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A Berlin-Krakow EuroCity train on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.  Yellow stripe = 1st class.

1st class compartment.		2nd class compartment.

Restaurant car.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.  A steward will take your order.  Larger photo.

Zurek soup - an excellent tasty starter.		Kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

The Berlin-Krakow Wawel on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf with this 1st class car at the rear.

1st class compartment.		2nd class compartment.

Restaurant car.  You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.  A steward will take your order.  Larger photo.

Zurek soup - an excellent tasty starter.		Kotlet schabowy, served on proper china.

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London to Oswiecim (Auschwitz)

• If you are visiting the museum at Oswiecim, better known by its infamous German name, Auschwitz, you travel to Krakow as shown above then take a local train.  Regular local trains link Krakow Glowny with Oswiecim every hour or two, use int.bahn.de to check train times. 

• Once in Oswiecim, there are two camps to visit:

  Auschwitz I was an ex-Polish army barracks in the town about 20 minutes walk from the station - turn right outside the station then veer left.

  Auschwitz-Birkenau II was a purpose-built concentration camp a little way out of town, about 25 minutes walk from the station (turn right, then turn right again at the first major road bridge across the railway).  There are also regular buses between Krakow and Oswiecim, see www.busy-krk.pl/en/how-to-get-to-auschwitz.php.

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London to Łódź

Łódź is pronounced 'wooch' or 'woodge' and it's one of Poland's largest cities.  It's easy to reach by train, I show two good options below but you can also travel by ferry via Hoek van Holland, or by ferry from Hull or Newcastle.

Option 1, using the European Sleeper

This is the fastest, most time-effective journey, using the thrice-weekly Brussels-Berlin European Sleeper.  London to Łódź in under 24h!

London ► Łódź

• Day 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 13:01, arriving Brussels Midi 16:06.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

  A later 15:04 departure is possible, but the 13:01 is a safer connection as the sleeper is occasionally retimed earlier.

  Tip:  At Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.

• Day 1, travel from Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper, leaving Brussels Midi 19:22 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Berlin Hbf 06:16.

  The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Łódź, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 by EuroCity train, change at Kutno & arrive Łódź Kaliska 15:47.

  Check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

Łódź ► London

• Day 1, travel from Łódź to Berlin, leaving Łódź Kaliska at 12:07, change at Kutno, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:06.

  Check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

  Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at the station.  The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel across the forecourt makes an excellent VIP waiting room with drinks and food.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 22:56 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays arriving Brussels Midi 09:27.

  The European Sleeper has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and seats cars.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56, arriving London St Pancras 13:57.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

How much does it cost?

• London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way, £140 return in Plus (1st class).

• Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper starts at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper.

  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Children under 4 travel free, without their own berth.  Children under 12 travel at a child rate.

• Berlin to Łódź starts at €27.99.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book the Brussels-Berlin sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 2, book the London-Brussels Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.

  Booking opens up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait until the sleeper can be booked.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 3, book from Berlin to Łódź at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days months ahead, you can book the other trains and leave this until later if necessary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Using an Interrail pass

• You can travel from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Poland using an Interrail pass.  It usually costs more than advance-purchase tickets booked a few months in advance, but if fares are expensive or you need flexibility, see how to use an Interrail from the UK to Poland.

Option 2, with overnight stop in Berlin

London ► Łódź

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by train, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave London St Pancras at 09:01, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:02.

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:02.

  You travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.  Then Brussels-Cologne & Cologne-Berlin by ICE, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Łódź, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 by Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train, change at Kutno, arriving Łódź Kaliska 15:47.

  Check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

Łódź ► London

• Day 1, travel from Łódź to Berlin, leaving Łódź Kaliska at 12:07, change at Kutno, arriving Berlin Hbf 18:06.

  Check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to London by train, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 15:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 17:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 19:57.

  You travel Berlin-Cologne & Cologne-Brussels by ICE, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then from Brussels to London by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

How much does it cost?

• For fares between London & Berlin, see the London to Germany page.

• Berlin to Łódź costs from €29.99 each way 2nd class or €59.99 each way 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy tickets from London to Berlin as shown on the London to Germany page.

