If you're planning a trip to Kraków with your family and want to include a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the key questions are: is it more convenient to stay in central Kraków or in Wieliczka itself, how to minimize travel time, and how to find a calm, family-friendly place to sleep. In this guide I point out which neighborhoods to choose, which types of accommodation work best with children, what to know before visiting the mine and where to eat with little ones after a day full of sights. Practical and friendly — so your trip is simple and pleasant.
I prepared this guide with families in mind: shorter walks, less evening noise, convenient breakfasts and easy transit to Wieliczka are priorities that will help you plan a successful stay. Below you'll find a comparison of options, concrete logistical tips, a list of recommended solutions and answers to frequently asked questions.
Old Town / Planty - ideal if you want to be close to main attractions: the Market Square, Wawel, short walks to restaurants and museums. It's convenient, but remember the center can be noisy and more expensive. Look for rooms facing an inner courtyard rather than the main street.
Kazimierz - a atmospheric, safe neighborhood with a good restaurant scene and calmer streets than the Market Square. It's close to Wawel and within walking distance of many attractions. A good place for families who enjoy evening strolls and don't mind a few minutes' walk to the center.
Podgórze (areas near the boulevards and Zabłocie) - more green space and openness, often larger rooms and apartments, great for families with strollers. Easy transit to the center, and the Bernatek footbridge is fun for kids.
Grzegórzki / area around the station / Płaszów - a practical location for train or car travelers; fast tram connections to the center. Check nighttime quietness and parking availability at the property.
Krowodrza / Bronowice - good for families seeking calm and lower prices. Expect a tram ride of several minutes to the center, but you often get larger rooms and easier parking.
If your plan focuses mainly on sightseeing in Kraków with one trip to Wieliczka, the best compromise is to stay in Kraków. From the center you can reach Wieliczka by suburban train (about 20–25 minutes) or by city bus (line 304, around 30–45 minutes). This is often faster and less stressful than driving during the tourist season.
If you'd rather spend more time near the mine, escape the city bustle and enjoy lazy mornings — staying in Wieliczka makes sense. The town has several cozy guesthouses and family rooms close to the Salt Mine entrance, which makes morning access to the tourist route easier without commuting.
In practice: for families with small children and limited sightseeing time, staying in Kraków is usually better (shorter travel to most attractions and more restaurant choices). For families who want more quiet and plan to focus mainly on Wieliczka — choose a local guesthouse or apartment.
The SKA/SK suburban train from the Main Station to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station is a quick and comfortable option — usually around 20–25 minutes, then a short walk of a few hundred meters to the Salt Mine entrance. Trains are comfortable for children and help you avoid traffic and parking problems.
The city bus (line 304) runs from the area of Galeria Krakowska / the bus station; travel time is longer (about 30–45 minutes) and depends on traffic. Remember to have a ticket valid for zones I+II if you travel from Kraków.
Car - the drive from central Kraków to Wieliczka usually takes 20–30 minutes, but during the high season traffic jams and lack of parking at the mine can extend the trip. If you arrive by car, consider leaving it at a P+R lot or at your hotel and taking the train to Wieliczka.
Practical tip: book Salt Mine tickets in advance and choose a morning entry time — there are fewer people then and the visit is more comfortable for children. The underground temperature is about 14–16°C — bring a light sweater even in summer. The tourist route includes over 700–800 steps spread across sections, so plan a pace and breaks for the little ones.
Hotel with breakfast - a convenient option for families; quick service and fixed breakfast hours help keep a daily routine. Look for hotels offering family rooms or the possibility of an extra bed. Check whether the hotel provides a cot, high chair and flexible breakfast times.
Apartment - the best choice if you value space and the ability to prepare simple meals. Apartments near the Planty or close to Kazimierz offer freedom and often more privacy in the evening.
Guesthouse / private room - often more intimate and cheaper; in Wieliczka this is a popular option for families who want to be close to the mine. Check reviews for cleanliness, access and distance to main attractions.
A few practical filters when booking: number of beds and possibility of an extra bed, availability of a cot, child pricing, access to a kitchen, parking space, nighttime quiet (ask for a courtyard-facing room).
There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in Kraków — look for places with a play corner, children's menu and an outdoor garden in summer. Consider venues in Podgórze, Łagiewniki and parts of Kazimierz, where you'll find space and menus with classics for the youngest.
Recommended types of places: restaurants with a garden and playground (great in good weather), cafés with a kids' corner (ideal for afternoon ice cream or coffee), and pizzerias which usually please children.
Some names popular with families in Kraków: Magillo (Podgórze) — a restaurant with a large playground and family menu; Oranżeria (Łagiewniki) — a pleasant space with a kids' corner; Szalone Widelce and other clearly 'kids friendly' places. Call ahead and check table availability — on weekends the best family spots often fill up.
Day 1 - Kraków: morning walk around the Planty and Main Market Square, a short visit to Wawel, lunch at a family restaurant in Kazimierz, afternoon at a museum with child-friendly exhibits (choose an exhibition suited to your children's age), evening calm dinner and early rest.
Day 2 - Wieliczka: morning SKA train from the Main Station (about 20–25 minutes). Enter the tourist route at your pre-booked time. After the visit have lunch in Wieliczka or return to Kraków for an afternoon stroll and ice cream. Keep the plan flexible — remember children's pace and breaks.
Alternative: if you have more time, spread the program over three days by adding a rest day and playtime in one of Kraków's many parks or a short trip outside the city.
Booking Salt Mine tickets at the last minute - entries fill up quickly in season. Reserve dates and check opening hours before arrival.
Choosing a room facing a main street - especially in the Old Town it can be noisy late into the evening. Ask for a courtyard-facing room.
Ignoring transit to Wieliczka - during peak times access roads can be congested, so the SKA train or bus 304 are often better choices than driving.
Overpacking the schedule - families usually need more breaks. Plan fewer attractions at a gentler pace, remembering time for play and rest.
Is it worth leaving the car in Kraków and taking the train to Wieliczka? Yes - the train avoids city traffic and is a quick, comfortable solution, especially with small children.
How cool is it in the mine? The underground temperature stays around 14–16°C, so even in summer bring a light sweater for children.
How long does the mine visit take with a family? The tourist route usually takes 2–3 hours, depending on group pace and breaks. Allow extra time for families with small children.
Do children get discounts? Yes - many places offer reduced or family tickets. Check reservation rules and available discounts when buying tickets online.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is not just underground corridors and chambers - it also offers a constant temperature and a microclimate that some parents appreciate as a pleasant respite from summer heat.
Many families recommend staying in an apartment by the Planty - it allows for quiet morning walks and quick access to public transport, while giving the option to prepare a simple breakfast for children. This can often be quicker and cheaper than a hotel, especially with early planning.
If you're visiting popular family-friendly restaurants on a weekend, reserve a table 1–2 days in advance - places with play corners get booked quickly.
Book accommodation in advance, especially during school-season weekends. Confirm cot and extra-bed options.
Buy or reserve Salt Mine tickets ahead and choose a morning entry time if possible.
Pack: a light sweater for the underground, comfortable (non-slip) shoes, basic medicines for children, snacks for the route and a water bottle.
If you'd like, I can help plan an itinerary tailored to your children's ages and daily rhythm - from choosing accommodation and logistics to Wieliczka, to recommending places for a family lunch. On the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site you'll find contact information and an offer of private tours led by me - Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
If this article helped you, share it on social media or send it to friends planning a family trip to Kraków and Wieliczka. If you want, I can help refine the plan according to your children's ages, pace and food preferences. You're warmly invited to get in touch!
