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Option 4, London to Krakow via the Brussels-Vienna sleeper

On paper this is a round about route.  But because it involves a time-effective Nightjet sleeper direct from Brussels to Vienna, it's not only slightly quicker, you get a morning in Vienna in to the bargain.  The Brussels-Vienna Nightjet runs 3 times a week.

London ► Krakow Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

• Step 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 15:04 and arriving in Brussels Midi at 18:05.

  Eurostar is currently running a reduced service due to Covid-19, so check what Eurostar departures are available on your date of travel at www.thetrainline.com allowing at least 60 minutes in Brussels between trains.

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

• Step 2, travel from Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Brussels Midi at 19:32 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:14.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight.  Wonderful!

• Step 3, travel from Vienna to Krakow, leaving Vienna Hbf at 14:10 by air-conditioned EuroCity train with restaurant car, changing at Katowice onto a Polish Intercity train arriving Krakow Glowny at 20:45.  You have time for dinner between trains in Katowice.

Krakow  ► London Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays

• Step 1, travel from Krakow to Vienna, leaving Krakow Glowny at 07:26 by regional train, changing at Katowice (with time for breakfast) onto an air-conditioned EuroCity train with restaurant car arriving Vienna Hbf at 13:49  You now have an afternoon in Vienna.

• Step 2, travel from Vienna to Brussels by Nightjet, leaving Vienna Hbf at 20:11 on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, arriving Brussels Midi 09:55.

  This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.

  Tip:  If you have a ticket for a sleeper, you can use the ÖBB lounge at Vienna Hbf with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.

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

• Step 3, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56 arriving London St Pancras at 14:00.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

• If you buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com you can buy the London-Vienna tickets together in one place, in plain English, international credit cards accepted and fares shown in multiple currencies. There's a small booking fee.  Anyone from any country can use www.thetrainline.com.

  Do a dry run first to check prices and availability for each stage before booking for real.

  Fares are dynamic like air fares, so book early for the cheapest prices and avoid busy days such as Fridays or Sunday afternoons.

  Booking for Eurostar & Nightjet usually opens up to 180 days ahead, see more information about when bookings open.  Vienna-Poland trains may open as little as 60 days ahead, but there's no need to book this leg way in advance.

• Step 1, go to www.thetrainline.com and book your Eurostar from London to Brussels (and back, if returning) using the train times on this page as a guide.  Add this to your basket.  Never allow less than an hour in Brussels when connecting with a sleeper train.

• Step 2, now book the Nightjet sleeper from Brussels to Vienna & back, looking for the direct train with 0 changes.  Add to basket & check out.

  You print your own tickets.  After booking you can use the Eurostar Manage Booking system to select an exact seat on Eurostar.

• Step 3, now go to Austrian Railways www.oebb.at and book the train from Vienna to Krakow & back.  Tickets must be collected from an ÖBB ticket machine or ticket office in Vienna, they cannot be printed.  This journey cannot be booked at Thetrainline.com.

• If you're travelling from a UK town or city north of London, see advice about buying domestic tickets to London to connect with Eurostar.

Another way to book tickets

• Alternatively, you can of course book direct with the operators without any booking fees, but this means more work.  In all cases you print your own ticket, or can in some cases show it on your phone.

• Step 1, book the London-Brussels Eurostar at www.eurostar.com.

• Step 2, book the nightjet sleeper and Vienna-Budapest train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.

• Step 3, book the Vienna-Krakow ticket at www.oebb.at & collect in Vienna from an ÖBB machine or ticket office.

How to buy tickets by phone

• To buy tickets by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  International Rail are equipped with both the French and German rail ticketing systems, so can offer the best prices all the trains between London and Hungary.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  In many cases tickets can be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.

• Alternatively, you can call Deutsche Bahn's UK phone line, 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04, lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.  Click here for more information on how to buy European train tickets.

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.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide.  In Brussels, I recommend using the Pullman Hotel bar as your VIP waiting room.

A Eurostar e320 at St Pancras.  More about Eurostar.		Standard Premier/Business Premier.  Larger photo.

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

2. Brussels to Vienna by Nightjet:  See the Nightjet guide... 

This is an Austrian Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet train, with sleeping-car, couchettes & seats.  The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus three deluxe compartments with 1, 2 or 3 beds with private shower & toilet.  The sleeper berths come fully made up with sheets and duvets, all sleeper passengers get mineral water in the evening and a light breakfast served in their compartment next morning.  Towels & toiletries are provided, including shampoo and shower gel in the deluxe sleepers.  In the more economical couchettes, you can book a couchette in a cheaper 6-berth compartment or a less-crowded 4-berth compartment, each provided with sheet, blanket, pillow & small bottle of water, and couchette passengers get a tea or coffee in the morning.  When waiting for the northbound sleeper train in Vienna, if you have booked a sleeper you can use the ÖBB lounge with complimentary refreshments.  More pictures & information about Nightjet trains.

