Wawel is one of the must-see places for most visitors to Krakow — the royal state rooms, the armory, the Dragon’s Den and the undergrounds offer a range of attractions for adults and children alike. In recent years the Royal Castle's ticketing options have been adjusted, and the introduction of a family option changed the cost of visiting for many families. It's therefore useful to know exactly what a family ticket covers, who benefits from it and what the alternatives are, so you can plan your visit smartly and avoid financial surprises.
This article is based on official museum information and media reports about ticket-price changes; keep in mind that specific offers and prices can be updated — at the end I’ll point out where to check the most current information.
The aim is to help tourists visiting Krakow: I’ll explain the rules, give examples, show simple calculations and advise how to organize a visit with children so it’s enjoyable and reasonably priced.
In practice the family ticket (introduced by the Royal Castle in summer 2023) was put together with the most popular family-friendly exhibitions in mind. The most commonly sold family package includes: the Representative Royal State Rooms, the Armory and the Dragon’s Den — elements that usually interest both adults and children.
The museum also allows purchasing access to other exhibitions with a family discount, and there are additional family-discount rules when buying single exhibitions. Official rules also state clearly that children up to their 7th birthday enter free of charge (you should collect a free ticket for such children).
According to the museum, discounted status applies to 1–2 caregivers depending on the family configuration, and the maximum number of children covered by the discount can be several with one caregiver — check details before purchase.
Press reports from when the family option was introduced quoted an indicative price of about 32 PLN per person for the standard family package covering the Representative State Rooms, the Armory and the Dragon’s Den. That means a typical 2+2 family would pay roughly 128 PLN for all four people.
Why might that be advantageous? Compared with buying separate tickets for the three listed exhibitions (which together usually add up to a significantly higher sum), the savings can be noticeable. Early coverage around the launch mentioned savings in the range of several dozen złoty for a 2+2 family — the exact amount depends on current individual exhibition prices.
Summary: the family ticket is most worthwhile when your family has at least one child older than the free-entry age (usually 7 years) and you plan to visit at least two or three of the most popular exhibitions included in the package. If the children are very young (up to 7) and you mostly just look at attractions from the outside, buying the family package might be less cost-effective.
Scenario A — family 2+2, children older than 7, want to see the State Rooms, the Armory and the Dragon’s Den: most often the family ticket will be the cheapest option; at about 32 PLN per person the whole family would pay around 128 PLN and save a significant amount compared with buying separate tickets.
Scenario B — family 2+1, the child is under 7: since the younger child enters free, calculate whether the family ticket (bought for the adults and the older child) gives a better price-to-value ratio than buying single tickets. In many cases the family ticket will still be advantageous, but for a very short visit with limited routes it can be less so.
Scenario C — two adults with a teenager planning to visit only the Treasury or a single, longer special route: a family ticket is not always the best choice. For one specific, more expensive route such as “Wawel for enthusiasts” or the Crown Treasury, check the price of that particular entry and compare it with the family option — sometimes buying a ticket for the chosen route only is better than the package.
Check before your visit which exhibitions you actually want to see and how much time you have — families with small children need breaks, so choose shorter routes or split the visit over half a day.
If you have limited time (for example a three-hour stay in Krakow), pick 1–2 exhibitions from the package — the Representative State Rooms are a must for history lovers, while the Armory and the Dragon’s Den often appeal more to children. The family ticket gives flexibility to combine these places at a favorable cost.
Buying tickets online lets you reserve a specific entry time and avoid queues; many visitors forget this and lose time standing at the ticket office. On some Mondays (special actions) some exhibitions may be available free of charge — check current museum promotions before you come.
Beyond the family ticket, the museum offers single-exhibition tickets, combined tickets and seasonal options such as “Wawel for enthusiasts” or holiday packages that include castle branches outside Krakow. Prices and option names have been adjusted in recent years, so compare current offers before buying.
Useful options for families include combined tickets with an audio guide, educational routes for children and museum-led guided tours — official museum guides can tailor pace and storytelling to younger listeners.
