You planned Kraków, suddenly you find yourself with a free day and think: “Maybe I can make it to Wieliczka too?” — yes, you can. This article shows a simple, realistic plan for a whole day, ideas for the order of sights and practical last-minute tips.
Before we start: remember the Wieliczka Salt Mine is its own experience — underground touring usually takes a few hours (the Tourist Route is about 2–3 hours, and if you add the Museum Route that will take extra time). It’s worth organizing the day so you don’t rush.
In short: choose one of two options — Kraków in the morning, Wieliczka in the afternoon, or the opposite. Below you’ll find both versions with suggested times plus practical advice on what to bring and how to buy last-minute tickets.
I won’t push you into long, complicated reservations — I’ll give simple options you can use even the same day.
Ready? Let’s start!
Option A (Kraków morning → Wieliczka afternoon): 9:00–13:00 Kraków (Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel, a short walk through Kazimierz) → 13:00 travel to Wieliczka → 14:00–17:00 Wieliczka Salt Mine (Tourist Route + optionally the Museum Route) → 17:30 return to Kraków, dinner.
Option B (Wieliczka morning → Kraków afternoon): 8:30 depart for Wieliczka → 9:30–12:30 Salt Mine → 13:00 return to Kraków, 13:30 lunch → 14:30–18:00 Old Town and Kazimierz, Vistula boulevards for sunset.
Quick option: if you’re pressed for time, skip long queues and pick one main attraction (for example the Salt Mine plus a short walk in Kraków, or spend the whole day in Kraków without Wieliczka).
Key point: start early and plan meal breaks — that helps keep the pace and prevents exhaustion after hours of walking.
In the sections below I’ll break both options down by the hour and give practical last-minute tips.
09:00 — Start in the Old Town: the Planty park, St. Florian’s Gate and Floriańska Street toward the Market Square. A short walk, photos and the first stop for coffee.
10:00 — Main Market Square: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (from the outside or a short visit inside), the Town Hall, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. If you want to go inside St. Mary’s or climb the tower — allow an extra 30–60 minutes.
11:30 — Walk to Wawel: castle courtyards, the cathedral (if you plan to enter the cathedral or the castle chambers, add extra time). A short rest on the Vistula river boulevards.
13:00 — Travel to Wieliczka: by car or public transport it usually takes around 30 minutes (depending on traffic and mode of transport).
14:00–17:00 — Wieliczka Salt Mine: the Tourist Route usually lasts 2–3 hours. Afterward you can add the Museum Route (about 1 hour) or visit Żupny Castle and the graduation tower on the surface.
17:30 — Return to Kraków: an evening walk in Kazimierz or dinner in the Old Town.
08:30 — Depart for Wieliczka — aim to be at the ticket office or entrance slightly before the crowd.
09:00–12:00 — Salt Mine: mornings are usually calmer and more pleasant for the visit. After the tour you can have a light meal in Wieliczka or head straight back to Kraków.
13:00 — Back in Kraków and lunch near the Market or by the river.
14:30–18:00 — Afternoon in Kraków: Market Square, Wawel, a stroll along the Planty, then Kazimierz via the side streets (ul. Izaaka, ul. Jakuba, Plac Wolnica). Finish on the Vistula boulevards at sunset.
Evening — dinner and relaxation. After a full day I recommend something hearty but simple: pierogi, a warm soup or a local dish to recharge.
St. Kinga’s Chapel — the symbol of the mine and one of the most moving places underground; give it time to appreciate.
Salt chambers, sculptures and underground lakes — the mine is more than a single tunnel; it’s an underground city with history and salt carvings.
The Tourist Route — the standard choice for most visitors; usually 2–3 hours, comfortable shoes are a must.
The Museum Route and the Żupy Krakowskie exhibitions — worth adding time if you want to understand extraction techniques and the site’s history.
On the surface: Żupny Castle (Żupny Castle and the Kraków Saltworks Museum) and the brine graduation tower — if you have time, these nicely complement the underground visit.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — the city’s heart, perfect for a pause and people-watching.
St. Mary’s Basilica — famous altar and the trumpet signal (hejnał). If you want to enter or climb the tower, plan extra time.
Wawel — the royal castle and cathedral. Even a short walk around the courtyards offers plenty to see.
Kazimierz — the historic Jewish district with atmospheric streets, cafés and a quieter feel than the Market.
Vistula boulevards — a great place to rest after a busy day and to enjoy the golden hour at sunset.
Tickets for the Mine: if you can, buy online — that guarantees an entry time. Occasionally there are tickets available on site, but during high season or weekends it’s better not to risk it.
Hours and routes: the Tourist Route is the standard option; if you want something more 'mining-like' there are special routes that require advance notice. For a last-minute day, assume 2–3 hours for the Tourist Route plus time for getting there and transport.
Transport between Kraków and Wieliczka: travel takes about 30 minutes (depending on mode and traffic). You can go by car, regional train or bus — choose what’s fastest at the moment.
Parking and convenience: there are parking areas near the mine but they can fill up in high season — if driving, allow extra time. Card payments are accepted in most places, though it’s useful to have some small change for souvenirs or snacks.
Last-minute tip: if the mine has no available slots at a convenient time, flip your plan — go very early to Wieliczka or spend the day in Kraków and try the mine another day.
Comfortable walking shoes — there are stairs and uneven surfaces underground and a lot of walking in the city.
A warmer layer — underground temperatures are steady (around 17–18°C), so a light sweater is handy even in summer.
ID and tickets (paper or electronic), a charged phone and a powerbank.
If you travel with small children: note minimum recommended ages for the route are usually around 4 years old; strollers are not recommended — a carrier is a better option.
Small cash for souvenirs and snacks and a water bottle to refill after the tour.
Start early — mornings are less crowded and give you more flexibility in the schedule.
Don’t try to 'see everything' — pick what matters to you and don’t be afraid to skip a few things to feel the city.
Plan a break for local food — Kraków pierogi, a simple soup or something to-go by the Vistula will give you energy for more walking.
If the weather looks uncertain, choose the mine for the morning (it’s sheltered and has a steady temperature) and leave the outdoor walk for the afternoon.
Remember — sightseeing should be enjoyable. We’ll do it together, step by step.
If you want this plan personalized (for example you prefer museums, want to avoid stairs or are traveling with children), I’m happy to help prepare a route tailored to you. On the site you’ll find a contact option — write and I’ll adapt the plan and advise the best times.
Wishing you a great day in Kraków and Wieliczka — may it be full of small discoveries and tasty breaks. See you on the trail!
— Małgorzata Kasprowicz
PS. If you travel last minute, a smile and flexibility work wonders — sometimes the best memories come from unplanned shortcuts and local recommendations.
Good luck and enjoy your sightseeing!
