The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a place most school groups visit almost automatically. It’s also a perfect base for designing an unusual, engaging trip for young people: underground it’s easier to capture attention, spark curiosity and create memorable experiences than in a standard classroom. Beyond the beauty of chapels and salt-carved chambers, you can design a program that mixes history, nature, science and play — so students don’t just see things, but discover and remember them.
Wieliczka offers different routes and formats for schools — from interactive lessons with legends, through physically engaging mining routes, to special programs for the youngest visitors. Options such as overnight stays underground or themed workshops let you move beyond a one-day visit and build a truly memorable trip. When planning, use a flexible agenda, simple scripts with student roles, and elements of competition and rewards.
The Tourist Route in the Mine includes kilometres of corridors and a dozen to several dozen chambers of various sizes — typically visitors walk about 2–3 km and climb roughly 800 steps, and the depths visited range from about 64 to 135 metres below the surface. This isn’t an ordinary walk: inform chaperones and parents about these numbers before departure.
Underground you’ll find a steady, comfortable temperature for most people around 14–16°C and high humidity. For young people this is part of the attraction, but it’s also a reason to bring a light sweatshirt and comfortable, non-slip shoes. The standard route usually takes 2–3 hours, while educational programs or the Mining Route can be longer and more physically demanding.
Instead of passive sightseeing, give students active roles: field games, underground quests, a photo contest for the best shot of a salt sculpture fragment, or quiz-tasks tied to geology and the mine’s history. These elements reinforce learning and raise engagement.
The Mining Route is a great option for older classes — practical mining tasks and hands-on challenges let students feel the effort of past professions and develop respect for local history. For younger children, the “Solilandia” version with legends, riddles and a treasure map is ideal.
If you want a truly unusual program — consider an overnight stay underground (available in limited packages), a meeting with a miner, salt-carving workshops or a small concert in one of the chambers. Keep in mind that some of these attractions require advance reservation and additional permissions.
Night of Museums is a great opportunity to use the atmosphere and lighting of the underground: plan a themed evening with gamification, stories about St. Kinga’s legends and a multimedia projection in a safe space. Provide clear schedules and split the group into smaller subgroups so chaperones can keep things under control.
Formally important: make sure you have all parental permissions and that the mine’s organizer approves the evening program — not all extra activities are possible on every date (especially after dark or during special events). Agree safety rules and meeting points with mine staff in advance.
Organized groups are best handled in advance — booking dates, entries and any workshops helps the trip run smoothly. During the season and around events (Night of Museums, holidays) availability drops, so reserve weeks or even months ahead.
Wieliczka is well connected to Krakow: regular trains make it a short trip, there are also bus lines and convenient car access. Parking at the mine and accommodation options in the town make planning easier. When booking, check the maximum group size for a given route and possible group or school prices.
Practical note: some programs charge extra for photography and there are limits on guide-to-group ratios — check rules about supervision and the required number of chaperones.
Before you go, give students clear instructions: comfortable shoes, a light sweatshirt, a bottle of water, avoid sharp food near salt sculptures, and keep quiet where asked. Remind them not to touch exhibits without the guide’s permission.
Because of the number of stairs and the length of the route, manage energy levels with short breaks, rotating chaperones and designated rest spots. If there are people with respiratory issues or claustrophobia in the group, consult chaperones and mine staff beforehand; shortened routes and elevators are available for visitors with limited mobility.
After an intense day underground, students usually need a warm meal and some time to talk. In Wieliczka and the surrounding area you’ll find places offering homemade lunches, pizzerias and cafés that can accommodate groups. It’s a good idea to reserve popular spots in advance, especially for larger school groups.
If you plan a longer stay, consider lodging in Wieliczka or Krakow — both have advantages: staying in Wieliczka shortens travel time and gives more time for local attractions, while Krakow offers a wider range of dining and cultural options. For the adventurous, there are packages that include an overnight stay underground — an unforgettable way to end a school trip.
Last-minute planning is the basic mistake. Lack of reservations for entries, workshops or restaurant space causes stress and chaos. Book ahead and have a plan B in case of weather changes or restrictions.
Neglecting to prepare students. Short, clear pre-trip instructions (what to bring, how to behave, which activities need parental consent) reduce minor problems. Don’t ignore health and formal requirements — parental permissions, lists of allergies, and chaperone medications are essential.
Overloading the program. A trip doesn’t have to include everything at once. It’s better to choose fewer activities that are well organized than to rush and miss the place’s potential.
How long is the standard visit? The Tourist Route usually takes 2–3 hours; longer educational programs or the Mining Route may last about 3 hours or more.
Do you need to reserve group tickets? Yes — for school groups booking is strongly recommended, especially in season and during special events. Reservations also let you plan additional activities and workshops.
How should students dress? Comfortable closed shoes, a light sweatshirt or fleece, and a small backpack with water and a snack. Avoid flip-flops or very light footwear. Also remind students to carry identity documents or school IDs if needed for reduced fares.
A trip to Wieliczka can be both a standard curriculum stop and an extraordinary educational adventure. A few simple moves — active roles for students, elements of play, early reservations and thoughtful logistics — are enough to turn ordinary sightseeing into a day students will remember for a long time.
If you’d like, I can help refine your trip scenario or suggest concrete activities matched to the age and educational goals of your group. Share this article with colleagues or on social media, and if you need guiding support — contact the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz via Zwiedzanie Krakowa; she will gladly help finalize the program and bookings.
