Yes — it’s possible and can even be enjoyable. The key is to plan your day to avoid the busiest tourist peaks: choose an early slot at the mine or, conversely, start with a morning visit in Kazimierz and go to Wieliczka in the afternoon, book tickets online and stick to a simple rhythm: one “big” site + one “small” stop. That way you won’t be rushing and you’ll see more in peace.
This article gives a concrete sample route, ticket tips, travel and time information, plus a few recommended places for lunch or coffee.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is an underground complex listed by UNESCO; the tourist route goes through several levels, reaches a depth of about 135 m and includes roughly one to a few kilometres of passages (visits usually take about 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on the route variant and museum displays).
The Old Synagogue in Kazimierz (Szeroka Street) is one of the oldest and most valuable monuments of Jewish architecture in Poland — today it’s a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków; exhibits show objects related to religious life and traditions. The visit is short and intimate, but well worth scheduling because its interior is seen in much less time than the mine.
If silence is important to you: book tickets online when possible, choose weekdays outside long holiday weekends and aim for the first morning hours or late afternoons (many visitors pick midday hours at the mine).
Why this option works: many tourists arrive at Wieliczka in the afternoon with organised groups; the first morning slot is usually the least crowded. After returning to Kraków, Kazimierz in the evening has a great atmosphere, fewer people in the museums and pleasant places for dinner.
Sample day: leave Kraków around 7:30–8:00, take the train or a taxi to Wieliczka (about 25–30 minutes), join the first or second tour of the mine — visit lasts 1.5–2.5 hours. After returning (around midday–1:00 PM) have a light lunch in Kazimierz and visit the Old Synagogue in the afternoon — it’s often calmer than early afternoon.
Advantages: a quieter descent underground, shorter queues at ticket windows, and a more intimate Kazimierz in the evening. Disadvantages: an earlier start and the need to keep to ticket times.
Why choose this option: if you prefer to start your day with a city walk instead of going underground right away, a morning in Kazimierz (museum openings, an empty Szeroka Street, a peaceful café) is a pleasant beginning. After lunch you travel to Wieliczka — early afternoon can be busier, but with a well-timed booked ticket you can still avoid queues.
Sample day: breakfast, a stroll around Kazimierz, visit the Old Synagogue around 10:00, a light lunch in a local restaurant, then travel to Wieliczka for an afternoon tour (make sure your mine entry time fits the travel time).
Advantages: relaxed morning, no rush to get underground. Disadvantages: higher visitor density at Wieliczka in high season — online booking is recommended.
Buy Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets online in advance and choose a specific entry time — this is the most reliable way to avoid long queues at ticket counters. Ticket prices depend on season and guide language; as a rough reference, standard tourist-route tickets typically start in a mid-range price bracket and can be higher in high season or for foreign-language tours.
Admission to the Old Synagogue is usually purchased at the museum branch’s ticket office; the fee is modest compared with bigger attractions — typically a small sum. Check opening hours before visiting (hours may be shorter on Mondays).
Practical rules: keep your reservation confirmation (printed or on your phone), arrive 10–15 minutes before entry, and check whether your mine ticket includes the Żupy Krakowskie Museum or other underground exhibits — some ticket options bundle additional displays.
From Kraków to Wieliczka the commuter train to the Wieliczka Rynek–Kopalnia station is the most convenient option — the trip takes about 25–30 minutes; there are also city buses (for example line 304), many taxis and ride-hailing apps. In peak traffic a bus can take much longer, so for strict timing consider the train or a taxi.
Kazimierz is easily accessible on foot from the city centre; many visitors walk along the Planty, cross the Piłsudski Bridge and continue a short distance to Szeroka Street. Allow 20–30 minutes between Kazimierz and the main train station for walking or transfers. The short Kraków–Wieliczka connection makes combining both sites in one day logistically convenient.
If you travel with large luggage: the mine has limited facilities for storing belongings; it’s better to leave big suitcases at your hotel or at storage at the station.
Kazimierz offers many highly-rated places. For traditional or Jewish-inspired cuisine, consider well-known spots on and around Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy — cafés and bistros here serve breakfast, light lunches and specialties. Choose a place with reasonably quick service if you need to make a mine entry time.
In Wieliczka, intimate restaurants near the mine entrance are recommended — places serving classic, homestyle dishes and cafés where you can recover after your underground walk. Inside the mine there is also an underground restaurant (the Miner’s Tavern) where families often stop. In town you’ll also find pierogi restaurants and venues serving regional Polish dishes. Reserving a table on weekends can be helpful.
Bring a warmer layer for the mine — the underground temperature is lower and fairly constant (usually pleasantly cool). Comfortable footwear is essential — the route includes stairs and longer walks. A camera or a charged phone is useful — there are many striking photo opportunities underground.
If you have mobility issues, check in advance for shortened routes or lifts — the mine provides solutions for visitors with limited mobility, but prior coordination is required. The Old Synagogue’s interior is compact — keep in mind the close spacing between exhibits and its intimate character.
If you plan to visit both places in one day: schedule rest and meal breaks, pace your visits and allow extra time for travel (especially in high season).
Not booking in advance — in high season Wieliczka tickets can sell out; online reservations give you peace of mind and a specific entry time.
Underestimating travel time — traffic, bus delays or longer city walks can ruin your schedule. Allow an extra 30–45 minutes between itinerary points.
Wearing inappropriate clothing — light summer clothes underground can spoil the enjoyment. Prepare for a steady, cooler temperature below ground.
The mine is not only chambers and chapels carved from salt — underground you’ll also find museum displays devoted to the history of the Żupy Krakowskie and collections of items related to salt extraction and miners’ lives.
The Old Synagogue, despite its modest exterior, holds a rich architectural history — it was built and rebuilt over centuries and its interiors show rituals and everyday objects of the Jewish community of Kazimierz.
A small photography tip: static shots with longer exposures work well in the mine — remember to steady your camera or use a small Gorillapod-style tripod.
How much time do you need for both places? — With a sensible plan: a full day (about 6–8 hours) allows visiting Wieliczka and the Old Synagogue without rushing, with time for a meal and rest.
Does a Wieliczka ticket include the Żupy Krakowskie Museum? — Many tickets combine the Tourist Route with underground museum displays, but always check the ticket description before purchase.
Is the Old Synagogue open every day? — Opening hours vary by season and weekday; check the museum branch’s current opening times before your visit.
If you want a calm, well-thought-out trip — book tickets, choose times outside peak hours and follow the rhythm “one big place + one intimate spot.” This plan gives space for stories, meals and reflection, not just ticking off attractions.
If you found this post helpful — share it on social media or send it to friends. If you’d like to explore with a local guide, consider booking with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a private guide associated with ZwiedzanieKrakowa; details about her services are available on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website. Have a pleasant trip and enjoy peaceful sightseeing!