• Step 2, buy tickets From Berlin to Łódź at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Using an Interrail pass

• You can travel from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Poland using an Interrail pass.  It usually costs more than advance-purchase tickets booked a few months in advance, but if fares are expensive or you need flexibility, see how to use an Interrail from the UK to Poland.

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London to Wroclaw

Wroclaw, the former German provincial city of Breslau, is easy to reach by train.  I show several good options below but you can also travel by ferry via Hoek van Holland, or by ferry from Hull or Newcastle.

Option 1, using the European Sleeper

This is the fastest, most time-effective journey, using the 3-times-a-week Brussels-Berlin European Sleeper.  London to Wroclaw in under 24 hours!

Hotel tip:  In Wroclaw, I recommend the excellent Hotel Altus Palace, a 9-minute 700m walk from the station (see walking map), a 10-minute walk from the old town's main square, it has both a restaurant and spa.

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 13:01, arriving Brussels Midi 16:06.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

  A later 15:04 departure is possible, but the 13:01 is a safer connection as the sleeper is occasionally retimed earlier.

  Tip:  At Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.

• Day 1, travel from Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper, leaving Brussels Midi 19:22 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Berlin Hbf 06:16.

  The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:52, arriving Wroclaw Glowny 12:53.

  The EuroCity train Galicija is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an lunch and a beer or two in the restaurant!  More about this train.

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Berlin by EuroCity, leaving Wroclaw Glowny at 15:10, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:06.

  The EuroCity train Galicija is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two in the restaurant!  More about this train.

  Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at the station.  The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel across the forecourt makes an excellent VIP waiting room with drinks and food.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 22:56 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays arriving Brussels Midi 09:27.

  The European Sleeper has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and seats cars.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56, arriving London St Pancras 13:57.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

How much does it cost?

• London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way, £140 return in Plus (1st class).

• Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper starts at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  All per person per berth.  Children under 4 travel free, without their own berth.  Children under 12 travel at a child rate.

• Berlin to Wroclaw starts at €27.99 each way 2nd class or €37.99 each way 1st class.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book the Brussels-Berlin sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 2, book the London-Brussels Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.

  Booking opens up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait until the sleeper can be booked.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 3, book the Berlin-Wroclaw train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead, you can book the other trains and leave this until later if necessary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Using an Interrail pass

• You can travel from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Poland using an Interrail pass.  It usually costs more than advance-purchase tickets booked a few months in advance, but if fares are expensive or you need flexibility, see how to use an Interrail from the UK to Poland.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.

2. Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper

Launched by two sleeper-loving entrepreneurs in May 2023, the European Sleeper has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, newer couchette cars with 5-berth compartments, older couchette cars with 6-berth compartments & ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes. Light snacks and drinks can be ordered from the attendant, but there's no restaurant so bring a picnic and bottle of wine!  More about European Sleeper.  Berlin Hbf station guide.

Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper, seen here at Amsterdam Centraal.  This is a 5-berth couchette car, the stainless steel sleeping-car is next along.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single.		5-berth couchette compartment.

3. Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity train

This comfortable air-conditioned train has a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch.  More about these EuroCity trains.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Berlin

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by train, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave London St Pancras at 09:01, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:02.

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf, arriving Berlin Hbf 21:02.

  You travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include breakfast.  Then Brussels-Cologne & Cologne-Berlin by ICE, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity train Galicija, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:52 arriving Wroclaw Glowny 12:54.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch and a beer or two in the restaurant!  More about this EuroCity train.

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Berlin by EuroCity train Galicija, leaving Wroclaw Glowny at 15:10, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:06.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to dinner and a beer or two in the restaurant!  More about this EuroCity train.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to London by train, see the timetable here.  For example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 15:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 17:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras 19:57.

  You travel Berlin-Cologne & Cologne-Brussels by ICE, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Then from Brussels to London by Eurostar with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include dinner with wine.

How much does it cost?

• For fares between London & Berlin, see the London to Germany page.

