It’s natural for people to be fascinated with history, though it’s always a tough decision to decide to venture through some of humanity’s darkest moments.
Tucked into the beautiful Bavarian countryside, Dachau stands as a rather somber reminder of past atrocities, offering those who visit the opportunity to confront WWII realities firsthand.
I’ve decided to detail the 5 top Dachau Concentration Camp tours from Munich, which serve not only as an educational opportunity but also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Let’s get started!
Be sure to see our reviews of Neuschwanstein Castle Tours and Eagle’s Nest Tours.
Best Dachau Concentration Camp Tours
| Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site And Third Reich Day Tour From Munich | Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Private Tour from Munich by Train | Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train | ||
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| Location: | Marienplatz, 80331 Munich | Hauptbahnhof, 80335 Munich | Dachauer Str. 4, 80335 München | |
| Start: | 9:00 AM | 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM | 9:00 AM | |
| Duration: | 8 hours | 4 to 5 hours | 5 hours | |
| Includes: | Professional guide, tour, transportation costs | Private guide, train tickets from Munich to Dachau | Professional guide, transportation between Munich and the Memorial site on local train and bus | |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Dachau Concentration Camp Tours For 2024
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site And Third Reich Day Tour From Munich
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Private Tour from Munich by Train
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train
- Private Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich
- Guided Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour with Train from Munich
Dachau Concentration Camp Tour Reviews
1. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site And Third Reich Day Tour From Munich
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departure: Marienplatz, 80331 Munich
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Professional guide, tour, transportation costs
This first one definitely isn’t your average tour, taking you on a deep dive into some heavy history that will definitely change the way you see things.
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site and Third Reich Day Tour from Munich is the longest one of its kind, with incredible guides who will teach you more than a history class ever could.
As it is a small-group tour, I found it a bit more respectful and intimate which can also make things feel more emotional.
Starting off at 9:00 am, you’ll meet your guide at the Tourist Information Center on Marienplatz in Munich, where you’ll take a quick train ride out to Dachau.
Upon arriving, it was honestly very surreal to see this place where such unbelievable events took place. However, it was a very moving experience and with our guide, we were able to learn so much more than we ever could have from a class or book.
We started off being able to see the various photos, documents, reconstructed cell blocks, crematorium, admin headquarters, and many other places of interest on the tour.
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For example, they told us some facts about different Nazis that I’d never even heard about before, and I’d consider myself relatively knowledgeable on the subject. I found our guide to be very well-spoken and friendly, explaining things in a way that would make sense to anyone.
While the order may be either before or after Dachau, you’ll also go on a historical city tour relating back to Hitler, the Nazi party, and WWII with the Holocaust.
We were able to see the Old Town Hall, the Staatliches Hofbrauhaus, Odeonsplatz, Konigsplatz, and other significant places significant during the times of the Third Reich. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time in Munich, I can’t recommend this tour enough.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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2. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Private Tour from Munich by Train
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Departure: Hauptbahnhof, 80335 Munich
- Departure Time: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM
- Includes: Private guide, train tickets from Munich to Dachau
This is a shorter tour if you don’t feel like doing the full 8 hours, while still getting to see the staggering Dachau. It’s definitely a lot to take in, but I find it one of the best history lessons one could experience: for both individuals and families, alike.
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Private Tour from Munich by Train lasts around 4 to 5 hours, making it one of the most significant tours you could take.
So, I’d like to clarify that transportation from Munich to Dachau departs from Hauptbahnhof, so you’ll be taking the train out there.
However, the guide does offer the option of “picking you up” at your hotel, so they can help with boarding the correct train and everything.
Alternatively, you can head to Dachau yourself by train and meet your guide there – they’ll communicate with you upon booking to sort the option that works best for you.
Arriving at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is something else and no matter how much you know about it, nothing can prepare you for the intense feelings you’ll undoubtedly have once there in person.
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As the first permanent concentration camp in Nazi Germany, it was the model that every other camp after followed. At the memorial site, we saw countless photos, the reconstructed cell blocks, crematorium, and learned so many stories about Jewish, gay, communist, etc. prisoners.
Seeing the ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign above the gateway into the camp was crazy, as I’d seen photos of it so many times in history books and classes.
We even got to see the administration headquarters and the rail platform that the prisoners first arrived, which is hard to wrap your head around.
After seeing the camp, we had some time to check out the museum and watch a documentary in English (optional).
