Train to Sankt Gallen – connections, tickets and travel guide

• Documents: identity card or passport, no visa required. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area.

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Plan a higher budget than for a trip to the Czech Republic or Austria.

• Best time to go: May–June and September – daytime temperatures are 15–23°C and tourist numbers are lower than at the peak of summer.

• Practical tip: The Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek) holds more than 2,000 manuscripts, some of them over 1,000 years old. There is an entrance fee, so it is worth arriving in the morning before organised groups turn up.

It is best to choose May, June or September, when the daytime temperature is 20–23°C and tourist traffic has not yet reached its summer peak.

Spring (March–May)

• In May the gardens around the Abbey are in bloom and temperatures of 15–20°C are perfect for long walks through the Old Town.

• May works well for a train trip to Lake Constance before the summer peak begins.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer, making it easier to find a room in the Altstadt.

Summer (June–August)

• In June the St. Gallen OpenAir Festival takes place – one of the largest open-air festivals in Switzerland.

• July and August are the hottest months, but the Abbey Library and the Old Town also see the most tourists.

• The Dreilinden-Wieher outdoor pool operates from May to September and offers views of the city and the Appenzell Alps.

• There are fewer people at the pool on weekdays than at weekends.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September the St. Galler Genusstag market takes place, with tastings of regional products including Appenzeller cheese, local cured meats and apple cider.

• In September and October daytime temperatures are 14–20°C and autumn colours appear around Appenzell.

• In autumn you can visit the Abbey and Library without long queues.

Winter (November–February)

• In December a Christmas market with wooden stalls, mulled wine and local delicacies operates in the centre of the Old Town.

• In January and February daytime temperatures reach up to 5°C, and the short days lend themselves to a peaceful visit to the Abbey and Library.

• Low tourist traffic means lower accommodation prices and easier bookings.

You can travel from Poland to Sankt Gallen with a change of train, most commonly in Basel or Zurich.

From Kraków to Sankt Gallen

• The journey takes 18–22 hours.

• You travel via Vienna and Zurich.

• Some connections go via Basel, where you change trains for a service to Sankt Gallen.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international leg.

From Wrocław to Sankt Gallen

• The route goes via Berlin, then Frankfurt, Basel and Zurich.

• The journey takes 19–23 hours.

• In Basel or Zurich you change trains for the connection to Sankt Gallen.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international leg.

From Warsaw to Sankt Gallen

• Depending on the connection, the journey takes 20–24 hours.

• The route most often goes via Berlin, then Frankfurt or Cologne, Basel and Zurich.

• The final leg from Zurich to Sankt Gallen takes about 1.5 hours.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international leg.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registering – just enter your email address and phone number, and your ticket is sent to your inbox and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive a reminder with a link to your ticket, so you won't be scrambling through your emails at the last minute. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price. With PKP Intercity, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange policy page for details.

You mainly get around Sankt Gallen on foot and by public transport, as the main attractions are close to the centre.

From Bahnhof Sankt Gallen to the Old Town you have three options:

• On foot – you will get there in a matter of minutes.

• By public transport – you can reach the centre in just a few minutes.

• By taxi – there is a rank right outside the station. This option is handy if you have a lot of luggage or are returning late at night.

A single public transport ticket costs a few francs, and a day ticket costs somewhat more – check current prices before you travel. The main attractions – the Abbey, the Abbey Library, the Kunsthalle and the Old Town – are all within a 1–2 km radius of the station. For a city break you can get around entirely on foot and by public transport.

Where to stay:

• Altstadt (Old Town) – a few minutes' walk from the station, with all the main attractions within easy walking distance.

• Blumenbergplatz/Rosenbergplatz – a quieter neighbourhood, closer to the Kunsthalle, with good transport links to the station.

• Rotsee area – in the south of the city, quieter and greener, but further from the centre.

SBB regional trains also run from Sankt Gallen station to towns on Lake Constance such as Romanshorn and Amriswil. The journey takes 30–45 minutes. You can reach Appenzell in about an hour.

Abbey Cathedral and Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek)

The baroque cathedral from the 18th century was listed by UNESCO in 1983. The library holds more than 2,000 manuscripts, some of which are more than 1,000 years old, and around 160,000 books. The tour takes 60-90 minutes. There is an entrance fee. Arrive before 10am, before organised groups arrive.

