Train to Madrid - connections, tickets and itinerary

• When to go: April-May and September-October, when the daytime temperature is 17-26°C and the heat does not hamper sightseeing.

• Local transport: the metro and EMT buses reach the main districts, and some EMT lines run free of charge.

• How long to go for: a weekend is enough for the Prado, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Retiro Park, and plan 4-5 days for a more leisurely visit.

• Altitude: Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe, 600 m above sea level, so temperatures can exceed 40°C in summer.

It is best to choose spring or early autumn, when daytime temperatures are 17-26°C and it is easier to arrange a city break without extreme heat.

Spring (March to May)

• April is one of the best months for a city break - the daytime temperature is 17°C, the sun shines for 8 hours and crowds are moderate.

• At the beginning of May there is the Fiesta de los Dos de Mayo commemorating the Madrid uprising of 1808.

• In mid-May, the San Isidro Festival takes place, with corridas in the Las Ventas arena, street processions and traditional chotis dancing.

• Retiro Park is in full bloom in May - the La Rosaleda rose garden has more than 4,000 bushes.

Summer (June-August)

• In June, the daytime temperature is 32°C and museums offer free entry in the evening.

• In July and August, the temperature at peak times exceeds 40°C, so visits are best planned for the morning and evening.

• In mid-August, the district of La Latina hosts the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Paloma with concerts and a street fair.

• Accommodation prices in July are the lowest of the year.

Autumn (September-October)

• In September, the daytime temperature is 26°C and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In October, the daytime temperature is 22°C, but this is when the highest rainfall of the year is recorded, so it is worth bringing an umbrella.

• Restaurant terraces in the La Latina and Malasaña districts stay open late without the summer heat.

Winter (November-February)

• November sees the Fiesta de la Almudena and early December the Día de la Constitución - both are public holidays.

• In winter, there are fewer queues at the museums and accommodation prices are lower than in September.

• In December, the Plaza Mayor hosts a traditional Christmas market with nativity scenes and decorations.

You can travel to Madrid from Poland with connections via Germany or France.

Madrid by train from Kraków

• From Kraków to Madrid you travel around 25-28 hours with changes.

• The route goes through Germany or France - from Kraków you first reach one of the big hubs such as Vienna, Berlin or Prague, and from there you continue west.

• Sleeper carriages are available on overnight sections.

• Travel time depends on the route chosen and the number of transfers.

Madrid by train from Poznań

• From Poznań to Madrid you travel around 27-30 hours with changes.

• The route takes you through Berlin and onwards through Germany or France.

• Sleeping cars are available on the overnight sections.

• Several connection options are available with different operators.

Madrid by train from Warsaw

• From Warsaw to Madrid you travel around 30 hours with changes and an average of four train changes.

• The route passes through Germany, including Berlin and Cologne, or through France and Paris.

• Sleeping cars are available on part of the route.

• For such a long journey, you can spread the trip over two days with an overnight stay along the way, for example in Paris, from where a fast train goes to Madrid.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - you receive it by email and SMS, and a reminder with a link to your ticket arrives 30 minutes before departure. Reserving a seat is compulsory on the international leg. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. For PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure - see this page for detailed refund and exchange rules.

From Madrid Atocha station to the city centre

From Madrid Atocha station you can reach Puerta del Sol by metro in a few minutes. On foot it is 2 km and about 25 minutes' walk - the route runs along the Paseo del Prado. With luggage, the metro or a taxi will be more convenient.

Metro de Madrid

Madrid's metro has more than a dozen lines and reaches all the main districts. It runs from early morning until late at night. You can get around Madrid comfortably without a car.

Public transport tickets

A single ticket costs a few pounds and a day ticket a little more. For several journeys a day, a day ticket or a pack of 10 journeys, often available at a reduced price, will be more convenient. Some EMT bus routes run free of charge and are useful for exploring the western part of the city centre. Check the current routes of the free lines before you travel.

Taxi and Uber

Taxis and Uber are available at the station and throughout the city. From Atocha station to the centre takes just a few minutes by taxi.

Where to stay:

• Sol and Plaza Mayor/La Latina - closest to the main attractions and well connected to the station.

• Barrio de las Letras - close to the Prado and Retiro Park, this is a quieter alternative with local cafés and bookshops. Accommodation prices: budget hotels 160-250 PLN per night, mid-range 330-600 PLN, comfortable options over 770 PLN.

Prado Museum

This is one of the largest art museums in the world. You'll find works by Goya, Velázquez, Rubens and Bosch, and Bosch's 'Garden of Earthly Delights' alone draws crowds. The tour takes 2.5-3 hours. There is an entrance fee, but the museum provides free entry for the last hours before closing - check the museum's website for current hours. Start with the Velázquez room on the first floor, where 'Las Meninas', the most famous painting in the collection, hangs.

