If you are planning a school trip to Krakow and want it to be interesting, lively and well-paced — you are in the right place. As a guide I have led thousands of groups and the most popular route is the Royal Route: Wawel, Kanonicza Street, the Main Market Square with St. Mary's Church, and often we start or finish in Kazimierz. In this article you will find practical tips on how to combine the walk with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, what typical programs for classes look like, and what to bring on the trip. Everything is presented in a friendly way so teachers, chaperones and students feel confident and satisfied.
Guided tours offer much more than a simple walk: stories, context, entertaining anecdotes and tasks that engage children. My aim is to speak about places in an accessible and vivid way — not by listing dates, but by sharing many curiosities that children will remember.
Below you will find a route description, practical information (time, prices, headsets), logistics for combining the tour with Wieliczka and a short FAQ — all to help you prepare the perfect school trip in Krakow.
If you wish, I can adapt the program to the students' ages: younger classes need more games and shorter stops, older students enjoy more historical context and visits to museum interiors.
Important: remember that entry tickets to some sites (for example Wawel Cathedral, interior access to St. Mary's Church, the Salt Mine) often need to be booked in advance and group rates usually apply — I can help with reservations when planning.
The Royal Route is a walk through Krakow's most important points. We usually start at Wawel, then head toward the Main Market Square, moving along streets full of history and interesting buildings. Key stages include: - Wawel Hill (Castle and Cathedral) - Kanonicza Street and its surroundings (townhouses, church towers, former residences of canons) - Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, Adam Mickiewicz Monument) - St. Mary's Church (either entering the interior or staying at the square, depending on the program) - the area around the Planty with short stories about the city's defenses, trade and everyday life of former residents.
Depending on the chosen duration: 2 hours is a walk that shows the exterior of the main sites; 3-4 hours allows time to enter the Cathedral on Wawel and/or the interior of St. Mary's Church and for short visits to museums or a brief meal break.
For school groups the program can be enriched: historical themes, a legends trail (ideal for younger children), or combined with a short culinary route for teenagers — everything is adjusted to age and expectations.
If we plan to enter interiors (Cathedral, St. Mary's Church), I usually arrange the order to avoid long waits and to give the group time for questions.
For large groups I recommend headset systems — they make it easier to hear the guide in crowds and next to traffic.
St. Mary's Church is one of the icons of the Main Market Square. Even if we do not go inside (as sometimes happens on shorter programs), it is worth stopping by its facade and telling the story of the hejnal trumpeter. The hejnał is played from the church tower every hour — a short, moving signal with beautiful legends and tradition behind it.
The legend of the hejnal tells of a trumpeter who warned residents of an attack and whose melody was cut short when he was struck by an arrow. Today the hejnał is a symbolic sound that recalls the city's past and is played from the church tower on the hour — it is worth planning a moment to listen.
The interior of St. Mary's Church hides many treasures — the largest is the altarpiece by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz). If the program allows entry, I explain to students the most important elements of the sculpture and share anecdotes about the artist and his era.
With children or teenagers I try to combine the visit with short tasks: find a detail on the altarpiece, compare architectural elements, imagine life in medieval Krakow — these activities engage attention and help retention.
Practical note: when entering the church ask students to be quieter, take photos without flash and respect the rules that apply in places of worship.
Wieliczka is a great extension of the trip — the Salt Mine is close to Krakow and makes a big impression on both younger and older students. Standard options are: a full-day trip to Wieliczka (mine tour plus a short walk around Wieliczka's market square) or combining a shorter morning walk in Krakow with an afternoon visit to the mine.
Logistics: many groups travel by train from the Main Station to the Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia stop or use coach transport. Train travel usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the connection. The mine has set group entry times and limits on guide group sizes, so it is advisable to book tickets in advance.
In practice I recommend fixing the date and time for the mine visit during the initial planning stage — I will help match the program so you do not lose time waiting or creating inconvenient breaks for students.