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Dachauer Str. 4, 80335 München
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Professional guide, return transportation between Munich and the Memorial site on local train and bus
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train is a very comprehensive one, filled with many accounts that have come straight from Holocaust survivors that our guide knew in person.
Not to mention, it’s definitely one of the most seamless ways to get up to Dachau with guides there to help with transportation.
The tour may be powerful and heavy, but the impact of seeing this place has undoubtedly changed how I view my life, other people, and the world, in its entirety.
We started the tour by meeting at their offices beforehand so we could take the train from the Hauptbahnhof up to Dachau from Munich.
If you’re someone who isn’t used to riding trains and feel stressed, worrying you may get on at the wrong platform or sit in the wrong seat, this is a big help.
The train ride was surprisingly fast, and the 20 or so minutes it took us to get to Dachau were filled with intriguing commentary about Munich relating back to WWII and the Holocaust by our guide.
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They were a wealth of historical knowledge, taking us through the reconstructed barracks and cells, exhibitions, memorials, and more. Dachau had actually operated for a whopping 12 years, and it seems insane how many thousands of people lost their lives and suffered here.
Seeing the camp gate and guard houses, crematorium, and other significant buildings was very moving, though I should mention not to see much of the original barracks.
We were offered plenty of time to reflect afterward, with the option to pay our respects at different national and international memorials. For the price, I feel like this is a must-see in order to learn about our past and be assured we will not repeat these kinds of atrocities in the future.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Private Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Departure: Dachauer Str. 4, 80335 München or hotel pickup and drop-off
- Departure Time:
- Includes: Professional and qualified guide, local taxes, private tour, transport by Munich’s public transportation system
If it’s your first time in Munich, this is one of the most convenient, educational tours of Dachau you could take. First, you get to choose the ideal start time for your itinerary, and second, you get to enjoy a convenient pickup and drop-off right at your hotel lobby!
The Private Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich is another excellent, professional experience with knowledgeable guides to lead the way.
I personally feel that the only way to see such a somber place like Dachau is through a private tour. I’m not saying there aren’t great non-public tours out there, but I do feel that for the most intimate experience, it really is best to go with fewer people.
Our guide was compassionate and thoughtful enough to offer to meet us at our hotel to take us to Munich Central station to get tickets and board our train.
The train ride was a short 20 minutes or so to the Dachau former Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and during that ride our guide casually chatted with us about our specific interests, where we’re from, and so on.
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We then entered Dachau, learning about the “Path of the Prisoners” which took them from the train platform, processing and admin, what their daily life looked like, and occasionally, their death.
We learned about the various types of camps that were created at Dachau, how they evolved over time, who was placed at each camp, and why.
What really stood out to me were the individual survivor stories, and it was crazy to think about how many of them knew some of the staff that we spoke with at the memorial site.
Seeing the original gas chamber and crematoria was honestly quite sad, but served as a reminder that these events really occurred. Overall it was a solid tour, with our guide filling in many blanks and relating the experience back to present day.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Guided Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour with Train from Munich
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Marienplatz 8, 80331 München
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Memorial licensed guide, transportation costs for duration of tour
If you’re interested in seeing Dachau but want to find something more budget-friendly, this is the tour for you!
The Guided Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour with Train from Munich is a 5-hour experience that offers a ton of value while still taking care of all transportation and guidance for you.
It’s a fantastic way to learn about the Nazi regime, the Third Reich, prisoners’ lives in the camp, and much more.
This one doesn’t include a hotel pickup option – instead, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of your group under the Glockenspiel by the Tourist Info center in Marienplatz in Munich.
We then headed to the train station together and boarded a nice train en route to Dachau, with all costs included. Starting at 9:00 am, it’s a great way to spend a morning while being able to get back to Munich in time for dinner!
Upon arrival, we headed to the Memorial where we spent about 3 hours being shown around the site by our expert guide, who covered everything from the political motivation to the individual prisoner stories.
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We were even able to see all the site areas, including the reconstructed barracks, crematorium, gas chamber, bunker punishment block, administration, and maintenance building.
Delivering all information in a compassionate, respectful way, we all really resonated with what our guide showed and explained to us.
After walking around the actual site, we were given plenty of time to check out the museum, where we were able to see countless photographs, documents, items from prisoners, and much more.
This sobering experience is definitely heavy, but I recommend it to anyone staying in Munich – especially if it’s your first time. Munich is also quite relevant regarding the aftermath of the Holocaust, so it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about this crucial time in history.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site And Third Reich Day Tour is our Editors Choice for the best Dachau Concentration Camp tour from Munich
