The Museum of Engineering and Technology combines historic city-technology exhibits with modern interactive displays. It’s a great choice if you’re traveling with family, interested in the history of urban transport, or simply want to see something different from the usual historical monuments.
At MIT you’ll find permanent exhibitions (for example “City. Technosensitivity”) and branches such as the Garden of Experiences — all of these attractions are visitor-friendly and often have affordable ticket prices, which makes it easier to plan a weekend on a budget.
The main MIT seat is on Świętego Wawrzyńca Street. The museum generally opens in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, usually Tuesday–Sunday; final admissions are typically one hour before closing — check current opening hours before your visit.
It’s worth knowing that the Museum of Engineering and Technology has several branches: an exhibition space with historic tram cars, the Garden of Experiences (an outdoor interactive area) and other locations. Ticket prices for the permanent exhibitions and the Garden of Experiences are generally reasonable, so staying within a 100 PLN per day budget is realistic.
Many of Kraków’s larger museums (for example the National Museum or Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory) charge single-entry tickets in the range of tens of zlotys, and days with free entry or special promotions appear from time to time — take advantage of those when planning your weekend.
9:30–11:30 – Start your day with a visit to the main building of the Museum of Engineering and Technology. The permanent exhibition gives a broad overview of the history of urban technology and includes modern interactive installations.
12:00 – A light lunch or sandwich near the Market Square. In Kraków you’ll find both cafés with excellent espresso and places serving local specialties. For a lunch with a drink, plan roughly 25–40 PLN per person if you choose a well-rated place.
14:00–17:00 – Walk the Old Town: Market Square, Cloth Hall (part of the National Museum collection), Grodzka Street, the Planty park. Many of these places can be enjoyed for free; entrance to a chosen branch of the National Museum is usually a few dozen zlotys, but you can pick a cheaper branch (for example the Matejko Museum) with a lower ticket price.
Estimated daily cost: MIT (full-price ticket for the permanent exhibition) + lunch + coffee + public transport = usually under 100 PLN if you choose a moderate lunch and skip the more expensive paid attractions.
Morning: The Garden of Experiences named after Stanisław Lem is an outdoor area full of interactive devices — ideal for families and anyone who likes hands-on experiments. Tickets for the Garden are usually cheaper than indoor exhibition halls, which helps keep your budget on track.
Afternoon: Kazimierz — stroll through the district, view the synagogues from the outside, enjoy a café on one of the side streets. Kazimierz is home to highly regarded dining spots; if you pick a well-reviewed but reasonably priced place, you can eat very well without spending a fortune.
If you plan additional museum visits in Kazimierz or the city centre, schedule them so the total daily cost (tickets + food + transport) stays within 100 PLN. A simple method is to choose one paid attraction and spend the rest of the day on walks and small purchases.
Example A (museum lover): MIT permanent exhibition 35 PLN + lunch 35 PLN + coffee/dessert 10 PLN + public transport 10–15 PLN = 90–95 PLN.
Example B (family with a child): Garden of Experiences family ticket (option) 60 PLN + light snack 20–30 PLN + ice cream/small souvenirs 10–20 PLN = 90–110 PLN (check family ticket options and promotions to stay within 100 PLN).
Example C (frugal plan): Walk the Old Town (0 PLN) + one cheaper museum (e.g. a National Museum branch with lower price) 18–35 PLN + affordable lunch 30 PLN + transport 10 PLN = 60–85 PLN.
Around the Market Square and in Kazimierz there are cafés and restaurants with excellent reviews — follow local recommendations and choose spots popular with residents (that’s often a good indicator of value for money).
If you want a classic Kraków meal or local cuisine, look for places with strong reviews around the Market Square and in Kazimierz. When budgeting, choose daily specials and lunch menus — they often offer significant savings.
For dessert, I recommend local patisseries and ice-cream shops in the centre — a small treat is usually inexpensive but very rewarding after a day of sightseeing.
Buying tickets to popular attractions on the day of arrival without checking availability — tickets to some exhibitions (for example Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory) sell out fast. If an exhibition is in demand, buy tickets in advance or plan to arrive early when availability is greater.
Not checking closed days — many museums in Kraków are closed on Mondays. Before finalizing your plan, check current opening hours and any ticket office breaks.
Buying tickets from resellers at inflated prices — avoid broker sites that offer “tickets” at many times the official price. The safest option is to buy at the museum ticket office or on the institution’s official website.
Not planning meals — restaurants near the biggest attractions can be more expensive. If you want to save, pick a café or bar a little further from the main square.
Some museum branches offer special days with low or symbolic ticket prices — follow the city event calendar and official museum announcements to see more for less.
The Museum of Engineering and Technology often runs workshops and children’s zones (for example a building-blocks area) — these are great options if you’re traveling with little ones and want to combine learning with play without big extra costs.
Occasionally seasonal outdoor exhibitions (for example special events at the Garden of Experiences) have separate promotional prices or multi-entry tickets — if you plan several visits, consider season passes.
Does a ticket to MIT allow entry to all branches? — Usually a ticket applies to a specific exhibition or branch; when you buy a ticket, check what is included (for example permanent exhibition vs. Garden of Experiences).
Do children get discounts? — Yes, most museums offer reduced or family tickets. Preschool-aged children often enter free, but confirm the rules for the specific branch.
Do all museum ticket desks accept cards? — In most cases yes, but exceptions and technical interruptions can happen — if you want certainty, buy tickets online or carry some cash just in case.
What’s the best way to get around Kraków at the weekend? — Trams and buses are convenient; if you plan many trips, look into time-based tickets (24h/72h), which can be cheaper than multiple single fares.
If you want deeper context and historical-technical background, consider using the services of a private guide — during a weekend this can help optimize your time and avoid queues at ticket desks.
A private guide can also suggest the best times to visit specific spots, recommend lesser-known but interesting places, and tailor the plan to your budget and interests.
If this text helped you plan an affordable and interesting weekend in Kraków, share it with friends or post it on social media — everyone appreciates a good city-day idea.
If you’d like help planning an itinerary tailored to your interests (engineering museums, photography, local cuisine, family activities), consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) — contact details and more information are available on the guide’s page.
