Train to Stockholm - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Swedish krona (SEK). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, and cash is rarely needed.

• Best time to go: June-August, when the daytime temperature is 19-22°C, and September, when the crowds are less.

• Local transport: metro, trams, buses and ferries serve the whole city. A single ticket is a dozen zlotys, and a daily ticket is several dozen zlotys.

• How much to go for: a minimum of three days at Gamla Stan, Djurgården and Södermalm. A weekend is enough for a city break with the main attractions.

• Practical tip: Stockholm is spread over 14 islands, so some attractions can be reached by tram or ferry.

The best choice is summer, when the daytime temperature is 19-22°C and it is light for a long time, or September, when it is easier to have a quieter sightseeing experience.

Spring (March to May)

• Daytime highs range from 3°C in March to 14°C in May.

• In May, the gardens on Djurgården and Hagaparken park are in bloom.

• Crowds are fewer than in summer and accommodation in the centre is easier to book.

• The Stockholm Marathon takes place in spring/summer, so check the current date of the event before you go.

Summer (June-August)

• Daytime temperatures reach up to 22°C and the sun sets very late.

• The end of June marks Midsommar, one of Sweden's most important holidays.

• Djurgården and Skansen have the most tourists, so it is best to arrive in the morning.

• In high season, it is easy to plan a cruise around the Stockholm archipelago from Strömkajen harbour.

Autumn (September-October)

• In September and October, the daytime temperature is 9-15°C.

• You will see golden leaves and quieter parks in Djurgården and Hagaparken.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• The Stockholm Film Festival takes place in autumn.

Winter (November-February)

• From November to February, temperatures often drop below zero.

• In December, there is a Christmas market on Stortorget Square.

• There are fewer queues at museums and galleries.

• In December, the Nobelbankett is held in Stadshuset and you can follow the ceremony online.

You travel from Poland to Stockholm with a change in Germany or Denmark. The journey takes 17-21 hours and at the end you get off at Stockholm Centralstation.

From Gdansk to Stockholm

• You travel 17-19 hours with transfers via Berlin or Copenhagen.

• The first leg takes you from Gdansk Główny station to Berlin and then via Hamburg or Copenhagen to Stockholm Centralstation.

• You can leave in the evening, change trains in Berlin and arrive in Stockholm in the morning.

• After a change in Berlin, the onward leg takes you to Sweden via Hamburg or Copenhagen.

From Wrocław to Stockholm

• From Wrocław Główny station you first travel to Berlin and then on to Stockholm Centralstation via Hamburg or Copenhagen.

• The entire route takes 17-19 hours with transfers.

• The overnight section from Berlin to Stockholm allows you to arrive in the morning.

• Depending on the connection you choose, you change trains in Berlin or Copenhagen.

From Warsaw to Stockholm

• The route takes you through Berlin Hauptbahnhof station and on to Stockholm Centralstation via Hamburg or Copenhagen.

• You travel 18-20 hours with changes.

• From Warsaw Central Station you will reach Berlin in 5.5 hours.

• After a change, you can also choose an overnight option from Berlin to Stockholm.

From Krakow to Stockholm

• From Krakow to Stockholm you travel 19-21 hours with changes.

• The route takes you through Warsaw or Wroclaw, and onwards via Berlin to Stockholm.

• After changing trains in Berlin, you can take an overnight train to Sweden.

• The final leg arrives at Stockholm Centralstation in the city centre.

From Poznan, Katowice, Lodz and other Polish cities you will also travel with a change in Berlin or Copenhagen. Reservation of a seat is compulsory on the international section. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - you will receive it by e-mail and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you will receive an SMS with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. At PKP Intercity, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. For details, see the rules for refunds and exchanges.

From Stockholm Centralstation, you can reach most districts by metro or tram in a matter of minutes. The station is integrated into the SL network, which serves the metro, buses, trams and city ferries.

You can walk to Gamla Stan in a few minutes or take the metro one stop. You can get to Djurgården, where Skansen and the Vasa museum are located, by tram from the centre. In summer, there is also a ferry to Djurgården from Slussen harbour.

Södermalm, a district with restaurants, cafés and the Skinnarviksberget viewpoint, is a few minutes by metro from the centre.

A single ticket for public transport costs around a dozen krona and a day ticket costs several dozen krona. For several journeys a day, a day ticket will be more convenient. Buy your tickets from the local ticket app or at the entrance to the metro.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available, but prices are higher than in Poland. In the centre, the easiest way to get around is by public transport and on foot.

City bikes operate seasonally from April to October. You'll find stations at the main attractions and train stations.

