Mauthausen or Terezin
 

My husband and I are staying in Vienna until the beginning of January and would like to see a concentration camp before heading back to the US. We are taking a weekend trip up to Prague this upcoming weekend and wanted to know if we should take a day trip to Terezin or wait and take a day trip from Vienna to Mauthausen. Does anyone know if Mauthausen is open during this time of the year and if it is how much it costs for a tour? I've been able to find more on Terezin with basic research and it looks like a tour of Terezin is around $60pp. Does this sound about right? The price is a little steep for us so if Mauthausen is cheaper and easier then we may go with that one. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Sixty dollars per person to tour a concentration camp? What does the money go toward?

I've read a lot of great reviews about the Whitman Tours in Prague.

http://www.wittmann-tours.com/

According to this site, a tour of Terezin cost 1000 CZK per student.

Since you are spending more time in Vienna, I would suggest that you visit Mauthausen. Å weekend in Prague will be just scratching the surface for the city itself. Search "Mauthausen" and you should find information on how to get there.

Anyone know how much Mauthausen costs?

What are you talking about, sweetie darling? Do you mean and ORGANIZED tour of Terezin costs $60? (By the way, Fodor's uses my quote WOM in its Prague Guide for Terezin.) Yes, a tour company will charge you for transport and tour of Terezin. I am not sure what the admission is if you go on your own.

Elaine, a member of the Inner Circle who now posts on TTG, always recommended Wittman Tours.

Crunchy, what do you mean by "where does that money go?" It costs lots of money to maintain the exhibits at Terezin. There is staff to pay, etc. I don't think the Jewish community of the Czech Republic is using that money to buy Hermes scarves.

Thingorjus--IOC

We are of "student" age and can go on the Whittman tour of Terezin for 1000 czk per person. Does this sound like a reasonable price?

Michael,
We will be arriving into Prague Thursday afternoon and leaving Sunday evening. I definitely want to make sure we enjoy Prague since everyone seems to RAVE about it, including my mother. If we are gone all day Saturday (10-4) do you think that is still only scratching the surface of Prague or is that enough time (Thursday, Friday, Sunday)?

We've been doing museums for awhile now and to be honest we are pretty museum'd out. We are really just wanting to enjoy the city for what it is.

I think 3 days in Prague will give you enough time to hit all the basics (castle, Old Town, Mala Strana). If Terezin is of interest to you, definitely check it out. I went there, but it was 11 years ago, so the price now is much higher. It will take awhile to get there, so transportation is a big part of the tour price. 1000 crowns is cheap, so don't hesitate at all for that price.

Mauthausen can be visited throughout the whole year, it is only closed for Christmas (24.12./25.2.) and for 31.12./1.1..

you can find all info here:
http://www.mauthausen-memorial.at

As far as I know there is no admission charge, only for guided tours, but you can get a free audio-guide to exlore the exhibitions on you own.