Train to Szczecin - connections, tickets and itinerary

• How much to go: a weekend (Friday evening - Sunday) is enough for the main attractions; if you are going for the first time, 1 day will allow you to see the Castle, the Chrobry Embankment and the Old Town

• Local transport: on foot or by tram - a single ticket is a few zlotys

• Best time to go: May (12-20°C, few crowds) or September (13-19°C, calmer atmosphere than in peak summer)

• Practical tip: entry to the courtyard of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle and a walk along the Wały Chrobrego (Chrobry Embankment) are free - a good starting point without planning ahead

The best choice is May or September - the daytime temperature is 13-20°C, tourist traffic is moderate and accommodation prices are lower than in peak summer.

Spring (April-May)

• In May it is 12-20°C and noticeably fewer tourists than in summer - you can visit the Chrobry Embankment and the Castle without crowds

• City parks and gardens are in full bloom, especially Kasprowicz Park and the area around Lake Rusałka

• April can be changeable weather-wise, but from the middle of the month temperatures steadily exceed 14°C

Summer (June-August)

• In July and August it is 17-25°C - full season for restaurant terraces on the Oder River

• Festivals such as Jazz on the Oder and Maritime Days attract more visitors - accommodation is worth booking in advance

• Lake Dąbie is open for swimming and kayaking, and city beaches operate from June until the end of August

• Restaurants and terraces are full, especially at weekends - it is worth booking a table in the evening

Autumn (September-October)

• In September it is 13-19°C and noticeably fewer tourists than in July - accommodation prices are several percent lower

• Szczecin Comic Con takes place in autumn - check the exact dates before you go

• October is the last month for longer walks along the Chrobry Embankment without a winter jacket

Winter (November-February)

• In December it is 1-4°C and the Christmas Market on Central Square attracts visitors

• Outside the market, the city is quiet and not very touristy - you can visit the museums and the cathedral without queues

• The Szczecin Philharmonic has a full concert season - a great plan for a winter evening

Szczecin Główny operates direct trains from Poznan, Warsaw, Katowice and Krakow.

From Poznań

• The journey takes approximately 2 hours

• Direct connections run several times a day, including EIP and IC trains

• Poznań Główny railway station is in the city centre

From Warsaw

• The faster EIP train takes about 4.5 hours, and the IC about 5 hours - with no changes

• Several connections a day depart from Warsaw Central station

• The route goes via Poznań

From Katowice

• The journey takes about 6 hours by direct PKP Intercity train

• The route goes via Poznań

From Kraków

• The journey takes approximately 8 hours by direct train

• Departures from Kraków Główny station are available several times a day

• Seat reservations are compulsory on EIP trains; on IC trains it is advisable to reserve a seat in a compartment

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - enter your email address and phone number, pay and you're done. You'll receive your ticket by email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you'll get an SMS with a link to your ticket so you don't have to search your inbox. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price. If you're travelling with family, check out the Big Family Card, Family Ticket and Cheaper with Relatives offers - each gives an extra discount when travelling together. The rules for PKP Intercity ticket refunds and exchanges are straightforward: refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure.

You get around the centre of Szczecin mainly on foot, and trams and buses are useful for further trips.

Trams and buses of ZDiT Szczecin serve the whole city. A single ticket costs a few zlotys, and a daily ticket costs a dozen or so - check current prices in the app or at the bus stop. Transport is mainly useful for trips outside the city centre, for example to Lake Dąbie.

Taxi and Uber operate in Szczecin. A ride around the centre costs a few dozen zlotys and is useful with luggage or in the evening after a concert at the Philharmonic.

Where to stay:

• Old Town - close to restaurants, attractions and within a few minutes' walk of the train station

• Downtown - close to restaurants, attractions and within walking distance of the railway station; from both districts you can walk to the main points of interest

You will see the most important attractions of Szczecin in 1-2 days, centred around the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes, the Chrobry Embankment and the Old Town area.

Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes

A Renaissance palace from the 16th century and a symbol of Szczecin. Entrance to the courtyard is free, so you can visit without planning ahead. The exhibitions inside are chargeable. The visit takes 1-3 hours, depending on whether you also go into the exhibitions and the viewing tower.

Chrobry Embankment (Wały Chrobrego)

A panoramic terrace 30 metres above the Oder River overlooking the harbour and river. Entry is free and a walk along the terraces takes 1-2 hours. It is best to come here in the evening at sunset - the views of the illuminated harbour are among the prettiest in the city.

Cathedral of St James the Apostle

A Gothic building from the 14th-15th centuries and the oldest church in Szczecin. Entrance is free and the visit takes 30-45 minutes. The cathedral is sometimes closed to tourists on Sunday mornings due to services.

National Museum in Szczecin

A collection of Polish and European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. There is an entrance fee and the visit takes 1.5-2 hours. The museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit for another day.

Lake Dąbie

A recreational lake with beaches and a walking trail of about 4 km around its perimeter. Entry is free, and canoe and pedal boat hire operates here in summer. You can get here by train to Szczecin Dąbie station, from where the lake is a short walk away.

Plan for 1 day

• Morning: Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes - courtyard, viewing tower, possibly exhibitions (1.5-2 hours)

• Before noon: Cathedral of St James the Apostle (30-45 minutes)

• Midday: Chrobry Embankment and lunch at a restaurant in the Old Town (1.5-2 hours)

• Afternoon: National Museum or a walk along the Oder River (1.5-2 hours)

Weekend plan

Day 1 (Friday): Arrive by train and have dinner in the Old Town - Bogurodzicy Street and the surrounding area.

Day 2 (Saturday): Castle in the morning, Cathedral before noon, Chrobry Embankment at midday, National Museum in the afternoon, then a concert at the Szczecin Philharmonic or dinner overlooking the Oder River in the evening.

Day 3 (Sunday): Lake Dąbie in the morning by train to Szczecin Dąbie station, then souvenir shopping in the centre and return by afternoon train.

In Szczecin, try local soups, fish and products related to the city's harbour history.

What to eat

Szczecin żurek (sour rye soup) with pork and kopytki dumplings is a local speciality. You can order it in a traditional restaurant in the Old Town, and a portion usually serves as a full meal.

Smoked fish - salmon, trout and mackerel - can be bought at markets and local fishmongers. It is a popular choice for a quick lunch and a souvenir to take home, especially in vacuum-packed form.

Where to eat:

• Bogurodzicy Street and the Old Town area - the main dining district with Polish and international restaurants, bars and cafés; it gets busy in the evenings, and it is worth booking a table at weekends

• Terraces on the Oder at the Chrobry Embankment - a spot for coffee or dinner with a view of the river and harbour; prices here are higher than in the centre, but the location more than makes up for it; best visited in the evening at sunset

• Outside the Old Town - you will eat more cheaply than in the most touristy part of the centre, and prices in Szczecin are broadly in line with the rest of Poland

Souvenirs

• Szczecin gingerbread in decorative packaging - a classic gift

• Porters' figurines - a symbol of the city and a nod to Szczecin's harbour history

• Local honey and beekeeping products - available at markets and souvenir shops in the centre

For 1 night and 1 day of sightseeing, budget between 150 PLN and 880 PLN, depending on the standard of accommodation, food and attractions.

Budget - hostel or budget hotel, milk bars and local eateries, Castle courtyard and Chrobry Embankment free of charge, walking around the centre.

Mid-range - three-star hotel, mid-range restaurants in the Old Town, National Museum and exhibitions in the Castle, tram to Lake Dąbie.

Comfortable - four-star or boutique hotel, restaurants overlooking the Oder River, an evening at the Philharmonic, taxi around the city and souvenir shopping.

Accommodation prices are higher in July and August and during festivals. In May and September you will pay less. Add the train ticket separately - you can see connection prices by searching your route on Europodróże.