receive your ticket via email. You can use the same pass for free entry and also reduced/discounted tickets.
Choose between 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 consecutive calendar days. It means that if you’ve booked a 1-day pass, then the pass is valid for 24 hours and you can use it till 6 am after the last valid day and so on.
Your pass activates the instant you use it at the first attraction or tour and remains valid for the following days you've chosen.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tours
From Munich: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour
A deeply moving, fully guided tour of Dachau Memorial Site with expert commentary and round-trip transfers.
Everything you get: Experience a 5-hour, English-guided tour led by trained, Memorial Site-approved guides. Benefit from round-trip train and bus travel from Munich, and the chance to explore original camp buildings, the crematorium, prisoner barracks, and memorial monuments.
Why choose this: Gain powerful historical insight with guides trained for sensitivity and accuracy, plus seamless transfers from Munich for a hassle-free visit.
Upgrades: Watch a 20-min Dachau documentary before your tour for powerful historical context and deeper understanding of the site.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now, pay later
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
5 hr.
Transfers available
Guided Tours
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour
On a guided tour of the Dachau Concentration Camp available and learn about the tragic losses during the Nazi rule in Germany.
Accompanied by an expert guide, listen to commentary about the camp in English, and learn how Dachau went on to become a model for every other concentration camp set up by the Nazis.
Explore the massive camp, and get to see the barracks, bunkers, crematoriums, torture chambers, and gas chambers firsthand.
Enjoy convenient and hassle-free transport to Dachau from Munich, saving you the effort of finding a way to reach the destination by yourself.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now, pay later
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
5 hr.
Guided Tours
Combo: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site & Third Reich Tour
Explore Third Reich-era Munich, then journey to Dachau, all with one seamless guided combo.
Everything you get at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site: Gain deep insight during a guided visit to Germany’s first Nazi concentration camp, with expert-led narratives that contextualize the site’s chilling history. The experience includes access to preserved barracks, the crematorium, and exhibition spaces, brought to life through powerful storytelling that honors the memory of those who suffered here.
Everything you get at Third Reich Munich Walking Tour: Walk through key Munich landmarks tied to Hitler’s rise, including the Feldherrnhalle and Hofbräuhaus, as your guide unravels events from early Nazi rallies to the city’s role as the regime’s power base. Layered with historic photos and firsthand accounts, this tour paints a vivid portrait of the era where it all began.
Why choose this combo: Pairing Munich’s WWII-era historical sites with a visit to Dachau offers unmatched narrative continuity, see the ideological start and its horrific outcome in one compelling package, saving time and offering deeper historical context.