• Berlin to Wroclaw starts at €29.99 each way 2nd class or €59.99 each way 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy tickets from London to Berlin as shown on the London to Germany page.

• Step 2, buy tickets From Berlin to Wroclaw at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Using an Interrail pass

• You can travel from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Poland using an Interrail pass.  It usually costs more than advance-purchase tickets booked a few months in advance, but if fares are expensive or you need flexibility, see how to use an Interrail from the UK to Poland.

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Dresden

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Dresden by Eurostar and connecting trains, see the London to Dresden section on the Germany page.

• Stay overnight in Dresden.  Find hotel near the station in Dresden.

• Day 2, travel from Dresden to Wroclaw Glowny (= main station) by local train.  There are several a day, journey time 3h55, look up times at int.bahn.de.  No reservation is necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  The fare is around €35.

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Dresden on one of several daily local trains, journey 3h55.  Look up times at int.bahn.de.  No reservation is necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  Fare is around €35.

• Stay overnight in Dresden.  Find hotel near the station in Dresden.

• Day 2, travel from Dresden to London by ICE trains and Eurostar, see the London to Dresden section on the Germany page.

Option 1, using the European Sleeper

This is the fastest, most time-effective journey, using the new thrice-weekly Brussels-Berlin European Sleeper.

London ► Szczecin, Gdansk, Gdynia

• Day 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 13:01, arriving Brussels Midi 16:06.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

  A later 15:04 departure is possible, but the 13:01 is a safer connection as the sleeper is occasionally retimed earlier.

  Tip:  At Brussels Midi, the Pullman Hotel bar makes an excellent VIP waiting room.

• Day 1, travel from Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper, leaving Brussels Midi at 19:22 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Berlin Hbf 06:16.

  The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

  Enjoy a morning in Berlin, left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Gdansk or Gydnia by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 14:52, arriving Gdansk Glowny 20:25 & Gdynia Glowna 20:52.

  An earlier 09:52 departure is available with a change at Poznan, check times at int.bahn.de.

  A restaurant car is available for lunch, treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two.  More about Berlin-Poland EuroCity trains.

  For Szczecin, there are regular trains every hour or two from Berlin Lichtenberg to Szczecin Glowny, journey time 1h49 to 3h30, just use int.bahn.de to find train times & tickets for your date of travel.  You can also go from Berlin Hbf to Szczecin with one change en route, see int.bahn.de.  I'd allow at least 2 hours between trains in Berlin.

Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin ► London

• Day 1, travel from Gydnia or Gdansk to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Gdynia Glowna at 07:06 or Gdansk Glowny 07:33, arriving Berlin Hbf 13:06. 

  Later departures are available with a change in Poznan, but do not risk any tight connections.

  A restaurant car is available for breakfast and lunch, treat yourself!  More about Berlin-Poland EuroCity trains.

  Have dinner in Berlin, there are plenty of eateries at the station.  The bar of the Steigenberger Hotel across the forecourt makes an excellent VIP waiting room, it offers both drinks and food.

• From Szczecin, there are regular trains to Berlin every hour or two usually with one simple change, journey time 2h30 to 3h30, just use int.bahn.de to find train times & tickets for your date of travel.

  I'd allow at least 2h between trains in Berlin.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf at 22:56 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays arriving Brussels Midi 09:27.

  The European Sleeper has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, couchette cars with 5 & 6 berth compartments and seats cars.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56, arriving London St Pancras 13:57.

  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Plus & Premier fares include lunch with wine.

How much does it cost?

• London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way, £140 return in Plus (1st class).

• Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper starts at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a couchette in 5-berth, €109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, €129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, €159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper.  All per person per berth.

  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.  Children under 4 travel free, without their own berth.  Children under 12 travel at a child rate.

• Berlin to Gdansk or Gdynia starts at €27.99 in 2nd class or €37.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

  Berlin to Szczecin costs just €13.80 each way, fixed price, if bought from ticket machines in Berlin.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book the Brussels-Berlin sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 2, book the London-Brussels Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.

