Hello — if you plan to visit Wawel and the Wieliczka Salt Mine with a guide, you’ve come to the right place. My name is Małgorzata Kasprowicz, I am a licensed guide in Kraków (license since 2012) and I have guided thousands of people through the city’s most important sites. In this text you will find practical tips on how to book a visit, what to bring, what to expect and how to combine Wawel with a trip to Wieliczka — all in simple, friendly language.
This article was created to help you plan a day in Kraków without stress — step by step, with practical advice and answers to the questions tourists ask most often.
If you want to book a guided tour right away, feel free to contact me through the ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com site — I’ll be happy to help tailor the route and time to your plans.
Remember: many sites (especially Wawel) have booking rules and group limits — it’s better to plan and reserve in advance.
In the following sections I describe why it’s worth choosing a guided tour, how booking works in practice, what to bring and how to prepare for a day full of history and underground corridors.
Wawel is not just a castle and a cathedral — it is the heart of Polish history, a thousand years of stories, art and symbols. Visiting with a guide helps you understand the context, connect facts with anecdotes and see places you might miss reading a guidebook.
A guide shows connections between exhibitions, tells the stories behind the most interesting exhibits, explains the meaning of coronation rituals and points out details that are easy to overlook on your own.
With a professional guide you won’t only visit the best-known spots, you’ll also hear the history as an engaging story — ideal if you travel with children or want to go beyond a dry list of dates and names.
It’s good to know the organizational rules at Wawel - group bookings are mandatory for organized groups, and there are limits on group size and rules for using headsets (details in the “Booking and prices” section).
A licensed guide also gives you confidence that the information is reliable and up to date — and the tour can be tailored to your interests: art, history, legends or family-friendly routes.
Wieliczka is one of the most popular places outside Kraków’s center — the salt mine offers underground chambers, salt chapels and a unique atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. A trip to Wieliczka usually takes a few hours and can be conveniently combined with a short walk around Kraków or a visit to Wawel.
Route planning: a typical day can include a morning walk through the Old Town and Wawel, followed by a transfer to Wieliczka — or the other way around, depending on ticket availability and your preferences.
Transport: most people use a car, taxi or local buses. I can help choose the most efficient way to get around so you make the best use of your time.
Reservations at Wieliczka: the mine has its own entry rules and limits on group sizes at particular times — it’s worth buying tickets and (if needed) guide services in advance, especially in high season.
If you wish, I can organize a combined itinerary: Wawel + Wieliczka in one day — I adjust pace, lunch stops and logistics so the day is comfortable.
Wawel: booking of visiting hours and guide services is handled by the Castle Booking Office. Group reservations are mandatory, and an organized group may consist of up to 30 people - larger groups are split into smaller ones. Requests are processed in advance - it’s worth reading the booking rules and planning the date ahead of time.
Wawel charges fees for guide services depending on the number of exhibitions and the language. For example - for a group of up to 30 people the fee for a tour of a single exhibition is set separately from a tour covering several exhibitions; these rates are updated from time to time, so it’s worth checking them before booking.
Audio guides and headsets: in some sites (e.g. Wawel) the use of headset systems is required for groups over a certain size; such devices can be rented on site for a fee. Wawel also offers audio guides in several languages — handy if some members prefer self-guided visits.
Wieliczka: the salt mine uses a separate ticketing and guide booking system. In season it’s better to book in advance, and if you need a specific time slot I can help secure tickets and arrange logistics.
Sample private tour rates (from my offer): for small groups (1–35 people) hourly rates apply — depending on route length. On my offer page I list current prices and promotions (for example seasonal discounts) — contact me and I’ll provide the up-to-date cost and suggest a route that fits your budget.
Meeting point - we usually agree on a central, easy-to-recognize place (for example the Main Market Square). The exact meeting point and time are confirmed at booking so no one wastes time looking for each other.
Tickets and documents - remember that some Wawel exhibitions and parts of the mine require separate tickets. Check whether you buy tickets yourself online or prefer the guide to handle it for you.
Clothing and footwear - visiting Wawel means walking on stone floors, and in Wieliczka you’ll face long stairs and cooler underground conditions. Comfortable closed shoes and a light jacket are a good idea.
For families - routes can be adjusted for children (fewer dates, more legends and puzzles). Children love stories about dragons, royal secrets and treasures — I have special versions of routes prepared for them.
Accessibility - not all parts of Wawel or the mine are fully accessible for people with limited mobility. If someone in the group has special needs, let me know in advance and I will prepare a suitable route and any needed accommodations.
Duration - a standard guided walk along the Royal Route, Wawel or Kazimierz lasts from 2 to 4 hours depending on pace and scope. A trip to Wieliczka usually takes several hours. If you want to combine several sites, plan for a full day.
Do I have to book in advance? - Yes — especially in high season and for larger groups. For Wawel group reservations are mandatory, and some institutions request bookings with a specific lead time.
Are tours available in Polish and English? - Yes. I lead tours in Polish and also offer routes in English — if you need another language we will check availability.
How long is a walk around Wawel? - Usually 1.5–3 hours, depending on selected exhibitions and group pace. A full visit covering several exhibitions may take longer.
Do I need headsets? - For large groups at some sites the use of headset systems is mandatory. Sets can be rented on site, but it’s worth including them when booking for a group.
Can I combine Wawel and Wieliczka in one day? - Yes, that’s a common option. You just need to plan order and transport carefully — I’m happy to help with logistics.
If you want to book a guided tour of Wawel, a route around the Old Town or a trip to Wieliczka — write via the form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or contact me directly. When booking please provide the date, approximate number of people, preferred language and estimated duration.
During booking we will agree on details: meeting point, walking pace, possible meal stops and special requirements (for example accessibility for people with limited mobility).
What I arrange: I help organize access to sites, advise how to buy tickets (or I can buy them for you), suggest the best visiting order and make sure the day is as comfortable as possible.
If you plan a school trip, corporate outing or another larger group — I will prepare a personalized program and take care of logistics.
I encourage booking in advance — especially if you travel on a weekend or during the tourist season.
Visiting Wawel and going to Wieliczka are beautiful experiences that gain even more when someone tells their story with passion. My goal is for you to return home with knowledge, a smile and the desire to share the stories you discovered here.
If you have additional questions or would like a proposed route and quote — write to me. I’ll gladly help plan a stress-free, discovery-filled day in Kraków.
See you in Kraków — Małgorzata
PS. On my site you’ll find current information about routes, promotions and available dates.
Happy planning and safe travels!
