Train to Rotterdam - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Destination station: Rotterdam Centraal, Stationsplein 1.

• Local transport: metro, trams and buses. A single ticket is a few to a dozen zlotys and a daily ticket a dozen zlotys. For several journeys per day, a day ticket will be more convenient.

• Documents: a valid identity card is sufficient.

• Currency: Euro (EUR). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, so cash is rarely needed.

• Practical tip: there are bicycle rentals close to the station, and you ride around the city on an extensive network of paths.

Spring is the best choice, when daytime temperatures are 12–18°C and tourist traffic remains moderate.

Spring (March–May)

• In May, the daytime temperature is 16–18°C, so you can comfortably explore on foot and by bike.

• The city's parks, such as Het Park at Euromast and Kralingse Bos, are then in full bloom.

• You visit museums and attractions without big queues, because the tourist season has not yet started.

Summer (June–August)

• The daytime temperature is 18–23°C and the long evenings are perfect for walks along the Maas.

• The North Sea Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe, takes place in summer.

• In July and August, tourist traffic is high and accommodation prices rise.

• You will also find outdoor events and film festivals during this period.

Autumn (September–November)

• In September it is still 17–19°C during the day and noticeably less crowded than in summer.

• It rains more often in October, but you can visit museums without queues.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in the summer season.

Winter (December–February)

• Daytime temperatures are 4–7°C, it often rains and is windy, so a windproof jacket comes in handy.

• You will see Christmas decorations in the city centre and at the Markthal.

• In winter, accommodation prices are the lowest of the year and you can visit galleries and museums without crowds.

You will get to Rotterdam with one or two changes, usually via Berlin. For a city break, it is easy to plan a trip from large Polish cities, as you get off at the main station in the centre.

Train to Rotterdam from Poznań

• The total journey time is around 8-9 hours.

• Mostly you change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station and continue to the Netherlands.

• Some connections require one change and some require two on the onward journey through Germany.

Train to Rotterdam from Wrocław

• You travel from Wrocław to Rotterdam in around 8-9 hours.

• The route takes you through Berlin, where you change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• Depending on your connection, you either continue without an additional change or change again on the route via Germany.

Train to Rotterdam from Warsaw

• It takes approximately 10-11 hours to travel from Warsaw to Rotterdam.

• You usually change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• Selected connections require one more change further through Germany.

Train to Rotterdam from Krakow

• The route from Krakow takes around 11-12 hours.

• On this route, you change trains in Warsaw or Wrocław and then at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• Some connections continue through Germany with one additional change further on.

From Gdansk, Katowice or Lodz, you will get to Rotterdam via Warsaw or Wroclaw and then on via Berlin. You can buy a ticket on Europodróże without registering - you give the route, choose your seat and pay. You receive your ticket by e-mail and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. Seat reservation is compulsory on the international section. You can check the details by reading the refund and exchange policy. On PKP Intercity, you can make a refund up to 20 minutes before departure and an exchange up to 30 minutes before departure.

If you are planning a longer journey in the Netherlands, you can combine Rotterdam and Amsterdam in one trip. Check the current journey times before you leave.

After leaving the station, the Cube Houses and the Old Port can be reached on foot, while Euromast or the harbour wharves can be reached by metro or tram.

The metro, trams and buses serve the entire city. If you are planning several journeys in a day, choose a day ticket.

The bicycle works well for visiting the quays and parks, as the network of cycle paths is extensive.

Taxis are available at the station and are useful for luggage or late returns.

Where to stay overnight:

• The centre and around Coolsingel Street - a good base - close to the station and main attractions. Prices for accommodation in the centre are higher than outside the inner city, but you save time commuting.

In Rotterdam, start with the modern architecture, the harbour and the museums.

Euromast observation tower

From the observation deck at a height of 100 metres, you will see a panoramic view of Rotterdam, the harbour and the surrounding area and, on a clear day, The Hague. The tour takes 45-60 minutes. There is an entrance fee. It is best to come in the morning when the visibility is best.

Cube houses (Kubuswoningen)

The distinctive yellow cubes in the Blaak district are one of the symbols of Rotterdam. Piet Blom designed them in the 1980s. Viewing from the outside is free, and there is a fee to enter one of the apartment-museums. From the train station you can get here in a dozen minutes' walk.

Old Port (Oude Haven)

This is the historic part of the harbour with its historic fleet, restaurants and waterfront cafes. The best time to come here is in the evening when the quay is lit up. Entry is free as it is an open public space.

Maritime Museum Rotterdam

Here you will learn about the history of Europe's largest port. Rotterdam's harbour stretches for 40 km. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. There is an entrance fee. The interactive exhibitions will also interest children.

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

This is one of the most important art museums in the Netherlands, with a collection from the Middle Ages to contemporary art. There is an entrance fee. Check the current opening hours before visiting, as the museum is undergoing a phased modernisation.

St Lawrence Church (Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk)

This Gothic church from the 15th century is the only surviving medieval building in the centre of Rotterdam. The rest of the old city was destroyed in the 1940 bombing. The tour takes 30-45 minutes. It is worth going inside to see the organ and stained glass windows.

Plan for day 1

Start the morning at the Euromast, as the city skyline helps you get an idea of the layout of the districts. Then walk to the Cube Houses and the Old Port for lunch by the water. In the afternoon, visit the Maritime Museum. In the evening, choose a walk along the Maas River overlooking the Erasmusbrug Bridge.

Plan for the weekend (2 days)

Day 1: Arrange the same as the 1-day plan.

Day 2: Visit Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, walk around the Coolsingel area and take a look at St Lawrence Church. In the afternoon, rent a bike and ride along the harbour quays to see Rotterdam from a different perspective.

The Markthal is worth a look for lunch and the Witte de Withstraat in the evening.

What to eat

Haring - herring served with onions and cucumber, often sold at street stalls.

Stroopwafels - thin waffles with caramel, go well with coffee.

Bitterballen - fried meat balls, this is a popular snack to go with beer.

Where to eat:

• Markthal Market - an indoor market with local food, restaurants and stalls is one of Rotterdam's most recognisable culinary destinations. The interior is impressive, as the ceiling is covered with a huge painting of fruit and flowers. From the Cube Houses you can get here in a few minutes. It is best to come for lunch.

• Witte de Withstraat - a street with restaurants, bars and cafés, popular with the locals. Here you will find cuisine from all over the world - from Indonesian to Italian. This is a good address for dinner with a more local atmosphere.

Souvenirs

• Koopgoot shopping centre (Beurstraverse) - is right in the centre, a few minutes from the station.

• Meent Street area - boutiques and independent shops.

• Shops by the Old Port - souvenirs with the theme of the Cube Houses and the harbour.

Lunch in a restaurant costs a few tens of zloty per person. Lunch in a bar or at the Markthal market costs less.

For a weekend in Rotterdam you will spend approximately between 510 and 2320 PLN, depending on the standard of accommodation and the number of paid attractions.

Amounts do not include the train ticket from Poland.

Accommodation prices rise in July and August and during the North Sea Jazz Festival. In spring and autumn you will pay less for the same hotel than at peak season.