How to get to Wieliczka Salt Mine From Krakow

Are you wondering how to get from Krakow to Salt Mines?

You’ve made a good decision. Visiting this place should be obligatory for every Krakow tourist!

Why so?

Wieliczka Salt Mine is a marvellous underground world of natural and industrial importance, inscribed to UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. It provides visitors of all ages with the views and feelings that are unparalleled to those offered by any other place in the world.

Fortunately, going there is much easier than you can imagine! Just check ways how to get there and follow all the tips below.

In this article, we’ve prepared for you all Krakow to Salt Mines travel solutions. Using them is the best way to enjoy the world’s most famous salt mine located close to Krakow, Poland.

We would like to warn you – there will be very salty! 😉

How far is Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow?

Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines are composed of a set of underground mining corridors of total 327 metres depth and 287 kilometres length. Back in the 13^th century, the salt mine started operating in the lovely town called Wieliczka. It’s located 16 kilometres southeast from Krakow.

Not very far, right?

That’s why visiting Wieliczka can be a great optional trip while visiting Krakow.

Thanks to the short distance you can take this route in several ways. Everything depends of your time, money, self-reliance and organisation skills.

Check the following options to reach the Salt Mine.

Train from Krakow to Wieliczka

If you like to admire the beautiful views through the window, a train is a perfect option!

But let’s start from the beginning!

In order to reach Salt Mine Krakow by train, you need to go to the Main Station of Krakow and get on a train operated by Koleje Małopolskie – a railway company providing its services in Lesser Poland and the metropolitan area of Krakow. Thanks to it, you may also pay for your railway connection to Wieliczka within the fees of other means of urban transportation of Krakow.

Koleje Malopolskie have their trains painted blue and orange, while the abbreviation of the company you will find in the timetable is “KMŁ” or “KMAL” (be aware of that other railway agencies require their company-specific tickets bought).

Looking for some more details?

The KMŁ trains to Wieliczka usually leave once per a half-an-hour and it takes them about 20 minutes to reach the station of your interest: Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia, the third consecutive station within the boundaries of the town. The distance between the station and Wieliczka Salt Mine barely exceeds 500 metres and should be covered on foot, which should not last more than 10 minutes. You may find the most suitable route to Danilowicz shaft below.

How much for the ticket?

A KML ticket from Krakow to Salt Mines for two-hour validity costs PLN 3,50 (less than EUR 1), while an integrated normal ticket of 70-minute validity that also enables you to use the busses and trams operated by MPK (The City Transport Company of Krakow) requires PLN 5,40 to be paid.

Where to buy the ticket?

The former ticket may be bought from the ticket machines of KML that both operate at the Main Station of Krakow and inside its tunnels, as well as from traditional stationary ticket offices.

Don’t worry about the payment!

Most ticket machines both accept cash and debit cards, while some older models may only require payments in coins. At the same time, a special Krakow tourist pass enables you to travel from Krakow to Salt Mines, as well as across Krakow, with one plastic card purchased – additionally, it opens the door of 40 museums of Krakow to its holder!

Quick note to write down:

• Where from: Main Train Station Krakow (the trians leaves once per half an hour).
• Ticket price: 3,50 PLN (less than 1€) for adult one way ticket, available to be bought in ticket machine in Main Station as well as at traditional offices.
• Travel time: 20-30 minutes.
  
• Distance to Museum after stop: 10 mins by foot.

Would you like to know how to return?

It’s really simple! Just walk back to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia Station, find the right platform and get on a returning train to Krakow Główny Station or other stations of the city that are potentially closer to your accommodation.

For all departure times check the timetable of trains to Wieliczka here.

Bus from Krakow to Wieliczka

Do you prefer buses instead of trains?

There is no problem to reach to Wieliczka by bus. It’s a great occasion to meet another tourists and local people as well. Buses are also cheap but less comfortable option than trains.

Where to catch the bus to Wieliczka?

In order to reach Salt Mine Krakow by bus, it is the most convenient for you to take line 304, with its stops located close to the stunning Old Town of Krakow and its Main Station. You may catch the bus at a stop that is close to its bus depot, the Main Railway Station and Galeria Krakowska.

On-line timetables for line 304 may be checked here.

Line 304 leaves to Wieliczka at the intervals of 20 minutes and it takes about 33 minutes from Krakow to Salt Mines by bus.

How much does it cost?

As Wieliczka falls within Zone II of the city’s urban transportation, be sure to purchase your ticket as valid for zones I+II. The cost of a single ticket is 4PLN. The reduced tickets are half-priced.

Tip: You can choose the two-ride ticket (to get there and back) which costs 7,60PLN (it needs to be validated twice – once per direction, while tickets are normally validated at ticket punchers, not with drivers).

What happens later?

The stop you should get off at is named Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli. After you walk along Dembowskiego street, taking a turn left into Danilowicza street will lead you straight to Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Please, make a note again:

• From: Main Bus Station Krakow (304 Line, available to check the route with jakdojade.pl), laves every 20-30 minutes.
• Price: 4 PLN (1€) for an adult one-way ticket, available to be bought in ticket machine inside the bus. Remember to buy a ticket for I+II zone.
• Travel time: 35 minutes.
• Distance to Museum after stop: 5 mins by foot.
• Last stop name: Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli.

Are you curious how to return?

Just walk along Danilowicza Street and take a turn right into Dembowskiego Street. The bus stop for line 304 taking its returning course to Krakow will be on the other side of the road.

Did you rent a car?

If you are travelling on your own by rented car you should know that there are three car parks operating close to the Salt Mine: two in Dembowskiego Street and one in Danilowicza Street.

