Train to Ostrava - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: valid identity card (plastic). The mCitizen application is not recognised as a travel document. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days. The Czech Republic is in the Schengen area.

• Local transport: trams, buses and DPO trolleybuses. A single ticket (60 minutes) is a few zlotys, a daily ticket a dozen zlotys. You pay by contactless card directly in the vehicle.

• Currency: Czech koruna (CZK). Polish zloty is not accepted in shops and restaurants - pay by card or withdraw cash from an ATM.

• City character: the third largest city in the Czech Republic, known for its industrial history, Stodolní Street and growing cultural scene. It is not a typical tourist town - you will see an authentic Czech city without the crowds.

• How much to go for: a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday) is enough for the Silesian Ostrava Castle, Lower Vítkovice and the Zoo. Plan 3 days for a leisurely tour with the Landek Park Mining Museum.

• Practical tip: there is a tourist information point OSTRAVAINFO at the railway station. Here you can buy an OSTRAVACARD with discounts in museums and restaurants.

The best time to choose is May to September, when the daytime temperature is 19-26°C and the most seasonal riverside spots are in operation.

Spring (March–May)

• March is the driest month of the year - there is less rainfall than in summer, and the daytime temperature is 10°C.

• In April, the daytime temperature is 14°C and the crowds are smaller than in high season. The wind can be a nuisance.

• In May, the daytime temperature is 19°C and the high season is in full swing. Accommodation prices are then the highest of the year, so book in advance.

Summer (June–August)

• June sees the Jazz Open Ostrava - concerts in clubs and in the courtyard of Silesian Ostrava Castle.

• July and August are the warmest months. The daytime temperature reaches 26°C with the most hours of sunshine.

• Ostrava Zoo has extended opening hours in summer.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September, it is still 19°C during the day and the crowds are smaller than in July and August.

• In October, accommodation prices start to fall, but the weather tends to be rainy.

Winter (November–February)

• November is the month with the lowest accommodation prices of the year.

• In December, the city centre is decorated festively, but the temperature drops below freezing and it can be windy.

• January is the coldest month, with temperatures dropping below zero at night.

You can get to Ostrava from several Polish cities by train - without traffic jams on the A1 and without looking for a car park. Depending on your connection, you can get off at Ostrava hlavní nádraží station or at Ostrava-Svinov station.

From Katowice to Ostrava

• The journey takes around 2 hours.

• Several direct connections per day leave from Katowice Główny station.

• You get off at Ostrava hlavní nádraží station.

• Reservation of a seat is compulsory on the international section.

From Krakow to Ostrava

• Several direct connections per day leave from Krakow Central Station. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

• Some trains go to Ostrava-Svinov station, from where you can reach the centre by tram in a few minutes.

• Other trains arrive at Ostrava hlavní nádraží station.

• Seat reservations are compulsory for the section abroad.

From Wrocław to Ostrava

• You travel approximately 2.5 hours with one change. There are several trains a day leaving from Wrocław Główny train station.

• You change trains only once, at the same station.

From Warsaw to Ostrava

• Several direct connections per day leave from Warsaw Central or Warsaw East stations.

• You travel approximately 5 hours without changing trains.

• Reservation of a seat is compulsory on the foreign section.

If you are travelling from Český Těšín, a station 2.5 km from the centre of the Polish city of Cieszyn, trains to Ostrava run very frequently and the journey takes about 30-50 minutes. From Gdańsk, you will travel with changes.

You can buy your ticket without creating an account - you enter your email and phone number and get your ticket straight away. 30 minutes before departure you will receive an SMS reminder and a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats, especially on routes from Warsaw and Krakow at weekends. You can return your PKP Intercity ticket up to 20 minutes before departure or exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure - see our refund and exchange policy for details.

Ostrava hlavní nádraží station is located close to the centre of the Moravian Ostrava district - you can reach Masaryk Square by tram or bus in a matter of minutes. In good weather, you can also walk.

Public transport in Ostrava is operated by DPO (Dopravní podnik Ostrava) - a network of trams, buses and trolleybuses covering the entire city and its surroundings.

You pay by contactless payment card directly in the vehicle - you tap your card when boarding and tap it again when alighting. A single ticket (60 minutes) costs a few zlotys, and a daily ticket costs several zlotys. Day tickets can also be bought at ticket machines.

