Turda · Praid · Slanic · Cacica
Romania's salt mines: which one?
Four salt mines, four different experiences — and tickets from 38 to 90 lei. Below: the prices and hours officially posted in September 2026, depth, temperature, what's inside each, and the verdict per traveler type.
The quick verdict
Pick by your base. Prices are the officially posted ones; schedules change monthly — check the mine's page before you go.
Praid is temporarily closed after the May 2025 floods — check salrom.ro before going.
| Bucharest | Slanic Prahova | The closest major salt mine to the capital; you ride down by minibus, no stairs. |
|---|---|---|
| Cluj-Napoca | Turda | The most spectacular: underground lake with boats, three visitable mines. |
| Suceava / Bucovina | Cacica | The cheapest (38 lei); pairs with the monastery circuit. |
| Sovata / Târgu Mureș | Praid — verify! | Normally the first choice, but temporarily closed since May 2025. |
Compared, on official figures
Every figure comes from the mines' own official pages, read in September 2026.
| Adult / child | Hours | Tourist depth · Temperature | Leave from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salina Turda | 75 lei (Mon–Fri) / 90 lei (weekends+holidays); children 48/59 lei | Daily 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:20 | 112 m · 10–12°C | Cluj-Napoca, Turda |
| Salina Praid | 50 lei adults; 35 lei children (last listed) | Temporarily closed since May 2025 — check salrom.ro | 120 m · 16°C mean | Sovata, Târgu Mureș |
| Salina Slănic Prahova | 60 lei adults/day; 40 lei children and pupils | Dated blocks (Sept 2026); first ride down 09:15, last 15:30 | 208 m · 12–13°C, humidity 50–60% | Bucharest, Ploiești |
| Salina Cacica | 38 lei adults; 25 lei children and pupils | Sept 2026: daily 09:00–17:00; strand 10:00–19:00 | 42 m · ~14°C constant | Suceava, Gura Humorului |
The mines, one by one
Salina Turda Open
112 m · 10–12°C · Cluj-Napoca, Turda
75 lei (Mon–Fri) / 90 lei (weekends+holidays); children 48/59 lei
Daily 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:20
- Underground lake with rowboats (56 lei/boat/20 min)
- Terezia (112 m), Rudolf, Ghizela mines + Franz Josef gallery
- Billiards, table tennis, guide on request (205 lei)
Parking 10 lei/h. You go down on foot, by stairs; entrance B (Salinelor 54B) is step-free.
Salina Praid Temporarily closed
120 m · 16°C mean · Sovata, Târgu Mureș
50 lei adults; 35 lei children (last listed)
Temporarily closed since May 2025 — check salrom.ro
- Salt chapel with salt-carved altar
- Horizon 50 at 120 m; 16°C mean; deepest horizon 320 m
- Adventure park, cinema, museum + outdoor strand (warm season)
Closed after the May 2025 floods (Corund stream). Don't go without checking the schedule.
Salina Slănic Prahova Open
208 m · 12–13°C, humidity 50–60% · Bucharest, Ploiești
60 lei adults/day; 40 lei children and pupils
Dated blocks (Sept 2026); first ride down 09:15, last 15:30
- Minibus descent to 208 m
- Giant Unirea halls (“salt palace”)
- Sports fields + salt-water pool
Open to visitors since the 1970s. Minibuses from Ploiești Nord every 30 min.
Salina Cacica Open
42 m · ~14°C constant · Suceava, Gura Humorului
38 lei adults; 25 lei children and pupils
Sept 2026: daily 09:00–17:00; strand 10:00–19:00
- Ecumenical chapel at 29 m; dance hall at 42 m
- Dwarf gallery, salt lake over 2 m deep, mine museum
- Sports hall, echo room (8 echoes)
5-day pass minimum. The strand closes in bad weather.
Practical
Tickets
At Turda buy online at bilete.salinaturda.eu; at the Salrom mines you pay at the gate. Announce organised groups in advance (minimum 20 people at Cacica and Slanic).
What to wear
Underground is cold all year: 10–12°C at Turda, 12–13°C at Slanic, ~14°C at Cacica, 16°C at Praid. Bring a jacket whatever the weather outside.
With kids
Under-3s go free at Turda and Slanic. Turda has lake rowboats (56 lei/boat/20 min, max 3 people); Cacica has a sports hall and an echo room.
Step-free access
The only verified step-free access is Turda's entrance B (Salinelor 54B). At Slanic you ride down by minibus; for the other mines call ahead.
Questions
Which is the cheapest salt mine?
Cacica: 38 lei for adults, 25 for children and pupils — the lowest posted tariffs of the four.
Which goes deepest?
Slanic Prahova: the minibus ride reaches 208 m. Next are Turda (Terezia mine, 112 m) and Praid (horizon 50, at 120 m).
Is Praid salt mine open?
No, as last read: temporarily closed after the May 2025 floods, when the Corund stream flooded the underground. Check salrom.ro before going — the posted tariffs (50 lei adults) are the last listed.
Can you swim in the salt mines?
At Turda you row a boat on the lake (no swimming). Slanic, Cacica (10:00–19:00, closed in bad weather) and Praid (warm season, now closed) have salt-water pools.
How long does a visit take?
The mines post no official durations. At Slanic the day is bounded by the transports (last ride down 15:30, last ride up 16:30); at Turda last entry is 16:20.
Can I go with a stroller or wheelchair?
Verified only at Turda: entrance B (Salinelor 54B) is the step-free one. For the other mines call ahead — the official pages give no detail.