A good option for schools is a guided visit inside the mine plus a guided Royal Route in Krakow on a different day or vice versa — this way a single day is not overly long.
Remember comfortable shoes for the mine (it is cooler and more humid underground) and that part of the route requires descending stairs.
For school groups I offer flexible options: 2, 3 or 4 hours depending on students' age and the number of interior visits. Brief summary of typical rates (approximate, based on current offers): - Small groups (1-35 people): 2 hours around 350 PLN, 3 hours around 450 PLN, 4 hours around 550 PLN. - Large groups (36+ people): pricing is usually per person — for example 2 hours at a price of several dozen PLN per person; 3-4 hours somewhat higher. - Headset systems: available — the cost per student/participant is a small extra (for example a dozen PLN per set or a per-person fee) and significantly improves the comfort of the tour.
My programs often include seasonal promotions — if you plan a trip for specific dates I will check available offers and present the best option. Advance booking is recommended, especially in high season (May-September) and on popular school dates.
For teachers and organizers: I prepare programs aligned with the school curriculum or specific lesson topics — history, culture, architecture or legends. This gives the trip educational value and ensures it meets school requirements.
If the group exceeds 30 people it is worth considering splitting into smaller teams or hiring additional sound equipment — I am happy to advise the best solution.
Note: the amounts given are indicative — I always confirm the price and terms at the time of booking so everything is clear for the school.
Footwear: comfortable walking shoes — cobblestones and longer walks take their toll. Clothing: layers — Krakow weather can change, especially in spring and autumn. Snacks: water and a small snack; for longer programs plan a lunch break. Documents: list of students, IDs/permissions if required by the school, insurance cards if applicable. Electronics: camera/phone for photos — I encourage documenting the trip, but remember the rules in museums and churches (sometimes flash photography is not allowed). Activities: short tasks for students (finding details, mini-quizzes) help maintain attention and are welcome.
For chaperones: prepare information about allergies, medications and any mobility limitations — this helps plan the route and breaks. If you have a student with limited mobility I will adapt the route and suggest alternatives (for example avoiding many stairs).
Coach parking: when planning coach arrival consider parking spaces and meeting points — typical coach drop-off near Wawel is around the Powiśle area; ask about logistical details when booking.
Headsets/equipment: for larger groups I recommend headset sets — they simplify the guide's work and improve audibility.
Safety: we set rules of conduct and meeting points along the route; I remind students about street traffic and crowds on the Main Market Square.
How long does a typical tour along the Royal Route last? - Usually 2-4 hours. 2 hours is a walk showing the main sites from the outside, 3-4 hours allow entry to selected interiors and a short break.
Is teacher supervision sufficient? - Yes, but for very large groups it is worth considering an additional chaperone or splitting into smaller teams. For groups above 30 people a headset system helps a lot.
Are entrance tickets required? - Yes, some sites (Wawel Cathedral, interior of St. Mary's Church, the Salt Mine) require group tickets. It is always wise to book in advance.
Do you help with booking tickets and organizing transport? - Yes, I assist with planning and reservations, advise on logistics and the optimal flow of the day.
How far in advance should we reserve a date? - The earlier the better; during the school and tourist season bookings a few weeks ahead are recommended.
If you are interested in a program for your class — write or call and describe: the date, group size, students' ages, preferred duration and whether you want to combine the tour with a visit to Wieliczka. Based on this information I will prepare a proposed program, cost estimate and logistical plan.
At booking we confirm details: meeting point and time, coach parking (if needed), list of participants (for group tickets), any thematic wishes (for example legend trail, architectural emphasis, a curriculum-linked educational program).
My goal is for every participant to return from the trip with a smile and a few new curiosities about Krakow. I will gladly help refine details and answer additional questions before the departure.
I invite you to contact me — together we will plan a stress-free and engaging day in Krakow for your class!
Final note: programs are flexible and can be adapted to any student age. If you would like an offer or a sample lesson plan linked to the route — let me know and I will prepare one specifically for your school.
