Yes — it is possible to see the main sights of Krakow and visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine in one day, even with kids. You just need a realistic plan, a pace that suits the little ones and advance reservations where needed. It will be an intense but very rewarding day: from Wawel legends to underground chambers and salt chapels in Wieliczka — an adventure the whole family will remember.
In this article I share a tested hourly plan, travel options, what to pack, where to take breaks and how to avoid common pitfalls — everything so the day is enjoyable and safe.
Treat the plan below as a skeleton you can adapt to your children’s ages, your family’s pace and the season. Let’s start with a quick overview of what’s worth seeing.
Key advantages of this idea: Wieliczka is very close to Krakow (short travel time), the underground experience is unique and exciting for kids, and the Old Town’s classic sights can be seen on foot.
Note: the Wieliczka Salt Mine is visited with a guide on a designated tourist route — buy tickets in advance, especially in high season.
7:30-9:00 - Morning and breakfast in Krakow: a relaxed breakfast near your accommodation and a short wake-up activity for the kids (playground or a short walk).
9:00-10:30 - Wawel and the Dragon's Den: a short walk around Wawel Hill, tell the story of the Wawel Dragon and take a quick look at the castle courtyard; you don’t need to enter every exhibition — pick one attraction if the children are keen.
10:45-12:30 - Main Market Square and surroundings: walk the Royal Route, pass the Cloth Hall, a quick visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (if the kids can handle it) and a snack break. Include a short stop on the square so children can stretch and run a bit.
12:30-13:00 - Travel to Wieliczka: take a regional train or bus; travel time is typically 20-40 minutes depending on transport and traffic.
13:00-13:30 - Lunch near the mine or a quick second breakfast: eat before going underground, as options for longer meals on the underground route are limited.
13:30-16:00 - Wieliczka Salt Mine (Tourist Route or family route sometimes called Solilandia): tours usually last about 2-3 hours and are a true underground adventure with chambers, brine lakes and St. Kinga’s Chapel.
16:00-16:30 - Coffee and a surface break: time to stretch legs and buy souvenirs.
17:00 - Return to Krakow: if kids are tired, return to base; if there’s energy left enjoy an evening stroll along the Planty or a short dinner at the Market Square.
The Krakow morning → Wieliczka afternoon combination works well for several reasons: mornings in the city are usually less crowded than afternoons, children are rested, and it’s nicer to be after lunch before going underground.
Travel from central Krakow to Wieliczka is short, so saving the “bigger” attraction (underground) for the afternoon allows for a calm start and lowers the chance someone will fall asleep halfway through the mine tour.
When planning, remember to reserve mine tickets and check transport timetables on the day of travel. In high season family entries (for example the family route) run at set times — coordinate those with your day plan.
If the weather is bad or someone in the family has limited mobility, choose shorter, child-friendly sights in Krakow and book the family mine route. Much depends on children’s ages and temperament.
Remember: this should be an adventure, not a marathon. It’s better to see less and come back smiling than to overwork the little ones.
Wawel and the Dragon's Den - the dragon legend is a hit with kids; show them the Wawel walls and tell short stories about knights and King Krakus.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall - colorful stalls and street performers act as natural entertainment for young children. The trumpet signal from St. Mary’s tower is a memorable moment for many kids.
Planty and winding side streets - if children want to run, the Planty park and nearby streets offer safe, pleasant spots for a short play.
Interactive museums and child-friendly places - if you have time: the Museum of Municipal Engineering, the Garden of Experiments and some hands-on exhibitions are great for curious little ones. Choose only one extra place so you don’t break the schedule.
Short tip: avoid planning too many museum entries in one day — children prefer shorter, interactive experiences over long exhibitions.
This is a unique place listed by UNESCO; visits are guided and usually last about 2-3 hours (the main tourist route includes roughly 3.5 km of paths along the accessible sections).
Underground conditions: constant temperature around 14-16°C and high humidity. Even in summer bring a light sweater or jacket for the kids.
Stairs and movement: the tour requires climbing several hundred steps. Some sources report about 380 steps to the first level and overall you may walk hundreds of steps during the route. For families with strollers or people with reduced mobility the route can be challenging — check available route options and access rules in advance.
For families with small children: there is often a family route (sometimes called Solilandia) with theatrical elements and stories for kids — a great option to keep the youngest engaged.
Tickets and reservation: spaces are limited in season and on weekends — book tickets online in advance. On-site there can be queues and some entrances operate only at fixed times.
Clothing: bring a light warm layer for underground (sweater, thin jacket). The mine is cooler and more humid than the surface.
Footwear: comfortable, closed shoes with good grip — they will be more comfortable on uneven underground paths.
Snacks and drinks: have a solid meal before going down; eating on the underground route is limited. Small snacks and water in a backpack are always useful.
Stroller and carrier: strollers are often impractical on the mine route — take a baby carrier or sling if possible. Check special needs of your group ahead of time to make planning easier.
First aid and medicines: basics — plasters, child-safe pain relief, any regular medications.
Tickets and documents: reservation confirmations, IDs for children if required for reduced-price tickets, and cash/card for small purchases.
Regional train or Koleje Małopolskie: a fast and convenient option; Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station is the closest to the mine. Travel time usually takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the connection. Trains are often reliable and avoid traffic.
Bus (city or suburban lines): bus connections to Wieliczka are convenient, but travel time can be longer during peak hours; check timetables and roadworks.
Car/taxi: driving from central Krakow takes about 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. When planning by car consider parking availability and costs in Wieliczka.
Planning tip: always check current timetables the day before your trip. If time is tight, choose the train or a taxi to avoid unexpected delays.
Small hint: a train ride itself is often fun for children — short trips add to the adventure.
Before going underground: near the mine entrance you’ll find cafés and simple restaurants ideal for a family lunch. Choose light dishes that won’t weigh you down before the underground route.
After the mine: Wieliczka and the route back to Krakow offer many family-friendly places — pizzerias, local bistros and cafés. For a very quick option bring packed sandwiches and fruit.
In Krakow: around the Market Square you’ll find many venues from ice-cream shops to cozy bistros. In high season consider booking ahead for larger groups.
Watch for queues at popular places — plan meal breaks outside peak times, for example between 12:30 and 13:30 or after 15:30.
If someone in the family has food allergies, confirm in advance that a restaurant can prepare safe meals.
Preschool children (about 3-6 years): focus on legends, short stories and interactive attractions. In Wieliczka choose the family route if available.
School-age children (7-12 years): they are curious about history, technology and mysteries — stories about mining, structures and St. Kinga’s Chapel will impress them.
Teenagers: they will prefer a quicker pace and enjoy photo stops; add a short walk to interesting Krakow corners off the beaten path.
Babies in strollers: take a carrier instead of a stroller for the mine visit; on the surface in Krakow a stroller is convenient.
Adapt the pace — better to take a break and give kids some free time than to stick rigidly to the schedule.
Book Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets in advance, especially in high season and on weekends. Entries run at set times and the number of places per slot is limited.
Schedule a time buffer between attractions — children need more breaks and unplanned pauses than adults.
Pack extra patience and a few surprises (a favorite toy, a small game, coloring pages) — these work better than more attractions and help through tougher moments.
If you’d like, I can prepare a custom plan tailored to your children’s ages, your family pace and your accommodation — so the day stays light, interesting and safe. I’m Małgorzata Kasprowicz and I’m happy to help plan a trip the whole family will remember.
Safe travels and enjoy — Krakow with children is an adventure that pays off!
