Train to Chałupy - connections, tickets and travel guide

• Best time to visit: June–August, when the beach season is in full swing and windsurfing and kitesurfing schools are operating.

• Low season: In May and September the beaches are quieter and accommodation prices are lower than at peak season.

• Local transport: You get around Chałupy mainly on foot or by bike – you can bring your bike on the train or hire one locally.

• How long to stay: A weekend of 2–3 days is enough for the beach, a water sports lesson and a short trip to Hel or Władysławowo.

• Practical tip: In July and August it is worth buying tickets in advance, as trains to the Hel Peninsula fill up quickly.

The best choice is summer, when daytime temperatures reach 18–25°C and a steady wind is ideal for water sports.

Spring (April–May)

• In May the daytime temperature is 14–18°C and the wind is favourable for first windsurfing trips.

• Accommodation prices in lodges and guesthouses are lower than in July and August.

• The beaches are empty, so it is a good time for walks and bike rides along the peninsula.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime temperatures reach 18–25°C, windsurfing and kitesurfing schools are operating, and equipment hire shops are open daily.

• In July and August the beaches are full and train tickets are worth buying in advance.

• Fish restaurants and beachside venues are open in the evenings.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September you still have good conditions for water sports and fewer people on the beaches.

• In October some venues close for the season, but you can enjoy long walks and a quieter atmosphere.

• After the summer holidays, accommodation prices drop.

Winter (November–March)

• Fewer guesthouses, fish restaurants and hire shops operate in the low season.

• Trains from Gdynia to Hel run all year round.

• In winter you come here primarily for the silence, empty beaches and rugged landscape of the Hel Peninsula.

You can get to Chałup from Gdańsk, Warsaw and Kraków, with the most important transfer point being Gdynia Główna station. During the summer season there are also direct connections from large cities. In summer, the road to the Hel Peninsula is often jammed, so the train allows you to bypass this section.

From Gdańsk to Chałup

• From Gdańsk to Chałup you travel approximately 2 hours with a change in Gdynia Główna.

• From Gdańsk Główny train station to Gdynia Główna you travel several minutes.

• In Gdynia Główna you change trains for regional trains in the direction of Hel.

• In summer, there are also direct connections from Tricity to the Hel Peninsula.

From Warsaw to Chałup

• With one change in Gdynia Główna you travel about 5 hours.

• You take a long-distance train from Warsaw Central Station to Gdynia Główna.

• In Gdynia Główna you change to a regional train to Chałupy.

• In summer, there are also direct seasonal services from Warsaw to the Hel Peninsula.

From Kraków to Chałup

• The journey from Krakow to Chalupy takes about 8 hours with a change in Gdynia Główna.

• You take a long-distance train from Krakow Główny train station to Gdynia Główna.

• In Gdynia Główna you change trains to regional trains in the direction of Hel.

• In summer, there are also direct seasonal services from Krakow to the Hel Peninsula.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - after purchase, you receive it by e-mail and SMS. An SMS reminder with a link to the ticket arrives 30 minutes before departure, so you don't have to go through your email inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats.

You can take your bike on the train, but bike seats run out quickly in summer, so it's best to add them when you buy your ticket. If you are travelling with your family, check out the discounts with the Large Family Card and the Family Ticket policy. With 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 for details.

You get around Chałupy mainly on foot or by bike, as the most important places are close to each other. The beaches on the Puck Bay side and the open-sea side are on opposite sides of the peninsula, so a short walk will take you to the water and water sports schools.

• Cycling is best for longer routes along the peninsula. In high season, bicycle hire is available in Chałupy and surrounding villages.

• By train along the Hel Peninsula you can reach Władysławowo and Hel. From Chałupy station you will be there in a few dozen minutes.

• Taxis and local shuttles are useful for larger amounts of luggage or transporting sports equipment.

• Most accommodation, guesthouses and holiday cottages are close to the station, so when booking it is best to check the distance from the platform straight away.

Where to stay:

• Around the station – holiday cottages and private accommodation near the platform, convenient when arriving with luggage

• By the beach on the bay side – guesthouses and apartments with easy access to windsurfing and kitesurfing schools

In Chałupy the most important things are beaches, water sports and short train trips to Hel or Władysławowo.

Beaches in Chałupy

Chałupy has two completely different shores. On the side of the Puck Bay, the water is shallower and calmer, so it's a good place for children and people who prefer a gentle entry into the sea. On the open Baltic side you will find waves, wind and a wide beach.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing

Chałupy is one of the best places for water sports in Poland. The constant wind and shallow Puck Bay help both beginners and more experienced people. There are schools and equipment rentals on site and the first course usually takes a few days.

Hel Peninsula Nature Reserve

Here you will find dunes, pine forests and birdwatching areas. A walk or bike trip along the peninsula takes a few hours, depending on the route. Forest paths run close to the beach, so you also have some shade on a hot day.

Hel - a trip by train

From Chałup you take the train to Hel, at the end of the peninsula. In Hel, you should see the seal sanctuary of the Marine Station of the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Gdansk, the old town with its colourful fishermen's houses and the lighthouse with a lookout point. Visiting Hel takes 2-3 hours.

Władysławowo - the other way round

The other way is to Wladyslawowo. It is worth seeing the fishing harbour, the fish market with fresh catches and the wide beaches. Such a trip works well if you want to combine a walk with buying fresh fish.

Plan for 1 day

In the morning, you can start from the beach on the side of the Puck Bay. Before noon, sign up for a trial windsurfing or kitesurfing lesson, which takes 1-2 hours. In the afternoon, cycle along the peninsula or take the train to Hel to visit the seal sanctuary and lighthouse. In the evening, choose a beach on the open sea side for sunset.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: Destination Chałupy - beaches, water sports and dinner at one of the Baltic fish restaurants.

Day 2: Go to Hel or Wladyslawowo. If you have three days, add both directions and a longer cycling trip through the reserve.

In Chałupy it is easiest to eat fish and simple seaside dishes, while larger shops can be found in Władysławowo.

What to eat

Herring, cod, flounder and eel – look for these fish fried, smoked or grilled in fish restaurants and small eateries.

Fish soup and eel soup – these are local specialities worth trying during your stay.

Beachside snacks – in high season there are stalls selling ice cream, waffles, pancakes and quick snacks by the beach.

Where to eat:

• Fish restaurants – you can do your basic grocery shopping in the small shops in Chałupy, while a larger selection is available in Władysławowo

• Stalls and shops – you can buy amber, wooden products and smoked fish in vacuum packs

• The fish market in Władysławowo – worth visiting the harbour for fresh catches

In July and August, food by the beach costs more than in May, June or September. Restaurants further from the beach tend to have lower prices than those in the front row.

Souvenirs

• Amber – jewellery and ornaments made from Baltic amber, available at stalls and shops

• Wooden products – local handicrafts from nearby workshops

• Smoked fish – in vacuum packs, ideal as a gift or for the journey home

The budget for a weekend in Chałupy depends on the standard of accommodation, the time of travel and whether you want to enjoy water sports. The figures below assume two nights' accommodation.

In July and August accommodation prices rise, so at peak season the mid-range option may approach the comfortable bracket. Beach entry is free, while the seal sanctuary in Hel and the lighthouse charge admission.