Train to Warsaw - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Other stations: selected trains also stop at Warsaw East and Warsaw West.

• Local transport: metro, trams and buses - a single ticket costs a few zlotys and a daily ticket costs a dozen.

• Best time to visit: May-June and September - the daytime temperature is 18-24°C and the crowds are smaller than in peak summer.

• How much to go for: a weekend (2 days) is enough for the main attractions in the centre. With 3 days you will also see Wilanów and the Prague district.

• Luggage storage: there is a luggage storage facility at Warszawa Centralna station - useful if you arrive before checking into your hotel.

The best choice is May-June or September, when daytime temperatures are 16-25°C and accommodation prices are lower than in July and August.

Spring (March to May)

• The Royal Łazienki gardens are open - admission to the park is free and to the Palace on the Isle is charged.

• The Night of the Museums takes place in May - you can enter dozens of institutions for free in one night.

• Daytime temperatures range from 5°C in March to 22°C in May - in May you can spend the whole day outside.

Summer (June–August)

• In July and August there are concerts and events along the Vistula River, and the city beaches operate throughout the season.

• On summer Sundays, free Chopin concerts are held in Łazienki Park.

• July sees the biggest tourist crowds and the highest accommodation prices.

• Daytime temperatures reach up to 27°C - sightseeing is best planned for the morning and evening.

Autumn (September to November)

• September combines temperatures of 15-21°C, smaller crowds and lower accommodation prices than in summer.

• The Warsaw Film Festival takes place in October.

• Łazienki Park and Wilanów in autumn colours are perfect for long walks.

Winter (December–February)

• In December, the Christmas Market operates in the Old Town Square.

• In winter you can visit museums with shorter queues, especially the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Copernicus Science Centre.

• Accommodation prices are at their lowest of the year, making it easier to plan a budget city break.

• Temperatures often drop below zero and snow appears regularly - it's worth bringing warm clothes.

From the major cities you can reach Warsaw directly, and the shortest journey is from Łódź.

From Łódź

• The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.

• Trains depart from Łódź Fabryczna and Łódź Kaliska.

• Intermediate stations include Koluszki, Skierniewice and Żyrardów.

• Before Warsaw Central, the train stops at Warsaw West.

• Connections run throughout the day.

From Kraków

• You reach Warsaw in about 2.5 hours.

• The train stops at Warsaw West before Warsaw Central.

• The route runs via Kielce or more directly, depending on the service.

• Trains depart from Kraków Główny station.

• Connections are available from morning to evening.

From Bydgoszcz

• The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours with no changes.

• The train arrives at Warsaw Central station.

• Connections run several times a day.

From Gdynia

• The route via Gdańsk and Malbork takes about 3 hours.

• After leaving Gdynia, the train stops at Gdańsk Główny station.

• You arrive at Warsaw Central station.

• Several connections are available daily, including faster options.

From Wrocław

• The journey to Warsaw takes approximately 3.5 hours via Opole and Częstochowa.

• Along the way, the train stops at Opole Główne station and Częstochowa, among others.

• You arrive at Warsaw Central station.

• Connections run several times a day.

From Szczecin

• The direct journey to Warsaw West takes about 4.5 hours.

• From Warsaw West you can reach Warsaw Central by local train in a few minutes.

• Connections run regularly throughout the day.

From Kołobrzeg to Warsaw West the journey takes around 6 hours, and from Częstochowa to Warsaw Central around 2 hours. You can check current connections from other cities on Europodróże - simply enter your route.

Buy your ticket without registration - enter your route, choose your train and pay. You will receive your ticket by e-mail and SMS. 30 minutes before departure, Europodróże sends an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you don't have to search for it in your inbox. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price.

PKP Intercity tickets can be returned up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanged up to 30 minutes before departure. You can find detailed rules on the ticket returns and exchanges page.

You can get around Warsaw on foot and by public transport. The metro runs from Warsaw Central station and you can reach the Old Town in around ten minutes. Warsaw has 2 metro lines, trams and buses. A single ticket costs a few zlotys and a daily ticket costs a dozen or so. If you make several journeys a day, a day ticket will be more convenient.

In the spring and summer season, Veturilo city bikes are available - you will find docking stations near the railway station and throughout the city centre. This is a good way to sightsee on a sunny day, especially along the Vistula River.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps operate at all stations. A ride from the station to the centre will cost you a dozen or so zlotys.

You can find hotels and apartments within a 1-2 km radius of Warsaw Central station. The city centre and the area around Nowy Świat is the most convenient base. The Praga district on the other side of the Vistula is an alternative with a local feel - you can reach the centre by tram in a few minutes.

