Yes — it’s a popular plan for visitors who have only one day in Krakow. A well-organized morning at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an afternoon on Wawel Hill and a walk along the Royal Route (Kanonicza, Grodzka and the Main Market Square) can fit into a single day, but it requires planning: book tickets in advance, allow time for travel and rest, and choose routes adapted to the needs of wheelchair users or parents with small children.
This guide gives concrete time suggestions, accessibility tips, a packing list and the most common mistakes to avoid — everything to help make your trip comfortable and enjoyable.
07:30–08:30 - Breakfast in Krakow and depart for Wieliczka. Go early to avoid crowds and secure your spot in a guided group.
09:00–11:30 - Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine: the tourist route usually takes 2–3 hours; allow time for the mine lift and photos at the Chapel of St. Kinga.
12:00–13:00 - Return to Krakow and have a light lunch. There are family-friendly cafés and restaurants around the Market Square.
13:30–16:00 - Wawel Hill: visit the Castle (selected exhibitions) and the Cathedral. Some areas have stairs; plan to visit the exhibitions that are accessible on the day of your visit.
16:00–17:30 - Walk the Royal Route: Kanonicza, Grodzka, Main Market Square. Time for coffee, an early dinner or souvenir shopping.
17:30–18:30 - Relax near the Planty or return to your hotel.
If you want to see more exhibitions on Wawel or take a longer mine route, consider spreading the program over two days.
Opening hours vary by venue and season: the salt mine has fixed entrance blocks during the day, and at Wawel different exhibitions and the Cathedral have separate hours. For these reasons: buy tickets online in advance, check the time of the last entry and watch for holiday closures.
Some exhibitions at Wawel offer days or hours of free admission — that can be a good option but usually means larger crowds. If you prefer comfort and shorter queues, choose paid timed tickets.
Discount rules (seniors, students, visitors with disability certificates) differ — bring documents that prove your entitlement. The salt mine often offers family tickets or combined offers, so check available options before you buy.
The Wieliczka Mine is one of the few underground routes with solutions adapted for wheelchair users: some sections have a mining lift, movable platforms and smoothed route fragments — this allows visiting after arranging details with museum staff. It’s an impressive museum engineering achievement, but not all parts are equally accessible — some passages are narrow or have small thresholds.
Wawel has limitations due to the historic terrain: cobbled approaches, steps and uneven surfaces. Some castle exhibitions and cathedral spaces are partially adapted — ramps and lifts exist in selected areas, but not all historic interiors are fully accessible. When planning your visit it’s a good idea to:
- contact the ticket office or visitor service in advance (special entry times or assistance may be possible),
- ask about entering with a companion on a reduced-price ticket,
- check which entrances are barrier-free (sometimes special paths or side entrances are available).
For families with strollers: at the mine consider using a baby carrier or a compact folding stroller if you’re unsure about certain sections — staff can advise on the safest route. At Wawel allow extra time and opt for shorter museum routes if needed.
The most convenient way to reach Wieliczka is public transport (fast buses or the regional train) or by car/taxi — the trip from central Krakow usually takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. If you have mobility limitations, a door-to-door taxi is the least stressful option.
In Krakow it’s possible to get around the Old Town in a wheelchair, but pay attention: parts of the Royal Route are cobbled and some approaches are steep. When planning your route choose wider pavements and less busy hours (morning or late afternoon).
Remember to factor in travel time between points — walking from Wieliczka to the city center is not feasible, so allow time for transport both ways.
Around the Old Town and near Wawel you’ll find many family-friendly and accessibility-aware places. A few tried-and-true options: Wierzynek (historic restaurant on the Market Square) — great for a classic sit-down meal; Cafe Camelot (near the Market) — a cozy café; Miód Malina and other restaurants under the arcades of the Market Square — convenient for lunch.
Wieliczka and the area around the mine also offer restaurants serving regional dishes — ask at the mine ticket office for recommendations and whether the venue has barrier-free access. If you need a quick bite, the city center has many cafés and bistros; many accept strollers and have accessible toilets.
If you prefer a quiet spot after a busy day, try one of the garden terraces near the Planty or a café on Grodzka Street.
Comfortable shoes — even short distances involve uneven surfaces underground and on cobbled streets.
A light layer — the mine temperature is lower and constant year-round; bring a light sweater or jacket.
ID and any disability documentation for discounted tickets — have them ready when buying tickets.
A power bank and a water bottle — useful for a long day of sightseeing.
If you travel with a stroller: consider a smaller folding model for parts of the visit where space is limited.
Not booking tickets in advance — this can lead to long waits or no availability; book ahead, especially in high season.
Wearing the wrong shoes — stairs, uneven surfaces and underground corridors are not suitable for flip-flops or high heels.
Planning too tightly — don’t expect everything to run perfectly; leave buffer time for travel, breaks and unforeseen delays.
Ignoring accessibility information — contact the mine or castle staff before you go if you need specific assistance (lift, escort, special entrance).
Leaving documents or medication in the hotel — if someone in your group needs medication or special items, carry them with you.
Can I enter the Wieliczka Mine in a wheelchair? Yes — the mine offers prepared sections and devices (e.g., lifts, platforms) that facilitate access, but you must contact the staff before your visit to arrange details.
Is Wawel fully accessible for wheelchair users? Not completely — some exhibitions and spaces are adapted, but the historic character of the hill and cobbled approaches means there are limitations. Check which exhibitions are barrier-free and book accordingly.
How much time should I allocate for the Mine and Wawel? Mine: 2–3 hours. Wawel (partial visit + Cathedral): 2–3 hours. Walk the Royal Route: 1–1.5 hours including stops.
Can I leave a stroller on the surface at the mine? Staff usually help organize stroller storage, but procedures vary — ask when booking.
Wieliczka is more than tunnels and salt chambers — underground you’ll find chapels carved in rock salt, and the constant underground temperature is a relief in summer.
Wawel is not a single building but a complex: castle, cathedral, cellars and walls. Not all parts are open at the same time — conservation work sometimes changes the visiting program.
Morning entries at the mine and later visits to Wawel are the simplest way to avoid crowds and fit both sites into one day.
If this guide helped you plan your trip — share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can benefit from the tips. For a comfortable, stress-free visit to Krakow, consider booking a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website. We wish you a wonderful journey and many happy discoveries in Krakow and Wieliczka!