  Booking opens up to 11 months ahead, but I'd wait until the sleeper can be booked.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

• Step 3, book the train from Berlin to Gdansk or Gdynia at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens 60 days ahead, you can book the other trains and leave this until later if necessary.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

  For Szczecin, wait until you reach Berlin, then use the self-service machines to buy a Berlin-Stettin ticket for just €13.80, valid from any Berlin urban area station to any rail station, tram or bus stop in the Szczecin urban area, on any train including IC and EC trains.  You should select Stettin, not Szczecin, as your destination on the machines to see the Berlin-Stettin ticket appear.

Using an Interrail pass

• You can travel from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in Poland using an Interrail pass.  It usually costs more than advance-purchase tickets booked a few months in advance, but if fares are expensive or you need flexibility, see how to use an Interrail from the UK to Poland.

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London to Zakopane

• To reach Zakopane at the foot of the famous Tatra mountains, first travel from London to Krakow using any of the options shown in the London to Krakow section above.

• Then travel from Krakow to Zakopane by train, using int.bahn.de to find train times.  There's a train every few hours, journey time is about 3 hours 30 minutes, and it's a very scenic run.  You can buy a Krakow to Zakopane ticket at the station in Krakow.  You can also check times at www.intercity.pl.

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London to Poland via Harwich - Hoek van Holland

The ferry alternative!  If Eurostar is expensive, especially at short notice, the ferry can be cheaper.  If you live in East Anglia, the ferry can be more convenient, there's even a direct train from Cambridge to Harwich which connects with the night boat.  If you want to avoid the Channel Tunnel or if there are strikes in France, this is also the route for you.  Or you may simply prefer a leisurely cruise across the North Sea in a cosy private cabin with toilet, shower & satellite TV, after an excellent dinner in the ship's restaurant.  The route via Harwich & Hoek of Holland is one of those shown in dark blue on the route map above.  There are two departures a day, the day boat and the night boat.

Using the night boat

London, Cambridge, Harwich ► Warsaw, Krakow

• Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

  You leave London Liverpool Street at 19:36 Mondays-Fridays, 19:04 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  You leave Cambridge at 19:46 daily, by direct train to Harwich International.

  The Rail & Sail fare is valid from any Greater Anglia station, for example Norwich, Cambridge, Romford, Ilford, Ipswich.

  At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal and you walk off the train into the terminal, check in at the Stena Line desk and walk straight onto Stena Line's luxurious overnight superferry Stena Hollandica.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Comfort & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi.  You can board the ferry around 9pm, have a late dinner in the restaurant or Stena Plus lounge and settle into your cabin.

  The ferry sails at 23:00 and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 Dutch time next morning.

  On arrival at Hoek van Holland, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Walk down the gangway into the ferry terminal, through passport control, out of the terminal and across the road to the metro station.

  Take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum and a Dutch Intercity train from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal arriving 10:24.

  At Amsterdam Centraal, have a coffee at the delightfully retro Cafe 1e Klas, give my regards to Elvis, the cockatoo on the bar.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 12:00, arriving Berlin Hbf 17:51.

  Or spend some time exploring Amsterdam and take a later train, the 16:00 from Amsterdam arrives in Berlin at 21:51  Left luggage lockers are available at Amsterdam Centraal.  The Intercity train has power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 3 for Warsaw:

  Take a EuroCity train from Berlin to Warsaw, see the timetable here.  The first one leaves Berlin Hbf at 05:52 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:14, or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:52 arriving at 15:14.

  These EuroCity trains are a comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two in the restaurant!

• Day 3 for Krakow & Wroclaw:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:52, arriving Wroclaw 12:54, Katowice 15:14 & Krakow Glowny 16:07.

  This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two in the restaurant!  Or there are later trains, see the timetable here.

Krakow, Warsaw ► Harwich, Cambridge, London

• Day 1 from Krakow & Wroclaw:

  Leave Krakow Glowny at 11:56, Katowice 12:51 or Wroclaw 15:10 on the EuroCity train Galicija, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:06.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals.

• Day 1 from Warsaw: 

  Travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train.  Daily except Saturdays you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 16:45 and arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:06.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 and arrive Berlin Hbf 18:06.

