Train to Poznań - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Direct connections: trains to Poznań run from Warsaw, Wrocław, Szczecin, Gdynia and many other cities.

• Local transport: ZTM Poznań trams and buses cover the centre and districts; a single ticket is a few zlotys, a day ticket a dozen or so.

• Poznań in a nutshell: Old Market Square with goats, Cathedral on Ostrów Tumski, fashionable Jeżyce with its gastronomy and crafts, festivals all year round.

• How long to stay: a weekend (Friday evening – Sunday) is enough for the main attractions; in one full day you will see the Old Town, the Cathedral and Ostrów Tumski.

• Best time to visit: May–June and September, when the city is warm, the days are long and accommodation prices are often lower than in the middle of summer.

• Practical tip: leave your luggage in the left-luggage office at the station and walk straight to the Old Market Square.

The best choice is May or September - the daytime temperature is then 15–21°C and the crowds are smaller than in high season.

Spring (March – May)

• In March, the weather can be changeable, but from mid-April the flowering season begins in parks and gardens – the Poznań Palm House and Botanical Garden look at their best then.

• May offers good conditions for a city break - it is 21°C during the day and the long evenings are perfect for walks around the Old Market Square and dinners in outdoor restaurants.

• Accommodation prices rise in May, but are still sometimes lower than in the height of summer.

Summer (June – August)

• June sees the start of the Malta International Festival, one of the largest theatre and music festivals in Central Europe.

• In July and August, daytime highs reach 27°C; thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon, so it's worth packing an umbrella.

• There is a swimming area on Lake Malta in summer, and nearby you'll find a beach, kayaks and waterside cafés.

• Towards the end of August, the crowds noticeably thin out and the weather is still good for walking.

Autumn (September – October)

• September is one of the best months for a city break in Poznań – the daytime temperature is around 20°C, there are fewer tourists and accommodation prices are often lower than in summer.

• In October, the Old Market Square and the Citadel look striking in autumn colours; it's worth bringing a rain jacket.

• Restaurants and cafés in Jeżyce are in full swing, without the summer queues.

Winter (November – December)

• November is grey and cloudy, but museums and galleries, including the National Museum and Poznań Gate (Brama Poznania), operate without crowds.

• In December, a Christmas market with mulled wine, regional food and handicrafts is held in the Old Market Square.

• In winter, it is easier to plan a relaxed visit to the Cathedral and Ostrów Tumski without queues.

Direct trains to Poznań run from Warsaw, Wrocław, Szczecin, Gdynia, Gniezno and many other cities.

From Gniezno to Poznań

• Koleje Wielkopolskie trains take about 50 minutes.

• On the way, the train stops in Pobiedziska and at Poznań Wschód station.

• This is a good route for a day trip - from Gniezno to Poznań you travel in under an hour.

From Wrocław to Poznań

• IC trains take about 1.5 hours.

• On the way, the train stops in Rawicz and Leszno.

• Direct connections run several times a day.

• You leave Wrocław in the morning and can return in the evening after a full day in Poznań.

From Szczecin to Poznań

• The fastest connections take about 2 hours via Stargard and Krzyż.

• Other direct trains take around 2–2.5 hours via Szamotuły and Wronki.

• Direct connections run several times a day.

• An afternoon train will get you to Poznań by evening.

From Warsaw to Poznań

• The fastest connections take about 2.5 hours without changing trains.

• IC trains take about 3 hours via Kutno and Konin.

• Direct trains depart from Warsaw Central station and Warsaw West station.

• Leave Warsaw in the morning and you'll be in Poznań before noon.

From Gdynia to Poznań

• The IC train takes about 3.5 hours via Gdańsk, Sopot, Bydgoszcz, Inowrocław and Gniezno.

• Direct connections run several times a day.

• Along the way, the train also stops at stations in the Tricity (Trójmiasto).

• An afternoon train will get you to Poznań by evening.

Other cities also have direct connections to Poznań. From Kraków you can take an IC train in about 4.5–5 hours. From Toruń POLREGIO takes about 2.5 hours via Inowrocław and Gniezno. From Bydgoszcz you can take an IC train via Gniezno. Poznań also operates international connections - trains to Berlin and Frankfurt an der Oder.

On Europodróże you can buy a ticket without registration - you enter the route, choose the train and pay. The ticket is sent to your email and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a direct link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. At PKP Intercity, you can return your ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure – see our returns and exchanges page for details.

You can walk from Poznań Główny train station to the Old Market Square in around 15 minutes. You can get around Poznań comfortably without a car. The main attractions are located within a radius of about 2 km from the station, and further points are conveniently served by trams and buses.

ZTM Poznań trams and buses cover the centre and all major districts. A single ticket is a few zlotys, a daily ticket a dozen or so - you buy it from machines at the stops or from the mobile app. There are also taxis and apps for ordering rides at the station - a ride to the centre costs a dozen PLN.

On warmer days, it is worth using a city bike. You'll find stations at the station, in the Old Market Square and by Lake Malta - a good way to get to Ostrow Tumski or the Citadel.

Where to stay overnight:

• Old Town - all the main attractions are within 500m and you have restaurants and cafes close at hand; prices are higher but you use transport less often.