Where to stay:

• Śródmieście - the most convenient base, within a 1-2 km radius of Warsaw Central station.

• Praga - an alternative with a local feel on the other side of the Vistula, a tram ride to the centre in a few minutes.

In a weekend you will see the most important places in the centre and one of the main museums, and with 3 days you can add Wilanów or Prague to your plan.

The Old Town and Royal Castle

The Old Town is UNESCO-listed and was rebuilt after the war with remarkable precision. The Royal Castle stands on the edge of the Old Town, above the Vistula escarpment. A tour of the Castle takes 1.5-2 hours and there is an entrance fee. The Old Town Square is free to walk around - you'll see colourful townhouses, cafes and the Sigismund's Column.

The Royal Baths Park

The Royal Baths Park is the largest park in the centre of Warsaw with the Palace on the Island, the Amphitheatre and the Old Orangery. Admission to the park is free and to the palace there is a fee. The tour takes 2-3 hours. On summer Sundays, free Chopin concerts are held here under the Chopin monument.

Palace of Culture and Science

There is an observation deck on the 30th floor with panoramic views of the entire city. There is a fee to enter. The tour takes 45-60 minutes. You will see the best views when the weather is good.

Warsaw Rising Museum

This is one of the most visited museums in Poland. The exhibition tells the story of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising through films, recordings, photographs and reconstructions. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Copernicus Science Centre

This is an interactive science exhibition on the Vistula River with experiments, a planetarium and temporary exhibitions. The visit takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee. It's a good choice for families with children, but adults won't be bored either.

Wilanów

Wilanow Palace with garden is a Baroque royal residence in the south of Warsaw. You can get there from the centre by bus in about 30 minutes. There is a fee to enter the garden and the palace. The tour takes 2-3 hours. Wilanów is worth adding for a 3-day stay.

Plan for day 1

• Morning: Old Town and Royal Castle - walk around the Market Square and visit the castle chambers.

• Midday: Palace of Culture and Science - viewing terrace with panoramic view of the city.

• Afternoon: Royal Łazienki - a walk in the park and the Palace on the Island.

• Evening: Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście - dinner, cafés and a walk along the boulevards on the Vistula.

Plan for the weekend (2 days)

Day 1: You can arrange the first day in the same way as the 1-day plan - Old Town, Royal Castle, Palace of Culture and Science, Lazienki Park and evening at Nowy Swiat.

Day 2: In the morning, the Warsaw Uprising Museum - reserve 2-3 hours. In the afternoon, the Copernicus Science Centre on the Vistula River. In the evening, head to Praga, where you'll find local pubs, galleries and the atmosphere of pre-war Warsaw. On Ząbkowska Street, bars and restaurants off the main tourist trail await.

In Warsaw, you'll eat both classic Polish cuisine and modern street food, and you'll find the most restaurants and shops in the city centre.

What to eat

Polish cuisine - żurek, bigos, pierogi and kotlet schabowy. Restaurants with traditional cuisine can be found in the Old Town and at Nowy Świat. A main course in a restaurant costs several dozen zlotys.

Amilk bar - a Warsaw classic - home cooking at very reasonable prices. Several milk bars operate in Śródmieście. Lunch costs a dozen or so zlotys.

Hala Koszyki and Hala Mirowska - market halls with local food, street food and restaurants. They are good for lunch or grocery shopping - in Hala Koszyki you will also find bars with Asian, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Prague - in Prague you'll find local pubs and cafes off the main tourist routes. An evening stroll through this district shows a different face of Warsaw - less polished and more authentic.

Coffee scene - Warsaw has an extensive coffee scene. You'll find independent cafes in Srodmiescie, Powiśle and Praga - many of which run their own roasting facilities.

Souvenirs

• Bolesławiec ceramics - available at stands in the Old Town and in Hala Mirowska.

• Amber - buy at stands in the Old Town and in Hala Mirowska.

• Wood products - available at stands in the Old Town and in Hala Mirowska.

• Boutiques and bookshops - you will find boutiques, bookshops and cafes on Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście.

For 2 days and 1 night you will pay between 190 and 1 420 PLN, depending on the standard of accommodation, how you get around the city and the number of paid attractions.

Budget - hostel or cheaper hotel, milk bar and shop, free attractions such as parks and the Old Town, and a day ticket for public transport.

Mid-range - three-star hotel or apartment, restaurants, 2-3 paid museums per day and a day ticket.

Comfort - four-star or five-star hotel, restaurants, taxi instead of public transport and attractions without limits.

Accommodation prices increase in season from May to September and during major events. By booking in advance, you get a better choice and lower prices.