Yes — and quite comfortably, provided the day is well organized. In practice, a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine usually takes about 2.5–3 hours (an underground walk on the Tourist Route and the Museum), and a guided walk through the main points of Krakow can be planned for 3–4 hours. Adding transfers and breaks, a full-day program is doable and leaves time both for sightseeing and for a moment of prayer or Mass for pilgrims. The key is a sensible timetable and booking entries in advance.
Below you will find: a practical day plan, what to bring, where to stop for a meal, how to prepare a group of pilgrims, logistics tips and advice that help first-time visitors as well as people returning to Krakow who want a different experience.
I do not describe offers from other guides or free city walks here — this guide focuses on tried-and-true solutions tailored to pilgrimage programs and guided tours.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized program for your group. I write from experience guiding groups and pilgrims around Krakow and the surrounding area.
Wieliczka - the Tourist Route: salt chambers, the Chapel of St. Kinga, salt sculptures and corridors; the unique underground atmosphere and centuries of salt‑mining history.
Krakow - the main points of the Old Town and the Royal Route: Wawel Hill with the Cathedral (the Sigismund Bell, royal tombs, chapels), the Royal Route (including the Papal Window), the Main Market Square: Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica with the Veit Stoss altar, St. Florian’s Gate, the Planty.
For pilgrims - additional places of devotion and prayer depending on preferences: Mass in the cathedral or in one of the Old Town churches, short visits to places of religious memory, and the option of a spiritual program with singing, reflections or shared prayer.
Wieliczka and Krakow together offer a harmonious combination of history, art and spirituality - it is entirely possible to experience them all in one full day.
The Tourist Route in Wieliczka is a long underground walk: typically 2–3.5 km of corridors, about 700–800 steps in various places and an initial descent of roughly 380 steps when you enter via the Daniłowicz Shaft. Visits usually last about 2.5–3 hours and are always led by an official guide. The mine’s temperature is steady and cooler — around 16–18°C — so bring a warm sweater even in summer.
Inside you’ll see, among other highlights, the Chapel of St. Kinga — a famous space carved in salt, saline lakes, large chambers and numerous salt sculptures and exhibits that illustrate the history of salt extraction. Group visits require advance booking for both tickets and a guide slot.
There are toilets both on the surface and underground, and after returning to the surface you can often have a meal at the underground miners’ tavern (Karczma Górnicza) or at nearby restaurants. Wear comfortable, stable shoes — parts of the route can be slippery and uneven.
07:30 - meeting point in Krakow, short prayer and departure for Wieliczka (by car/coach about 30–40 minutes).
09:00 - entry to the Salt Mine, start of the Tourist Route (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
12:00 - return to the surface, lunch break near the mine (miners’ tavern or a local restaurant) - about 60–90 minutes.
13:30 - return to Krakow, start a guided walk around Wawel Hill and the Old Town - a historical and spiritual route (approx. 3–4 hours).
16:30–17:00 - time for personal prayer or a short Mass (if arranged) in the cathedral or another Old Town church.
17:30 - official tour ends, free time for souvenirs and dinner or return to accommodation.
The schedule can of course be adjusted — for example you can reverse the order (Krakow first, then Wieliczka) or adapt Mass times. The important thing is to reserve the Salt Mine entries in advance and, if needed, book a spot for Mass in the cathedral.
If the group wants a pilgrimage element, plan it ahead: book a short Mass in the cathedral or a chosen church, schedule a shared reflection at special places (for example at the Papal Window, at relics, or in the Chapel of St. Kinga if the group requests silence and appropriate permissions).
For religious groups the mine also offers pilgrimage-route options — mention this when you make your reservation. In the city you can visit many churches for short services and places of remembrance connected with Church history.
In practice it’s good to allow at least 30–45 minutes in the plan for quiet prayer or a short ceremony — that’s usually enough to create a calm, spiritual pause after intensive sightseeing.
Wieliczka is close to Krakow — a coach or minibus ride takes roughly 30–40 minutes depending on your departure point and traffic. Public transport (train or bus) is available as well, but for organized groups private transport is usually the most convenient — it makes coordinating the mine entry time and the start of the visit much easier.
To avoid crowds, I recommend booking the first or second morning entries to the mine or choosing dates outside the busiest tourist season. In Krakow it’s often useful to start from Wawel or the Royal Route so that later in the afternoon you have more space for private moments and dinner.
If your group includes elderly people or those with limited mobility, inform the mine before booking — the Tourist Route involves steps and uneven ground, and some city monuments also require stair climbing.
Salt Mine: people with serious heart or respiratory conditions, severe claustrophobia or major mobility difficulties may find the Tourist Route challenging — it’s long, includes many stairs and sometimes narrow passages. In such cases consider shorter, surface alternatives or tailor the visit to selected parts of Krakow only.
Krakow: large cities and long walks can tire people with limited mobility. For those participants I suggest a shortened tour of the nearest attractions or arranging transport between key points. As a guide I can propose programs adapted to the group’s needs.
Wieliczka: comfortable shoes, a light jacket or sweater (underground temperature about 16–18°C), a small backpack with water and basic medication. Avoid large bags — they make stairs and narrow passages harder to manage.
Krakow: comfortable shoes for walking on cobbles, an umbrella in case of rain (Krakow’s weather can change), small change for entrance fees and souvenirs.
For pilgrims: hymn sheets, intentions, and optionally a small blanket or prayer book — these help for shared prayer outdoors or in a church.
After exiting the mine it’s convenient to have lunch nearby — Karczma Górnicza is a traditional choice in Wieliczka and several local restaurants offer group-friendly, regional dishes. In Krakow I recommend booking a spot near the Market Square or around Wawel to save time and simplify logistics.
If the group has special dietary needs (vegetarians, food allergies), inform the restaurant when you make the reservation — this is easily arranged with advance notice.
Plan breaks with flexibility: it’s better to have an extra 15–30 minutes than to rush the schedule.
Do you need to book tickets to Wieliczka in advance? - Yes, especially for groups and during high season; booking streamlines entry and guarantees a guide at the chosen time.
How long is the Salt Mine tour? - Roughly 2.5–3 hours on the Tourist Route and in the Museum.
Can a Mass be held in the mine? - The mine offers pilgrimage-route options and in some cases special arrangements are possible; this must be planned with the mine in advance.
Can you visit both Krakow and Wieliczka in one day? - Yes, with a well-planned program; allow time for transfers, bookings and meals.
Is the program suitable for children? - Yes, many elements appeal to children, but keep in mind the number of stairs and topics related to history and geology — a shorter, more interactive approach usually works best.
If you are planning a trip for a group or pilgrims, I’ll gladly prepare a tailored program — including Mass times, time for prayer and thematic historical and spiritual guiding.
As a guide I can help with: booking entries to the Salt Mine, arranging a Mass or meeting time in the cathedral, adapting the Krakow route to the group’s needs, reserving group dining, and preparing informational materials and song sheets.
When ordering a group program, please provide the number of participants, ages, any health limitations and spiritual preferences — this helps me plan the best possible day.
Plan the day in advance, but leave space for silence and prayer — those moments are often the most memorable.
Book Salt Mine entries several weeks before arrival, especially in high season and for larger groups.
Remember the temperature contrasts: warm on the surface and cooler underground.
If you’d like, I can prepare a detailed itinerary for your group with times, meeting points and practical notes. Welcome — Małgorzata Kasprowicz, guide to Krakow and the surrounding area.
