Wieliczka and the Underground Market Square are two different but complementary adventures: in Wieliczka you descend into history carved in salt, see the Chapel of St. Kinga, chambers, salt sculptures and underground lakes; beneath the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) you discover remnants of the medieval market, archaeological displays and multimedia stories about past city life. Both places spark the imagination — one impresses with the scale of mining structures, the other with the immediacy of Kraków’s history translated into the space beneath the Market Square pavement.
From Kraków city centre you can reach Wieliczka in about 30 minutes — the train from Kraków Główny stops at Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station, and bus line 304 also serves the site. That makes combining a trip to the mine with a city programme very convenient.
Wieliczka is open most of the year except for a few public holidays; the underground temperature is stable (around 16–18°C), so bring a light layer even in summer.
Both sites use timed-entry tickets — best practice is to buy online, especially in high season. Wieliczka operates in timed tours (groups up to about 35 people), and the Tourist Route usually lasts 2–3 hours; the descent begins on stairs — there are roughly 380 wooden steps to descend, and the return to the surface is by elevator.
Wieliczka ticket prices depend on the season — for individual tourists a regular ticket in 2025 is roughly in the range of 90–112 PLN (low–high season); there are also reduced, family and special discount tickets. Tickets for the Market Square Underground are significantly cheaper than the mine — a standard ticket to the Market Square exhibitions is relatively affordable, and the museum occasionally offers free-admission days for some displays (check the museum calendar for current free days).
In practice: reserve Wieliczka tickets for a specific time, arrive at least 15 minutes early and have a printed or electronic ticket ready. Larger organised groups must follow additional verification rules at group ticket desks.
Option 1 - Wieliczka in the morning, Market Square Underground in the afternoon: take the train or bus to Wieliczka in the morning (tour 2–3 hours), return to Kraków for lunch and visit the Market Square Underground in the afternoon. This is a relaxed pace, helps avoid the biggest crowds and leaves the evening free for a stroll around the Market Square.
Option 2 - Market Square Underground in the morning, Wieliczka in the afternoon: good if you prefer to start with a shorter, city-centre attraction and dedicate more time later to travel and the mine. Remember to check the mine’s opening hours and the times of the first descents on the tourist route.
Option 3 - a two-day rhythm: if you want to see everything without rushing and add workshops or museum strolls, spread the visits over two days — ideal for families, people with reduced mobility or anyone who wants to soak up Kraków’s atmosphere slowly.
Around the Market Square and nearby you’ll find many highly-rated places. For traditional Polish cuisine in a lively, tourist-friendly setting consider Pod Wawelem — known for generous portions and a local atmosphere. For an elegant meal with Market Square views, Wierzynek is an excellent choice. For a light coffee and cake try Café Camelot or Massolit Books & Café (a great combination of bookshop and café).
By the Wieliczka mine, Bistro Posolone operates near the entrance — a practical spot for a quick meal after the tour. If you plan to stay overnight in Kraków, choose accommodation in the Old Town or Kazimierz — this makes it easy to reach the Market Square and catch transport to Wieliczka.
Always check recent reviews and book ahead, especially on weekends and during peak season — popular places fill up fast.
Don’t buy tickets at the last minute — especially for Wieliczka. No reservation can mean long queues or no availability at convenient times.
Clothing matters — Wieliczka is cool and a bit humid (around 16–18°C), so bring a light jacket or sweater; comfortable closed shoes are useful because of the stairs and the length of the route.
Don’t underestimate the stairs and distance — the Tourist Route in Wieliczka requires climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces; if you have mobility issues, check route accessibility and ask about limitations before purchasing tickets.
When planning the day, check opening hours and closed days — the mine and museums have specified closed days and may run special schedules in high season.
Wieliczka is not just a tourist route — it is a working historic technical monument with a system of wooden structures and a wealth of salt sculptures created by generations of miners. Underground there are several brine lakes and unique chapels carved in salt.
Salt-rich air in certain parts of the mine and in graduation towers has beneficial effects for the respiratory system — for this reason the mine offers attractions with a therapeutic and recreational character.
The Market Square Underground hides priceless traces of everyday life in the old city — house foundations, fragments of streets and rich multimedia displays that help imagine how the Market Square looked in different eras.
Can children enter Wieliczka and the Market Square Underground? — In Wieliczka visits are recommended for children over 4 years old; children under 4 often enter free, but check the ticket reduction rules. The Market Square Underground has family-friendly elements and interactive zones for children.
How long does each attraction take to visit? — The Tourist Route in Wieliczka usually takes 2–3 hours. Touring the Market Square Underground can be planned for about 1–1.5 hours, depending on your interest in the exhibitions.
Are both attractions accessible for people with reduced mobility? — The Market Square Underground offers aids and an elevator and is relatively family-friendly. The Tourist Route in Wieliczka includes stairs and narrow passages — visitors with mobility limitations should contact the mine in advance to check available options.
To avoid stress and make the most of your time in Kraków, book tickets in advance, combine attractions thematically (underground sites plus a museum or a Market Square walk) and leave time to relax in one of the recommended cafés or restaurants.
If you need a personalised tour of Kraków and the surrounding area, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and offerings are available on the guide’s website. If you found this article helpful, please share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a better visit to Kraków.
