The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Krakow. The easiest way there is the train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia, a few minutes’ walk from the entrance. The Tourist Route is 3.5 km long, takes 2 to 3 hours with a guide and goes down to 135 metres. Buy your tickets online: it is the only way to be sure of your tour time.
In short
- Train: from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia, then a few minutes on foot.
- Bus: line 304 from the Dworzec Główny Zachód stop by Galeria Krakowska to Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli. You need a ticket for zones I and II.
- Tourist Route: 3.5 km, 2 to 3 hours, down to 135 m, 17 to 18°C underground.
- Tickets (autumn 2026): English tour 143 PLN, discounted 121 PLN. Polish tour 103 PLN.
- Open: the Tourist Route from 8:00 to 18:00.
- Where to stay: near Kraków Główny, where the trains to Wieliczka leave.
Getting there from Krakow
- By train: take the train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia. From the station you walk to the mine in a few minutes. Check times in the KOLEO or Jakdojade app.
- By bus: line 304 leaves from the Dworzec Główny Zachód stop next to Galeria Krakowska. For the Tourist Route get off at Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli. Buy a ticket valid in zones I and II.
- By car: the mine has two car parks: Parking 1 Tężnia, the largest, on Dembowskiego Street, and Parking 2 Daniłowicz on Daniłowicza Street. You can pay for parking online in advance.
The Tourist Route starts at the Daniłowicz Shaft, ul. Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka.
Tickets and prices
| Ticket | Tour in English | Tour in Polish |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 143 PLN | 103 PLN |
| Discounted | 121 PLN | 82 PLN |
| Family 2+1 | 358 PLN | 255 PLN |
| Family 2+2 | 430 PLN | 304 PLN |
These are the prices for autumn 2026 dates on the mine’s website. The price includes the guide and the underground route of the Kraków Saltworks Museum. Prices can change with the date, so check the calendar when you book. You can also buy tickets at the mine’s ticket office, but you may have to wait, and only an online ticket guarantees your tour time. For tours in languages other than Polish and English you must buy tickets online in advance.
What to expect underground
The Tourist Route leads you 3.5 km through chambers, chapels and underground lakes, down to 135 metres. The highlight is St. Kinga’s Chapel, carved in salt. It is 17 to 18°C underground all year, so bring a light jacket, and wear comfortable shoes, because there are a lot of stairs.
Prefer something more active? The Miners’ Route is open to visitors aged 10 and over, and the ticket costs the same as the Tourist Route.
Our tip: where to stay
Trains to Wieliczka leave from Kraków Główny, so the most convenient places to stay are near the station. Barbakan Residence and Art of Serenity on Zacisze Street are a few minutes away on foot, and five minutes from the Main Square. Flower Residence in Kleparz, with spacious apartments for families, is five minutes from the station by tram.
Visiting the mine on the day you leave? You can leave your luggage in four of our buildings: Bagel Residence, Art of Serenity, Barbakan Residence and Grace Apartments.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Krakow to the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
By train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia, or by bus 304 from the Dworzec Główny Zachód stop by Galeria Krakowska.
How much are tickets to the Wieliczka Salt Mine?
For autumn 2026 dates, a standard ticket for a tour in English costs 143 PLN and for a tour in Polish 103 PLN.
How long does the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour take?
The Tourist Route takes 2 to 3 hours.
How cold is it in the salt mine?
17 to 18°C all year, so a light jacket is enough.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
It is not required for tours in Polish and English, but only an online ticket guarantees your tour time. For other languages you must buy online.
Can I visit Wieliczka and Auschwitz on the same day?
Organised tours offer it, but it makes a very long day. We recommend visiting them on separate days. For the Auschwitz day, see our guide on how to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow.
Still choosing an area? Read our guide on where to stay in Krakow.
A day trip from Krakow with Cracow Travel. Book direct and stay a few minutes from the station. With the code CT231974 you pay 50 PLN less for stays of 2 nights or more. See the apartments →
Sources: Wieliczka Salt Mine (prices, opening hours, Tourist Route, getting there). Photo: Noemi Palmieri, Unsplash. Updated: October 2026. The Cracow Travel team, hosting guests in Krakow for 15 years.