Wawel is one of the most visited attractions in Poland, and many exhibitions have a limited number of places. Online tickets are released in advance (the ticketing system typically opens pools of places a month or about four weeks ahead), and group reservations are handled by the Castle Reservations Office. Planning your visit and buying tickets thoughtfully can save a lot of time — instead of waiting in line you can spend time by the tapestries or in the Royal Gardens.
If you are a small group of 2-6 people, the most reliable route is to buy tickets online — the system allows advance purchases (usually up to 4 weeks ahead).
The Castle Reservations Office accepts group requests and handles reservations by e-mail: rezerwacja@wawelzamek.pl and by phone: +48 12 422 16 97. Written reservations should usually be sent no later than 14 days before the planned visit; requests made later typically require telephone contact.
Good to know: the Reservations Office can book tickets only (without a guide) in special cases and for groups of more than 5 people. That means if you are 6 people there is a better chance the office can reserve tickets for you — for groups of 2-5 people you will most likely need to use the online system or the on-site ticket offices.
Morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to visit. Many visitors arrive around midday, so if you want quiet and shorter lines — come at opening (first entries) or for the last entries of the day.
Weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday) are usually less crowded than weekends. Avoid Saturdays and Sundays in the summer season when the most tourists come to Krakow.
Mondays can be special — some exhibitions are sometimes available free of charge, which can attract crowds; if you want to use free admissions on Monday, remember that free tickets for those routes are issued only at the ticket office on the day and run out quickly.
1) Check in advance which exhibitions are your priority (Castle I, Castle II, Crown Treasury, Undergrounds, etc.). Each route has a limited number of places.
2) First look at the online ticketing system and buy tickets in advance (as soon as they appear on the site). This is the simplest way to avoid queues at the ticket office.
3) If you are 6 people and can’t find tickets online, write an e-mail to the Reservations Office (rezerwacja@wawelzamek.pl) or call — the office accepts group requests and can help with bookings.
4) Arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled entry time (even with electronic tickets) — there can be ticket checks or short lines at the entrance to a particular exhibition.
5) If you want to visit several exhibitions, plan your route logically so you don’t waste time backtracking. The Castle I and II route can be time-consuming — allow at least 2–3 hours for them.
Check the ticket office on the day of your visit — some tickets may be available only at the box office on the day. Ticket offices often release extra pools or refunds.
Contact the Reservations Office by phone — in case of cancellations or released places, the office may confirm availability and help secure tickets.
Consider coming outside peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) — sometimes visitors cancel and free places appear for entries.
An audio guide is available on selected routes and usually costs about 14 PLN — it’s a good option if you want to explore independently while still hearing commentary on the exhibits.
At the entrance to exhibitions you must leave larger bags and backpacks in the cloakroom in the arcaded courtyard — the cloakroom does not accept large suitcases. Plan for this during your visit.
Groups larger than 8 people touring with a guide are required to use headsets; for smaller groups this requirement usually does not apply, but headset rental is available on site.
Payments at the ticket offices are accepted by card or cash; Wawel does not accept euros. There are ATMs on the Wawel grounds, but it’s a good idea to have a card ready.
Assuming "we’ll just buy tickets on the spot" — in season many exhibitions sell out; buying tickets online in advance is the simplest safeguard.
Not checking which exhibitions require a separate ticket — some routes (e.g. Crown Treasury, Undergrounds) are sold separately; when planning multiple exhibitions buy separate tickets or a combined ticket if that option makes sense.
Arriving at the last minute without buffer time — even with online tickets it’s worth coming earlier because ticket checks, bag control and cloakroom can take several minutes.
After visiting Wawel it’s worth going for coffee or a meal nearby: - Restauracja Pod Wawelem - Cafe Szafé on Kanonicza - Cafés by the Planty (for example Charlotte or local cafés on Grodzka). These places are visitor-friendly and good for resting after a long visit.
If you want to try local cuisine nearby — consider Matecznik, Starka (Kazimierz) or a milk bar if you’re after something simple and cheap. Remember that the area around Wawel can be busy — it’s better to reserve a table at the weekend.
On Mondays, when some exhibitions are made available free, free admission tickets must be collected in person at the ticket office and there’s a limit per person — it’s an option for the resourceful but it attracts crowds.
Typical visit durations for individual routes: Castle I about 70 min, Castle II about 60 min, Undergrounds about 60 min — plan realistically so you don’t rush through the displays.
Not all spaces on Wawel Hill are managed by the same institution — the Castle interiors and the Cathedral have separate ticketing rules. If you plan to enter both the Cathedral and the Castle exhibitions, check the rules for each place.
Can I reserve tickets for a 4-person group through the Reservations Office? - Usually for groups of 2-5 people it’s easiest to buy tickets online; the Reservations Office mainly reserves tickets for groups of more than 5 people or in special cases.
What if we want to visit several exhibitions? - Buy tickets in advance and plan a logical route; consider a combined ticket if it covers the exhibitions you want to see.
Is it better to choose a guide or an audio guide? - For small groups an audio guide saves money and is convenient; a live guide adds context and anecdotes, especially for historical routes.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help them plan a stress-free visit to Wawel!
If you want an even more comfortable visit, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she offers individual and small-group tours tailored to intimate groups. Contact details and booking information are available through ZwiedzanieKrakowa (search for Małgorzata Kasprowicz). Thank you for reading and enjoy your visit to Wawel!
