The Wieliczka Salt Mine, situated near Kraków in southern Poland, has been producing salt since Neolithic times.
Excavated in the 13th century, it is one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world, having continuously produced table salt until 2007.
Extending over 287 kilometers (178 miles) through horizontal passages and chambers, the Wieliczka Salt Mine reaches a depth of 327 meters (1,073 ft).
The mine showcases the evolution of mining techniques in Europe from the 13th to the 20th centuries, offering a glimpse into the rich history of the industry.
It is also an official Polish Historic Monument and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour.
Table of contents
- What to expect at Wieliczka Salt Mine tour
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour ticket prices
- Discounts
- Meeting point for Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
- Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour timings
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to go on Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
- FAQs about the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
What to expect at Wieliczka Salt Mine tour
Experience the rich history and unique beauty of the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a true treasure of Poland.
Tour the 3.5-kilometer (2.2-mile) visitors’ route, which surprisingly represents less than 2 percent of the total length of the mine passages.
Seize the chance to witness one of the world’s rare underground churches as you embark on uncovering the hidden pathways beneath.
Enjoy a variety of attractions in the mine, including shafts and labyrinthine passageways, displays of historic salt-mining technology, an underground lake, and four chapels.
As you make your way down, be amazed by the roughly carved statues depicting legendary beings and the delicate salt formations resembling strands of spaghetti.
The mines also feature numerous statues carved by miners out of the rock salt, as well as more recent sculptures by contemporary artists.
Where to book tickets
Tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour are available to be purchased online or at the Wieliczka Salt Mine ticket office.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments
How do online tickets work
To book tickets for a Kraków Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour, head to the booking page and choose your desired date and the number of tickets.
Once you have made your purchase, your tickets will be sent to your email.
You do not need to carry printouts.
On the day of your visit, show the e-ticket on your smartphone and start the tour.
Don’t forget to bring your official IDs.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour ticket prices
Tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with optional transport are available for prices ranging between 175zł to 435zł for adults, depending on the tour option you choose.
Tickets for children and senior citizens are available at reduced prices ranging from 175 zł to 435zł.
Infant tickets are generally complimentary, with the exception of specific tour options that may require a separate fee.
Adult tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided One-Day Tour are priced at 407zł for visitors over 18 years of age.
Youth tickets for the tour are priced at 398zł for visitors aged between 13 to 17 years.
Child tickets for the same tour are available for 389zł for visitors between five and 12 years of age.
Infants up to four years of age can get in for free.
Adult tickets for the Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow including a Lunch tour, are available to visitors between 18 to 74 years for 443zł.
Senior citizens over 75 years and youth between 14 and 17 years old can get tickets for the tour for 438zł.
Children between five and 13 years of age can get tickets for the tour for 407zł.
Infant tickets for the tour are available for a reduced price of 206zł for visitors up to four years of age.
Discounts
The tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour are available at discounted prices at different times across the year.
Visitors can save up to 15% on ticket costs if they plan ahead.
Visit the booking pages to find specific dates when discounted prices are available.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour tickets with optional transport
Experience the wonders of the Wieliczka salt mines on a half-day guided tour.
Step away from the hustle and bustle of Krakow and explore one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The tour commences with a descent of 64 meters via stairs and moves through various chambers and underground lakes, shrines, and salt monuments.
The tour ends at a depth of 135 meters below the surface, followed by a return ascent to ground level via an elevator.
A knowledgeable guide provides insight into the fascinating history of the mines while you marvel at the intricate and stunning salt sculptures.
With the option of a morning or afternoon departure, choose the time that suits you best and prepare for an unforgettable excursion.
Book your spot now and escape to the breathtaking world of the Wieliczka salt mines!
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (26 to 64 years): 435zł
Senior Ticket (65+ years): 435zł
Youth Ticket (16 to 25 years): 368zł
Child Ticket (6 to 12 years): 340zł
Infant Ticket (up to 5 years): 340zł
Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided One Day Tour tickets
Discover the history of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and the intriguing Wieliczka Salt Mine.
The tour begins early in the morning, taking visitors on a comfortable bus ride from Krakow to the memorial and then to the beautiful mines.
Pay your respects at the solemn Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage salt mine’s echoing caverns.
As you arrive at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, a professional guide will commence the tour and introduce the memorial sites’ historical significance.
Visitors will then head to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, where a knowledgeable local guide will provide insights into the mine’s history.
