Wieliczka Salt Mine facts at a glance
These Wieliczka Salt Mine facts cover the numbers that decide a visit. The mine near Kraków reaches 327 m at its deepest point and has 9 levels, about 245 km of corridors and 26 shafts. The excavated space adds up to roughly 9 million m³. Only a small part of this is open to visitors.
On the Tourist Route you go down to 135 m and walk about 3.5 km. Plan for 2 to 3 hours, and more if you add the underground museum section. If you are still choosing, the page on Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets lists the 2026 prices, and the page on Wieliczka Salt Mine tours explains the routes.
Depth, levels and chambers: the numbers
Size of the mine compared with what a visitor sees.
| Measure | Figure | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Deepest point | 327 m | Not reachable on a visit |
| Levels | 9 | The visitor routes use only a few |
| Corridors | About 245 km | Counts vary slightly by method |
| Shafts | 26 | Visitors use only some of them |
| Excavated space | About 9 million m³ | Only a small part is open to visitors |
| Chambers | 2,350 to almost 2,500 | The figure depends on how rooms are counted |
| Tourist Route depth | Up to 135 m | About 3.5 km on foot |
| Miners' Route depth | Up to 101 m | About 2 km on foot |
For most visitors the number to remember is 135 m, not 327 m. Chamber counts depend on how and when rooms were counted, so treat them as approximate.
Our pick: mine and Schindler's Factory
A guided mine tour followed by the Schindler's Factory exhibition.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wieliczka Salt Mine tours and tickets
Guided visits to the Tourist Route and the Miners' Route, with live prices and availability.
The Tourist Route in numbers
What the standard visit involves.
Length and time
About 3.5 km and 2 to 3 hours. The underground museum section covers about 1.5 km and can add roughly 1 hour. The temperature is 17–18 °C, so dress for a cool day even in summer.
Steps and lift
You walk down more than 800 steps in total, 380 of them at the very start. The lift back to the surface is included in the ticket, so there is no extra fee for the ride up.
Groups and languages
A guide is assigned to every group of up to 40 people, and you may not leave the group. There is no minimum age. Guides work in Polish, English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian, and start times depend on the tickets sold for each language.
Start and exit
The route starts at the Daniłowicz Shaft and ends at the Regis Shaft or the Daniłowicz Shaft. For organisational or safety reasons the route can change, and the St Kinga Shaft can serve as an exit.
How to get there →Ticket prices 2026
An adult ticket with a foreign-language guide costs PLN 143 to PLN 169, depending on the season. In the busiest months it is PLN 159 to PLN 169. Reduced tickets cost PLN 121 to PLN 131. Children under 4 enter free with their own pass.
Ticket prices and booking →Closed days
The mine is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 November and 24–25 December. Other closures are possible for organisational or safety reasons.
Opening hours →Tourist Route and Miners' Route compared
Two separate routes with separate tickets.
| Tourist Route | Miners' Route | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 3.5 km | 1.9 km (about 2 km) |
| Deepest point | 135 m | 101 m |
| Temperature | 17–18 °C | 14–16 °C |
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Minimum age | None | 10 years |
| Group size | Up to 40 | Up to 20 |
| Start | Daniłowicz Shaft | Regis Shaft |
| Languages | Eight, including German | Polish and English |
For most first visits, the Tourist Route is the better fit because it includes the chapel and the underground lake. Choose the Miners' Route if you are 10 or older, speak English or Polish and want to wear a helmet and lamp and try miners' tasks.
Chapel and chamber facts
The Chapel of St Kinga (Kaplica św. Kingi) lies on the Tourist Route, 101 m underground. It is about 54 m long, 18 m wide and 12 m high, and the chamber dates from 1896. The floor is cut from a single block of salt, and the chandeliers are made of salt crystals. The Last Supper relief is the work of Antoni Wyrodek, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. It is not a work by Leonardo.
The chamber Weimar holds a brine pond that formed when the floor was flooded in the 1960s. It is not a natural lake, and swimming and boating are not part of a visit. Other chambers named in the mine include Pieskowa Skała, Janowice, Stanisław Staszic and Kazimierz Wielki. Not every chamber is open on every visit. Read more on the pages about the Chapel of St Kinga and the chambers and lakes.
UNESCO status
The site is listed as Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines. It covers both mines and the Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka. Wieliczka was inscribed in 1978, the listing was extended in 2013, and it meets criterion (iv). Wieliczka was one of the first 12 sites on the World Heritage List.
The shared listing does not mean a shared ticket. Do not plan on a single entry for both mines, and buy tickets for each place separately. See the history of the mine for the story behind the listing.
Rules, luggage and accessibility
Practical limits underground.
Luggage
Bags may measure up to 20 x 20 x 35 cm. Larger items and prams stay at the top. Storage is free during opening hours, but the number of lockers is limited.
Photos
Photos and video for private use are allowed. Commercial use needs the mine's consent.
Behaviour
Stay in the areas that are open. Do not damage or take away salt decorations. Smoking, e-cigarettes and open flames are forbidden, and animals are not allowed, except assistance dogs.
Accessibility
Only parts of the route are accessible. You must reserve in advance, and the guide speaks Polish or English. Assistance and guide dogs are allowed.
Keep planning
More detail on the numbers above.
Wieliczka Salt Mine facts: frequently asked questions
How deep is Wieliczka Salt Mine?
The deepest point is 327 m. Visitors reach 135 m on the Tourist Route and 101 m on the Miners' Route.
How many chambers does the mine have?
Figures range from 2,350 excavated chambers to almost 2,500 mine rooms, depending on the count. Only a limited number are on the visitor routes.
Can you swim or take a boat on the underground lakes?
No. Swimming and boating are not offered. Visitors must stay in the areas that are open.
Is the lift included in the ticket?
Yes. The regular lift to the surface is part of the visit ticket, and there is no general extra fee.
How warm is it underground?
It is 17–18 °C on the Tourist Route and 14–16 °C on the Miners' Route. A light jacket or sweater is useful.
Is this the official website of the mine?
No. This is an independent guide and is not run by the mine, the museum or any tour company. Check the current operator information before you go.