  These EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, from Berlin to Amsterdam by Intercity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 08:06, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 13:59.

  Or take the 10:06, arriving 15:59.   The Intercity train has power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

  You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:36 by Dutch intercity train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the metro to Hoek van Holland Haven.

  At Hoek, the metro station is next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk at least 45 minutes before sailing time, then walk up the gangway onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry and sail overnight to Harwich.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  Comfort & Captains class cabins are also available, and there's free WiFi.  You can board the ferry around 8pm, have dinner in the restaurant or Stena Plus lounge and settle into your cabin.

  The ferry sails from Hoek van Holland at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning (day 3), UK time.

  Day 3, take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54 or from Harwich to Cambridge, arriving 09:42 (10:39 Sundays).

How much does it cost?

• London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland starts at £64 per person each way, plus cabin.

  For full details & cabin costs, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  Hoek to Schiedam by metro costs around €4.

• Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw by train starts at  €37.99 each way in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland.

  This is a special Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for more tips & information on how to buy one.

  You buy the metro ticket from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam or Rotterdam at the metro station using the ticket machines or simply by touching in & out with any contactless bank card.

• Step 2, book from Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw or Krakow & back at the German Railways website int.bahn.de like this:

  To get a through ticket from Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw or Krakow with a robust connection in Amsterdam and an overnight stop in Berlin, enter Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw Centralna or Krakow Glowny, click Stopovers, enter Amsterdam Centraal as a first stopover with a stay of 1 hour, then enter Berlin Hbf as a second stopover with a stay of (say) 14 hours.

  Adjust the length of stay and departure time as necessary to get the trains you want between Schiedam, Amsterdam & Berlin and (the following morning) Berlin & Poland.

  Incidentally, even train-specific Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis tickets are good for any train on the Schiedam-Amsterdam part of this journey, so when you get to Schiedam you can take the next available train to Amsterdam, you don't have to wait for the one specified on your ticket.  Read about Zugbindung here.

  Tip:  Booking into Poland only opens 60 days ahead.  By all means book Schiedam to Berlin first as this opens up to 6 months ahead, then book Berlin-Poland separately, when booking opens.

What's the journey like?

Step 1, London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  Have a late dinner in the restaurant, retire to bed in a private cabin with en suite toilet & shower and satellite TV.  At Hoek van Holland, you walk off the ship, through passport control and straight onto the station for the frequent metro train to Schiedam & Rotterdam.  Change at Schiedam Centrum for a Dutch Railways (NS) train to Amsterdam Centraal.  The journey is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.  See the video.

The Stena Hollandica boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

Step 2, Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train

You then take a comfortable Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hbf.  See the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity page for photos, tips, and what to see along the way.

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  See the Berlin-Warsaw or Berlin-Krakow page for more photos, tips & information.

If you live in the North of England or Scotland, the fastest option is to take a train up to London and travel from London to Poland using Eurostar as described above.  If you choose this option, see this advice on buying cheap connecting train tickets to London.  But there are some useful ferry alternatives which allow you to by-pass London, and spend a day in Amsterdam on the way.  DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, and P&O Ferries run a daily overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam.  So take the overnight ferry to Holland, head onwards by train to Berlin, and after an evening and night in the German capital, hop on a morning train to Poland!

Scotland & North ► Warsaw, Krakow

• Day 1, take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.

  In Hull, transfer to P&O ferry terminal and sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam by P&O ferry, with bus/train connection to Amsterdam Centraal.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details, see the Hull-Rotterdam page.

  In Newcastle, transfer to the DFDS ferry terminal at North Shields and sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS Seaways ferry.  The ferry has bars, restaurants & cosy en suite cabins.  For details, see the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

• Day 2, spend some time in Amsterdam, all the sights are an easy walk from Amsterdam Centraal.  Left luggage lockers are available.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 14:00, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:51.

  Or take an earlier train and enjoy an evening in Berlin, the 12:00 arrives 17:51, with time for an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.  The Intercity train has power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 3 for Warsaw:

  Take a EuroCity train from Berlin to Warsaw, see the timetable here.  The first one leaves Berlin Hbf at 05:52 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Warsaw Centralna at 11:14, or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:52 arriving at 15:14.

