Krakow Salt Mines

HGLTsuperstar

As opposed to the (no doubt oodles of) rip-off tourist trips, how much would it roughly cost to get the bus from and back to Krakow city centre to the salt mines and entry fees etc.
Sure I can do it cheaper that a package - can't I?

sloppychops

If you have a look here you might get the info you need.
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=58

ayamjay

No need to go get a package.
There are lots of private bus companies leaving from the main train/bus station. You can also take a train. Both bus and train shouldn't cost more than 5 zloties each way (£1). You can also take bus 304 which leaves from the main shopping centre (Galeria) near the train station.
Here's more about getting there:
http://www.kopalnia.pl/site.php?action=site&id_site=206&id_language=2&site_location=&deparment_change=&

Prices are here:
http://www.kopalnia.pl/site.php?action=site&id_site=211&id_language=2&site_location=&deparment_change=&
So entry is around 10 pounds. That site will give all the necessary info.

Where are you staying in Krakow?

HGLTsuperstar

Novatel City Centrum

ayamjay

Oh, so you've already booked the hotel then. I wanted to recommend the Senacki hotel.

Edinburghlass_2

I dare say you could do it cheaper yourself but I didn't find the cost a "rip-off" at approximately £20 with an excellent tour guide who had a good deal of knowledge and tales to tell, straight in at the salt mines with a booked space and pick up and drop off at your hotel.

I will say all the steps go for your knees so I'd advise a quiet day following the tour

HGLTsuperstar

I don't do quiet - I'm only in my 20's and basically run on auto-pilot when I'm travelling - so much to see in a short space of time!

iaps

You might be interested in a very unique place in Krakow - Kazimierz, which is a former Jewish quarter and has preserved it's painful historical remarks http://www.cracow-life.com/poland/krakow-kazimierz

If you're in Krakow, you definitely should visit this place and try real Polish cuisine at the lowest price and the interior dates from old,"good", socialistic times. It is close to Rynek Glowny http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsp.krakow.pl%2Fgeo%2Fbary_mleczne%2Ftemida.html&sl=pl&tl=en&history_state0=

Also this full of character restaurant and especially the salad bar with extensive, freshly prepaired (before your eyes) menu, is very good value for money: http://www.chimera.com.pl/htm/ang/salad_bar_main.html
In both places be prepare to queue.

Do not omit Wedel's, now owned by Cadbury's, Chocolate Lounge http://www.wedelpijalnie.pl/nasze_lokale/krakow_-_czekoladowy_sklep/39
In Krakow everything revolves round the Main Square (Rynek Glowny).

This website should be helpful to plan your visit for maximum effect: http://www.krakow.pl/en/?chl=EN

Enjoy!

misterh

ayamjay wrote: »

Prices are here:
http://www.kopalnia.pl/site.php?action=site&id_site=211&id_language=2&site_location=&deparment_change=&
So entry is around 10 pounds. That site will give all the necessary info.

£10 for a Polish guide, £15 if you want the tour in English! You also may also have to wait up to an hour for the tour to fill-up.

The organised tours are good value.

HGLTsuperstar

And paying to take photos?!
Anywhere def going to Chimera as I'm veggie but eat anything if that makes sense!
What I mean is I try to eat traditional local foods as long as "no food with a face."

PolishBigSpender

Hahaha. You won't be eating 'traditional local food' in Krakow - the whole place is setup for tourists with not one authentic dish to be found.

Plenty of 'REAL POLISH CUISINE' places, but very little in the way of authenticity. However, I see the milk bar was recommended - and I can agree with that, if you don't mind the possibility of a smelly old man putting his hands in your soup.

However, if you want to try excellent Jewish food, then the Kazimierz area is highly recommended.