If you plan a longer stay and want to see a large part of the Castle, the “for enthusiasts” option (covering a very wide range of exhibitions) may be worth it — but compare its final price with the total of family and individual tickets to choose the best deal.
Check children’s ages — in many cases children up to 7 enter free, but remember to collect a free ticket for them at the box office or online. Not having that ticket can cause awkward situations at entry.
Buying tickets on-site at weekends in the high season risks not finding available entry times; booking online guarantees your slot. Don’t forget documents proving children’s ages (they may be checked).
Don’t try to visit several distant Wawel points “on the fly” in a short time — some routes go through narrow corridors and undergrounds and require time and attention. The most common mistake is attempting to see everything in one hour — it simply doesn’t work.
Does the family ticket include Wawel Cathedral and the Royal Tombs? No. The Cathedral and the Royal Tombs usually have separate tickets and entry rules. Always check the Cathedral’s separate price list if you plan to go inside.
Do children up to 7 always enter for free? Generally yes — children up to their seventh birthday have free admission, but for control purposes you must collect a free ticket for them.
Can I extend a family ticket to include other exhibitions? Yes — the museum sometimes allows adding access to additional exhibitions with a family discount; check availability and prices before purchase.
Is it worth going with a guide? Official museum guides employed by the Castle can present the collections in an accessible way for children and adults. If you want deeper information or have limited time, a guided tour can be a good idea.
A few tried-and-highly-rated places near Wawel: Restauracja Wierzynek (historic, elegant, good for special occasions), Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa (family-friendly, generous portions of Polish cuisine), Cafe Camelot (cozy café for evening coffee and dessert). Keep in mind these places can be busy in season — reserve a table in advance.
If you’re looking for accommodation close to Wawel: Hotel Stary (boutique, high standard), Hotel Wentzl (located on the Market Square with views) and Sheraton Krakow (for a large, comfortable hotel) are often recommended. All three are within easy walking distance of Wawel and family-friendly.
For families with small children, ask about high chairs and child-friendly menus when booking — many nearby restaurants provide these conveniences.
Few people know that some Wawel exhibitions are made free to visitors during short promotional actions in selected months — the museum announces such seasonal campaigns (for example a special “Free November”), so sometimes you can get lucky and visit selected exhibitions for free.
Another tip: audio guides are available in several languages and can significantly enrich the visit for teenagers and older children who enjoy learning at their own pace. In some routes an audio guide is included in the price.
Official museum guides working at the Castle can tell stories in a way that engages younger listeners — if possible, consider ordering a guided tour arranged through the museum.
1) Forgetting to collect the free ticket for a child under 7 — remember to declare the child’s age and get their entry ticket. 2) Not booking online in high season — this can mean long waits or no available slots at preferred times. 3) Trying to see “everything” in one hour — plan realistic timing, bring snacks and breaks, especially with small children. 4) Not comparing ticket options before buying — compare the family ticket price with the sum of individual tickets for the exhibitions you want; another combination may be cheaper.
How to avoid these errors: check current prices and opening hours before you travel, book online, download your tickets and prepare documents proving children’s ages.
The most reliable source of information about current prices, availability and promotions is the Royal Castle on Wawel’s official ticketing system — there you’ll also find the reservation calendar and detailed route descriptions.
Because of seasonal changes and special actions (for example free days or promotional offers), check the museum’s website just before arrival, especially if you come on a weekend or during holidays.
If you have questions about family concessions, caregiver rules or access for people with disabilities, contact the Wawel Tourist Service Department directly — that’s the quickest way to get binding information.
The family ticket is a great option for families planning to see Wawel’s most popular parts (State Rooms, Armory, Dragon’s Den) and who have at least one child above the free-entry age. Savings can be significant, but compare current prices and routes for your dates before buying.
Plan reasonably, book online and, if needed, use the services of official museum guides — this will make visiting with children easier and enrich the story of the Castle.
If you found this article helpful — share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like to visit Wawel with a guide, you’re welcome to contact me — private tours by Małgorzata Kasprowicz are designed for families and adapted to participants’ ages; contact details are available on the guide’s website. Enjoy your trip to Krakow!
