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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Polish Explorer

Independent first-class rail circuit through Poland's five major cities

Illustration of Polish Explorer

Railbookers operates this 10-day, 9-night independent rail vacation around Poland, traveling first class between Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Krakow. Two nights in Warsaw open the trip with a 4-hour city sightseeing tour passing the Ghetto Memorial and the Grand Theatre. From Gdansk's Baltic Coast harbor and St Mary's Church to Poznan's Gothic cathedral district and Wroclaw's Rynek market square, each stop allows time to explore at your own pace, along with a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour sampling Polish classics in Wroclaw. The trip ends with two nights in Krakow, including a half-day guided tour to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and time to wander the Old Town and Wawel Castle area. The trip suits independent travelers with a strong interest in Polish history, from Gdansk's wartime harbor to the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial, who want first-class rail links and a choice of hotel tiers across five cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Accommodation is chosen from 27 options across price tiers, so your final hotel in each city depends on the tier you select at booking.
  • The evidence names Deutsche Bahn as the rail carrier even though the itinerary describes travel entirely within Poland; confirm the specific train operator with Railbookers.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Warsaw

    Your Journey Begins in Warsaw

    Arrive in Warsaw and check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the next few days exploring Poland's rapidly changing capital. The Old Town is a major attraction, as it is one of the most historic sites in the city and contains some interesting architecture. During the summer months, the cobbled streets are filled by cafe tables and street performers, which gives the Old Town a buzzing, vibrant atmosphere.

  2. Day 2overnight: Warsaw

    Warsaw

    Since the fall of communism in Poland, Warsaw has prospered thanks to a major drive to improve its tourist sights. The Old Town with its imposing Royal Palace has been beautifully restored to its former grandeur. See the best of Warsaw on this 4-hour city sightseeing tour. Hop aboard a comfortable bus and travel past major landmarks including the Ghetto Memorial, the Grand Theatre and more. Take a ride along the Royal Route and spot the impressive architecture of the aristocratic residences and historic churches.

  3. Day 3overnight: Gdansk

    Gdansk

    Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before traveling in first class to Gdansk. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. You have the next two days to discover Gdansk at your leisure. Lying on the Baltic Coast, Gdansk is Poland's principal seaport with a colorful history of German rule, Polish rule and more recently, extensive self-rule.

  4. Day 4overnight: Gdansk

    Gdansk

    Spend a second day in this beautiful city. Explore the reconstructed Burgher houses and the charming harbor situated in the Old Town before visiting St Mary's Church (the largest brick built church in the world). Visit the Neptune Fountain or take a river cruise to Westerplatte, which is where World War II broke out on September 1, 1939.

  5. Day 5overnight: Poznan

    Poznan

    Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before traveling in first class to Poznan. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Visit the Gothic Church of St John of Jerusalem, which dates back to the 12th century, or visit one of the many museums. Visit the Ostrow Tumski district which is dominated by Poznan's monumental, double-towered Cathedral.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Wroclaw

    Wroclaw

    After breakfast in the hotel, take the train in first class from Poznan to Wroclaw. On arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. A visit to Wroclaw would not be the same without taking in the unique Gothic architecture of its magnificent market square (Rynek), which is Poland's second biggest after Krakow.

  7. Day 7overnight: Wroclaw

    Wroclaw

    Today feast your senses on the delectable bites and cultural sights of Wroclaw during a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour led by a gastronome guide. With a group of fellow food-lovers, pleasure your palate with authentic Polish food in a selection of hand-picked restaurants, sampling 13-14 types of Polish classics.

  8. Day 8overnight: Krakow

    Krakow

    Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before traveling in first class from Wroclaw to Krakow. Upon arrival in Krakow, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Visit the hilltop Wawel Castle or shop for homemade Polish gifts in the magnificent Cloth Hall on the market square. Explore St Mary's Church or visit the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine.

  9. Day 9overnight: Krakow

    Krakow

    Spend the day today gaining fascinating insights into the city's past. Included today is a half-day trip from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, where you will be taken on a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed former Nazi concentration camp complex. Back in Krakow, wander through the Old Town area and marvel at its soaring Gothic churches.

  10. Day 10rail

    Depart Krakow

    After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your journey, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Consultants will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A 4-hour city sightseeing tour of Warsaw passes the Ghetto Memorial, the Grand Theatre, and other major landmarks by bus.
  • Day 4Gdansk's Old Town is explored on foot, including St Mary's Church, the largest brick-built church in the world, with an optional river cruise to Westerplatte, where World War II broke out on September 1, 1939.
  • Day 5In Poznan, travelers can visit the 12th-century Gothic Church of St John of Jerusalem or the Ostrow Tumski district, dominated by the city's double-towered Cathedral.
  • Day 7A 3.5-hour culinary walking tour in Wroclaw, led by a gastronome guide, samples 13 to 14 types of Polish classics at hand-picked restaurants.
  • Day 9A half-day guided tour from Krakow visits the UNESCO-listed Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, the site of the former Nazi concentration camp complex.

Included

  • First-class rail travel within Poland
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Warsaw
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Gdansk
  • 1 night hotel stay with breakfast in Poznan
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Wroclaw
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Krakow
  • Half-day guided tour from Krakow to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum
  • Warsaw half day city sightseeing tour
  • Delicious Wroclaw Food Tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, first-class rail travel within Poland is included, covering Warsaw to Gdansk, Gdansk to Poznan, Poznan to Wroclaw, and Wroclaw to Krakow.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Guided elements include a Warsaw city sightseeing tour, a Wroclaw food tour, and a half-day guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum from Krakow.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Krakow, with two nights in each except a single night in Poznan.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 27 accommodation options across price tiers in the five cities; sample properties include the Bristol a Luxury Collection Hotel in Warsaw and Hilton Gdansk Sopot.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes city walking throughout, a 3.5-hour culinary walking tour in Wroclaw, and a half-day guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
What is included?
First-class rail travel within Poland, nine nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, a Warsaw sightseeing tour, a Wroclaw food tour, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum tour from Krakow.

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