  These EuroCity trains are a comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two in the restaurant!

• Day 3 for Krakow & Wroclaw:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:52, arriving Wroclaw 12:54, Katowice 15:14 & Krakow Glowny 16:07.

  This EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two in the restaurant!  Or there are later trains, see the timetable here.

Krakow, Warsaw ► Scotland & North

• Day 1 from Krakow & Wroclaw:

  Leave Krakow Glowny at 11:56, Katowice 12:51 or Wroclaw 15:10 on the EuroCity train Galicija, arriving Berlin Hbf 19:06.

  The EuroCity train is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals.

• Day 1 from Warsaw: 

  Travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train.  Daily except Saturdays you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 16:45 and arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:06.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:45 and arrive Berlin Hbf 18:06.

  These EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks & meals.

• Stay overnight in Berlin.  Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com.  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Amsterdam by Intercity train, leavings Berlin Hbf at 08:06, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 13:59.

  The Intercity train has power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.

• Day 2, travel overnight by ferry from Rotterdam to Hull with P&O Ferries or from IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) to Newcastle with DFDS Seaways, whichever is most convenient for you.  Next morning (day 4) transfer to the station and take a train home.

  For full details & how to buy tickets via these ferry routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, book the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry at www.dfds.com or the Hull-Rotterdam ferry at www.poferries.com. 

• Step 2, buy a train ticket from your local station to Hull or Newcastle as shown on the UK page or using www.nationalrail.co.uk.

• Step 3, Amsterdam to Warsaw by train starts at  €37.99 each way in 2nd class or €69.99 in 1st class.  Book at int.bahn.de as follows:

  To get Amsterdam to Warsaw or Krakow with an overnight stop in Berlin, enter Amsterdam Centraal to Warsaw or Krakow, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 14 hours.  Adjust the length of stay and departure time as necessary to get the trains you want between Amsterdam & Berlin and (the following morning) Berlin & Poland.

  If can't get your head around this, just use int.bahn.de to book Amsterdam-Berlin as one ticket and then Berlin-Poland as another ticket next day, although that usually costs a bit more.

What's the journey like?

Step 1, Newcastle to Amsterdam (DFDS) or Hull to Rotterdam (P&O) by overnight cruise ferry

Both ferries have private cabins with shower & toilet, restaurants, bars, cinema, a floating hotel.  If travelling with DFDS from Newcastle, a transfer bus takes you from IJmuiden ferry terminal to Amsterdam Centraal station next morning.  If travelling with P&O from Hull, a transfer bus takes you from Rotterdam Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal, from where frequent Dutch trains run to Utrecht.

Step 2, Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train

You then take a comfortable Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hbf.  More about Amsterdam to Berlin trains and what to see on the way.

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  More about Berlin-Warsaw trains.  More about Berlin-Krakow trains

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It's not difficult to buy train tickets for journeys within Poland online or at the station ticket office.  It can help to write down what you want, in case staff don't speak extensive English.  UK agencies such as DB's English-speaking phone line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 (open 08:30-17:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday) can usually get you reservations on international trains starting in Poland.  However, if they have problems, or if you want to see if buying locally would be cheaper, try contacting the following agency in Poland:

Buy Polish train tickets at www.intercity.pl

You can book Polish inter-city train tickets (but not international ones except to Berlin) online at the Polish Railways InterCity website, www.intercity.pl.  At www.intercity.pl the English button is top right, and you'll need to use the Polish spellings of Krakow and Warszawa.  You pay online with a credit card and print out your own ticket.  Many seat61 correspondents have reported success buying self-print tickets for Polish trains this way, using UK and Dutch credit cards.

Or use Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com

Polish train ticketing agency www.polrail.com comes highly recommended if you want to arrange train tickets within Poland in advance, or book international train tickets starting in Poland, for example, from Warsaw to Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Moscow, Kyiv, Lviv or Vilnius, or from Krakow to Prague, Budapest or Vienna, etc..  You should arrange tickets between 10 & 60 days before travel (Polish train reservations open 60 days before departure, but 10 days is necessary for the agency to buy and send tickets). Tickets can be couriered to your home address in any country, or they can arrange ticket collection within Poland, for example, at your hotel.  If you use their services, feedback is always welcome!

