Wieliczka is an underground world of salt with the famous St. Kinga’s Chapel, and Kraków is the historic heart of Poland — together they make a perfect plan for one intense but achievable day for student groups and Erasmus participants.
For students it's a great option: short travel time from central Kraków, lots of attractions and relatively low costs if you plan smartly.
In practice you can visit the Salt Mine and see Kraków’s main sights (Wawel, the Market Square, Kazimierz) in one day — just stick to a plan and book tickets in advance.
Location: Wieliczka lies southeast of Kraków city center; travel usually takes 20–30 minutes by train or about 30–40 minutes by bus from the center (public lines such as 304).
Visit time: The Tourist Route in the Salt Mine lasts about 2–3 hours; the Mining Route is usually around 2 hours and involves more physical effort and fixed entrance times.
Underground temperature: the mine maintains a steady, cool temperature — about 14–16°C — so even in summer bring a light jacket or sweater.
Stairs and lift: on the tourist route you descend several hundred steps (many guidebooks mention about 378–380 steps on the main descent) — there are lift options for ascent at some shafts, but not every route uses them.
The mine offers several visiting options: the classic Tourist Route for individual visitors and more engaging Mining Routes for groups or people who want a hands-on miner experience.
Students usually qualify for reduced tickets upon showing a valid student ID — but age limits for discounts (for example up to 25 or 26 years) and seasonal rates change, so check current rules before you go.
For a large group (university trips, Erasmus) it’s worth booking entries in advance and choosing a time that avoids long queues and overlapping with other groups.
Remember: the Mining Route often starts at a specific shaft and requires preparation (overalls, short safety briefing) — it’s a great option for active students but takes more time than the Tourist Route.
Train (Koleje Małopolskie / SKA1 line) — often the fastest option from the Main Station: travel takes about 20–25 minutes, trains run regularly and the regional ticket cost is low. The Wieliczka station is close to the mine entrance.
Bus (line 304 and others) — runs from the Main Station and stops around the center; travel usually takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Good if you want to get off near Wieliczka’s Market Square or are on a tight budget.
Private minibuses / shuttle services — many carriers offer transfers from points across Kraków; fast and comfortable for groups, but the per-person cost can be higher than public transport.
Taxi — practical if you’re short on time or have lots of luggage; from central Kraków expect a fare of several dozen złoty (book with a licensed company if possible).
Option A — Wieliczka in the morning, Kraków in the afternoon: 08:30 — depart from the dorm/meeting point; 09:15 — arrive in Wieliczka; 09:30–12:30 — visit the Tourist Route; 13:00 — lunch in Wieliczka (for example Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku or another place by the market); 14:30 — return by train to Kraków; 15:00–18:00 — walk around the Old Town: Wawel, Market Square, Collegium Maius; 18:30 — dinner / Plac Nowy (zapiekanki) and evening on Kazimierz.
Option B — Kraków in the morning, Wieliczka in the afternoon: 09:00 — quick walk around the Market Square: Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica; 11:30 — lunch in Kazimierz (zapiekanki, pierogi); 13:00 — travel to Wieliczka; 13:30–16:30 — Mining Route or Tourist Route; 17:15 — return to Kraków and enjoy a more relaxed evening.
Tip: if you have a limited budget, plan travel by train and bring snacks — for lunch choose a milk bar or arrange a group meal in advance, which often works out cheaper per person.
Wieliczka: recommended places near the mine include Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku — a convenient option for groups with traditional Polish dishes and reasonable prices.
Kraków (student-friendly): Plac Nowy in Kazimierz — famous zapiekanki, a quick and cheap snack; Przystanek Pierogarnia, Galeria Pierogów and other pierogi places — a great choice for a filling meal on a student budget.
If you want something quick and local, look for milk bars or small cafés near the Market Square and Kazimierz — often cheaper than tourist restaurants and serving hearty portions.
- Student IDs (if you want to use discounts). - Comfortable shoes and a light jacket — the mine is cooler and you’ll climb stairs and walk on varied surfaces. - Water bottle and a small snack — especially for an energetic day; the mine doesn’t always have many food options directly on the route. - Charger / power bank — a day of photos drains phones quickly. - Reserved tickets or booking confirmations (print or on your phone) — groups without prior reservation may wait for a group to be formed.
The mine has accessibility limits for people with reduced mobility — many stairs and narrow passages can pose difficulties. Some areas and routes offer lifts, but this depends on the chosen route and shaft.
School groups and organized groups should notify the mine in advance — then the mine can prepare a schedule and optimize admission for larger numbers.
Smoking, open light sources (flashlights) and ignoring guide and safety instructions are prohibited — follow the guide’s directions and health & safety rules at all times.
Do students get ticket discounts? — Yes, students usually have reduced tickets upon showing a valid student ID; check current age and pricing rules before your trip.
How long does the mine visit take? — The Tourist Route is typically about 2–3 hours, the Mining Route around 2 hours (plus time to change and brief for the Mining Route).
Can you visit Kraków and Wieliczka in one day? — Yes, a well-planned day allows you to visit the mine and Kraków’s highlights; start early and book tickets in advance.
Can you take photos inside the mine? — In most places yes, but some chambers have restrictions — follow the guide’s instructions.
Is the trip suitable for people with claustrophobia? — The mine has large chambers, but there are also lower tunnels and enclosed rooms that may be difficult — if someone has strong claustrophobia, consider skipping the descent or choosing a route with more open spaces.
When planning, aim for balance: a bit underground, a bit in the city. For atmosphere and group bonding choose a shared lunch in a friendly place and a short integration game or task (for example a Wawel history quiz or a mini photo challenge in Kazimierz).
Book tickets in advance and use the SKA1 train if you want to save time and organize an easy return to the dorm.
Give the group some freedom — not everyone has to see everything. Plan a few optional stops (a quick museum, a café) and set a clear meeting point and time so no one gets lost.
If you want, I can prepare a personalized itinerary for a specific number of participants and budget — tell me how many people, where you’re starting from and what your priorities are.
