10 Polish cities you can easily visit by train

Poland is a large country, but it is surprisingly easy to explore by train. The country's major cities are connected by a modern rail network, with comfortable InterCity and high-speed services linking Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan and many other destinations.

 

For visitors arriving from the United States or the United Kingdom, travelling by train also has a major advantage: Polish railway stations are generally located close to the city centre. There is no need to drive, navigate unfamiliar roads or spend time getting from an airport to your hotel. You can simply step off the train and start exploring.

Here are 10 Polish cities that make particularly good destinations for a rail holiday.

1. Warsaw

Poland's capital is the natural starting point for many journeys around the country.

Warsaw is a fascinating city of contrasts. The carefully reconstructed Old Town stands alongside modern skyscrapers, while the Vistula riverfront, royal residences and extensive parks provide plenty of opportunities to escape the bustle of the city.

The main railway station, Warszawa Centralna, is right in the centre of the city and is one of the country's most important railway hubs. From Warsaw, frequent trains connect with destinations throughout Poland.

The journey to Krakow is particularly convenient, with high-speed EIP Pendolino services offering a comfortable connection between the two cities. Warsaw is also an excellent starting point for journeys to Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, Katowice and Lublin.

If you are visiting Poland for the first time, Warsaw is an excellent place to begin.

2. Krakow

Krakow is probably the best-known Polish destination among international visitors, and for good reason.

The historic centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. The Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and the old streets of Kazimierz are all within a relatively short distance of one another. Krakow also makes a convenient base for visiting other attractions in southern Poland.

The city's railway station, Krakow Glowny, is located immediately beside the historic centre. This makes arriving by train particularly convenient: after leaving the station, you are already within walking distance of many of the city's principal sights.

Krakow is also one of Poland's most useful railway hubs. Direct services connect the city with Warsaw and Katowice, while international trains provide connections to Prague, Vienna and other Central European destinations.

For a first trip to Poland, Krakow and Warsaw make an excellent combination.

3. Gdansk

If you would like to combine Polish history with the Baltic coast, Gdansk should be high on your list.

Gdansk is one of Poland's most distinctive cities, with its historic waterfront, colourful townhouses and maritime character. It is also part of the Tricity metropolitan area, together with Sopot and Gdynia, making it possible to visit several very different destinations during the same stay.

The journey from Warsaw to Gdansk is particularly easy by train. High-speed EIP Pendolino services provide a comfortable connection between the two cities, with air-conditioned carriages, reclining seats and electrical outlets. Other InterCity services are also available.

Gdansk is therefore an excellent choice for travellers who want to see a different side of Poland after visiting Warsaw or Krakow.

And, of course, there is something rather pleasant about arriving at the Baltic coast by train.

4. Wroclaw

Wroclaw is one of Poland's most attractive cities and remains somewhat less familiar to overseas visitors than Warsaw or Krakow.

That makes it particularly rewarding.

The historic centre is built around a series of islands and bridges on the Oder River. The Market Square is surrounded by colourful historic buildings, while the city is famous for its hundreds of small bronze dwarf statues hidden throughout its streets.

Wroclaw is well connected by rail with Warsaw and other major Polish cities. It is also an important gateway to Lower Silesia and has direct international connections, including services towards Germany.

For travellers who have already visited Krakow and Warsaw, Wroclaw is an excellent way to see another part of Poland.

5. Poznan

Located in western Poland, Poznan is one of the country's oldest and most important cities.

It is particularly convenient for travellers coming from Germany, as well as for those building a longer European railway itinerary. The city lies on the main railway corridor between Warsaw and Berlin, with international services connecting the two capitals and calling at Poznan along the way.

Poznan's historic centre is compact and easy to explore, with the colourful Old Market Square at its heart. The city also has a long commercial and trading tradition, which gives it a somewhat different atmosphere from Krakow or Warsaw.

For an American or British traveller combining Poland with Germany, Poznan can be an especially convenient stop: you do not have to make a special detour from the main European rail network to visit it.

6. Katowice

Katowice may not be the first Polish city that comes to mind when planning a holiday, but it is worth considering.

The capital of the Silesian region has changed considerably over the past few decades. Once known primarily for coal mining and heavy industry, Katowice now has a lively cultural scene, modern architecture and a growing reputation as a destination in its own right.

More importantly for rail travellers, Katowice is one of the country's major railway junctions.

The city is located on the main route between Warsaw and Krakow and also provides convenient connections towards the Czech Republic, Austria and other parts of Central Europe.

It is therefore particularly useful for travellers putting together a multi-country itinerary. You can visit Katowice itself or use it as a stop between Krakow and destinations further south.

