Did you know that beneath Wieliczka stretches a network of corridors and chambers whose total length is counted in the hundreds of kilometres, and that the tourist route goes as deep as 135 metres underground? It’s a great place to spark young people’s curiosity — history, science and adventure all in one.
On the Tourist Route you’ll walk about 3–3.5 km and climb nearly 800 steps; group touring time is usually 2–3 hours, so it’s worth planning the whole day carefully.
Wieliczka combines educational value (mining history, geology, extraction techniques) with an impressive adventure — underground lakes, chambers and salt-carved sculptures make a strong impression on young visitors.
For different age groups the mine offers tailored programmes: fairy-tale and interactive routes for younger children, the classic Tourist Route for everyone, and the Mining Route — more demanding and adventurous — for teenagers from around age 10.
Spending time in the mine’s microclimate can also have a positive effect on the respiratory system, and educational institutions can take advantage of special programmes and subsidies for school trips.
Length of the Tourist Route: about 3–3.5 km; group visit time: 2–3 hours.
Depth: levels from around 64 m to 135 m underground; there are about 800 steps on the route.
Mining Route: an adventurous trail for youth groups from about 10 years old — requires proper footwear and clothing.
Tickets and discounts: reduced tickets are available for children and youth; schools have special offers and packages. It’s worth booking in advance.
Book entries in advance — group slots can fill up quickly, especially in season and on weekends.
Check participants’ ages and admission rules for the Routes (for example, the Mining Route has age restrictions).
Prepare student IDs / identity documents for the youth if needed for discounted tickets.
Set the travel plan and allow buffer time for transfers (with larger groups, transport and parking may take longer).
Prepare an attendance list and contact numbers for supervisors; it’s also a good idea to have key medical information for participants on hand.
Comfortable closed shoes — parts of the route include stairs and uneven floors. -
A light jacket or sweater — the temperature in the mine is lower than on the surface, typically cool and constant year-round. -
A small backpack, a water bottle, a snack (breaks are usually planned after the tour) -
Identity document / student ID for discounts; if needed, a list of allergies and medicines. -
Flashlights are usually not necessary (the route is lit), but on the Mining Route organisers provide helmets and lamps.
08:30 - Departure from Krakow (or meeting in Wieliczka if the group arrives independently). -
09:30 - Arrival in Wieliczka, meeting at the Salt Mine entrance, group registration, brief safety reminder. -
10:00–13:00 - Tour: Tourist Route (for most groups) or Mining Route / Solilandia for younger children (duration 2–3 hours). -
13:15 - Lunch / rest at a local restaurant (suggestions: Karczma Halit, Karczma Pod Wielką Solą, Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku). -
14:30 - Short extra activities (educational workshop, field tasks, visit to an on-site museum) or a walk around Wieliczka’s market square. -
15:30 - Return departure to Krakow. -
Younger children (approx. 6–10 years): special programmes like Solilandia or “Following the Legends” with games and puzzles.
Middle and high school students: the Tourist Route with historical and geological elements; for those who want more, the Mining Route offers a deeper experience of “how miners worked.”
Mixed groups: you can split the group — some on the Mining Route, the rest on the Tourist Route or surface activities and workshops. -
Quiz before entry — short questions about history and geology; small prizes (e.g. badges or postcards).
On-site tasks — find three features of St. Kinga’s Chapel, measure the temperature (discussion about the microclimate), describe one salt sculpture.
Workshops after the visit — discussion about the history of salt extraction, demonstration of old tools and a short role-play reconstruction of a miner’s workday.
Karczma Halit – right opposite the mine entrance, traditional Polish dishes, salt-baked specialties; a convenient place for groups looking for local flavour. -
Karczma Pod Wielką Solą – a cosy tavern with a long history in the town, menu of classic Polish dishes. -
Restauracja Kopalnia Smaku – more modern interior, wide choice of dishes, a good spot for teenagers who like pizza and burgers. -
Pierogarnia “Dzień Dobry” – a quick and affordable option for groups wanting to try a variety of pierogi; a good choice for a fast lunch.
No reservation — the most frequent mistake. During the season group slots disappear quickly; book well in advance. -
Inappropriate footwear and clothing — many supervisors forget about stairs and the underground chill; remind participants to bring comfortable shoes and a light layer. -
Confusion about discounted tickets — have IDs and identity documents for participants ready to prove eligibility for discounts. -
No Plan B for a tired group — plan a shorter variant of the tour for less fit participants or split the group.
St. Kinga’s Chapel is carved almost entirely from salt — decorative elements and even some chandeliers are made of salt. -
Wieliczka is not only the tourist route — underground there is a system of workings whose total length reaches many hundreds of kilometres. -
The mine is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for centuries was one of the region’s most important economic centres.
Can you take photos underground? - Photography is allowed in most areas, but respect sacred spaces (for example, chapels) and any rules in force on the day. -
Are there toilets and rest areas in the mine? - There are toilets and places to rest along the route and on the surface; plan a break without rushing. -
Can youth go without a supervisor? - Usually a supervisor’s presence is required for youth groups; confirm exact rules when booking. -
Are there health restrictions? - People with serious heart or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor before participating; the organiser provides information about visiting conditions when booking.
A trip to Wieliczka is an excellent way to combine education with adventure — with good preparation young people will return full of impressions and interesting facts. -
If you liked this plan, share the article on social media or send it to friends organising school trips. -
Would you like your trip guided by an experienced guide? Consider the private guiding services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and details are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website.
