Yes — it’s realistic. The National Museum in Krakow (including the Arsenal branch) offers special conditions and discounts for organized groups, and Krakow is compact enough that you can save on transport by walking between attractions. The key is booking in advance, splitting the large group into smaller subgroups for indoor visits, and wisely managing the food and break budget. Technical details (reservation contact, minimum group sizes, educational options) should be confirmed before arrival to avoid surprises and extra costs.
Museums and cultural institutions in Krakow have clear procedures: organized groups usually must make reservations (by email or phone), many exhibitions offer group tickets at lower prices than individual tickets, and some educational programs have fixed (and often low) per‑participant fees or — importantly — a minimum charge for the entire activity.
In practice this means that with a group of 30–60 people you can often secure museum entry at a few PLN per person for a temporary exhibition or a symbolic fee for special offers. For larger groups the museum often allows an electronic order and issues PDF tickets after the organizer pays the booking.
Book early: the MNK Information and Reservations Center operates during business hours and expects reservations to be confirmed with an online form within a short time after the request. If you plan a guided tour with a museum educator, remember limits on group size for those activities and possible minimum charges for the whole session.
The plan below is a frugal model, realistic for a large group at a reasonable pace with a “smart” approach.
Estimated cost breakdown (approx.): breakfast/sandwich in town 10–20 PLN; museum entry (with group discount) 5–20 PLN; lunch at a milk bar or set lunch in a reserved place 20–35 PLN; coffee/snack 8–15 PLN; small expenses/walking or a few tram rides 6–15 PLN. Total: roughly 59–105 PLN.
How to stay near the lower bound? Choose a morning visit (fewer queues), favor local milk bars or negotiate a group set menu with a restaurant, walk where possible, and limit paid attractions to one or two during the day.
The Arsenal is one of the branches of the National Museum in Krakow and follows the museum’s reservation and ticketing system. Organized groups usually contact the Information and Reservations Center to set the date, number of participants and the form of entry (individual tickets, group tickets, educational guided tour).
With large groups ask the museum about: the possibility of printing collective PDF tickets (electronic order), capacity limits in exhibition rooms, guided tour options with a museum educator, and whether a given exhibition has special conditions (for example, online limited tickets). Some educational programs have minimum fees for the whole group or a 30‑person limit per session, so for 30–60 participants you’ll need to plan separate rounds.
Many organizers also find museums offer city games or workshops for groups — these often have fixed per‑person prices (for example a symbolic 20 PLN/person) or a minimum group fee, which frequently works out very cost‑effective for larger numbers.
Start planning with a clear schedule including meeting times and a backup plan for delays. Appoint responsible people: group leader, reservation contact, attendance taker. For this size we recommend at least two supervisors/coordinators per 30 people.
Split the group into smaller teams (for example 15–20 people) when visiting indoor spaces — this helps communication with the museum and reduces waiting time. If you purchase guided tours, clarify in advance how many participants one educator can handle and whether you can use a sound system or audio guides (in some places you can rent tour‑guide systems).
Schedule toilet and break stops every 60–90 minutes, plan meals outside peak hours and remember accessibility needs — check these details in the branch description beforehand.
For large groups the best approach is mixed: some people can use milk bars (quick, Polish and very economical), others choose a prearranged group menu in a restaurant, and for longer stays consider booking catering or a canteen with a prearranged menu.
Milk bars are a great option for a tasty, low‑cost lunch — they serve classic Polish dishes in large portions and are usually quick to serve. Alternatives include zapiekanka stalls (Plac Nowy, Kleparz) and small bakeries or cafes that can prepare sandwiches/boxed lunches to go for groups.
When recommending places choose venues with good reviews that accept reservations for larger groups or offer set lunch options. For 30–60 people it’s worth setting the menu and serving time in advance to avoid long waits.
Krakow is compact — many attractions are close to each other, so walking is often the fastest and cheapest option for large groups. If you plan longer transfers, trams and buses are a good alternative; for very specific needs you can rent a coach, which when split across 30–60 people can be reasonable.
Groups arriving by train or coach who want to leave luggage should use left‑luggage facilities near the Main Station or city luggage storage services (luggage storage platforms). Reserving space for luggage ahead saves time and stress.
Buying single tickets in mobile apps is convenient, but if the group will use public transport intensively, check day or multi‑day ticket options and their rules.
08:30 - Meeting and short briefing at the agreed meeting point (for example the Cloth Hall/Sukiennice).
09:00–11:00 - First shift: visit a selected MNK exhibition (Arsenal or another branch) — split the group into two smaller shifts if required by the branch rules.
11:15–12:00 - Walk around the Main Market and short outdoor storytelling (free).
12:15–13:30 - Lunch as a 'group set' / milk bar or zapiekanka — reserved tables or prepacked boxes.
13:45–15:30 - Second museum shift or chosen themed route (Wyspiański trail, Wawel exterior) or a city game for the group.
15:30–16:30 - Free time for coffee, dessert and souvenir shopping; summary and return to the meeting point.
No advance reservation. Solution: call or email the museum’s Reservations Center well in advance and confirm the booking form within the deadline required by the museum.
Assuming everyone can enter at once. Solution: plan splits into shifts, especially for spaces with limited capacity and during peak hours.
Not planning meals for a large group. Solution: reserve a group menu or order boxes/catering, and agree serving times in advance.
Not knowing the exhibition rules (for example prohibited bags, photo restrictions). Solution: inform participants before arrival about the museum rules and ask them to bring only essential items.
Is 100 PLN enough for the whole day? Yes — if you choose one or two paid entries, opt for economical meals and limit paid transport. With lower food costs and more free walks you can comfortably stay below that amount.
Is a guide necessary? Not always — many attractions can be visited independently, but a guide or museum educator adds value and organizes the story. For school or themed groups ordering a guided tour is worthwhile — the per‑person cost is often low and gives the group a coherent narrative.
How to order group tickets? Contact the Information and Reservations Center of the relevant museum branch, specify the number of people, date and any extra services (guided tours, educational activities). The organizer should complete required forms and confirm the reservation within the time specified by the institution.
Are there special discounts? Yes — museums offer school, student, senior and group discounts. On special occasion days (for example senior days) additional promotions may apply — check the institution’s calendar before your trip.
Ask the museum about the possibility of printing PDF ticket lists — for a large group the organizer pays once and each participant receives an electronic ticket, which speeds up entry.
More expensive doesn't always mean better: traditional places (milk bars, zapiekanka stalls) can feed 30–60 people quickly and cheaply — a solution that saves the schedule and wallets.
If your schedule is tight and time matters, arrange with the venue to serve meals at a fixed time or order boxed lunches — this reduces queues and unnecessary delays.
If you are organizing a group trip to Krakow and would like help planning the itinerary, reservations or matching dining options to your budget — I’m happy to help. On the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website you can find contact details for guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; this is an option for those who prefer the support of a local specialist and a calm, well‑prepared outing for the whole group.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media so other organizers can use these practical tips. Good luck with planning and enjoy your stay in Krakow!
