Mauthausen Concentration Camp: Day Trips and Tours from Vienna

The Mauthausen Concentration Camp sits on a hill above the town of Mauthausen in the heart of northwestern Austria. It was one of the first major camps established in Nazi Germany and the last to be liberated by the Allies.

It was the main camp in a group of about 100 subcamps. Together, the camps housed over 85,000 victims.

Experts agree that the best way to avoid repeating mistakes is to learn from them. Visiting a former concentration camp provides you the perfect opportunity to learn from the past and honor the victims.

A day trip to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna is a very emotional and somber experience, but one that we highly recommend.

Check out our helpful guide to visiting the Mauthausen Concentration Camp, one of the most educational day trips from Vienna.

What are your travel options to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna?

The Mauthausen Concentration Camp sits about 170 kilometers straight west of Vienna. The journey takes anywhere from two to three hours, depending on which method of transportation you select. You can reach the former concentration camp by car, public transportation or on a guided tour.

From Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp by car

The journey from Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp by car typically takes a little over two hours. The fastest route is the A1 toll road, but you can also take the S5 and A1 if you want to avoid tolls.

From Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp by public transportation

If you want to avoid driving, you can make the jaunt from Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp by public transportation. You have a handful of options, but the fastest one takes about 2.5 hours.

You can catch a train towards Salzburg from Wien Westbahnhof. You will get off at Linz and take a bus to Mauthausen. From there, you have a short walk to reach the former concentration camp.

Guided tour to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna

Perhaps the most simple way to reach the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna is on a guided day tour. All transportation expenses, a professional guide and a driver are all included in the excursion. Guided tours remove the stress that comes with travel planning.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp cost?

The Mauthausen Memorial (housed at the former concentration camp) is free of charge to visit. You can pay a small fee to participate in a guided tour of the groups. Book these tickets in advance because they sell out quickly!

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna?

Most day tours from Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp last for six to nine hours. Since this is such an emotionally-charged experience, the day tours do not make other stops along the way.

The day trip begins by meeting at a designated spot in Vienna, or your tour operator will pick you up at your accommodation. Once all the members of the tour have arrived, your group will make the journey west towards the former concentration camp.

Upon arrival, you will have the option to explore the grounds for a few hours on your own or participate in a guided tour. You can take a tour with a professional guide or a self-guided audio tour. The memorial houses former prisoner barracks, SS quarters, a quarry and a museum for you to explore and pay your respects.

The tour group will then travel back to Vienna after a day of learning and honoring those who died. Your tour operator will drop you off at the designated meeting spot from earlier or directly at your accommodation. Confirm with them ahead of time to avoid confusion.

What kinds of tours can you choose to go to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp?

Booking a day tour from Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp is a great way to learn about the history of the camp, visit the memorial and pay your respects to those who died. You can choose from a day tour, a private day tour or a private transfer to Salzburg plus a stop at the concentration camp.

Day tour to Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna

Tours to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp are extremely heavy and somber, so most day tours don’t make any other stops along the way.

Day tours provide you with transportation, a private guide and free time to explore the camp. A regular day tour combines multiple bookings to form a small group, unlike a private day tour which provides you with a more intimate setting to experience the camp.

You will make the journey with other travelers from all over the world. At the camp, you can explore on your own if you want privacy.

Private tour to Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna

Private tours typically provide the same experience as regular day tours, but the tour is limited to your party. This intimate setting is particularly comforting for some people when the experience is emotionally heavy, like a day trip to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

These tours include transportation, a private guide and time to explore the camp on your own. Private tours also give you more scheduling flexibility. They can be a cost-effective option for small groups because you pay a flat fee for the group, not per person.

Transfer to Mauthausen Concentration Camp with return to Salzburg

If you need to travel from Vienna to Salzburg, you can book a private transfer that stops at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp along the way. The professional driver will pick you up in Vienna and take you to the camp where you get a few hours to explore. You will then make your way to Salzburg.

How much does a tour to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp from Vienna cost?

Each day tour from Vienna to the Mauthausen Concentration Camps varies in price. The cost is based on how long the tour lasts, the tour operator and whether or not it is a private tour. You can book a day tour for anywhere from €125 to €960.

The most budget-friendly option is a private trip with a professional guide for €125. You can book other full-day tours for anywhere from €159 to €197, but most private day tours cost between €260 and €960.

Before booking a day tour, you should consider your budget and if you want a private tour or not. There is something for everyone, so you just have to decide what is most important to you!

What will you see and do in the Mauthausen Concentration Camp?

A former concentration camp is not your standard tourist attraction. These visits seek to educate people about past atrocities in hopes that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. You can also pay your respects and honor those who died between the walls of the camp.

The Mauthausen Memorial houses former prisoner barracks, SS quarters, a museum, a gas chamber and the Stairs of Death. You can take a guided or self-guided tour around the grounds to try and understand what the prisoners went through.

When is the Mauthausen Concentration Camp open over the year?

For the most part, the camp is open year-round. From Oct. 27 to Feb. 28, the memorial closes every Monday. It is also closed from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26 for Christmas, as well as Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 for New Year’s.

What are the opening times?

From March 1 to Oct. 26, the camp opens at 9 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. The last entry is at 4:45 PM. From Oct. 27 to Feb. 28, the camp opens at 9 AM and closes at 3:45 PM. The last entry is at 3 PM.

What time of year is best to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp?

The best time of the year to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp is during the summer months of June, July and August. You can expect average daily temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius and a significant amount of sunshine. These also tend to be the wettest months of the year, so pack a rain jacket!

Temperatures drop throughout the year and reach below freezing during December, January and February. You can also expect rain and/or snow during this time of the year. While the weather during the winter is not enjoyable, it provides you with a very unique experience of the camp.

Travel tips

• Try and prepare yourself emotionally. These visits can be draining and somber.
• Pack a rain jacket!
• Book your guided tours ahead of time so they don’t sell out.