Train to Lviv - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH). Payment cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, while cash comes in handy at markets and smaller establishments

• Character of the city: more than 50% of the monuments in the whole of Ukraine, Old Town listed by UNESCO in 1998

• How much to go for: a weekend (2-3 days) is enough for the Old Town, Castle Hill and the main museums. 4-5 days allows for a more leisurely visit and to get outside the city centre.

The best choice is May-June or September, when daytime temperatures are 15-22°C and queues to attractions are shorter than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• Daytime temperatures range from 7°C in March to 20°C in May, and Stryysky Park looks at its best then.

• In May, the Lviv Music Festival takes place with classical music concerts in historic interiors.

• Crowds are smaller than in summer, and accommodation prices are lower than in high season.

Summer (June–August)

• The warmest period – daytime temperatures are 23–25°C, and evenings are perfect for a stroll through the Old Town.

• In July, Jazz Without Borders is held – an international jazz festival on Lviv's stages.

• In August, the Market Square hosts the Chocolate Festival with tastings, workshops and stalls from local producers.

• Tourist traffic is heavy and accommodation prices rise, so book in advance.

Autumn (September–November)

• September sees the Lviv Coffee Festival, dedicated to the traditions of Lviv's cafés, tastings and brewing demonstrations.

• In autumn, Stryysky Park and Lychakiv Cemetery look stunning – golden leaves and warm colours create some of the most beautiful views in the city.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer, and queues to attractions are shorter.

• In November, daytime temperatures are around 6°C, but the city is calm and intimate.

Winter (December–February)

• In December, a Christmas market is held on the Market Square with wooden stalls, mulled wine and local handicrafts.

• Daytime temperatures range from -2°C to 0°C, and snow is possible from January – Lviv under snow looks truly special.

• Accommodation prices are the lowest of the year and tourist traffic is low outside the Christmas period.

You can travel to Lviv directly from Przemyśl; from major Polish cities you travel with one change in Przemyśl.

From Przemyśl to Lviv

• The direct train journey takes approximately 3 hours.

• Przemyśl Główny is the last station on the Polish side of the border and the main transfer point for travellers from all over Poland.

• Passport and customs checks take place on the train or at the border station – have your passport to hand.

• Seat reservation is compulsory on the international section.

From Kraków to Lviv

• From Kraków Główny station to Przemyśl the journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, then you change trains for Lviv.

• Total travel time is around 7–8 hours.

• You change trains at the same station, so you do not need to move to a different station in the city.

From Warsaw to Lviv

• From Warsaw Central station to Przemyśl you take a direct PKP Intercity train for about 4.5–5 hours, then change in Przemyśl for a train to Lviv.

• Total travel time is approximately 8–9 hours.

• When planning your connection in Przemyśl, allow extra time for possible delays.

From Wrocław to Lviv

• Travel with a change in Przemyśl or Kraków.

• Total travel time is around 9–10 hours.

• For connections involving two train changes, plan your transfers with plenty of time to spare.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registration – enter your route, choose your seat and pay. The ticket is sent to your e-mail and by SMS. Before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you don't have to search for the message in your inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. Seat reservation is compulsory on the international section. You can return your PKP Intercity ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange policy for details.

From Lviv Główny train station, you can reach the Market Square by tram in a few minutes or on foot in a dozen minutes. The station is located close to the Old Town.

Public transport is based on trams and buses that serve the entire city. A single ticket is a few zlotys in conversion and a daily ticket a dozen or so - check current prices before you go. You buy tickets from kiosks at the stops or from the driver.

Taxis ordered via the app are available, as well as stops at the train station. A ride around the centre is a few zlotys in conversion.

The main attractions are within a 2 km radius of the station, and you get around the Old Town on foot - it's a pedestrian zone. Public transport is useful for trips to further districts, for example to Stryysky Park or Lychakivsky Cemetery.

If you spend the night near Market Square or Liberty Avenue, you have the main attractions within walking distance. Hostels and flats are available in different price ranges.

Where to stay overnight:

• Market Square area - historic centre, all main attractions within walking distance

• Liberty Avenue - a representative street with cafés and galleries, a good starting point for sightseeing

Old Town (UNESCO, 1998)

Historic centre with townhouses from the 16th to 19th centuries. Main Market Square with Town Hall, whose tower offers a view of the city's rooftops. Latin Cathedral from the 14th century with a rich Baroque interior. A tour of the Old Town takes around 2-3 hours.

