Did you know that underground at Wieliczka the temperature stays almost constant at about 14–16°C and the main Tourist Route is over 2 km long? That means a visit to the mine can be a pleasant refreshment even on a hot day — a good thing to remember when planning what to wear on day two. The Aviation Museum collects unique airplanes and exhibits that will appeal to the whole family; its displays can take several hours if you like to read descriptions and dig into details.
In this article you’ll find a concrete, visitor‑friendly plan for two good days in Kraków including visits to the Aviation Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, tips for walking and using public transport, food recommendations and practical advice often missing from guidebooks.
Start at the heart of Kraków — the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and the area around Wawel. A walk through the Old Town lets you soak in the city’s atmosphere and see the main sights without rushing. Plan this for the morning and part of the afternoon; it’s worth visiting Wawel and the historic nooks between Grodzka Street and the Planty gardens.
In the afternoon you can stay around Kazimierz — a great place for dinner. Well‑rated, recommended spots include Starka (traditional Polish cuisine in a cosy setting), Massolit Books & Cafe (light meals and good coffee) and Pod Wawelem (for hearty Polish classics). Booking a table for the evening is useful, especially at weekends.
If you have energy left, an evening walk along the Vistula or through the Planty is a lovely way to end the day. Bring comfortable shoes — day one involves a lot of walking on old cobbles.
Reserve the morning for the Polish Aviation Museum (location: al. Jana Pawła II). The museum usually mixes indoor halls and an outdoor exhibition, so plan at least 2–3 hours for a relaxed visit — more if you’re interested in aviation technology and history.
After the museum spend the afternoon in Wieliczka. The most convenient way is tram or a short ride to the Main Railway Station and then a train to Wieliczka (the journey takes about 20–30 minutes). In the mine you’ll enter an underground world: the Tourist Route covers a couple of kilometres and usually takes 1.5–2 hours, and the additional Saltworks Museum Route adds historical exhibits.
Practically speaking, stay flexible: visit the Aviation Museum in the morning, have a relaxed lunch nearby, then head to Wieliczka — this helps you avoid the biggest crowds and makes it easier to catch a convenient entry time for the mine.
Some of the route is easy to do on foot, but certain stretches are better by tram or train. The distance from the strict city centre to the Aviation Museum is several kilometres — depending on your starting point a walk can take 45–75 minutes, so if you enjoy longer walks and have time it’s doable. Remember that walking with luggage or in heat can be tiring.
Walking from the Aviation Museum to Wieliczka is not practical — it’s many kilometres and would take several hours. A better option is tram to the Main Station and a train to Wieliczka Rynek‑Kopalnia, or public transport to interchange points. Use real‑time route apps (for example Jakdojade) to plan the best connection.
Trams and buses in the city are convenient; tickets are available from machines or mobile apps. If you want to maximize sightseeing time, use public transport for longer hops and save walking for short stretches between attractions.
Buy Wieliczka tickets in advance — you can reserve a specific entry time which significantly reduces queueing. The Tourist Route and the Saltworks Museum Route together typically take 1.5–3 hours depending on choices; check availability and any restrictions before you go.
The Aviation Museum has days when it’s closed (usually Mondays); on some weekdays there may be promotions or free entry to certain permanent displays — check current opening hours before your visit.
Expect stairs and slopes in Wieliczka. Visitors with limited mobility should check which parts of the routes are accessible and the rules for entry. Large luggage is not allowed in the mine — plan to leave bulky bags at your hotel or in storage.
Comfortable closed shoes — the underground has damp sections and uneven walkways. A light extra layer — the mine is cooler, usually around 14–16°C, so a thin sweater is useful even in summer.
A bottle of water and a small snack — although there are catering points, it’s handy to have something in case of queues or delays. Charge your phone and bring a powerbank for photos and maps.
In the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find a wide choice from cafés to restaurants serving traditional dishes. Starka in Kazimierz is recommended for regional plates and an intimate atmosphere, while Massolit Books & Cafe is a reliable option for breakfast and coffee.
Near the Wieliczka mine there is the Karczma Górnicza restaurant and a bistro by the entrance — practical choices if you want to eat close to the exit after visiting the mine. For convenience, consider hotels or guesthouses in the Old Town or Kazimierz, from where it’s easy to reach the main sights and public transport stops.
The underground lakes and St. Kinga’s Chapel in Wieliczka are the most impressive sights, but few know that part of the museum displays include objects thousands of years old and artworks by Jan Matejko shown in the context of the saltworks’ history.
The Aviation Museum, beyond classic aircraft, also presents engines, aviation equipment and local aviation history — it’s a great spot not just for machine enthusiasts but also for those curious about technology and industrial history.
Trying to fit too many attractions into one day — both the Aviation Museum and Wieliczka need time; it’s better to see fewer things well than many things superficially.
Not reserving Wieliczka tickets — later entry slots can sell out, especially in high season.
Inappropriate footwear — many visitors underestimate the number of steps and wet surfaces in the mine.
Not checking the museum’s closed days (Mondays) — this is a frequent cause of disappointment.
Can I walk between attractions? Yes — short walks inside the Old Town are great; longer stretches (for example to the Aviation Museum) are possible but time‑consuming; for longer transfers choose tram or train.
How much time for Wieliczka and the Aviation Museum? Plan 2–3 hours for the Aviation Museum and 1.5–3 hours for Wieliczka depending on the route and pace.
Do I need to book tickets in advance? For Wieliczka it’s strongly recommended to book ahead; for the Aviation Museum check for special events or closed days.
Are there discounts for families and youth? Many attractions offer reduced or family tickets — check current price lists before buying.
If this plan was useful, share it with friends or on social media — it may save someone needless running between sights.
If you’d like someone to tailor the route to your interests and make the visit as comfortable as possible, consider booking a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers personalized guiding for visitors to Kraków; you can find contact details on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
