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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Poland & Germany by First Class Rail

12-day first-class rail journey from London through Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and Dresden

Illustration of Poland & Germany by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Poland and Germany by First Class Rail is a 12-day self-guided journey from London to Frankfurt, travelling through five Central European cities in first-class compartments. Starting with Eurostar from London St Pancras, you change to ICE trains in Brussels and travel eastward through Cologne to Berlin, where you have a morning to visit the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag before an afternoon train across the German and Polish border to Warsaw. Three nights there let you explore the Old Town, Royal Castle, and Royal Route; then a direct rail service carries you south to Krakow for another three nights, with the option to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau (booked separately). A westbound rail crossing brings you into Prague for two nights amid Old Town squares and Prague Castle, followed by the EuroCity train down the Elbe valley to Dresden for two final nights before high-speed ICE services return you via Brussels and Eurostar to London. Throughout, you stay in four-star hotels and navigate cities independently, choosing your own restaurants and attractions each day.

What to know before you look closer

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine visits are not included and must be paid for locally.
  • This is a self-guided holiday with no group escort; you navigate cities and stations independently.
  • The from-price (GBP 1,795) is the rail and hotel package only; visas, meals beyond those on trains, and local attractions require separate payment.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Berlin

    London to Berlin

    Start your holiday at London St Pancras International and board the Eurostar to Brussels in your spacious Standard Premier Class seat, reaching speeds of up to 186 mph, with a light meal and drinks served at your seat. In Brussels change onto the Inter City Express (ICE) service to Cologne, where you join another ICE train for the final leg to Berlin. On arrival, make your way to the stylish Adina Berlin Mitte (4 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Warsaw

    Free-time in Berlin and Berlin to Warsaw

    A morning to discover the German capital: highlights include the Brandenburg Gate, the nearby Reichstag, Alexanderplatz with its TV tower, and the poignant remains of the Berlin Wall. Later, return to the station and take the train directly to Warsaw, continuing eastwards through Germany and across the Polish border to your hotel for the next three nights, the popular Polonia Palace Hotel (4 star).

  3. Day 3overnight: Warsaw

    Exploring Warsaw

    A full day to take in Warsaw's attractions. Walk through its new 'old town' centre, starting in the cobbled Old Town Market Square, stroll down Swietojanska to St John's Cathedral with its brick-pinnacled gable, and see the historic square in front of the Royal Castle, the focal point of the Old Town, with its gilded and marbled rooms.

  4. Day 4overnight: Warsaw

    Exploring Warsaw

    Continue along the Royal Route: the Presidential Palace on Krakowskie Przedmiescie, where the Warsaw Pact was signed in 1955, and the plant-lined promenade of Nowy Swiat with its small shops and cafes. Alternatively, find peace at Lazienki Park with its central lake, amphitheatre, stately residences, orangery and free Chopin concerts in summer.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Krakow

    Warsaw to Krakow

    Make your way to Warsaw Centralna station and join the rail service to Krakow, admiring the changing scenery of Poland as you travel south. On arrival at Krakow Glowny station, make your way to your hotel for the next three nights, the popular and welcoming Queen Boutique Hotel (4 star).

  6. Day 6overnight: Krakow

    At leisure in Krakow

    Discover the charming city of Krakow: stroll through the Old Town with its soaring churches, impressive museums and the vast Rynek Glowny, Europe's largest market square, and visit the glorious ensemble of Wawel Castle and Cathedral, widely regarded as the most important collection of buildings in Poland.

  7. Day 7overnight: Krakow

    At leisure in Krakow

    A second full day in Krakow, the base to visit the UNESCO-listed Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp, a sobering tribute to the people that perished there during the Holocaust, where an estimated 1.6 million people of 27 nationalities were killed.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Prague

    Krakow to Prague

    After breakfast, leave Krakow on the direct rail service to Prague, travelling westwards across the border into the Czech Republic. On arrival at Prague HL N station, make your own way to your hotel for the next two nights, the luxurious Appia Hotel Residence (4 star). Take an evening stroll to one of Prague's welcoming restaurants.

  9. Day 9overnight: Prague

    Discovering Prague

    A day to discover the magnificent city of Prague: the Old Town with its attractive squares and narrow streets, the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Josefov Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square. Tonight, experience some of Prague's vibrant nightlife and famous Pilsner beer.

  10. Day 10overnight: Dresden

    Prague to Dresden

    After a relaxed start, return to Prague's main station and board the Euro City service into Germany, bound for Dresden, a lovely city in the Saxony region situated in a valley on the River Elbe. On arrival, make your way to the welcoming NH Dresden Altmarkt (4 star) for a two-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Dresden

    Free time in Dresden

    A full day to explore Dresden: the attractive old town, a stroll along the River Elbe, the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the magnificent Cathedral, Theatre Square, the Royal Palace, the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), Bruehl Terrace and the Old Market Square.

  12. Day 12rail

    Dresden to London - homeward bound

    Leave Dresden on the high-speed ICE train to Frankfurt, change onto another ICE service to Brussels, then board the Eurostar back to London. Stretch out and savour the meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service as you return to London St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar from London St Pancras at speeds up to 186 mph with a light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier Class; change to ICE trains in Brussels for the final leg to Berlin.
  • Day 2Walk through Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, then travel by direct rail eastward across the German and Polish border to Warsaw.
  • Day 6Explore Krakow's Rynek Glowny, Europe's largest market square, and visit Wawel Castle and Cathedral, regarded as Poland's most important collection of buildings.
  • Day 8Travel directly by rail from Krakow westward into the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague at the main station.
  • Day 10Board the EuroCity service from Prague into Germany bound for Dresden, situated in a valley on the River Elbe.

Not included

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine visits (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes all rail journeys: Eurostar (London to Brussels, return), ICE services (Brussels to Berlin and return), and direct rail between Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and Dresden, all in first class.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
Planet Rail describes this as a tailor-made, self-guided (independent) holiday. You arrange your own travel to London St Pancras and between stations and hotels; there is no group guide.
What hotels are included?
Four-star hotels: Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Mitte (1 night), Polonia Palace Hotel Warsaw (3 nights), Queen Boutique Hotel Krakow (3 nights), Appia Hotel Residence Prague (2 nights), and NH Dresden Altmarkt (2 nights).
What is included in the price?
Rail travel in first class, hotel accommodation for 11 nights, and light meals and drinks on Eurostar. Meals in cities, entrance fees to attractions, and optional visits such as Auschwitz-Birkenau are payable separately.
How much free time is there in each city?
Days 2, 3, 4 are free in Warsaw; days 6, 7 in Krakow; day 9 in Prague; day 11 in Dresden. Day 1 is travel; days 5, 8, 10, 12 are travel days with arrival or departure.
When does the holiday run?
Planet Rail does not publish a calendar of departure dates in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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