Old Town (Altstadt)

In the old town you will see narrow streets with Baroque and Renaissance facades and galleries related to textile crafts. The walk takes 90-180 minutes, depending on your pace. Admission is free. The side streets of Multertor and Leuggenstrasse are less crowded than the area around Marktplatz.

Kunsthalle Sankt Gallen

This contemporary art gallery is located in the city centre. Exhibitions change every few months, so check the current programme at kunsthalle.sg before visiting. The tour takes 60-120 minutes. There is an entrance fee.

Textile Museum (Textilmuseum)

At the museum you will learn about the history of embroidery and lace from the Sankt Gallen region, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The tour takes 60-90 minutes. There is an entrance fee. If you are interested in crafts and fashion, it is worth including this place in your stay plan.

Schoggiland

An interactive theme park dedicated to Swiss chocolate shows the history of production, tastings and a gift shop. The tour takes 90-120 minutes. There is an entrance fee. This place works well for a trip with children.

Dreilinden-Wieher swimming pool

The open swimming pool in the south of the city operates from May to September. You will see the panorama of the city and the Appenzell Alps on site. There is an entrance fee. There are fewer people here on weekdays than at weekends.

Plan for day 1

• Morning: Abbey and Abbey Library. Arrive before 10am, before groups arrive.

• Before noon: walk around the Altstadt with lunch at Marktplatz.

• Afternoon: Kunsthalle or Schoggiland.

• Evening: dinner in a restaurant on the Brenzer-Gasse.

Plan for the weekend

You can arrange the first day in the same way as the 1-day plan.

Day 2:

• Morning: textile museum.

• Afternoon: train trip to Lake Constance, for example to Romanshorn or Amriswil. The journey takes 30-45 minutes.

• Evening: return to the Altstadt for dinner.

What to eat

St. Galler Bratwurst - the famous pork sausage is made exclusively in the Sankt Gallen region. It is most often served without mustard, according to local tradition, with bread or a roll. You can find it at stalls and restaurants on the Marktplatz.

Fondue with Appenzeller cheese or Säntis - the traditional dish appears in Old Town restaurants, usually with white wine and vegetables. In the evening, you can easily order it in the Altstadt.

Appenzeller cheese - the intense, aromatic cheese from the nearby Appenzell region is matured for a minimum of 3-6 months. It is sometimes served on cheese boards in restaurants, and you can also buy it in shops to take away.

Apfelwein (apple cider) - is a traditional fermented drink made from apples, slightly carbonated, with an alcohol content of around 5%. You'll get it in the restaurants and wine bars of the Old Town.

Where to eat:

• Marktplatz - the centre of the Old Town with restaurants and views of the historic townhouses.

• Multergasse - aquieter street with small establishments also frequented by locals.

• Brenzer-Gasse - a street by the Abbey with bakeries and restaurants with local cuisine.

Souvenirs

• Embroidery and craft textiles - Sankt Gallen has been famous for centuries for its hand embroidery. You'll find scarves, tablecloths and handkerchiefs with traditional designs in the workshops on Brühlgasse and Brenzer-Gasse. The products are more expensive than in Poland, but authentic and unique.

• Swiss chocolate - buy it at Schoggiland and in shops all over the city. A few bars make a good souvenir of your trip.

• Appenzeller cheese - this is available in the cheese shops in the Altstadt and at the markets. It stands up well to transport, so will work well as a gift.

• Müesli and local cereals - this is a light purchase for your suitcase, available in supermarkets and bakeries.

For a 1-day stay with accommodation, it is worth preparing a higher budget than for a trip to the Czech Republic, Austria or Germany.

Budget – hostel, bakery for breakfast, budget lunch and a small restaurant for dinner. In this option you focus mainly on walking and one paid attraction.

Mid-range – a 3–4 star hotel in the Altstadt, a café for breakfast, a restaurant for lunch and dinner with wine. This budget comfortably covers the Abbey, the Library and either the Kunsthalle or the Textile Museum.

Comfortable – a 4–5 star hotel, premium breakfast and dinner at a good restaurant. All the main museums and a train trip to Lake Constance fit easily into the itinerary.

The figures in the table are approximate, as the CHF/PLN exchange rate fluctuates throughout the year.