You can buy tickets and check timetables in the local ticketing app. Google Maps shows DPO schedules, so you can plan your journeys without an additional app.

Children under 6 travel free of charge.

Where to stay:

• Moravian Ostrava city centre (Moravská Ostrava) - a historic district, close to all attractions and restaurants. This is the best location for a city break.

• Silesian Ostrava (Slezská Ostrava) - a quieter area, a short walk from the centre, close to Silesian Ostrava Castle.

• Vítkovice - a good area for lovers of industrial history, close to Lower Vítkovice, with tram access to the centre.

Dolní Vítkovice (Lower Vítkovice)

A former power station has been transformed into a science and culture centre with interactive exhibitions about the industrial revolution. The tour takes 2-4 hours. There is an entrance fee. A walk through the grounds is free - the steel structures and industrial architecture are one of the best places for photography in Ostrava.

Landek Park Mining Museum

This is the largest mining museum in the Czech Republic. You will visit real drifts and machinery from the 1920s. Plan 4-5 hours for your visit, as the area is extensive. There is an entrance fee. During the winter season, from September to March, the site is closed on Mondays - check the current opening hours before visiting.

Silesian Ostrava Castle (Slezskoostravský hrad)

This is a castle from the 13th century with historical exhibitions and a view of the city from the tower. The tour takes 45 minutes - 2 hours, depending on the number of exhibitions selected. There is an entrance fee. The building is open from March to December - check the current opening hours before visiting. You get a 20% discount with the OSTRAVACARD card.

Ostrava Zoo

This is one of the largest zoos in Europe with 100 hectares and more than 4,000 animals. Plan at least 4-6 hours for your visit. There is an entrance fee and the zoo has extended opening hours in summer.

Ostrava City Museum

The museum is located on Masaryk Square. Here you will find collections of ceramics, historical clothing, coins, fossils and art. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. There is an entrance fee. The crowds here are smaller than at other museums, so it's a good choice if you're after a quieter visit.

Stodolní Street

One street is home to more than 60 clubs, pubs and cafes. It is the centre of Ostrava's nightlife, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Entry is free - you only pay for consumption.

Plan for Day 1

Morning: Silesian Ostrava Castle (45 minutes - 2 hours), lunch: restaurant on Masaryk Square, afternoon: Lower Vitkovice (2-3 hours) or Museum of the City of Ostrava (1.5-2 hours), evening: Stodolní Street.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: Friday evening: arrival by train, dinner and Stodolní Street. Saturday: Mining Museum Landek Park or Lower Vítkovice (3-4 hours), Silesian Ostrava Castle in the afternoon.

Day 2: Sunday: Ostrava Zoo (4-6 hours), return by train in the evening.

What to eat

Moravský gulášek - stewed goulash with pork or beef, served with knedlíky, or steamed bread and potato dumplings. You'll find this dish in most of the traditional restaurants in the centre.

Where to eat:

• Moravska chálupa - traditional Czech and Moravian cuisine. Large portions and reasonable prices.

• Pod Klenbami - wine bar in the basement of the Bonum Hotel. Specialises in Moravian wines and frog legs.

• Bastilla pub on Stodolní Street - a place known for its cocktails and evening atmosphere.

Stodolní Street is a party centre with more than 60 venues. If you're looking for a quieter atmosphere, choose Havlíčkovo nábřeží with bars along the Ostravice River. From May to October, Černá louka - an open-air bar overlooking the river - is also open.

Souvenirs

• Krymska mustard (Krymská hořčice) - a traditional Czech speciality, not readily available in Poland

• Becherovka - Czech herbal liqueur, often costs less than in Polish shops

• Opavia sweets - larger selection and lower prices than in Poland

• Božkov Tuzemský - Czech rum, popular as a souvenir

You'll do more shopping in the Avion Shopping Park and Futurum shopping centres.

Pay by card wherever possible - you'll avoid the unfavourable cash exchange rate. If you need crowns, use ATMs, not the exchange offices at the train station.

The OSTRAVACARD gives discounts in museums and selected restaurants. You can buy it at OSTRAVAINFO outlets - one of which is located at the railway station.

Buying your ticket in advance means a wider choice of seats and a better price, especially on routes from Warsaw and Kraków at weekends.