Salt mines in Krakow

Aurora Borealis

Bringing my Dad who is in his 70's on a trip to Krakow as a surprise. I personally really want to see the salt mines and as much else as I can pack into four days but I'm just wondering if it might be too much for my Dad as he has a very bad leg and limps. Are there lifts down into the mines or is stairs only? Any other recommendations on suitable places to see? Though he may not be the most agile he has a serious love of travel and adventure which he indulged in his youth before he had problems with his legs. A travel or history book is never far from his hand at home.


Any tips would be most welcome as I really want to make this trip as enjoyable for him as I can.

Four of a kind

I've been to Krakow twice this year and loved every minute of it. The salt mines were spectacular. However, part of the experience is climbing down those steep staris for like 20 mins.....seriously its an unreal experience but I don't think you dad would be capable of doing it if he's in much pain. They do Have both lifts down and up for those who don't feel like the climb down.

I would suggest you def go to the salt mines and you could climb down the stairs and meet up with your dad at the bottom if thats what he preferes.

For me personally the staris part at the start was the best bit. I'm not big into sculptures etc....but the church made 100% from salt is very surreal.

Also you should def go the Auschwitz on one of the days. It has to be witnessed to fully understand the magnitude of what happened there during the holocaust. I went there both times I was in Krakow.

All in all, its a lovely city and you'll both enjoy it. Oh yeah nearly forgot to say that its rediciously cheap there

if you need any more questions fire away.

jdivision

Is there lifts? I didn't realise that. Was there while I was on crutches and took me a long time to get down! They're worth it though. OP walking around Krakow city centre is like being in a fairytale (albeit one with a lot of kebab shops) so you'll just enjoy the whole place.

Four of a kind

jdivision wrote: »

Is there lifts? I didn't realise that. Was there while I was on crutches and took me a long time to get down! They're worth it though. OP walking around Krakow city centre is like being in a fairytale (albeit one with a lot of kebab shops) so you'll just enjoy the whole place.

yeah there are lifts! how did you get back up by the way? they only let people climb down but not up so as to avoid cluster with those coming down.

spurious

Just have a word with one of the staff and they'll get a miner to take you down in the lift. If you'd like the number of a very reliable taxi guy who will give you a good price on driving you and your Dad wherever you want for a day, PM me.

noel farrell

the mines are well worth a visit i have visited them three times and always see somthing new the steps are quite steep and there are lots of them i have seen very old people going down so he should be all right hope you have a nice time lovely people lovely country cheers

Meathlass

If you've a word with the staff and maybe pay extra you can get the lift down but the tour is about 2 hours and there is hardly anywhere to sit down. Even I found it quite tiring walking all the time, so don't know if your dad would be able for it.

spurious

You don't have to pay extra for the lift. The tour actually loops back on itself a number of times, so if the going is too hard, you can always sit in the restaurant.

Four of a kind

they reckon the mines themselves are like over 300 sq miles!!

Pythia

I went back in 2001 on a school tour and we all got the lift down. Stairs were never mentioned.

DundalkDuffman

Four of a kind wrote: »

Also you should def go the Auschwitz on one of the days. It has to be witnessed to fully understand the magnitude of what happened there during the holocaust. I went there both times I was in Krakow.

All in all, its a lovely city and you'll both enjoy it. Oh yeah nearly forgot to say that its rediciously cheap there

if you need any more questions fire away.

How accessible is Auschwitz from Krakow? Is it a coach job or train (!) needed for it?

Fozzie Bear

DundalkDuffman wrote: »

How accessible is Auschwitz from Krakow? Is it a coach job or train (!) needed for it?

You can do either. Buses leave from the main bus station directly behind the train station and go to the front gates of Auschwitz camp. There is a free commuter bus then from the main Auschwitz camp (has the Arbeit Macht Frei sign over the gate) upto the massive Auschwitz/Birekanu camp which has the railway tracks running through that famous archway. About 1/2 mile between the camps. Will take up a full day to see both camps. A fair bit of walking involved too but worth it.

The train will leave you at the station in the town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz is the German version) and you can get a cab to the camp approx a mile away.

I don't know if i would get a taxi from Krakow out. We got offers but they seemed a bit OTT fare wise and we did not want to risk getting stranded out there so in the end we took a bus from the station. Regular service every hour or so if memory serves and a return fare is peanuts. Took us a while to find our way to the bus station as we were on foot.

Total worth the visit though. Seeing 7 tonnes of human hair heaped in front of you really brought it home for me. How many heads to you have to shave to get that?? Or walking into the gas chamber. Mind boggling stuff.

Great review here by Meathlass
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055421061