Train to Erfurt - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: euro; card payments are accepted in most restaurants, hotels and shops in the centre.

• Best time to go: preferably April, May or September - daytime temperatures are 12-21°C and the centre is less crowded than in summer.

• How much to go for: a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday) is enough for the Cathedral, St. Severus Church, the Kramer Bridge and St Petersberg Citadel.

It is best to choose April, May or September - then you have mild weather and it is easier to visit the centre without the summer crowds.

Spring (March–May)

• April: Ceramics Fair (Töpfermarkt) on Domplatz - dozens of stalls selling Thuringian ceramics, daytime temperatures of 6-16°C.

• May: the DomStufen-Festspiele - an open-air theatre festival on the steps of the Cathedral - kicks off, daytime temperatures are 11-21°C and the centre is less crowded than at the peak of summer.

• March: the weather often changes and it is 2-10°C during the day, but accommodation prices are lower than in high season.

Summer (June–August)

• June: DomStufen-Festspiele are in full swing and the long evenings are perfect for a stroll around the Petersberg Citadel; daytime temperatures are 14-25°C.

• July–August: the peak tourist season is underway, with 15-27°C during the day. Accommodation prices are higher and the Domplatz and Krämerbrücke are more crowded.

Autumn (September–October)

• September: Michaelismesse - a historic town fair with a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, daytime temperatures of 12-21°C.

• October: autumn colours appear on Petersberg hill and in the parks, daytime temperatures of 8-15°C. More frequent rainfall means it is worth bringing a rain jacket.

Winter (November–February)

• December: the Weihnachtsmarkt on Domplatz is one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Thuringia, with daytime temperatures of 1-4°C.

• January–February: tourist traffic is at its lowest, snow and short days are possible, but the Altstadt still beckons with museums and cafés.

You will reach Erfurt with one change in Dresden, Berlin, Hannover or Prague.

From Wrocław

• You change trains at Dresden Hauptbahnhof station.

• The journey takes 9-10 hours.

• The section between Wrocław and Dresden takes 4 hours.

• You continue through Saxony to Thuringia.

From Poznań

• You usually travel via Berlin or Hannover.

• The journey takes 10-12 hours.

• You change trains once, at one station.

• The Poznań–Berlin section takes 3-4 hours, and then you take a fast train through central Germany to Erfurt.

From Warsaw

• You change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• The journey takes 11-13 hours.

• The section between Berlin and Erfurt takes 2 hours.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

From Kraków

• Arrange your route via Prague or Dresden, with one change at one of these stations.

• The journey takes 12-14 hours.

• The option via Dresden takes you through Bohemia and Saxony.

• With connections via Prague, part of the route takes you through Czech towns and valleys.

You can buy your train ticket to Erfurt on Europodróże without creating an account - you get it by email and SMS. An SMS with a link to the ticket arrives 30 minutes before departure, so you don't have to search your inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. Seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. Rules for refunds and exchanges depend on the carrier - for PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. See the refund and exchange policy page for details.

You can walk from Erfurt Hauptbahnhof to Domplatz in a matter of minutes - head along Bahnhofstraße, then through Anger towards the cathedral.

Trams and city buses serve the entire city. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket a little more. For several journeys a day, a day ticket will be more convenient. You can buy tickets from machines at stops or from the driver. Check the current local ticketing app before you travel.

Public transport is mainly useful for trips outside the city centre. The Cathedral, the Krämerbrücke, the Petersberg Citadel and the Fischmarkt are all within a 2 km radius of the station.

Taxis wait at the station - a ride to the centre costs a few euros.

Where to stay:

• Altstadt (Old Town) - all the attractions are within walking distance, though accommodation prices are higher than outside the inner city.

• Löbervorstadt - close to the centre, a more local atmosphere, moderate accommodation prices.

• Andreasvorstadt - a neighbourhood with cafés and local pubs, a short walk from the Altstadt, moderate accommodation prices.

You will see the most important sights in one day, as the centre clusters its attractions around Domplatz, the Krämerbrücke and the Petersberg Citadel.

Domplatz with St Mary's Cathedral and St Severus Church

A Gothic architectural ensemble from the 14th century - the two churches stand side by side on a hill above the square. The visit takes 45-90 minutes. Entrance is free. In the Cathedral, look out for medieval stained-glass windows and the great Gloriosa bell from 1497 - one of the largest medieval bells in Europe. It is worth coming in the morning before organised groups arrive.