Castle Hill and High Castle (409 m above sea level)

The highest point in Lviv with a panoramic view of the entire Old City and its surroundings. Entrance to the hill is free. You can walk from the Market Square in several minutes. The best view is at sunset.

Lviv Opera House

A Neo-Renaissance building from 1900, one of the most beautiful opera houses in Eastern Europe. The interior is decorated with gilding and frescoes. There is an entrance fee - it's worth checking the repertoire before you go. A tour of the building takes about 30-45 minutes.

St George's Cathedral

Baroque Greek Catholic cathedral on a hill, visible from many points in the city. The interior is richly decorated with icons and frescoes. Entrance is free and the tour takes about 30-45 minutes. The area in front of the Cathedral offers a view of the western part of Lviv.

Lviv Lychakiv Cemetery and the Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwow

One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Graves of Polish, Ukrainian and Austrian eminent personalities and tomb sculptures of high artistic value. The Cemetery of the Defenders of Lviv is a memorial to the defenders of Lviv from 1918-1919. There is a fee to enter, and a visit takes about 1-2 hours.

Potocki Palace and Liberty Avenue (Svobody Boulevard)

A representative street of the city with cafes, galleries and monuments. Potocki Palace houses an art gallery. Liberty Avenue is a good starting point for walking around the centre - it is crowded and bustling in the evenings.

Plan for Day 1

Start in the morning with the Old Town - Market Square, Town Hall and Latin Cathedral. At noon, walk along Liberty Avenue to the Lviv Opera House. Spend the afternoon on Castle Hill - it takes about 20 minutes to climb and the panorama rewards the effort. In the evening, return to the Market Square for dinner in one of the restaurants by the tenement houses.

Plan for the weekend (2-3 days)

Day 1: Arrange the same as the 1-day plan.

Day 2: In the morning, drive to Lviv's Lychakiv Cemetery and the Cemetery of the Defenders of Lviv - plan about 2 hours for this. In the afternoon, visit St. George's Cathedral and walk around the former Jewish quarter, where synagogues and houses with Hebrew inscriptions have been preserved.

Day 3: Visit the museums of the city centre, stroll through Stryysky Park and pop into Krakow Market for local produce. Spend the evening in one of Lviv's cafes - a ritual not worth skipping.

What to eat

Ukrainian borscht - served with pampushki (small garlic buns) is a must-try dish.

Vareniki - dumplings with various fillings - from potatoes to cherries - can be found in any restaurant.

Lviv bigos - different from the Polish one - more spicy.

Salo - pork fat served on thin bread with garlic - is a local snack worth trying at least once.

Lviv is known as the coffee capital of Ukraine. Dozens of cafés in the centre serve coffee according to their own recipes, and you get a cup of chocolate and a glass of water with it - a Lviv ritual. Cafes in Lviv are not just for tourists - locals come here every day.

Lviv Handmade Chocolate is one of the most famous local brands - you'll find shops and cafes in the centre, and the chocolate is made on site. A chocolate bar is a good souvenir to take away.

Krakivsky Rynek (Krakivsky Rynok) is the city's largest market - fresh produce, local cheeses, honeys and handicrafts. It's worth a look in the morning when the choice is greatest.

Restaurants in the centre offer Ukrainian and Lviv cuisine in different price ranges. Lunch in an average restaurant is a dozen zlotys in conversion.

Souvenirs

• Hutsul ceramics - traditional pottery with characteristic patterns

• Wooden products - handmade items from local workshops

• Ukrainian embroidery - traditional patterns on fabrics and clothes

• Lviv chocolate - souvenirs from Lviv Handmade Chocolate and other local producers

Below are the approximate costs of a stay in Lviv, converted into Polish zloty.

Budget – hostel or basic-standard flat, eating at snack bars and the market, public transport and free attractions and walks.

Mid-range – three-star hotel or flat in the centre, mid-range restaurants, public transport and taxis, and paid museums and attractions.

Comfortable – four-star or boutique hotel in the centre, upmarket restaurants and cafés, taxis and all attractions and performances at the Opera House.

Amounts are approximate PLN equivalents – the hryvnia exchange rate fluctuates, so check the current rate and cash exchange options before you travel. Payment cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, and it is worth having cash for markets and smaller venues.