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I really do believe that Katowice is a perfect base for day trips because unlike other Polish cities it is calm, but at the same time, it is amazing for tourists looking for entertainment. Therefore a week in Katowice is never too much because you can easily combine some interesting day trips with some fun evenings and never get bored. This is why Katowice is well worth it.
That been said, let’s come to the title of our blog post: How to get from Katowice to Wieliczka salt mine.
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What is Wieliczka salt mine?
One of the most beautiful and unusual places to visit in Poland is Wieliczka salt mine. Have you ever heard about it? It is a spectacular place due to how elegantly it is organized and the views which it presents.
Wieliczka salt mine is, as the name implies, a salt mine located 136 meters underground in the city of Wieliczka. Here there are underground restaurants, lakes, chapels, as well as many statues sculptured in salt rock by the miners. This UNESCO World Heritage site is absolutely breathtaking.
Last year when I was vacationing in Obertraun I visited “Hallstatt salt mine,” and I have to say that it was interesting, but it didn’t excite me as much as Wieliczka salt mine.
Wieliczka salt mine inspires more emotions. Walking through some of the 246 km long passages of the oldest operating salt mine in the world was really exciting. The 3 hour walking tour at the Wieliczka salt mine is something that I feel I should suggest to anyone with good physical mobility.
How to get from Katowice to Wieliczka salt mine by train: a step-by-step guide.
There are many ways to get from Katowice to Wieliczka salt mine: you can take a taxi, you can travel by bus, or you can go by train. This last option is the one I went for since I figured out that it was the most cost effective one. The first step of “how to get from Katowice to Wieliczka salt mine” is getting to Krakow Główny station (Krakow central station).
Check this out: Things to do in Krakow
Once in Krakow, you have to take another train which will finally take you to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia stop. Departures from Krakow are frequent. Know that the ticket counters in Krakow are full of people and the queue is always very long. This means that it takes time before you can buy your ticket. Calculate your time well, especially if you have to start a private tour at the Wieliczka salt mine at a certain time.
Once you reach Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia stop, you have to walk about 10 minutes to reach the salt mine. Board signs are everywhere so you won’t get lost.
How much time does the train trip from Katowice to Wieliczka take?
The train trip from Katowice to Krakow Główny station takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Meanwhile the trip from Krakow Główny station to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia takes about 15 minutes. The distance from Katowice to Krakow is 60 km and from Krakow to Wieliczka it’s 15 km.
Know that both the trains stop every 5 minutes, and you can monitor the journey on the TV displayed inside the train.
How much is the train ticket from Katowice to Wieliczka?
To date the ticket from Katowice to Krakow costs 32zl and the ticket from Krakow to Wieliczka costs 16.60zl. So summing up, the total expense for the train route from Katowice to Wieliczka is only 48.60 zl. You don’t need to book ahead.
Know also that seniors and students have special discounts.
How to get from Katowice to Wieliczka by train: some important tips.
- Know that you will spend around 3 hours in the Salt Mine and the entire visit can take about 4 or five hours. So if you are based in Katowice, you need to plan accordingly.
- If you are visiting Wieliczka salt mine on your last day in Poland, know that there is luggage storage available in both Krakow and Katowice railway stations.
- Wieliczka does not have a station, so on your way back the tickets can be purchased only at the ticket machine along the railway track where the train stops.
- Wieliczka salt mine is not wheelchair accessible.
- At the railway station in Katowice there is an information centre for any kind of help you may need.
There are many beautiful day trips that you can do while being based in Katowice, and Wieliczka salt mine is definitely one of the most worthy. I hope this step-by-step guide on “How to get from Katowice to Wieliczka by train” helps to organize your day trip to the salt mine in the best possible way.
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