Krämerbrücke (Merchants' Bridge)

The medieval bridge lined with traders' houses is 120 metres long. Here you will find galleries, antique shops, craft studios and small restaurants. The visit takes 30-45 minutes. Entrance is free. The bridge is illuminated in the evening, so it is worth coming back after dark.

Petersberg Citadel

The Renaissance fortress on the hill affords a wide view of Erfurt and the surrounding area. Walking around the outer grounds and taking in the panorama takes 1.5-2 hours. Entrance to the outer area is free; the museum inside is ticketed. From Domplatz you can walk here in a few minutes uphill. In good weather you will see a sweeping panorama of Thuringia.

Fischmarkt

The historic square surrounded by Renaissance townhouses is the gastronomic heart of Erfurt. Restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating serve Thuringian cuisine. It is a good place for lunch between visits to the Cathedral and the Krämerbrücke.

Thuringian Folk Art Museum (Thüringer Volkskunstmuseum)

Ceramics, crafts and folk culture of the region showcase Thuringian tradition in a broader context. Allow 1-1.5 hours for the visit. There is an entrance fee. It tends to be less crowded here than at the main attractions, making it a good addition to a second day.

DomStufen-Festspiele (May–June)

The open-air theatre festival on the monumental steps of the Cathedral is one of the largest events of its kind in Germany. If you are visiting during this time, check the programme and buy tickets in advance, as popular performances sell out quickly.

One-day itinerary

1. Morning: Domplatz - St Mary's Cathedral and St Severus Church (45-90 minutes).
2. Late morning: Krämerbrücke - stroll, galleries, antique shops (30-45 minutes).
3. Lunch: Fischmarkt - Thuringian cuisine in one of the restaurants on the square.
4. Afternoon: Petersberg Citadel - panorama of the city and walk around the fortress (1.5-2 hours) or Thuringian Folk Art Museum (1-1.5 hours).
5. Evening: return to the Krämerbrücke after dark - the illuminated bridge looks quite different from the daytime.

Weekend itinerary

Day 1: Friday evening: arrival in Erfurt, stroll around the illuminated Domplatz and dinner in the Altstadt.

Day 2: Saturday: full programme as in the one-day itinerary - Cathedral, St Severus Church, Krämerbrücke, Fischmarkt, Petersberg Citadel.

Day 3: Sunday: Thuringian Folk Art Museum in the morning, a walk through the Andreasvorstadt or Löbervorstadt neighbourhoods, a final lunch in the Altstadt, departure in the afternoon.

What to eat

Thüringer Bratwurst - traditional Thuringian pork sausage, flavoured with marjoram and garlic. Served on bread with mustard, straight from the grill. You will find it at kiosks on Domplatz and the Fischmarkt - it is a must on any culinary itinerary in Erfurt.

Thüringer Käsespätzle - egg noodles baked with Thuringian cheese and smoked onions. A filling main course, available in most restaurants in the Altstadt.

Zwiebelkuchen - an onion and cream tart, traditionally eaten in autumn. Served warm, it pairs perfectly with young Federweißer wine. If you are visiting in September or October, look for it in restaurants and at the Michaelismesse.

Where to eat:

• Fischmarkt - restaurants and cafés with Thuringian cuisine, outdoor seating on the square.

• Streets around Domplatz (Marktstraße, Michaelisstraße) - small restaurants and wine bars, less touristy than the square itself.

• Anger - a large commercial square with spots for a quick lunch and a more local atmosphere.

Souvenirs

• Thuringian ceramics - colourful pots, jugs and plates with traditional designs. Buy them at the Ceramics Fair in April and throughout the year in the galleries on the Krämerbrücke.

• Wooden crafts - sculptures, ornaments and toys from Thuringian workshops.

• Regional Thuringian beers - worth picking up a few bottles as a souvenir.

The amounts are approximate and converted from euros to Polish zloty - check the current exchange rate before departure. The costs do not include the train ticket from Poland.

Many of Erfurt's main attractions - Domplatz, the Krämerbrücke and the outer area of the Petersberg Citadel - are free of charge. This makes Erfurt a great choice for a city break on a tight budget.