Train to Gdańsk – connections, tickets and travel guide

• Best time to go: May–June (daytime temperatures of 19–23°C, fewer crowds than in July and August) and September (12–19°C, the sea is still around 15°C)

• Local transport: trams and buses run by ZTM Gdańsk; SKM connects Gdańsk with Sopot and Gdynia – a single ticket costs a few zlotys

• How long to stay: a weekend from Friday evening to Sunday is enough for the main attractions; 3 days lets you add Oliwa and Sopot

• Practical tip: the main attractions are within 2 km of Gdańsk Główny station, so you can explore the centre entirely on foot

The best choice is May, June or September, when daytime temperatures reach 12–23°C and crowds are smaller than during the peak summer holidays.

Spring (March–May)

• May is the best month for a city break – daytime temperatures reach 19°C, the sea is around 13°C and crowds are smaller than in summer.

• In spring, Multifonicus – a classical music festival at the Baltic Philharmonic – takes place.

• In April the daytime temperature is 13°C and the Old Town is not yet as crowded as during the summer holidays.

Summer (June–August)

• July and August are peak season – the sea reaches 17–18°C and accommodation prices are the highest of the year.

• In August, St Dominic's Fair takes place – one of the largest fairs in Europe, running for over 3 weeks on the streets of the Old Town.

• In summer, the Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival is held – outdoor performances at the Shakespeare Theatre.

• In June the daytime temperature is 23°C and tourist traffic is lower than at the height of the holidays.

Autumn (September–November)

• In September the daytime temperature is 12–19°C, the sea is still around 15°C and there are fewer tourists than in summer.

• In autumn, Camerimage – a film arts festival attracting visitors from around the world – takes place.

• In October and November the days are grey and rainy, but accommodation prices are among the lowest of the year.

Winter (December–February)

• In December a Christmas market opens in the Old Town – on Długi Targ you'll find illuminations, handicrafts and stalls serving hot drinks.

• In January and February daytime temperatures are 2–3°C, but you can visit museums and restaurants without long queues.

• Accommodation prices in winter are lower than in the summer season.

You can reach Gdańsk directly from the largest cities in Poland, and after leaving the station you'll be in the centre within minutes.

Warsaw

• The fastest connection from Warsaw Central to Gdańsk Główny takes around 2.5 hours.

• Slower IC trains take around 3.5 hours.

• Several direct connections are available daily.

• The route passes through Malbork, so you can combine the trip with a visit to the Teutonic Knights' Castle.

Poznań

• From Poznań Główny to Gdańsk Główny takes around 3 hours.

• The route goes via Bydgoszcz.

• Several direct connections are available daily.

Wrocław

• From Wrocław Główny to Gdańsk Główny takes around 5 hours by direct train.

• The route passes through Poznań and Bydgoszcz.

• Several direct connections are available daily.

Kraków

• The fastest direct connection from Kraków Główny to Gdańsk Główny takes around 5 hours.

• Slower IC trains take around 7 hours.

• The route goes via Częstochowa and Łódź.

• Several direct connections are available daily.

Katowice

• A direct journey from Katowice to Gdańsk Główny takes around 5.5 hours.

• The route goes via Częstochowa and Łódź.

• Several direct connections are available daily.

Buy your ticket on Europodróże without registration – enter your route, choose the train and pay. The ticket is sent to your email and by SMS. You'll receive an SMS reminder 30 minutes before departure with a link to your ticket, so you don't have to search your inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the wider the choice of seats. From Olsztyn you can travel with one change via Malbork or Iława. PKP Intercity tickets can be refunded up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanged up to 30 minutes before departure – see our returns and exchanges page for details.

You can get around the centre of Gdańsk mainly on foot, and reach further districts by tram, bus or SKM.

Trams and buses operated by ZTM Gdańsk serve the whole city. A single ticket costs a few zlotys and a day ticket costs around a dozen zlotys. You can check current prices on the ZTM Gdańsk website. Buy tickets at machines at stops or via the mobile app.

The SKM connects Gdańsk with Sopot and Gdynia – from Gdańsk Główny to Sopot takes around 15 minutes, and to Gdynia around half an hour. The SKM ticket is purchased separately from the ZTM ticket. For a day trip around the Tri-City, the SKM is the best option.

Gdańsk Wrzeszcz is an important SKM interchange. You'll find plenty of restaurants and shops there. If you're staying in this district, you can reach the centre quickly. Gdańsk Oliwa station is a good starting point for Oliwa Cathedral and the surrounding parkland.

Uber and Bolt operate in Gdańsk. A ride from the centre to further districts costs between a dozen and a few dozen zlotys.

Where to stay:

• Old Town and the Motława area – close to attractions, higher prices.

• Wrzeszcz – a quieter district with direct SKM access and lower accommodation prices.