Check any Polish train time at portalpasazera.pl

A recommended journey planner for all Polish trains, including local ones (for example, those linking Krakow with Oswiecim (Auschwitz) see portalpasazera.pl.

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Definitely take a good guidebook.  For the independent traveller, I think this means one of two guidebooks, either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both series are excellent.  You can buy an in-depth guide for Poland or a guide covering all the countries in Eastern Europe.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

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European Rail Timetable & maps

The European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map.  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

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Hotels in Poland

In Warsaw:  Polonia Palace & Hotel Bristol

• The Polonia Palace Hotel is a top choice for Warsaw, just across the road from Warsaw Centralna station and from the Palace of Culture skyscraper, 25 minutes walk from Warsaw's old town.  Opened in 1913, it was one of the few hotels to emerge unscathed from WW2, and has been used by many famous people including General (later President) Eisenhower and General de Gaulle.  It provides very high quality rooms at what by western standards is a budget price.   I thoroughly enjoyed my own stay there, in a room with a great view of the Palace of Culture, and so handy for the station.  Check prices & book.

• Warsaw's most prestigious and historic luxury hotel is the Hotel Bristol, opened in 1901 right next to the old town.  It also survived the bombing of the old town in WW2, being used as the German HQ.  Hotel Bristol is 27 minutes walk from Warsaw Centralna, but only 8 minutes walk from Warsaw old town square.  Check prices & book

In Krakow

• At the top end, the 5-star Hotel Bonerowski Palace is housed in a historic building right on the old town square itself.  The 5-star Hotel Stary is also on the old town square, and features a spa and a roof-top terrace.  Both get great reviews, and would be top choice.

• The 4-star Hotel Francuski is in the old town on the side closest to the station, 9 minutes walk from Krakow Glowny and 8 minutes walk from the old town square.  It boasts free WiFi, art nouveau grandeur and gets great reviews.  The Hotel Unicus & Hotel Imperial are not far from the Hotel Francuski and similarly priced.

• For something cheaper, try the 3-star Hotel Europejski, 6 minutes walk from the station and 8 minutes from Krakow's old town square, or the 3-star Hotel Polonia, 5 minutes walk from the new station, directly across the road from the old station.

• For budget rooms, try B&B La Fontaine which is also well-located for both station and old town, or the Bubble Hotel which offers budget rooms and cheap beds in shared rooms.

In Gdansk:  Craft Beer Hotel

• The Craft Beer Hotel is located in the city centre, next to the railway station and 200m from the old town hall.  It's a historic building which - as the name suggests - includes a craft beer brewery.  Look no further!

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Tours & holidays by train

If you want a holiday to Krakow or Warsaw by train not plane, but want someone else to organise all the train tickets & hotels for you, one specialist company can do just that, for a holiday with no airport hassles and no long days in cramped coach seats on motorways.

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or holiday for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They get very positive reviews.  For example, they suggest a 6 night trip from London to Krakow, Warsaw & Berlin.

  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

  US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

  New Zealand call 0800 000 554 or see website.

Byway, byway.travel

Byway (Byway.travel) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating.  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a holiday from the UK to Poland as a package, including train travel from the UK and hotels, starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Browse pre-configured packages to Poland by train at www.byway.travel/.../poland-by-train.

Or ask them to build a trip to your requirements, call 0300 131 7173 (09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday) or email them or use the contact form.

Or try designing your own trip using their new map interface at www.byway.travel/map (in beta).

If you live outside the UK, no problem, send them an email or use their contact form or call +44 300 131 7173.

Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail is a train travel specialist who offers packages from the UK to Poland by train which can be customised your requirements, with whatever stopovers you want.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected, which is like ATOL, but not just for agencies that sell air travel.  Website www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/france.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.

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Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

  www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

  www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:  1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

 

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