Can you comfortably combine a short ride around the Main Market by golf cart (melex) with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and fit it all into half a day? How long does it really take? How do you get to Wieliczka and what should you bring? In this article I answer those questions in simple, practical language and suggest a realistic half-day plan.
Short answer: an attractive melex ride around Krakow's Old Town and a visit to Wieliczka can be combined, but most tours do not run the entire Krakow–Wieliczka leg by golf cart. Melexes are ideal inside the Old Town and nearby districts, while getting to Wieliczka is usually more convenient and faster by train, bus or car.
Below I explain why, give realistic time estimates, offer a sample itinerary and share practical tips so your trip runs smoothly. - Margaret Kasprowicz, zwiedzaniekrakowa.com
Note: I write with tourists in mind who want to plan a smart half-day outing — I aim to be friendly and practical, without unnecessary formality.
Melexes and golf carts are a brilliant way to see the city centre: quiet, eco-friendly and comfortable - perfect for short tours around the Old Town, Kazimierz or Podgórze. Many companies offer pickups at hotels and live or audio commentary.
However, road rules and practical limits determine where these vehicles are used. Not all models are homologated for high-speed roads; their top speed and equipment are often limited. Even if a particular melex is street-legal, it is usually safest and most convenient to use it only on central, low-traffic routes. That's why typical melex tours focus on Krakow's sights, while the trip to Wieliczka is best done by standard transport (train, bus or car).
In practice this means: do a short, pleasant melex tour of the Market and surroundings, then switch to regional transport to reach the mine quickly. This combination gives comfort and saves time.
If you define "half a day" as roughly 4–5 hours, it's useful to break it down like this:
- Short melex ride around the Market and nearby streets: 30–60 minutes - enough to see the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica and a few photo stops.
- Travel from central Krakow to Wieliczka: by train about 20–30 minutes (plus 5–10 minutes walking to the station), by bus 304 about 35–45 minutes depending on traffic, by car 25–35 minutes.
- Visit inside the Wieliczka Salt Mine (tourist route): typically 2–2.5 hours.
Minimum total: melex 30–60 min + travel ~25 min + mine 2–2.5 h = roughly 3–4 hours plus transfers and possible waiting. In practice you can do this in a half-day if you plan your mine entry time carefully and choose a fast connection (ideally the train). If you prefer a more relaxed pace, book a full day.
1) Start mid-morning at the Main Market. Short melex ride 40–50 minutes - photos, brief stories about landmarks, and a drop-off near the station.
2) Walk to the Main Railway Station if the melex doesn’t go directly there: 5–15 minutes.
3) Train to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia: about 20–25 minutes.
4) Walk from the platform to the mine entrance: a few minutes. Tourist route inside the mine: about 2 hours (approximate).
5) Return to Krakow by train or bus.
This variant requires booking the mine entry in advance and checking train timetables. If your time is tight, buy a ticket for a fixed entry time to the mine.
1) Morning or late morning: walk and a shorter melex ride (1 hour) around the Old Town, with an option to hop off at a chosen café.
2) Short break for coffee and a quick lunch (30–45 minutes).
3) Train or bus to Wieliczka, join an afternoon mine tour (2–2.5 hours).
4) After the mine: if you have energy - a short walk in Wieliczka (Żupny Castle, local museum) or return to Krakow.
This option gives more breathing room, less rushing and lets you enjoy St. Kinga's Chapel and other underground highlights.
- Train SKA/Regional: often the most convenient option from central Krakow - travel time from the Main Station is about 20–30 minutes, and the Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station is close to the mine entrance.
- Bus 304: runs from the area of the Main Station and takes about 35–45 minutes. It's a good alternative but depends on traffic.
- Car/taxi: flexible, but consider parking fees at the site.
For short trips I recommend the train - it’s quick, cheap and not affected by road congestion. Check the timetable and buy a ticket in advance or at a ticket machine.
Technically: some melex models are homologated for public roads and can travel on public streets if they meet specific requirements (equipment, homologation, speed limits). In practice, however, tourist melexes usually run inside the city and near attractions.
Why? The reasons are practical: melex speed, road safety concerns and rules that limit their use on intercity routes. Even when a vehicle could theoretically reach Wieliczka, the journey would be slow and often impractical. I therefore recommend a mixed approach: melex in Krakow + train/bus to Wieliczka.
- Mine ticket: book your mine entry in advance, especially in high season and on weekends - time slots fill up fast.
- Transport: check train timetables (or bus 304 departures) for the day so you don’t waste time.
- Underground temperature: the mine is cooler than the surface (usually around 15°C) - bring a light jacket.
- Footwear and fitness: the tourist route includes many stairs and a lot of walking - comfortable shoes are a must.
- Luggage: the mine has a cloakroom and rules about luggage - check the restrictions before you go.
- Backup plan: if weather or delays disrupt your schedule, have an alternative - take a later train or enjoy a longer walk around Krakow.
- Costs: train fares from the centre are usually inexpensive; regional tickets cost a few złoty (check current prices).
The main attraction is the Tourist Route through the Salt Mine with the beautiful St. Kinga Chapel, underground chambers, salt sculptures and brine lakes. The standard tourist route usually takes about 2–2.5 hours and involves descending and ascending many steps and walking along galleries. Allow enough time for the tour and avoid scheduling too many extra activities in the same short time block.
Definitely yes. A short melex ride gives a nice overview of the main sights - you can take photos, hear a few anecdotes and soak up the city atmosphere. It’s also a convenient moment for coffee and a restroom stop before going underground.
If you want to save time, arrange with the melex driver to drop you off closer to the station or the bus stop for line 304.
Planning a half-day Main Market + Wieliczka trip is definitely possible but needs realistic timing: a melex/golf cart is great for the city, while the journey to Wieliczka is best done by train, bus or car.
My recommendation: combine a 40–60 minute melex ride around the Market, a quick train trip and 2–2.5 hours inside the mine. Book your mine tickets in advance, check train timetables and bring comfortable shoes plus a light jacket.
If you like, I can help personalize your route and suggest a mine entry time so everything fits your chosen time window. I can also recommend the best cafés for coffee before you go!
Warm regards, Margaret Kasprowicz — zwiedzaniekrakowa.com
