I’m a WW2 History buff and was predisposed to liking the museum. I visited on probably the busiest day of the year. 1 August, the anniversary of the uprising. At 12 pm getting a free ticket at the kiosk (museum shop) was quick, but there was a one hour wait to get in. However, there were soldiers and child scouts singing and playing the guitar while we waited.
There were no more audio guides available to rent, although entry is free on Monday. To avoid the crowds, I’d go at around 3 pm. There was no line to get in then.
There are some interesting exhibits and I spent 2 hours reading the leaflets and exhibits. If I had had an audio guide, it may have added another 30-40 minutes to my visit.
Other reviewers have commented on how hard it is to find your way around the museum. I had no map or audio guide and managed, except at the very end I had to ask a guard to show me the exit. And I’m usually bad at finding my way….:) However, I do agree that the flow and layout isn’t optimum. You often double back on yourself and bump into people going the other way as the direction of the exhibits isn’t one way.
Also, as other reviewers have noted, there are large child groups visiting, which can make for a sometimes pushy and loud experience. Again, visiting at around 3 pm when the museum isn’t so busy should help with this.
If you are pressed for time, the POLIN museum is much better (but it’s about the Jewish history in Poland. However, since the Jews cooperated in the Warsaw uprising the event is also covered in that museum.)
Or, if you are going to Gdańsk, you can skip this museum in favor of the superb WW2 museum there which covers the Warsaw Uprising.
It’s a pity that such a significant event in Warsaw’s history didn’t get the museum layout it deserves.