7. Torun and Bydgoszcz

For travellers looking for something a little different, the cities of Torun and Bydgoszcz offer an excellent introduction to northern Poland beyond the better-known destinations of Gdansk and Warsaw.

Located relatively close to one another, the two cities can easily be combined in the same itinerary, making them a particularly good choice for travellers exploring Poland by train.

Torun

Torun is one of Poland's best-preserved historic cities.

Situated on the Vistula River, it is famous as the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who changed our understanding of the universe. Its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has retained much of its historic character, with Gothic churches, old merchant houses and the remains of the medieval city walls.

Torun is considerably smaller than Warsaw, Krakow or Gdansk, which is part of its appeal. It is a city that can comfortably be explored at a slower pace, without the feeling that you need several days just to see the main sights.

Bydgoszcz

Just a short train journey away is Bydgoszcz, a city with a very different character.

Built around the Brda River and the Bydgoszcz Canal, the city has a strong connection with water and trade. The historic waterfront, the picturesque Mill Island and the old granaries along the river are among its most distinctive sights.

The city's architecture also reflects its complicated history, with Polish, German and other Central European influences visible in its streets and buildings.

Bydgoszcz is often overlooked by international visitors, which makes it particularly rewarding for travellers who want to experience a less touristy side of Poland. It is also a convenient railway destination, with direct connections to Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Torun and other major cities.

For Polrail Service, Bydgoszcz has a special significance: it is the city we have called home since the beginning of our journey. From here, we have spent decades helping travellers from around the world discover Poland and Europe by rail.

A visit to Torun and Bydgoszcz therefore offers more than two interesting stops on a Polish itinerary. Together, they provide a chance to see a part of the country that many international visitors pass by — and to experience two very different cities within a relatively short distance of one another.

8. Lodz

Lodz is one of the more unusual choices on this list.

For much of its history, the city was one of Europe's great industrial centres. Today, its enormous former factories and textile buildings have been transformed into museums, restaurants, galleries, shops and cultural spaces.

The result is a city with a very different atmosphere from the medieval streets of Krakow or the reconstructed historic centre of Warsaw.

Lodz is also geographically convenient. Located between Warsaw and the central part of the country, it is easily accessible by train and can be visited as part of a longer journey rather than requiring a complicated detour.

If you enjoy cities with industrial history, architecture and a slightly less polished character, Lodz is well worth considering.

9. Szczecin

Szczecin is another Polish city that is often overlooked by international tourists.

Located in northwestern Poland, close to the German border, it has a fascinating history and a strong maritime character. Its wide boulevards, large public spaces and riverside location give it a very different feel from many other Polish cities.

Its location also makes Szczecin particularly interesting for rail travellers arriving from Germany. Berlin and Szczecin are connected by regular regional train services, making it possible to include the city in a wider Germany-and-Poland itinerary.

Szczecin is a good example of why travelling around Poland by train can be so rewarding. Once you move beyond the country's best-known destinations, you begin to discover cities that many overseas visitors simply never see.

10. Lublin

Eastern Poland offers a different perspective again, and Lublin is an excellent place to experience it.

The city has a beautiful Old Town, a long and complex history and a distinctive atmosphere shaped by its location between Central and Eastern Europe.

Lublin is connected by rail with Warsaw, making it relatively straightforward to add to a trip centred on the capital.

It is also a useful destination for travellers interested in the history and culture of eastern Poland. Rather than feeling like an extension of the country's better-known tourist centres, Lublin offers a glimpse into a part of Poland that is often missed on a first visit.

Exploring Poland by Train

One of the great advantages of travelling around Poland by rail is that you do not necessarily have to choose between these cities.

A two-week trip, for example, could combine Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw and Gdansk. A longer journey could continue into Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria or other parts of Central Europe.

Poland's railway network makes this kind of trip considerably easier than it might appear when looking at a map. Major cities are linked by frequent services, and many trains offer reserved seating, air conditioning and onboard refreshments. On the main routes, high-speed EIP Pendolino services provide particularly comfortable travel.

For travellers who are unfamiliar with Polish trains, however, the railway system can initially seem complicated. There are several train operators and different categories of service, and international journeys may involve connections or reservations.

Polrail Service has been helping overseas travellers arrange rail journeys in Poland and Central Europe since 1995 and can assist with both straightforward and more complicated itineraries. You can book your tickets here.

Whether you are planning your first visit to Poland or returning to discover somewhere new, travelling by train gives you the freedom to see more of the country without spending your holiday behind the wheel.

Sometimes the best part of a journey is not simply where you arrive, but the journey that takes you there.