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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Historic Cities of Poland

Twelve-day escorted journey through Berlin, Wrocław, Kraków, and Warsaw by First Class rail

Illustration of Historic Cities of Poland

Great Rail Journeys leads this 12-day escorted tour through Central Europe and Poland, departing from London and arriving in Warsaw. The journey travels by Eurostar Plus and First Class rail, with a dedicated UK Tour Manager accompanying throughout. The route passes through Berlin, where a guided tour covers Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the Brandenburg Gate; then continues to medieval Wrocław for a guided exploration of the Old Town and its Gothic architecture. From there, First Class rail carries the group to Kraków, where guided tours include the main square, St Mary's Basilica, and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. Day 6 includes a guided visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and a Witness to History talk at the Galicia Jewish Museum. On Day 7, travellers descend into the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines before enjoying a klezmer dinner performance in the Kazimierz district. The tour concludes in Warsaw with guided exploration of the Old Town and three free days for museums, palaces, or Royal Łazienki Park. Accommodation is 4-star throughout; breakfast is daily and five dinners are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The optional return by rail (available from £400 per person) extends the journey to 12 nights; the standard package returns by flight from Warsaw Chopin Airport on Day 11
  • Single supplement is £700 (priceSingleFrom £3699 vs. pricePer person £2999), a notably high addition; this is a group tour with maximum 30 passengers
  • Museum entry fees at Royal Łazienki Park and the Reichstag dome booking are not included and payable locally or require independent advance arrangement

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Berlin

    By rail to Berlin

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras. Eurostar Plus class to Brussels with a light meal, then First Class to Cologne and onward to Berlin. Hotel near Friedrichstraße. Evening walk to a traditional restaurant for dinner together.

    Meals: Light Meal (Eurostar), Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Berlin

    Berlin sightseeing before time at leisure

    Guided sightseeing tour of Berlin including Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the Brandenburg Gate. Free afternoon and evening to explore independently, options include Museum Island, Tiergarten, or the Reichstag dome.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Wrocław

    To charming Wrocław by First Class rail

    Relaxed morning after breakfast, then First Class train from Berlin to Wrocław just after noon. Hotel on the banks of the Oder. Dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Wrocław

    Uncovering medieval Wrocław on a guided tour

    Guided tour of Wrocław including Market Square, the Gothic Old Town Hall, New Town Hall, Hansel and Gretel buildings, and Cathedral Island with its 15th-century Gothic cathedral. Afternoon and evening free, search for the Wrocław Dwarves sculptures and dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Kraków

    Guided tour of Kraków and Oskar Schindler's factory

    First Class train from Wrocław to Kraków after breakfast. Afternoon guided tour of Kraków's Old Town including the Main Square, Renaissance market arcade, St Mary's Basilica (entrance included), and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. Evening free to explore and dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Kraków

    Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau

    Emotional guided visit to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. Return to Kraków for leisure time, then visit the Galicia Jewish Museum for a Witness to History event with a guest speaker. Dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Kraków

    The astonishing underground world of Wieliczka

    Half-day guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, including St Kinga's Chapel. Afternoon at leisure in Kraków. Evening in the Kazimierz district for a traditional Jewish dinner with a klezmer music performance.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Warsaw

    Exploring Warsaw's Old Town

    First Class train from Kraków to Warsaw Central (luggage transferred directly). Check in to hotel near the Palace of Culture and Science. Guided exploration of Warsaw's Old Town including Market Place, Castle Square, and the exterior of the Royal Castle. Dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Warsaw

    Free day in the Polish capital

    Full day at leisure in Warsaw. Options include the Chopin Museum in Ostrogski Palace, Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Wilanów Palace, city parks, or the zoological garden. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Warsaw

    Sunday in Royal Łazienki Park

    Transfer to Royal Łazienki Park (76 hectares of Baroque grounds). Free to explore lakes, fountains, gardens, and museums (payable locally), or enjoy free Chopin recitals at the monument (mid-May to end of September). Afternoon at leisure, last-minute sightseeing, shopping, or sampling traditional Polish dishes.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, transfer to Warsaw Chopin Airport for flight back to London Heathrow. (Guests who opted for the return by rail travel to Hannover, or Wuppertal on the 10th September departure, for an overnight hotel stay.)

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12rail

    Return by rail option, Day 12 (optional)

    For guests who opted for the return by rail: journey via Cologne and Brussels to London St Pancras. (This day only applies to those who selected the rail return option.)

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras through Brussels and Cologne to Berlin, with light meal and evening walk to a traditional restaurant
  • Day 2Guided sightseeing of Berlin includes Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the Brandenburg Gate; afternoon free for Museum Island or Reichstag dome
  • Day 5First Class rail to Kraków; guided tour of the Old Town, St Mary's Basilica (entrance included), and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
  • Day 6Emotional guided visit to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps, followed by Witness to History talk at Galicia Jewish Museum and dinner at hotel
  • Day 7Half-day guided tour of UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines including St Kinga's Chapel; evening klezmer dinner in Kraków's historic Kazimierz district

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 10 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (London St Pancras to Brussels)
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flight from Warsaw Chopin to London Heathrow
  • Eurostar light meal
  • Breakfast each day
  • 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entrance to St Mary's Basilica in Kraków
  • Guided tour of Wieliczka Salt Mines
  • Guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • Witness to History event at Galicia Jewish Museum
  • Klezmer dinner in Kazimierz district

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Return by rail option (available from £400pp, call to opt in)
  • Meals not specified in itinerary
  • Optional museum entry fees payable locally (e.g. Łazienki Park museums)
  • Reichstag dome visit (booking required, independent)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Brussels, First Class rail throughout (Brussels to Cologne to Berlin, Berlin to Wrocław, Wrocław to Kraków, Kraków to Warsaw), and all coach transfers. The return to London is by flight to Heathrow; optional return by rail (Warsaw via Cologne and Brussels to London St Pancras) costs from £400 per person.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. All city tours, including Berlin, Wrocław, Kraków, and Warsaw, are guided. The Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mines, and Galicia Jewish Museum visits are guided; some days include free time to explore independently.
What is included in meals?
The package includes a light meal on Eurostar Plus, breakfast every day, and five dinners: evening meals in Berlin (Day 1), Wrocław (Day 3), Kraków (Days 6 and 7, including the klezmer dinner), and Warsaw (Day 8). Other meals are independent.
Which hotels are included, and for how many nights?
Great Rail Journeys books: NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie (2 nights), HP Park Plaza Wrocław (2 nights), Tribe Kraków (3 nights), and Polonia Palace Warsaw (3 nights). All are 4-star hotels; luggage is transferred between each.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers five departures in 2027: April, May, June, September, and October.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
Expect guided city walking tours in Berlin, Wrocław, Kraków, and Warsaw; stairs in medieval town centres and through Old Towns; descent into Wieliczka Salt Mines; and substantial walking during the guided Auschwitz-Birkenau visit. This is a moderately active tour.

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