Quick answer
The Wieliczka Salt Mine, just south-east of Kraków, is one of Poland’s most visited attractions and was on the very first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The classic Tourist Route is 3.5 km long, goes down to 135 m, involves more than 800 steps and takes 2–3 hours; the more active Miners’ Route takes about the same time. It is a steady 17–18°C underground. From Kraków, take the SKA1 train from Kraków Główny to the end of the line at Wieliczka (about 20–30 minutes) or bus 304 (about 40–45 minutes). Buy tickets online for a set time.
For centuries miners dug rock salt beneath Wieliczka, leaving behind a labyrinth of chambers, lakes and chapels carved entirely from salt. Commercial mining stopped in 1996, and today about 1.2 million people visit each year. This guide explains which route to choose, how to get there and how to plan your visit.
Which route to choose
| Tourist Route | Miners’ Route | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The classic guided tour of chambers, salt lakes and chapels | A more active tour where you do simple mining tasks |
| Length | 3.5 km | About 1.9 km |
| Depth | Down to 135 m | Down to 101 m |
| Duration | 2–3 hours, including the Saltworks Museum exhibition | About 2–3 hours |
| Highlight | St Kinga’s Chapel, carved in salt | Searching for salt, testing the air, finding the route |
| Best for | First-time visitors | Families and visitors who want something hands-on |
The Tourist Route
This is the route most visitors take. With a guide you walk 3.5 km through the upper levels of the mine, past underground saline lakes and chambers, to the Chapel of St Kinga, an underground church carved in the salt rock. The route involves more than 800 steps, but the mine says it does not require above-average fitness. Allow 2–3 hours.
The Miners’ Route
On the Miners’ Route you explore the labyrinth around the Regis Shaft, the oldest preserved shaft in the mine, and take on tasks once done by miners, such as searching for salt, testing the air for methane and finding the right way through the tunnels. The route is about 1.9 km long and reaches 101 m below ground.
Getting there from Kraków
- Train: the SKA1 suburban line runs from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka; get off at the last stop. The ride takes about 20–30 minutes. Buy tickets at machines at Kraków Główny, in the Koleo app or on board. The same line also serves Kraków Airport, so you can travel from the airport to Wieliczka without changing.
- Bus 304: from the stop near Galeria Krakowska to “Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli”, next to the mine, in about 40–45 minutes. A 60-minute Kraków time ticket (8 zł) covers it; see our guide to public transport in Kraków.
- Organised tours from Kraków include transport and entry, often combined with other sights.
Some trains were cancelled during track works in recent years, so check the timetable in Koleo before you go.
Tickets and planning
- Buy online on the mine’s official website for a specific time and language.
- Check prices and opening hours on the official site; they vary by season and route.
- Dress in a light jacket or jumper: it is 17–18°C underground all year.
- Shoes: comfortable, flat shoes; you will be on your feet for two or three hours.
Wieliczka or another mine?
Wieliczka is the most famous, and the busiest. If you enjoy it, southern Poland has other remarkable mines to visit: the Bochnia salt mine nearby, part of the same UNESCO listing, and in Silesia the UNESCO-listed Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry, with an underground boat ride, and the Guido coal mine in Zabrze, 320 m underground. See our guide to the hidden gems of Silesia and the Polish Jura.
FAQ
How long does a visit to Wieliczka take?
The Tourist Route takes 2–3 hours. With travel from Kraków, plan half a day.
Is the tour hard?
The Tourist Route has more than 800 steps, but the mine says it does not need above-average fitness. Contact the mine in advance about access for visitors with limited mobility.
Can I visit Wieliczka and Auschwitz on the same day?
Tour companies offer it, but it makes for a long and emotionally mixed day. If you can, visit them separately; see our guide to visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Last checked: 17 October 2026. Check tickets, prices and hours on the mine’s official website.