• Jeżyce - a trendy neighbourhood with restaurants, bars and craft beer; it's quieter and accommodation prices are lower than in the Old Town; you can reach the Market Square by tram in a few minutes.

• Malta area - close to Ostrow Tumski and Lake Malta; a good base for a quieter getaway, away from the most touristy centre.

Old Market Square with Town Hall

The heart of Poznań and one of the most beautiful market squares in Poland. Every day at noon, mechanical goats appear on the Town Hall tower – a tradition dating back to the 16th century. The Town Hall houses the Museum of the City of Poznań. A tour of the Market Square and its surroundings takes about 1.5–2 hours. It's best to come in the morning before 10:00 or in the evening after 19:00, when there are fewer tourists and the townhouses are spectacularly illuminated.

Poznań Cathedral on Ostrów Tumski

The oldest cathedral church in Poland and the burial place of Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry. Entrance to the cathedral is free, and there is a charge to climb the observation tower. The visit takes about an hour. The interior is impressive – you will see Gothic vaults, the Golden Chapel and the crypt containing relics of the first cathedral from the 10th century.

Ostrów Tumski

A historic island on the Warta River where Poznań began. A walk around Ostrów Tumski is free and takes about 1.5–2 hours. In addition to the Cathedral, you will see the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Brama Poznania (Poznań Gate) and the bridge leading to Śródka. From the centre you can walk here in just a few minutes.

Lake Malta and Malta Park

An artificial lake to the east of the centre – in summer there is a beach, swimming area, kayaks and waterside cafés. In autumn and winter it is worth coming here for a walk. Admission to the park is free. You can reach it from the centre by tram in a few minutes. Plan about 2–3 hours for sightseeing and relaxation.

National Museum in Poznań

Here you'll find collections ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, including Polish and European paintings. The visit takes about 2–3 hours. There is an entrance fee and the museum is closed on Mondays. The building stands on Al. Marcinkowskiego, a few minutes' walk from the Old Market Square.

Poznań Citadel

This is the largest park in Poznań, featuring 19th-century fortifications and military museums. The park is free and the museums are chargeable. Plan about 2–3 hours for the visit. You can get there by tram or bus from the centre in a matter of minutes. In spring and summer, locals come here for picnics and walks.

Plan for 1 day

Start the morning at the Old Market Square and watch the goats appear at noon, then take a look inside the Town Hall. Before noon, walk to Ostrów Tumski and the Cathedral. In the afternoon, choose the National Museum or the Citadel depending on the weather and your interests. In the evening, head to Jeżyce, where you'll find local restaurants, craft beer and a quieter atmosphere than on the Market Square.

Plan for the weekend

Friday evening: stroll around the Old Market Square after dark, when the illuminated townhouses look their best, and have dinner at a restaurant serving Wielkopolska cuisine.

Saturday: in the morning see the Old Market Square and Town Hall, before noon walk to Ostrów Tumski with the Cathedral and Brama Poznania, and in the afternoon head to Lake Malta for a walk or a coffee.

Sunday: in the morning, visit the Poznań Citadel and then stroll through Łazarz, where you'll find markets, bakeries and local character. Before leaving, buy some Rogale Świętomarcińskie as a souvenir.

What to eat

Rogale Świętomarcińskie - an icon of Poznań. These are sweet croissants stuffed with white poppy seeds, nuts and dried fruit, baked according to a protected recipe. Buy them in a bakery, not a supermarket – the difference in taste and freshness is significant.

Poznań żurek - a thick sourdough soup with white sausage and egg. You can find it in restaurants serving Wielkopolska cuisine, especially around the Old Market Square and in Jeżyce.

Poznań cheesecake - denser than the Warsaw variety, with raisins and candied fruit. You'll find it at patisseries in the Old Town – it's worth ordering alongside your after-dinner coffee.

Where to eat:

• Old Market Square - regional cuisine and cafés with views of the Town Hall; prices are higher, but for one dinner it's worth sitting here for the atmosphere.

• Jeżyce - modern gastronomy, craft beer and world cuisines; fewer crowds and lower prices than on the Market Square.

• Łazarz - markets, bakeries and local breakfast spots; a neighbourhood with character, great for a morning out.

Souvenirs

• Rogale Świętomarcińskie - buy them in bakeries open until the evening, not in chain stores.

• Poznań sausage - you'll find local produce in delicatessens and at markets.

• Handicrafts from Jeżyce - ceramics, paintings and designer trinkets can be bought in small shops in Jeżyce and Łazarz.

Below you will find indicative costs for a stay in Poznań. Amounts do not include train tickets – the price of travel depends on the route and the time of purchase.

The amounts do not include the train ticket. The travel price depends on the route and the time of purchase. The earlier you buy your ticket, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price.

The budget option assumes a hostel or hotel outside the centre, eating at milk bars and street food stalls, and free attractions such as the Old Market Square, Ostrów Tumski and the Citadel. The mid-range option means a two- or three-star hotel, a restaurant with Wielkopolska cuisine and one or two paid museums. The comfort option means a four-star hotel by the Old Market Square, higher-end restaurants and a few paid guided attractions.