Yes — it’s a very realistic and attractive idea for a weekend. The Father Bernatek Footbridge sits practically in the heart of Krakow, linking Kazimierz with Podgórze, so it’s easy to include in a city walk. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an attraction that impresses young people: underground chambers, salt sculptures and long routes that stay in the memory.
In practice it’s worth spreading the visits over two days: dedicate one day to Krakow (including the footbridge and the Kazimierz/Podgórze area) and the other day to the trip to Wieliczka. That way the pace won’t be too tiring for the group and there will be time for breaks and meals.
Below you’ll find a concrete day plan, practical notes on tickets and reservations, and a checklist of things to prepare before the trip.
I wrote this guide with chaperones and teachers in mind — in plain, friendly language so organizing the trip is easy and enjoyable.
All practical tips are based on official information and visitor materials, adapted into simple, useful advice for group leaders.
The Father Bernatek Footbridge and the Wieliczka Salt Mine offer two very different experiences that complement each other well. The footbridge gives a short, striking walk over the Vistula and is an excellent spot for photos and a short lesson in local history and architecture.
Wieliczka, by contrast, is a journey through time and space — a long, almost magical walk underground where young people can see unique salt sculptures, underground chapels and learn about the history of salt mining.
Combining both attractions makes the weekend varied: on one hand a light urban exploration, on the other an essential “adventure” in the mine. Young participants usually love this mix.
A practical bonus: the mine lies close to Krakow and is usually well connected, so transfers don’t take too long.
If you like, you can treat the footbridge as the starting point for a walk through Kazimierz and Podgórze, then return to the city center or head straight to your accommodation before the Wieliczka visit.
Father Bernatek Footbridge: a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Vistula, notable for its distinctive form, opened in 2010. It has about a 145-meter span between supports and connects the banks of Kazimierz and Podgórze. The design includes separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists and the bridge quickly became a popular walking spot and a place where visitors sometimes leave “love locks.”
Wieliczka Salt Mine: the tourist route is several kilometers long (the underground walk totals a distance of a few kilometers) and requires climbing many stairs. From the first descent there are several hundred steps (the entry via Daniłowicz Shaft includes many stairs) and the total number of steps during the tour can exceed 800. Underground temperature is constant at about 16–18°C, so dress accordingly. The mine operates a clear policy for organized groups and offers special school-group tickets and reservation rules.
These numbers and conditions matter for planning — it’s not a short stroll, so prepare the young participants for physical effort and for different climatic conditions underground.
Wieliczka also offers nearby attractions such as a brine graduation tower, the Żup Krakowskich Museum and other mine-area points of interest that may be available depending on the season and schedule.
Remember: the mine requires group ticket reservations in advance — weekend slots can fill up, especially in high season.
Day 1 – Krakow: arrival, the footbridge and Kazimierz
Morning: start with a walk around Kazimierz. These are atmospheric, compact streets where you can easily find a place for breakfast or coffee for the chaperones. Then walk to the Father Bernatek Footbridge — the walk across the bridge takes only a moment, but it’s a great spot for group photos and a short talk about the bridge’s history and where an older bridge once stood.
Afternoon: explore parts of Kazimierz or Podgórze (depending on your preference) — plan short stops so the pace stays relaxed. Arrange a lunch break in an area with seating suitable for a larger group.
Evening: relax, play team games and prepare for the trip to Wieliczka the next day. If you’re staying overnight in Krakow, choose accommodation near public transport so you can depart quickly for Wieliczka in the morning.
Day 2 – Wieliczka: a full day at the mine
Morning: travel to Wieliczka by car, minibus or public transport (depending on arrangements). For school groups it’s wise to plan arrival with extra time for check-in and entrance procedures.
Tour: the tourist route is guided and usually lasts from about 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on the route variant). Typical flow: descent to the shaft, a walk through underground corridors and chambers, and return to the surface. Remember the steady, cooler temperature underground and the many stairs.
Afternoon: return to Krakow or have a meal and a relaxed trip home.
