Wieliczka and the Home Army Museum are two different but highly complementary attractions: one is underground, spectacular and UNESCO-listed; the other tells a close and important 20th-century story. For groups of 7-30 people this combination balances an engaging, physical underground route with a more intimate, educational museum experience.
Combining both sites in one day works well for groups that want to discover different faces of Lesser Poland without the strain of a full-day trip. You do need to plan breaks, transport and reservations carefully — especially with 7-30 people, because group size affects guide bookings, group tickets and lunch arrangements.
If you’re organising a trip for a small or medium school group, company or tourist group, remember that the Home Army Museum has different organisational requirements than the Wieliczka Salt Mine — different visiting times, limited coach parking and catering options. Planning ahead will save stress on the travel day.
Book tickets and any guided tours well in advance. The Wieliczka Salt Mine has seasonal rates and group booking procedures, and the Home Army Museum accepts guide reservations by email. For groups of 7-30 people it’s best to confirm bookings 2–4 weeks before the trip.
Check opening hours for both sites on the planned day of your visit and watch for any technical closures. Make sure chosen entrances and routes are accessible for people with limited mobility, and check which concessions or reduced fares apply to participants.
When booking transport, give your driver information about coach stopping options: the Home Army Museum does not have its own coach parking, so plan a stop at nearby public parking or at a shopping centre; around Wieliczka many restaurants and pre-mine facilities offer bus parking and spaces for coaches.
An example schedule for a trip starting in Krakow that combines the Home Army Museum and Wieliczka:
08:45–09:00 - meeting point in Krakow, short run-through of the plan, basic safety reminders and assignment of group supervisors.
09:15–10:30 - visit the Home Army Museum (duration depends on the type of guided tour; for groups of 7-30 a comfortable range is 45–90 minutes).
10:45 - depart by coach for Wieliczka (about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic).
11:30–13:30 - visit the salt mine: Tourist Route (visit time depends on chosen option; note that stairs and distance are physically demanding).
13:30–14:30 - lunch at one of the restaurants near the mine (reserve for groups).
14:45–15:30 - short walk around the pre-mine area or time for coffee and souvenirs.
16:00 - return to Krakow or continue the programme by agreement with the group.
This plan is flexible — you can reverse the order (Wieliczka in the morning, Home Army Museum in the afternoon) but remember to check opening hours and possible technical closures.
Wieliczka: right by the mine entrance there are restaurants and banquet halls prepared for groups — some can host several hundred people at once and have coach parking, so it’s worth arranging the menu and meal times before arrival. Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku (near the entrance) is an example of a place well set up for groups and convenient coach stops.
Krakow (near the Home Army Museum): the museum doesn’t have large coach parking and the area is urban, so the most reliable quick-break options are cafés and food outlets in Galeria Krakowska or a short walk to nearby venues. When planning a lunch break, allow time for walking and possible coach parking at a designated nearby spot.
If you plan a picnic or an outdoor break, arrange it around Wieliczka — the area around the mine is more suitable for short group stops than the busy centre of Krakow.
Park coaches in designated areas: around Wieliczka many restaurants and venues offer large coach parking lots, which makes dropping off the group and a relaxed lunch much easier. The Home Army Museum does not have coach parking, so use nearby city car parks or a shopping centre as a meeting point.
Set an outdoor meeting point at each site and remind participants of the pilot’s or group leader’s phone number. For groups of 7-30 it helps if the guide is easy to spot — a coloured card or small flag makes regrouping quick after visits.
Check traffic restrictions and paid-parking zones in Krakow in advance to avoid fines and delays. If possible, ask the driver on the day for local tips about the best places to stop — local traffic and roadworks can change the situation from day to day.
The Home Army Museum is adapted for people with different needs — there is a lift, wide passages, accessible toilets and self-service lockers for luggage. Still, it’s worth confirming any special requirements when you make the reservation.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a long, underground walk with stairs and corridors — people with mobility issues should consider this. For safety, consider shorter routes for the group or warn participants in advance about the physical demands. Bring water and comfortable shoes; in winter add a warm layer — underground temperatures are lower than on the surface.
Remember museum safety rules: respect exhibits, don’t touch objects, and follow the guide’s and staff’s instructions.
Not booking group lunches — in season some restaurants near Wieliczka handle many groups at the same time; without a reservation you may face long waits. Book the menu and serving time in advance.
Underestimating travel times — traffic around Krakow and roadworks can extend journey times to Wieliczka. Allow a margin of 30–45 minutes in your schedule so the group doesn’t need to rush.
Mismatching the route to the group’s abilities — the mine requires physical fitness; if you have older people or those with limited mobility, check for alternatives or plan a shorter visit.
In the Wieliczka Salt Mine you’ll find chapels carved from salt and numerous salt sculptures — it’s not just a mining shaft but an underground world of surprising artistic details. For many visitors this is the highlight of the visit.
The Home Army Museum, although it tells a difficult chapter of Polish history, was designed with accessibility and education in mind — you’ll find interactive elements and spaces that make the exhibition suitable for school groups and mixed-age visitors.
Many attractions offer special deals for school and educational groups — sometimes a guardian receives a free ticket or group discounts are available.
How long does it take to visit Wieliczka? The Tourist Route usually takes about 1.5–2 hours, but this depends on the pace of the group and any breaks. Also plan time to get to the restaurant and for souvenir shopping.
Will the museum and the mine accept a group of 7 people? Yes — both institutions serve small and medium groups, but with 7–30 people it’s wise to book dates and guiding services in advance.
Where can we leave luggage? The Home Army Museum offers self-service lockers; at Wieliczka check the options for storing larger luggage at the ticket office or arrange storage with your accommodation beforehand.
Confirmed bookings for tickets (Salt Mine, Home Army Museum) and guides.
Reserved lunch venue or confirmed catering alternatives; coach parking confirmed for Wieliczka.
Participant list, contact numbers for supervisors, contingency plan (e.g. what to do in case of delay), first-aid kit, water supply and comfortable shoes.
Remind participants about appropriate clothing — it’s cooler in the mine, so bring a second layer.
Wieliczka: Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku — large and set up for group bookings with coach parking; call ahead to reserve. It’s a comfortable option after a demanding underground walk.
Krakow: for a short break near the Home Army Museum consider the food outlets in Galeria Krakowska — they have the infrastructure for larger groups and are easy to find from the meeting point. For a more intimate lunch choose one of the well-rated central restaurants, but remember to allow time for walking and coach stopping.
If you want to enrich the programme, add a short walk around the Main Market Square or a visit to a cosy café — this requires extra time and logistics.
When planning a trip for a group of 7-30 people, the most important things are: solid bookings, a realistic timetable and clear meeting points. Also take care of participants’ comfort — breaks, toilets and clear instructions from supervisors. If you need help organising the route, booking a guide or would like someone to lead the group personally, please check the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz’s page — her contact details on the site will help you quickly finalise arrangements.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — more groups can benefit from a well-thought-out plan. Good luck with the planning and have safe, inspiring trips!
