The Wieliczka Salt Mine is probably the reason why many visit Krakow, Poland. Same goes for me. Considering the admission fee, and the fact you have to go on a guided tour to visit, I am 50/50 on whether or not it was worth it. If you suffer from claustrophobia, those couple of minutes it takes getting out of there, might seal the deal, in the wrong way… Ok, here we go.
You are advised to buy tickets beforehand, online. They state on their website, that if you decide to buy tickets upon arrival, the waiting time might be a while, as there have to be an open spot in a group – there are groups of 35 leaving every 30 minutes. The ticket price is 122 zlotys, which I didn’t find on the cheap side. I went for the Tourist Route. You can also choose the Miners Route, which means hard hats / helmets, and a lot narrower and less nice tunnels to move along.
The Tourist Route departs from the Daniłowicz Shaft. Different from the Miners Route. Need to be there 15 minutes before the tour starts. Find the English flag (if you’re with an English speaking tour guide), and line up. Outside you’ll find refreshments, and a souvenir shop. Behind the main building, a hotel and restaurant.
When the tour starts, you are let into a room, to receive some rules and information, before starting on the 380 steps taking you to 64 m below ground, level I. From here you pass through tunnels, which are nice and wide. Tall people, closer to 200 cm, will have to watch their head in some places. There are more steps, 800 in total, on the 3.5 km long route. Elevated walkways also. All the walking take you through several beautiful chapels, with stunning salt chandeliers. Some have statues, and carvings, some rendering scenes like the Last Supper and the Nativity of Jesus. All made out of salt, which you will see deposits of everywhere. Other rooms are more “grotto” like, with ponds, and, at one point, a very short light and sound show, which didn’t impress anyone 😀 When you reach the end of the tour, you are left by the guide, and can spend as long as you want exploring the last rooms, before exiting. Here you’ll find souvenir shops, a museum, toilets, a basic restaurant, and the ball room. Now you are at the deepest, at 135 m, level III.
What’s left is the exiting. Through a mine elevator, a.k.a. a cage. First you have to line up, as it has to be done with a guide, and there are room for 20 people only at a time. The waiting time was not too long, but still a while. Same goes for the walk from the line to the elevator. A good thing I didn’t know what was waiting for me at the end. The cage. And, yes, it feels like it. I don’t have claustrophobia, but I had to focus, on blocking out any kind of panic evoking thoughts. 10 people inside a room of, I don’t think I’m kidding if I say, 80 x 120 cm. When the door didn’t close properly, they pushed the ones close to the door even further in 😀 I was there with my arms down, not able to move an inch. Then, when you think you are going up, you go down, because they have to fill another compartment on top of us. Breathe, and think happy thoughts! When everybody’s in, the ride is over in less than a minute.
They say the tour lasts 2-3 hours, depending on whether or not you visit the museum. I was down there for 2.5 hours. I opted out of the museum, didn’t grab something to eat, but got me a souvenir, bath salts 🙂 I’d say after more than half way, we had a short break, where we could get refreshments from a cafe. One surprising thing was the temperature. I thought it was going to be a bit chilly, but it was the total opposite – 17-18 degrees celsius, I read. I assume the many groups of people are one reason why. Even though there were a lot of visitors, it was very well arranged, so it didn’t feel as overcrowded as it could have. Still nice to get back out, breathing in fresh air.
It is also possible to stay overnight. They offer underground accommodation. Before visiting, I was a bit bummed it didn’t fit into my plans. After visiting, I am ok with it. They also have a health resort. If it is in connection with the underground lodging, or the hotel above ground, I don’t know.
Accessibility: We were told you can access the “latter part”, which would mean the best sections.
Getting between Krakow and Wieliczka, I took the train. It leaves every 30 minutes, both from Krakow and Wieliczka. For some reason I thought it ran more often, so it was just pure luck, that I didn’t get on a later departure, making me a little late for my tour. 6.5 zlotys for a 23 min ride. I could have gotten a round trip ticket, but couldn’t make out whether or not I had to decide beforehand what departure to take going back, so I opted out. When you exit the train station area, you will spot a big sign pointing you in the right direction, to Miners Route or Tourist Route. Latter is very close to the train station. More on getting around on bus and train.
The salt mine is located in Wieliczka, a small village outside Krakow. I went for a quick stroll through town, while waiting for my turn at the mine. Not much to see. Some shots added below.
Website: wieliczka-saltmine.com
Wieliczka