Gdańsk Old Town

A walk takes about 2–3 hours and entry is free. You'll see 16th–17th century townhouses, Długi Targ (Long Market) with Neptune's Fountain and the Main Town Hall. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive before 10:00.

Gdańsk Crane

A visit takes about 30–45 minutes and there is an entrance fee. It's a medieval harbour crane from the 14th century and one of the symbols of Gdańsk. It looks its best over the Motława at sunset, when the brick facade catches the warm light. Inside you'll find an exhibition on the history of the port of Gdańsk.

St Mary's Basilica

A visit takes about 1–1.5 hours. Entrance to the basilica is free, while the tower is ticketed. More than 200 steps lead to the top, where a panorama of Gdańsk awaits – with views over the Motława and the Old Town rooftops. Check Mass times before visiting, as access is restricted during services.

Amber Museum

A visit takes about 1.5–2 hours and there is an entrance fee. The museum is housed in the Great Mill and holds one of the largest amber collections in the world. You'll see jewellery, sculptures and fossils millions of years old. Interactive displays show how amber formed and how it was worked.

European Solidarity Centre

A visit takes about 2–3 hours and there is an entrance fee. This interactive museum tells the story of the Solidarity movement and Poland's democratic transformation. Allow at least 2 hours, as the exhibition is extensive. The building itself is striking – its rust-coloured facade echoes the ship hulls of the Gdańsk Shipyard.

Oliwa – Landscape Park and Oliwa Cathedral

A visit takes about 2–3 hours and entry is free. You can get there by SKM to Gdańsk Oliwa station. In the cathedral you'll see the historic organ, and in summer you can attend organ concerts. The parks and gardens are far quieter than the city centre.

Plan for 1 day

Start the morning in the Old Town – Długi Targ, the Town Hall and Mariacka Street. For lunch, choose a restaurant on Długi Targ or along the Motława. In the afternoon visit the Amber Museum or climb the tower of St Mary's Basilica. In the evening, stroll along the Motława and admire the illuminated Gdańsk Crane.

Plan for a weekend

Day 1: Arrive on Friday evening and have dinner in the Old Town. After dinner, take a walk along the illuminated Mariacka Street.

Day 2: On Saturday morning explore the Old Town and the Gdańsk Crane. In the afternoon visit the Amber Museum and then the European Solidarity Centre. In the evening have dinner on the Motława at a restaurant overlooking the water.

Day 3: On Sunday take the SKM to Oliwa for an organ concert and a walk in the parks. On your way back, pick up souvenirs in the Old Town before heading home.

What to eat

Baltic cod – fresh cod from the Baltic Sea, fried or braised in sauce. Restaurants along the Motława waterfront serve it with potatoes and salad. It's a classic dish of port-city Gdańsk.

Żurek – a sour rye sourdough soup with sausage and egg, often served in a hollowed-out bread roll. You'll find it in milk bars and restaurants throughout the Old Town.

Gdańsk gingerbread – a soft yeast gingerbread with candied fruit, quite different from the Toruń variety. Packaged in decorative boxes, it makes an excellent souvenir. Buy it in bakeries on Długi Targ and Mariacka Street.

Where to eat:

• Milk bars – pierogi, żurek and pork chops for 10–25 PLN per dish. A great spot for a classic meal away from the main tourist drag.

• Długi Targ and Piwna Street – the main dining streets of the Old Town. Here you'll find restaurants serving Polish and international cuisine. Prices are higher than outside the centre, but you eat surrounded by the most important landmarks.

• Motława waterfront – restaurants with views over the water and the Old Town. You'll pay more than in the back streets, but in the evening it's one of the most atmospheric parts of Gdańsk.

Souvenirs

• Amber – Gdańsk is the amber capital of the world. In the Old Town galleries you'll find a wide selection of jewellery and artistic pieces made from amber. Seek out certified galleries and avoid stalls selling plastic imitations. Mariacka Street is the main amber street.

• Gdańsk gingerbread – in decorative packaging, this is a classic Gdańsk souvenir. Buy it in bakeries and souvenir shops on Długi Targ.

• Ceramics and handicrafts – at markets and art shops in the Old Town you can buy handmade ceramics, prints and leather goods.

On a budget, you sleep in a hostel or an inexpensive B&B, eat in milk bars and visit mainly free attractions such as the Old Town, a stroll along the Motława and St Mary's Basilica. In the mid-range option, you stay in a three-star hotel, eat in restaurants in the centre and buy tickets to the Crane, the Amber Museum and the European Solidarity Centre. In the comfort option, you choose a four-star hotel by the Motława, dinner by the water and taxi rides.

The figures in the table are indicative daily costs per person. Train ticket prices depend on the route, type of train and how far in advance you book.

Accommodation prices are highest in July and August – a three-star hotel in the Old Town can cost up to twice as much as in May or September. If you're planning a trip during high season, book accommodation well in advance.