Yes — you can visit Krakow’s main highlights and the Wieliczka Salt Mine in a single, well-planned day. The pace will be brisk but doable: classic Old Town and Wawel in the morning, Wieliczka in the afternoon, and an evening back in Krakow.
The key is an early start, deciding which places you want to enter (what you want to see inside versus what’s fine from the outside), and booking tickets for Wieliczka and any major attractions in advance. This guide gives a concrete schedule and practical tips — including where to find toilets in the center and near attractions so your day stays comfortable.
This text is written for visitors to Krakow — you’ll find a step-by-step plan, transport options (train, bus, car), tips for the Salt Mine, and a practical chapter on toilets and amenities to keep the day pleasant and stress-free.
08:00–09:00 - Start in the center: begin at Matejko Square or the Florian Gate. Quick introduction to the Royal Route, photos at the Barbican and a walk along Floriańska Street.
09:00–11:00 - Main Market Square and nearby: Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (if you want to go inside, allow time for the queue), and a short coffee break. This is a good moment for your first toilet stop (see the “Toilets” section).
11:00–12:00 - Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets, walk up to Wawel Castle, a quick pass around the courtyard and a short visit to the Cathedral (if you plan a longer visit to the Royal Chambers, shift the time you leave for Wieliczka).
12:15–12:45 - Travel to Wieliczka: the train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia takes about 20–25 minutes; alternatively bus 304 (~40 min) or car (~20–25 min) depending on traffic.
13:00–15:30 - Wieliczka Salt Mine: the Tourist Route is roughly 2.2 km and the Museum Route about 1.5 km — visiting typically takes 2–3 hours. Remember the underground temperature is around 14°C, so bring a warmer layer.
16:00–17:00 - Return to Krakow and enjoy an evening walk in Kazimierz or dinner by the Market Square. If you have more time, Kazimierz in the evening is a lovely way to finish the day.
Train to Wieliczka: the most convenient option for many visitors — the trip between Kraków Główny and Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia is about 20–25 minutes with frequent departures. Check timetables before you travel.
Bus 304: a solid choice if you prefer city bus connections with more stops; the journey takes around 40 minutes and can be crowded at peak times.
Car and parking: Wieliczka has paid parking near the mine and by the Żupny Castle — if you drive, allow extra time to find a spot.
Tickets: buy your Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets online in advance to avoid queues. At the entrance (Daniłowicza 10) you collect tickets and join a guided group.
Pace of sightseeing: set priorities. If you want to see interior spaces (for example the Royal Chambers at Wawel), shorten outdoor stops and time your departure to Wieliczka accordingly.
Toilet access in central Krakow exists but is unevenly distributed — when planning a busy day, it helps to know reliable stops. The most dependable options are larger museums and attractions (visitor restrooms), shopping centers (Galeria Krakowska has public toilets), cafés and restaurants (usually available if you make a purchase), and municipal public toilets near the Market Square and the Planty (often paid).
Main Market Square: there are public toilets nearby as well as restrooms inside restaurants and tourist facilities. It’s a smart idea to use a restroom at the start of your sightseeing or during a pause before visiting Wawel.
Shopping mall and train station: Galeria Krakowska and Kraków Główny station offer convenient toilets — ideal before taking the train to Wieliczka or right after arriving in the city.
Cafés and restaurants: if you need a restroom quickly, most cafés and restaurants provide toilets for customers — ordering a drink is usually a small price for the convenience. Keep in mind these places can be busy at meal times.
Payment and accessibility: some public toilets charge a small fee (bring change). Facilities with accessible toilets and baby-changing stations are mainly found in major museums, shopping centers and the station. If you need a changing table, check malls or selected restaurants.
The Salt Mine entrance is at Daniłowicza 10 — there are basic amenities there: ticket office, information point and toilets. This is a good place to use the restroom before descending underground.
Underground: the Tourist Route and Museum Route provide visitor infrastructure; some parts of the route include points where you can use restrooms after descending. After finishing the tourist route visitors can rest in the Wisła Chamber and take the lift back to the surface.
Temperature and comfort: the mine is consistently cooler at about 14°C — bring a light jacket or sweater even in summer. Comfortable shoes are essential; the route includes many stairs and longer walking sections.
For families: if you’re traveling with children, plan a short toilet stop before entering; there are facilities on the surface and by the exit, and it’s possible to finish the visit using a lift which can make moving a stroller easier (check lift availability when booking).
Quick bites in the city: for a fast meal near the Market Square try the stalls at Plac Nowy (famous zapiekanki) or one of the cafés by the square — a quick stop gives you access to a restroom and a short break.
Traditional restaurants: near the Market Square you’ll also find longer-established places, such as the historic Wierzynek restaurant — a good option for a more celebratory meal after a day of sightseeing.
Coffee stops: along Kanonicza Street and in Kazimierz there are atmospheric cafés (well-known local coffee spots) — perfect for rest and using a toilet before continuing your walk.
Wieliczka: after exiting the mine relax in the courtyard of the Żupny Castle or choose a local inn — many serve regional dishes and provide restrooms for guests.
Comfortable shoes and a layer to cover up: you’ll be walking a lot. Underground in Wieliczka is cooler (around 14°C), so a light jacket or sweater is useful year-round.
Small first-aid and hygiene items: wet wipes and a small hand sanitizer are handy when a restroom isn’t immediately available. Small change makes using paid public toilets easier.
Documents and tickets: keep printed or electronic tickets for the Salt Mine and major attractions to save time in lines. Book where possible.
Phone and powerbank: a long day of photos and map use calls for extra battery power.
Q: Can I visit the Salt Mine and still be back in Kazimierz in the evening? - A: Yes — after Wieliczka you can return by train or bus and have time in Kazimierz. Check transport timetables and seasonal hours to plan your evening.
Q: Are there toilets underground at the Salt Mine? - A: There are toilets at the entrance on Daniłowicza 10 and visitor amenities connected with the tourist route; after the tour visitors can rest in the Wisła Chamber and use facilities before taking the lift to the surface. Restrooms are provided at surface locations and along the museum route as arranged for visitors.
Q: What if I urgently need a toilet while walking around the Market Square? - A: The quickest options are a café, restaurant or Galeria Krakowska; alternatively use one of the municipal public toilets near the Planty and the Market Square (often paid).
Q: Are public toilets paid? - A: Some public toilets require a small fee; restaurants generally expect customers. It’s useful to carry a few złoty coins and check signage at entries.
Q: Is the Salt Mine suitable for people with limited mobility? - A: The mine offers certain amenities (including the possibility of using a lift), but many parts of the routes have stairs and uneven surfaces. For precise accessibility information contact the mine staff before your visit.
Planning and reservations are key: start early, buy your Wieliczka tickets in advance and set priorities in Krakow — decide whether you prefer to enter Wawel’s interiors or spend more time in a museum.
Toilets are part of the plan: use restrooms in museums, shopping centers or cafés — time your toilet breaks with meals to keep the day comfortable.
Have fun and take photos: Krakow and Wieliczka offer a striking contrast — historic streets and the royal Wawel above ground, and magical salt chambers below. A well-planned day lets you experience both worlds.
If you’d like, I can prepare a version of this plan tailored to your exact arrival time in Krakow (for example if you have an early flight or arrive by train in the afternoon) and make a short list of cafés and restaurants with toilets at key points along the route.
