Wieliczka is one of the strongest attractions for visitors to Lesser Poland — underground chambers, chapels and salt sculptures impress even those who have already seen many monuments. In the afternoon it’s worth returning to Krakow and walking the Royal Route: the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Church and Wawel Hill offer the best “essence” of Krakow without the need to enter museum exhibitions. This plan gives variety — nature and engineering underground, then history and the atmosphere of the old town above ground — all in one day.
Combining these places is logistically convenient and popular in one-day trip offers, but you can easily organise it on your own. Below you’ll find a practical plan, ticket information and tips to avoid queues and exhaustion. No unnecessary theory — just clear, useful advice.
If you prefer to skip museum interiors on Wawel (state rooms, exhibitions) — that’s perfectly fine: you can stroll around the hill, see the courtyard and enter the Cathedral (note: some parts of the Cathedral or special entrances may be ticketed). St. Mary’s Church gives an unforgettable view of Veit Stoss’s main altar and the traditional hejnał — many highlights are visible without visiting paid exhibitions.
Morning: depart Krakow for Wieliczka. The easiest way is by suburban train or bus; the station/stop ‘Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia’ is close to the mine entrance. From Krakow Central it usually takes from a few to several dozen minutes, depending on the transport.
9:30–13:00: Visit the Tourist Route at the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The route typically takes about 2–3 hours; underground the temperature is steady and cooler (usually around 14–18°C) and you will climb several hundred steps — comfortable shoes are recommended.
13:00–14:00: Lunch and a short rest in Wieliczka — local inns and cafés by the market serve traditional dishes. You can also return to Krakow and eat there.
Afternoon: Walk the Royal Route through the Florian Gate, Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square — visit the Square (St. Mary’s Church, Cloth Hall). If you don’t want to enter museums on Wawel, reserve time for a walk around the hill, photos by the Dragon’s Den and a visit to the courtyard. Depending on the season and tourist traffic, this whole plan is doable in one full, active day.
Evening: Dinner in the Old Town or near Kazimierz — a great moment to try local dishes and relax after a day full of experiences.
The Tourist Route is the most popular option — it usually lasts about 2–3 hours, covers kilometres of underground corridors and includes several hundred steps. Ticket prices vary by season and ticket type (regular, reduced, family) — expect seasonal differences, so check current rates if you buy in advance.
- Online booking: buying tickets in advance on the official site or through authorised sellers saves time and often helps you avoid long queues.
- On-site purchase: ticket offices operate at the mine entrance — in low season tickets are often available on the spot, but in summer and on weekends lines can be long.
- Amenities and restrictions: the underground temperature is steady and cool; bring a light jacket. The route is not recommended for people with severe mobility problems or extreme claustrophobia. Children under 4 often enter free; check rules for reductions and family packages before buying.
- Small additional charges: some attractions or photography permissions inside the mine may involve extra fees.
Wawel is a complex — castle, cathedral, courtyards and terraces. If you prefer to avoid museum interiors, you can:
- walk around Wawel Hill, take photos from the outside and spend time in the courtyard (some courtyards and exterior areas are accessible without a ticket),
- visit the Dragon’s Den and stroll along the embankments,
- enter the Cathedral — remember that certain parts of the Cathedral (for example the treasury, crypts, or tower access) may be ticketed or restricted; still, the Cathedral itself is central to Polish history and it’s worth checking mass and visiting hours so you don’t arrive during a service.
St. Mary’s Church: be sure to listen to the hejnał from the tower and look inside to admire Veit Stoss’s main altar. Entrance to the church is generally possible, but access to the tower (city views) is ticketed and limited — if the panorama matters to you, plan it in advance.
Wieliczka is very close to Krakow. The simplest way is the suburban train or bus; stations/stops are directly next to the mine, which makes reaching the entrance from Krakow centre quick. Check timetables (trains and buses run frequently), and in high season give yourself extra travel time in case of delays.
If you only plan to stroll around Wawel and the Market, walking is best — distances in the Old Town are short. From Wieliczka to the centre it’s practical to return by train or bus, especially if you want to spend the afternoon at the Market. Taxis and ride-hailing services also operate, but they can be more expensive during peak hours.
For families and people with reduced mobility: Wieliczka has some more accessible areas (some exterior paths and certain facilities), but the Tourist Route includes stairs and uneven surfaces; plan breaks and rest stops in advance.
- Comfortable, closed shoes (for the mine route and walks in Krakow).
- A light jacket (it’s cooler underground than on the surface).
- Water and a small snack — although Wieliczka has cafés and souvenir shops, it’s good to have something with you for longer visits.
- Your ticket on phone or printed (if bought online) — keep it handy to move quickly to the entrance point.
- ID for people entitled to discounts (for example student ID).
- A small backpack instead of a large suitcase — large luggage must be left in the cloakroom.
Krakow: on the Main Market Square and nearby you’ll find both elegant restaurants and cosy cafés. Classic names of Krakow’s dining scene include historic places around the Square such as Wierzynek or traditional inns like Pod Aniołami. If you want a local atmosphere, consider a historic restaurant on the Market or a small café tucked into the side streets.
Kazimierz and nearby neighbourhoods offer many options for different tastes — from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spots to modern bistros and vegetarian-friendly places.
Wieliczka: after the tour it’s worth sitting down at a local inn by the market or visiting one of the cafés along the paths to the mine — they serve homemade soups, pierogi and hearty main courses. Inside the mine there is also the Miners’ Tavern (Karczma Górnicza) where you can rest and eat. If you’d like specific restaurant suggestions (cafés, vegetarian options, restaurants with views), tell me your preferences and I’ll recommend places to match them.
Do I have to buy a Wieliczka ticket in advance? - In season and on weekends I strongly recommend booking online; outside peak times you may try to buy on site, but you risk longer queues.
Is the Wawel Cathedral ticketed? - You can view the hill and courtyards from outside. Some parts of the Cathedral (for example the crypt, treasury or special entrances) may be ticketed; if you plan to enter specific paid parts, check rules before your visit.
How much time should I allow for Wieliczka? - Plan at least 2–3 hours. The Tourist Route is a guided walk and requires time for descent and return to the surface.
Is it worth taking a guided tour? - In the mine a guide is part of the experience (many routes require an accompanying guide). In Krakow, if you don’t want to enter museums you can comfortably explore on foot, using information boards or short audio guides and apps when you want extra context.
How to look after children? - Kids usually enjoy the underground scenery, but remember to take regular breaks and dress them comfortably; the route can be tiring for very young children.
- Start the day as early as possible — especially in season: morning entries to Wieliczka and afternoon walks in the Old Town help you avoid the biggest crowds.
- If you’d like the Market atmosphere with fewer people, walk the side streets (Kanonicza Street, Grodzka Street) — you’ll find beautiful townhouses and quieter cafés.
- When travelling by train, check timetables and buy tickets where required (ticket machines, carrier apps) — trains to Wieliczka can be full on weekends.
