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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Hanseatic Cities: Cologne to Gdansk

Self-guided rail journey through Hanseatic League cities, London to Gdansk

Illustration of Hanseatic Cities: Cologne to Gdansk

Tailor Made Rail's Hanseatic Cities journey traces the trade routes of medieval merchant towns across 11 days, departing London and ending in Gdansk. You travel via Eurostar and ICE trains through Cologne, Hamburg, Lübeck, Rostock, and Szczecin, staying in solid three and four-star hotels with breakfast included. The itinerary balances rail travel days with free time: after the Eurostar crossing and ICE sprint to Cologne, you settle for two nights in Hamburg with a full free day to explore Germany's second-largest city and its canals, then move through UNESCO-listed medieval towns including Lübeck with its famous marzipan and brick-gothic architecture. Regional trains carry you east across the Polish border to Szczecin and finally to Gdansk for a three-night stay, giving time to discover the Old Town, maritime museums, and European Solidarity Centre. This self-guided format suits first-time rail travellers and history enthusiasts who prefer independence; Tailor Made Rail handles all bookings, provides printed travel documents, and reroutes you proactively if disruptions occur. The return flight from Gdansk to London is included, and optional upgrades to First Class or extra nights in any city are available.

What to know before you look closer

  • The return flight on day 11 is included; no public transport onward from London on arrival back in the UK is mentioned
  • Single supplement pricing is not listed in the evidence; confirm with Tailor Made Rail if travelling alone
  • Optional extensions (extra nights, Warnemünde day trip, First Class upgrades from £200 per person) cost additional

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Travel to Brussels with the Eurostar before making an easy connection onto the ICE service bound for Cologne. Stroll to your hotel near the station and cathedral, then spend an unhurried evening exploring Cologne's Old Town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hamburg

    Cologne to Hamburg

    Leave Cologne on an ICE service direct to Hamburg. Check in for a 2-night stay and spend a relaxed evening around the Speicherstadt district or the Binnenalster.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hamburg

    Hamburg

    Free day in Germany's second-largest city and third-largest European port, with museums, galleries and the Planten un Blumen park, or a boat cruise on the canals.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lübeck

    Hamburg to Lübeck

    Short regional-train journey to Lübeck. Evening wandering the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town and sampling local marzipan.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lübeck

    Lübeck

    Free day recommended for the Hansamuseum, exploring the history of the Hanseatic League, and the medieval Holstentor fortification.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rostock

    Lübeck to Rostock

    Morning train arriving into Rostock before lunchtime. Explore the brick-gothic architecture, University Square and St Mary's Church, or the harbour promenade.

  7. Day 7overnight: Szczecin

    Rostock to Szczecin

    Regional service across the Polish border to Güstrow, connecting to Szczecin in time for a late lunch. Explore the Pomeranian Dukes Castle and the Wały Chobrego embankment.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Gdansk

    Szczecin to Gdansk

    Direct train on a 240-mile journey around the top of Poland close to the coast to Gdansk, arriving late afternoon for a 3-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Gdansk

    Gdansk

    Explore the Old Town, the Long Market, Neptune Fountain, St Mary's Church and the Motława River waterfront.

  10. Day 10overnight: Gdansk

    Gdansk

    Delve into Gdansk's maritime and modern history at the European Solidarity Centre and World War II Museum, or stroll the historic shipyards and take a river boat trip.

  11. Day 11

    Gdansk to London

    Head to Gdansk airport and fly back to London, ending the Hanseatic adventure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London for Brussels, then connect to the ICE service into Cologne with an evening stroll to the cathedral and Old Town
  • Day 4Regional train to Lübeck, a UNESCO-listed medieval town where you sample local marzipan and walk cobbled streets
  • Day 8Direct train on a 240-mile journey around Poland's north coast arrives in Gdansk late afternoon for a 3-night stay
  • Day 10Explore the European Solidarity Centre and World War II Museum, or take a river boat trip along the Motława River waterfront

Included

  • All rail journeys, in Standard Class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 10 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Flight from Gdansk to London in Economy class
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in Standard Class with seat reservations, plus the Eurostar from London to Brussels and a return flight from Gdansk to London in Economy.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is self-guided. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and email dispatch of all tickets. Tailor Made Rail offers proactive rerouting if strikes or disruptions occur.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar London to Brussels, ICE high-speed trains Brussels/Cologne to Hamburg, and regional services between Lübeck, Rostock, Szczecin, and Gdansk.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in Standard Class, seat reservations, 10 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, a return Economy flight from Gdansk to London, and travel documentation.
How much free time is there?
You have free days in Hamburg (one full day), Lübeck (one full day), and Gdansk (two full days) to explore at your own pace. Other days combine morning train travel with afternoon exploration.
What are the low and high season prices?
Low season (November to March) starts at GBP 1,299 per person; high season (April to October) starts at GBP 1,399 per person for two sharing a twin or double room.

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