Where to stay:

• Gamla Stan - historic centre, close to main attractions, higher accommodation prices

• Södermalm - local neighbourhood with restaurants and cafés, slightly lower prices than in the centre

• Östermalm - elegant district with a market hall and boutique shopping, comfortable hotels

• Centre (near Centralstation) - the most convenient access from the station, wide range of hotels in different categories

Gamla Stan (Old Town)

Stockholm's historic centre spread over four islands: Stadsholmen, Riddarholmen, Strömsborg and Helgeandsholmen. Narrow cobbled streets, colourful townhouses and Stortorget Square make up the oldest part of the city. The tour takes 2-3 hours. Entry to the streets is free. Gamla Stan is also home to the Storkyrkan, or Great Church – entrance is charged.

Vasa Ship Museum (Vasamuseet)

The museum on Djurgården displays the only surviving 17th-century warship in the world. The ship sank in 1628 during its maiden voyage and was raised in 1961. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. There is an entrance fee. Queues are shorter in the morning, especially in summer.

Skansen

The oldest open-air museum in the world, founded in 1891, located on Djurgården. It features historical buildings from all over Sweden and Nordic animals such as moose, bears and seals. The tour takes 3-4 hours. There is an entrance fee. Concerts and craft shows are held here in summer.

The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet)

The official residence of the King of Sweden and one of the largest royal residences in Europe. The changing of the guard takes place daily, but check the current schedule before visiting. Entry to selected apartments is charged. The palace stands on Stadsholmen, a few minutes' walk from Stortorget Square.

Stadshuset (Town Hall)

A brick building on Lake Mälaren, site of the Nobel Prize ceremony. A guided tour takes about an hour. There is an entrance fee. From the tower you can see Gamla Stan, Södermalm and the lake.

Södermalm

A district south of Gamla Stan with a view from Skinnarviksberget hill. It's a free viewpoint that's best visited at sunset. You will find local cafés, restaurants and vintage shops here.

Nationalmuseum (National Art Museum)

A collection of painting, sculpture and applied art from the Middle Ages to the present day. The building stands on the waterfront, opposite the Royal Palace. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours. There is an entrance fee.

Riddarholmskyrkan

A church on the island of Riddarholmen and the burial place of Swedish monarchs since the 14th century. There is an entrance fee and the site operates seasonally, so check current opening times before visiting.

One-day itinerary

Start at Gamla Stan in the morning and see Stortorget Square and the Royal Palace. Before noon, take the tram to Djurgården to the Vasa Museum. In the afternoon, choose Skansen or a stroll through Djurgården. In the evening, head to Södermalm and climb Skinnarviksberget.

Weekend itinerary (2-3 days)

You can arrange the first day in the same way as the one-day plan.

Day 2: Visit Stadshuset in the morning and climb the tower. In the afternoon, take the ferry from Strömkajen harbour to the islands of the Stockholm archipelago. In the evening, enjoy dinner in Östermalm and check out the market hall.

Day 3: Visit the Nationalmuseum in the morning, then see Riddarholmskyrkan and the island of Riddarholmen. In the afternoon you can shop in Gamla Stan or on Biblioteksgatan. If time permits, visit the Royal Opera House or the Royal Dramatic Theatre at Nybroplan.

What to eat

Köttbullar - meatballs with mashed potatoes and cranberries, a classic present in many restaurants.

Gravlax - salmon marinated with dill, served with a mustard sauce.

Smörgåsbord - a traditional Swedish buffet with fish, meat, cheese and bread, appears especially at Christmas.

Surströmming - fermented herring with a strong smell, is more of a curiosity than an everyday meal.

Kanelbullar - cinnamon rolls that are part of the Swedish ritual of fika, or coffee and cake break. You'll buy them all over the city, and less touristy establishments are easy to find on Södermalm.

Where to eat:

• Östermalms Saluhall - a historic market hall with local produce, fresh fish, cheese and ready-made dishes. This is a good place for lunch.

• Restaurants on Södermalm - local menus and lower prices than many establishments in Gamla Stan. In the evening the district is alive with bars, cafés and bistros.

Souvenirs

• Dalahäst - a traditional Swedish horse figurine, a classic souvenir from Stockholm

• Swedish gingerbread - a popular sweet souvenir available in many shops

• Scandinavian accessories - design and home accessories in the spirit of Nordic design

• Swedish brands - ACNE Studios, Filippa K and Nudie Jeans all have boutiques in Östermalm and on Biblioteksgatan Street.

• Alcohol from Systembolaget - the only chain of liquor shops in Sweden, open at specific times and closed on Sundays; alcohol in restaurants and bars costs noticeably more than in Poland

Stockholm is one of the more expensive European capitals, so it is worth planning your budget for accommodation, food and attractions in advance. Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere and cash is rarely needed.