Royal Palace (Palacio Real)

This is the largest functioning royal residence in Western Europe. The palace has thousands of rooms, some of which are open to the public. The Throne Room with its Tiepolo frescoes and the Royal Armoury with its 16th-century armour are impressive. The tour takes 2.5-3 hours. There is an entrance fee. After your visit, take a walk through the Sabatini Gardens on the north side of the palace - they are free and have a good view of the façade.

Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor

Puerta del Sol is Spain's ground zero and a symbol of Madrid - a statue of a bear with a strawberry tree, Oso y el Madroño, stands here. The Plaza Mayor has over 400 years of history and is surrounded by an arcade with cafés and restaurants. Both plazas are free and take 1.5-2 hours to visit. Between them is the Mercado de San Miguel, so you can easily combine your walk with a tapas break.

Retiro Park

Retiro Park covers 140 hectares of greenery in the centre of Madrid. The Crystal Palace, Palacio de Cristal, with contemporary art exhibitions, a pond with boats for hire and the monument to Alfonso XII are the highlights. Entrance is free. The area is quiet in the morning and in the evening the locals come for walks and picnics.

Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod)

This is an ancient Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC, brought to Madrid as a gift from Egypt in 1968. It stands in a park on a hill overlooking the Royal Palace and Casa de Campo. Entrance is free. At sunset you will see one of the most beautiful views in the city here.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

A tour of Real Madrid's stadium includes a museum with trophies, changing rooms, a tunnel leading to the pitch and an observation deck. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. Reservations are best made in advance, especially at weekends and during match season.

Plan for day 1

Morning: Royal Palace and Sabatini Gardens - tour takes 2.5-3 hours. Midday: Mercado de San Miguel for lunch, walk through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol - tour takes 1.5-2 hours. Afternoon: free entrance to the Prado Museum for the last hours before closing. Evening: stroll through Retiro Park at sunset.

Plan for the weekend

Friday evening: walk from Puerta del Sol through Plaza Mayor to La Latina district and tapas in local bars.

Saturday: in the morning the Royal Palace with the Sabatini Gardens, in the afternoon the Prado Museum and in the evening a flamenco show at the Corral de la Morería.

Sunday: in the morning the Temple of Debod, then a stroll through the Barrio de las Letras with coffee and bookshops, and finally bocadillo de calamares near Puerta del Sol.

What to eat

Cocido madrileño - a traditional dish with chickpeas, meat and vegetables, served in three courses: broth, vegetables and meat. It is a classic of Madrid cuisine, especially in winter.

Bocadillo de calamares - a sandwich with breaded squid in a crispy bun. It's a popular snack around Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor, and usually costs a couple of zlotys.

Tapas - croquetas, patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo. In bars you order a few small portions to go with your beer or wine.

Churros con chocolate - fried pastry with thick hot chocolate. This is a classic Madrid breakfast or late dinner.

Where to eat:

• Mercado de San Miguel (at Plaza Mayor) - a 100-plus-year-old market with jamón serrano, Galician seafood, cheese and wine. It operates longer at weekends. It can be crowded in high season, so it is better to come early or in the afternoon.

• La Latina district - historic streets with local tapas bars and traditional restaurants. In the evening, at Cava Baja and Cava Alta, the bars fill up with locals.

• Sobrino de Botín (on Plaza Mayor) - one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, operating since 1725. Specialities include cochinillo asado and cordero asado. Reservations are recommended.

• San Ginés Chocolatería (near Plaza Mayor) - a famous chocolate shop open 24 hours a day. It has been serving churros con chocolate since 1894.

Souvenirs

• Ceramics - hand-painted in traditional designs from Talavera de la Reina.

• Fans (abanicos) - from plain to hand-painted.

• Leather goods from Ubrique - wallets, belts and bags.

• Premium preserves - tuna, anchovies and octopus in oil.

• Wine - Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero or Rioja region.

• Turrón and polvorones - especially during the festive season.

Shops at the main attractions, such as Sol and Plaza Mayor, have higher prices than outlets in less touristy neighbourhoods. You'll find authentic crafts in small workshops and local markets - the Malasaña district and the area around Calle de Fuencarral are good places to shop.

Below are indicative costs for a stay in Madrid depending on the standard chosen.

The budget option assumes a tapas bar and bocadillo for lunch, free plazas and evening entry to the Prado. The mid-range option includes restaurants, the Prado and the Royal Palace. The comfort option includes a fine restaurant, a flamenco show, a guided tour of the Prado and the Bernabéu Tour.

Accommodation prices in Madrid fluctuate throughout the year - the lowest are in July and the highest in September.

The Prado Museum provides free entry in the final hours before closing, Retiro Park and the Temple of Debod are free, and some EMT bus lines run free of charge. With a budget approach, you can see Madrid's main attractions without spending much on entrance fees.

The price of a train ticket from Poland depends on the season and when you book. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats.