Everything you need to know about visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Poland, including train connections to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the underground chapels.
To book a salt mine tour, including hotel pick-up in Krakow, head this way.
A medieval mining marvel near Krakow
The Wieliczka Salt Mine has been producing salt continuously since the 13th century, making it one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines. Located 10 kilometres southeast of Krakow, this UNESCO World Heritage Site draws over a million visitors annually to its subterranean world of chambers, chapels and salt-carved sculptures.
The mine descends 135 metres underground, with 300 kilometres of galleries spanning nine levels. Visitors explore roughly 3 kilometres of passageways during the standard tour, encountering everything from massive timber structures to an entire chapel carved from salt.
Getting to Wieliczka from Krakow
Trains depart Krakow Główny station (the main railway station) roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day. The journey to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station takes 20 to 25 minutes. From the station, it’s a five-minute walk to the mine entrance at Daniłowicz Shaft.
Train tickets cost around 6.50 PLN (approximately €1.50). Purchase them at ticket machines in the station or buy directly from the conductor on board.
Alternatively, skip the faff, and just book a tour with hotel pick-up in Krakow.
Alternative transport by bus
Bus 304 runs from the stop on Kurniki Street near Galeria Krakowska shopping mall, taking 40 minutes to reach Wieliczka. Get off at the Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli stop, right beside the mine entrance.
Bus tickets cost roughly 6 PLN. The train proves faster and more comfortable, but the bus runs more frequently throughout the day.
Why book the Wieliczka Salt Mine guided tour from Krakow?
- 🕍 Stunning Underground Cathedral: Marvel at the Chapel of St. Kinga, a massive underground church where everything—including the chandeliers—is carved entirely from salt.
- 🌍 UNESCO World Heritage Site: Explore one of the world’s oldest salt mines, a historic labyrinth of tunnels and lakes that has been attracting visitors for centuries.
- 🧂 Incredible Salt Art: See intricate statues, monuments, and even salt-lake reflections that showcase the amazing craftsmanship of the miners.
- 🚐 Seamless Round-Trip Transport: Avoid the hassle of local trains or buses with air-conditioned hotel pickup and drop-off from Krakow included.
- 🎧 Expert Guided Insights: Hear the fascinating legends and history of the mine clearly through provided headsets while your professional guide leads the way.
Ticket prices and booking
Standard adult tickets cost 143 PLN (around €34), with reduced tickets at 121 PLN for children over 4, students up to 26, and seniors. A family ticket (2 adults and 2 children aged 4-16) costs 430 PLN. Children under 4 enter free.
Tours in Polish and English run regularly throughout the day. Tours in other languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian) operate at designated times and must be booked online in advance through the official website bilety.kopalnia.pl.
Opening hours and tour times
The mine opens daily except 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 November, and 24-25 December. Opening hours vary by season, with tours typically running from morning until early evening.
All visits take place with a licensed guide. You cannot explore the mine independently. Tours depart at scheduled times, so booking in advance — particularly during summer months — prevents disappointment.
What to expect on the tour
The Tourist Route begins with a descent down 380 wooden stairs. From there, you’ll walk through chambers carved entirely from rock salt, past underground lakes where the water sits eerily still, and through galleries lined with salt crystals.
The St. Kinga’s Chapel is the tour’s highlight. This extraordinary underground church, carved entirely from salt, features chandeliers, altarpieces and floor tiles all sculpted from the mineral. Even the air tastes faintly saline.
Physical requirements and preparation
The tour involves roughly 800 stairs total, with 380 at the beginning descending into the mine. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip — salt-crusted stairs can be slippery.
The underground temperature remains constant at 17-18°C year-round. Bring a light jacket or sweater, particularly in summer when the contrast with surface temperatures becomes more pronounced.
How long tours take
The standard Tourist Route tour lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, covering the descent, guided walk through chambers, and return to the surface via elevator. Factor in additional time for potential queuing at busy periods.
The ticket also grants access to the underground Cracow Saltworks Museum exhibition, which adds roughly an hour if you choose to visit it.
Parking and facilities
Car parks surround the mine entrance, with the closest and cheapest located directly outside. Parking costs roughly 7 PLN per hour. Ignore signs along the route advertising other parking — these often charge inflated rates.
Luggage storage is available at automated lockers near the entrance, free during touring hours. However, space is limited, so avoid bringing large bags or strollers.
What you can and cannot bring
Only small carry-on luggage (maximum 20x20x35cm) is permitted underground. Larger items must be left in storage lockers. Strollers are particularly impractical given the 800 stairs — use a baby carrier instead.
Photography is permitted throughout the tour for personal use. Flash photography may be restricted in certain areas. Smoking, vaping, and open flames are strictly prohibited underground.
Nearby attractions in Wieliczka
The town of Wieliczka itself merits exploration after your mine tour. The historic town square, surrounded by buildings connected to the mining history, provides cafes and restaurants for lunch.
The Graduation Tower in St. Kinga’s Park, located above the mine tunnels, provides a breath of fresh(er) air. Entry costs 7 PLN, with five-entry passes available for 30 PLN.
Combining with other Krakow attractions
Many visitors combine the salt mine with Auschwitz-Birkenau as a full-day tour from Krakow. However, this creates a rushed experience at both sites. If time permits, dedicate separate days to each location.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine makes an ideal half-day trip from Krakow, leaving afternoons free for exploring the city’s Old Town, Wawel Castle, or Kazimierz district.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wieliczka Salt Mine wheelchair accessible?
Some underground workings on the Tourist Route are adapted for visitors with limited mobility. These tours operate Monday to Sunday during first and last opening hours and require advance booking via email to [email protected]. Polish or English-speaking guides are available. Note that participation numbers are limited.
When are the quietest times to visit?
Early morning tours and visits during the off-season (November through March, excluding Christmas) see fewer crowds. Summer months and weekends attract the largest numbers. Book the earliest available tour time to avoid congestion in the chambers.
Can you bring food into the mine?
Food and drink are not permitted during the tour itself. However, there are designated dining locations on the Tourist Route where you can relax and eat. A restaurant operates underground in one of the chambers, serving traditional Polish food.
Are photos allowed throughout the mine?
Personal photography is permitted throughout the Tourist Route. Flash photography may be restricted in certain chambers to protect salt sculptures and preserve the atmosphere. Commercial photography requires advance permission from mine management.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
The mine’s constant underground temperature of 17-18°C makes it pleasant year-round. Summer visits offer easier travel logistics but larger crowds. Winter provides a quieter experience, though surface temperatures in Wieliczka can drop below freezing.
Is the tour suitable for young children?
Yes, though children must be able to manage 800 stairs. The tour takes 2 to 2.5 hours, which may test shorter attention spans. Children under 4 enter free. Baby carriers work better than strollers given the stairs and narrow passages.