Get an opportunity to witness extraordinary chambers, genuine sculptures, and the actual workplaces of miners.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18+ years): 407zł|Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): 398zł
Child Ticket (5 to 12 years): 389zł
Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): Free
Day Trip tickets to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow including Lunch
Experience two of Krakow’s most significant historical landmarks in a full-day tour, featuring hotel pickup and lunch.
Begin with a moving tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, where you will learn about the harrowing truths of the largest Nazi concentration camp complex.
Proceed through the gate adorned with the words “Arbeit macht frei” as you enter Auschwitz I, with a certified historian and guide leading you through the preserved grounds.
The museum’s three-and-a-half-hour tour is designed to educate visitors about the millions of victims affected by the Holocaust.
After lunch, venture underground to explore the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka mine, one of the world’s oldest working salt mines.
You will be transported to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which has been producing salt for over 700 years.
Your English-speaking guide will lead you on a two-and-a-half-hour tour of tourist routes featuring chambers with impressive salt carvings and statues, taking you up to 140 meters underground.
This full-day tour includes entrance fees, lunch, and hotel pickup, providing excellent value for money.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18 to 74 years): 442zł
Senior Ticket (75+ years): 438zł
Youth Ticket (14 to 17 years): 438zł
Child Ticket (5 to 13 years): 406zł
Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): 205zł
Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour tickets from Krakow with hotel pickup
Join a small group and explore the ancient salt mine at Wieliczka during this guided excursion from Krakow.
During your journey to the mine, you’ll pass by some of the city’s most renowned sites, such as the Wawel Royal Castle, the Former Jewish District, Ghetto Wall Fragment, The Ghetto Heroes Square, and Krakow’s Rynek Glowny Central Square.
Explore the Wieliczka Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, offering a truly unique experience.
Discover intriguing facets of the mines shrouded from public view and steeped in mystery and lore.
As you wander through the attraction, admire the chapels, chambers, and saline lakes while your guide provides interesting insights.
With a small group size, visitors are sure to have a more personalized experience with great attention from the guide on their tour of one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines.
Choose from multiple tour timings to accommodate your schedule, with the added convenience of seamless transfers from your Krakow hotel.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (19+ years): 259zł
Youth Ticket (17 to 18 years): 241zł
Child Ticket (5 to 16 years): 241zł
Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): 112zł
Save time and money! Explore 39 museums effortlessly with the convenient 1, 2, or 3-day Krakow City Card. Discover the hidden gems beneath Main Market Square, delve into Oskar Schindler’s legacy, hear the trumpets at St. Mary’s Basilica, and much more!
Meeting point for Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
The meeting point for the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour will vary depending on the tour option you choose.
It’s important to keep in mind that the meeting location may change.
Hence, visitors are advised to check the booking page before arriving to confirm the exact location.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour timings
The timings for the Kraków Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour depend on the tour option you choose.
You can choose between tours starting around 6.45 am or 4.15 pm.
Visitors are advised to check the respective booking pages for the exact tour timings.
How long does the tour take
The Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour can take anywhere between 2.5 hours to over 13 hours.
The duration varies depending on the tour you book.
Best time to go on Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
To maximize your day and explore other activities in Krakow, it’s best to start your tour of Wieliczka Salt Mines early in the morning.
For a comfortable visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, it is recommended to plan your trip during the summer season.
During the winter season, the mine’s temperature can drop significantly, creating a less comfortable experience for visitors.
FAQs about the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour is a guided tour of one of the oldest salt mines in the world, located in Wieliczka, Poland.
The standard tour can last about 2 to 2.5 hours and covers approximately 3.5 kilometers of the mine’s corridors and chambers.
The tour involves walking down and up approximately 800 steps, so it can be physically demanding for those with mobility issues.
Nevertheless, there are alternative routes accessible for individuals who may find it challenging to navigate the stairs.
It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes with good grip and clothing appropriate for a cool underground environment.
Yes, photography is allowed during the tour, but flash photography is prohibited in some areas.
Large bags and backpacks are not allowed on the tour, and there are restrictions on the size of personal belongings that can be brought into the mine.
It is best to check the official website for specific guidelines.
Yes, there is a gift shop and restaurant located on-site for visitors to enjoy after the tour.
Tours are available in languages including English, Polish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.
No, personal guides are not allowed on the tour.
Visitors must follow the tour guide provided by the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
The tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the number of stairs involved.
However, there are special arrangements available for visitors with mobility issues, such as a lift and alternate routes.
You can book a tour online or at the Wieliczka Salt Mine ticket office.
It is recommended to book online in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
Sources
# Discovercracow.com
# Wieliczka-saltmine.com
# Tripadvisor.in
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