Short answer: the SKA1 train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia takes 22–25 minutes for 7.50 zł and runs about every 30 minutes; the mine entrance is 250–300 m from the station. Bus 304 takes 35–45 minutes and needs a zone II ticket. By car it is 13 km, 20–30 minutes. Tourist Route tickets cost 143 zł with a guide in a foreign language (103 zł in Polish) in the low season. Our private transfer costs €50 per car (≈ 218 zł) and our private Wieliczka tour from €35 per person in a group of 8.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Travel time | Price | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train SKA1 (Koleje Małopolskie) | 22–25 min | 7.50 zł (≈ €1.70); 10 zł with 70 min of city transport | 0 | Most visitors |
| Bus 304 | 35–45 min | zone II ticket (metropolitan) | 0 | From near Galeria Krakowska |
| Car | 20–30 min | fuel, parking | 0 | Drivers |
| ShuttleHero private transfer | 20–30 min | €50 per car (1–3), €70 per van (4–8) | 0 | Door to the mine and back |
| ShuttleHero private tour | about 4–5 h with the visit | from €35 per person (8 people), €120 for one person | 0 | Hotel pickup, no planning |
Prices are in euros. You can also pay in złoty at the NBP exchange rate of the day (on 22 October 2026: €1 = 4.3685 zł).
By train
The SKA1 line of Koleje Małopolskie runs from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia about every 30 minutes in the daytime (hourly early in the morning) and takes 22–25 minutes. A single ticket costs 7.50 zł; the 10 zł integrated ticket also covers 70 minutes of city transport in Kraków. From the last stop it is 250–300 m to the Daniłowicz Shaft, where the Tourist Route starts.
By bus
Bus 304 leaves from Dworzec Główny Zachód (ul. Pawia, by Galeria Krakowska) and stops by the Daniłowicz Shaft. It runs every 10–15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes at weekends and takes 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic. Wieliczka is in fare zone II, so a Kraków-only ticket is not enough.
Salt mine tickets
The Tourist Route takes 2–3 hours, covers about 3.5 km and starts with 380 steps down; you return by lift. It is 16–18°C underground. In the low season (January–April and October–December 2026) tickets cost 143 zł with a guide in a foreign language and 103 zł in Polish (reduced 121 zł and 82 zł); prices are higher from May to September. Tours in languages other than Polish and English should be booked online in advance.
Our private transfer
A private transfer Kraków → Wieliczka costs €50 per car for 1–3 people (≈ 218 zł) and €70 per van for 4–8 people. Our private Wieliczka Salt Mine tour includes hotel pickup and return and costs from €35 per person in a group of 8 or €120 for one traveller.
Going to Wieliczka with children or grandparents? See the fixed price and book a driver.
See the route and bookWhere you meet the driver
The driver picks you up at your hotel or address in Kraków and drops you at the Daniłowicz Shaft. From Kraków Airport he waits in the arrivals hall (level 0) with a sign showing your name; we track your flight and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing.
What to choose
Most visitors should simply take the SKA1 train: it is quick, cheap and stops next to the mine. A transfer or the private tour makes sense with small children, older relatives, a group of four or more, or when you combine Wieliczka with Auschwitz on the same day.
Good to know
- Wieliczka is outside fare zone I in Kraków; buy a ticket that covers zone II.
- Book tours in languages other than Polish and English online in advance.
- Take a jacket: it is 16–18°C underground all year, and pushchairs are not recommended.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Kraków to Wieliczka?
The SKA1 train from Kraków Główny takes 22–25 minutes for 7.50 zł. Bus 304 takes 35–45 minutes. A private transfer costs €50 per car.
How far is Wieliczka from Kraków?
About 13 km by road, 20–30 minutes by car.
How much are Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets?
In the low season 143 zł with a guide in a foreign language and 103 zł in Polish (normal tickets); higher from May to September.
How much is a private tour from Kraków to Wieliczka?
From €35 per person in a group of 8 and €120 for one traveller, with hotel pickup and return.
Sources and date checked
Public transport times and fares were checked on 22 October 2026 on the operators' websites. Timetables and fares change, so check the operator's website before you travel.
- Koleje Małopolskie SKA1 timetable Wieliczka – Kraków Główny
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: visiting and ticket prices
- How to get to Wieliczka from Kraków (lovekrakow.pl)
- Road distance and driving time: OSRM / OpenStreetMap routing