However you go there, you must know that the Salt Mine and the town itself lie within the administrative metropolitan area of Krakow. The modern entrance to the part where the visitors are admitted is situated in Daniłowicza shaft, at 10 Daniłowicza Street.

Is it still a little bit too complicated for you? Or maybe you just want to save the maximum of your time?

Tours from Krakow to Wieliczka Salt Mines

There are still much more comfortable and smart options to visit Wieliczka without any stress!

All that you have to do is to join organised Wieliczka Salt Mine tour with local guide. It’s the best option for those who suffer from the lack of time and want to get know as much as possible about a visited place. The whole organization of the trip is on the side of the travel agency, so you don’t have to worry about tickets, timetables and maps. It’s the easiest way to see all Wieliczka’s gems without queues and worries.

Let your tour agent take care of you and your family and use the arranged transport from Krakow to Salt Mines. Those full package tours include entrance tickets, transit from Krakow and back (only 30 minutes one-way!) and the whole knowledge of the guide who will tell you the most incredible stories and interesting facts about Wieliczka.

You can be sure that the tour includes:

• hotel pickup
• transport to Salt Mine and back
• tickets
• English-speaking guide

Do you want to know more details about those tours?

Let us put some light on it.

Guided tour in a group

Are you wondering how standard guided tour looks like?

Just after you will be picked-up straight from your hotel and taken to the kingdom of salt on a minivan, you will join a group of other visitors. There will be maximum 15 enthusiasts of underground adventures next to you. It’s a great opportunity to meet other travellers and create new friendships. Picking up from the hotel and driving you back will save a lot of your time for another Krakow’s attractions. That’s why it’s the perfect option if you don’t have much time for travelling to Wieliczka on your own.

What else should you know?

It’s enough to inform the tour operator of where your accommodation is 24 hours before it starts (thanks to this, visiting Salt Mine may be a spontaneous decision!)

Then just follow the group and let your expert guide will safely lead you through the maze of corridors, chambers, chapels and bridges of the salt mine, providing you with any information you should know about its secrets and history. This inspiring journey into the depths of the earth is something you will not forget long after having left the lift taking you back to the ground level. The tourist route encompassed by the tour will require about 4,5 hours of spare time from you. And it will be the best way of spending it on the day you decide to follow the trail.

Interested?

This Wieliczka Krakow Salt Mine tour will totally satisfy you!

Guided tour in a small group

Do you prefer more intimate trips?

In small group tour option, you will go from Krakow to Salt Mines by the shuttle bus. When you meet your expert guide at the shaft, you may be sure the rest of your trip will be calmer than in the case of a regular guided tour.

You will also appreciate that…

Provided with instructive commentary all along your way, catered for your individual preferences and expectations, you will be free to enjoy the attention of your guide as solely focused on you. In this way, your walk through the one-of-its-kind underground space will not only be filled with visual sensations but also professional approach its organisational aspect.

To be a part of that adventure just check this Wieliczka Salt Mine – Shuttle Bus and Entrance Ticket.

Guided tour with a private transport

Do you like to travel in the most comfortable way?

If you have your own group of people and don’t feel to meet strangers on your way, this tour will perfectly respond to your needs!

You can visit the underground salt city of Wieliczka with an expert guide, with all the attention centred around your questions, expectations and time-related requirements. After you decide to take the tour of this kind, you will be picked up from the location of your preference by an English speaking private driver.

The transport to Wieliczka will rely on taking you for a ride inside a comfortable and safe vehicle, which is exceptionally convenient during winters. Since your satisfaction is what matters the most, you may be sure that any specific modifications to the itinerary are something the tour operator is ready to discuss.

What’s next?

As having covered about 3,5 kilometres of Wieliczka’s sidewalks may leave you a bit tired, being dropped-off anywhere you want after the tour is over will turn out as something not to be underestimated.

Sound like a dream? Just enter this Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with Private Transport page and have that all!

As a lonely traveller, you can choose that trip only for your own as well!

When to visit Wieliczka Salt Mine?

You already know how to visit Wieliczka. But do you know when can you go there?

If you are going from Krakow to Salt Mines you have to know that it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. between April, 1^st and October, 31^st.

For the remaining part of the calendar year, it opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. – this is when the last group of visitors is admitted underground. There are also the days when its opening hours may undergo extensions and such dates as the New Year, the first day of Easter, November the 1^st or the first two days of Christmas when the museum at the Royal Salt Mine does not operate.

Tip: Before going there, check our full guide to Salt Mine in Wieliczka.

What is the best way to travel from Krakow to Wieliczka

We’ve given you a lot of tips and options but do you know which one is the best for you?

Each of us has different expectations and needs. For some, saving time and convenience are a priority and the other greatest joy is acting on their own. Everything depends on our saved money, time for travelling and the comfort zone. That’s why we want to help you make the best decision.

The cheapest way to travel from Krakow to Salt Mines

In this category, a train is the winner. A bus may be a little bit more expensive but it won’t overstand your budget as well. Please notice, that the entrance ticket to Wieliczka Salt Mine for the single adult costs 89-94PLN.

The most comfortable way to visit Wieliczka

Taking an organised tour from Krakow to Wieliczka is the easiest and most convenient way to visit that wonderful site. It’s also the best option for the families, especially with kids. You will save a lot of time and stay calm thanks to fast transport, local guide and previously bought tickets.

Check our simple decision tree at the end:

• Want to save money? Don’t care about travel conditions? Catch the bus from Krakow to Salt Mines.
• Are you the larger group that wants to keep money? A train to Wieliczka will offer you more space and time to talk.
• Looking for comfortable conditions or travelling with kids? Choose guided tour.
• Want to avoid queues, buying tickets and crowds? Decide on the organised tour.

Hope you enjoyed this guide! Please share it or comment if you found it helpful! 🙂