Booking: the Wieliczka Salt Mine recommends reserving tickets in advance, especially for groups. Weekend dates often get booked, so reserve as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
School-group tickets: the mine offers special prices and rules for school groups. Youth groups normally use school tickets, and often one teacher/chaperone has free admission under specific rules (for example 1 chaperone per 10 students). Ticket prices may vary seasonally, so check current rates before purchase.
Guide: the tourist route is conducted with a guide. For organized groups the guide is usually included in the group ticket price or provided according to the mine’s regulations.
Documents: young participants should carry proof of age if discounts apply (e.g., a school ID). If you plan to use concessions, keep IDs handy.
Health conditions: because of the stairs and long underground walk, make sure no participants have health contraindications (heart problems, claustrophobia or mobility issues may prevent safe participation).
Clothing: it’s cooler underground — around 16–18°C — so even on hot days bring a light sweater or fleece. Footwear: comfortable closed shoes are recommended because parts of the route can be uneven and there are many stairs.
Movement and safety: the route is primarily walking through long corridors and stairs, so remind the group to behave carefully, avoid racing and follow the guide’s instructions.
Duration: prepare the group for several hours with breaks — the route can take longer than expected, especially with large groups or during peak season.
Chaperone rules: check whether the group price includes free additional chaperones or whether extra chaperones must be paid for. Usually one chaperone per a set number of students enters free, but additional adults may incur a fee.
Additional attractions: if you plan a longer stay, check the offerings of the Żup Krakowskich Museum, the brine graduation tower, or other nearby attractions that can make the visit more enjoyable.
The footbridge is a great spot for a short lesson in architecture and urban planning: the structure is modern and was built as a new crossing linking historic parts of the city. You can talk to students about how such links affect city life and why new bridges matter for local transport and public space.
Photos and tasks: ask students to take short notes or photos — for example compare the riverbanks of Kazimierz and Podgórze, or a mini-task: find the structural element you like most and explain why.
Love-lock tradition: like many places around the world, the bridge has a tradition of couples attaching locks. It’s a good starting point for a conversation about the city as a space for customs and social behaviors.
Short break: the bridge is also a good, safe place for a short break during a walk — there are benches and riverside areas nearby where you can sit and recap what you’ve seen.
Remember: the bridge has separated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists — remind the group about usage rules to keep traffic flowing and ensure safety.
Getting to Wieliczka: the most common options are minibus or regional train. For school groups a dedicated minibus or hired transport is often more comfortable because it offers greater flexibility for departure and return times.
Meals: plan meal breaks in places that can seat the group. In Wieliczka there are eateries near the entrance, but for larger groups consider self-organized meals (sandwiches, packed lunches) or reserving a restaurant in advance.
Accommodation: if you’re staying overnight, choose places well connected to Krakow’s center. That will make the morning meetup easy and save time when departing for Wieliczka.
Return time: after an intense day in the mine, plan a calm return — participants may be tired after many stairs and a long walk.
Insurance and paperwork: remember formalities such as parental consent forms, the participant list and any necessary travel insurance for the trip.
- Reservation of tickets for Wieliczka (confirmation and participant list).
- School IDs for youth (if discounts will be used).
- Chaperone information: who is responsible for whom; contact number for the trip leader.
- Comfortable shoes and a light sweater/fleece for the mine visit.
- Water supplies and small snacks (if you won’t have a full lunch immediately after leaving the mine).
- First-aid kit and basic medicines (for headache, plasters, etc.).
- A copy of the day plan and a parent contact point.
- Make sure people with health contraindications do not descend underground without consultation.
1) Book in advance — especially for weekends. The Salt Mine and popular weekend times in Krakow fill up quickly.
2) Tell students what to expect: stairs, cool temperatures underground, and a longer walk. Mental preparation reduces stress and increases enjoyment.
3) Split the group into smaller subgroups if possible — guides work better with smaller teams and safety is easier to manage.
4) Assign chaperone roles — distribute responsibilities: who keeps the tickets, who counts participants at stairways, who has the first-aid kit.
5) Combine learning with fun — a short quiz about the mine’s history or a photo contest for the best shot of the footbridge are great integration ideas.
If you want, I can prepare a one-page printable version of the plan for chaperones (one sheet with the most important points) — tell me and I’ll make it in a print-friendly format.