On 20 January 2020, the inaugural Nightjet left Brussels for Vienna, the first scheduled sleeper train to leave Brussels in 16 years.  Above, that inaugural train is seen ready to leave Brussels Midi on 20 January - naturally, the Man in Seat 61 was on board!

Deluxe sleeper.  Each compartment can be used as a 1, 2 or 3-bed room.  Larger photo.  Video of deluxe room		The same deluxe sleeper in evening/morning mode with beds folded away, seats folded out.  Larger photo.		Deluxe rooms have a compact shower & toilet, towels & hair/body wash provided.  Larger photo.		Standard sleeper set up as 2-berth, washstand open.  It can be used as a 1, 2 or 3 berth.  Larger photo.

6-berth couchettes...		4-berth couchettes...		Couchette car on the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet...

As night falls, the sleeper train speeds along the Rhine Valley.  Above, crossing the Rhine at Mainz...

3. Vienna to Katowice by EuroCity train, Katowice to Krakow by regional train...

A EuroCity train from Vienna to Katowice & Warsaw, at Vienna Hbf.  Change at Katowice for Krakow.  The green stripe above the windows indicates 2nd class.  Yellow indicates first class.  Red indicates the restaurant car.  Courtesy of Jennifer Delaney.

Polish restaurant car on a EuroCity train between Warsaw & Vienna.  Courtesy of www.discoverbyrail.com.		Breakfast in the restaurant car between Vienna & Warsaw.  Courtesy www.discoverbyrail.com.

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London to Oswiecim (Auschwitz)

• If you are visiting the museum at Oswiecim, better known by its infamous Germanic 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, see www.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 itself 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...

London ► Łódź

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by Eurostar & luxurious German ICE train as shown on the London to Germany page.  You can use any option you like, for example you can leave London St Pancras at 11:04 and arrive Berlin Hbf at 21:15.

• 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 by train leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:51 by Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train, change at Kutno & arrive Łódź Kaliska 15:47.  Check times for your date of travel at www.bahn.de.

Łódź ► London

• Day 1, travel from Łódź to Berlin by train, leaving Łódź Kaliska at 12:07, changing at Kutno and arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:07.  Check times for your date of travel at www.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 as shown on the London to Germany page.  You can use any option you like, for example you can leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46 and reach London St Pancras at 16:57, or at 10:46 daily except Saturdays reaching London at 19:57.

Fares & how to buy tickets

• For fares & how to buy tickets from London to Berlin, see the London to Germany page.

• Berlin to Łódź costs from €29.90 each way booked in advance.  Buy tickets online at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

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London to Wroclaw

Option 1, using the Brussels-Berlin sleeper

This is the fastest, most time-effective journey, using the new thrice-weekly Brussels-Berlin European Sleeper which launched on 26 May 2023.  London to Wroclaw in under 24 hours!

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Brussels by Eurostar, leaving London St Pancras at 15:04, arriving Brussels Midi at 18:05.

  By all means book an earlier Eurostar if you'd like more time in Brussels.  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

• Day 1, travel from Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper, leaving Brussels Midi 19:32 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday arriving Berlin Hbf 06:48.

  The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More information about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 14:53.

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

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Berlin by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Wroclaw Glowny at 13:09 and arriving Berlin Hbf 17:05.

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

  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.

• Day 1, travel from Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper, leaving Berlin Hbf 22:56 on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday arriving Brussels Midi 09:22.

  The European Sleeper has a sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments and seats cars.  Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary.  More information about the European Sleeper.

• Day 2, travel from Brussels to London by Eurostar, leaving Brussels Midi at 12:56, arriving London St Pancras at 13:57.  Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

• London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £115 one-way, £199 return standard premier (1st class).

• Brussels to Berlin by European Sleeper starts at €49 in a seat, €79 with a couchette in 6-berth, €99 with a bed in 4-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 Wroclaw starts at €27.90, check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, first 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, now 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, finally, book the Berlin-Wroclaw train at the German Railways website www.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.

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.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in at London St Pancras (45-minute minimum in Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam) as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure.  St Pancras station guide.  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels.

A Eurostar e320 train.  More about Eurostar.		Standard Premier/Business Premier.  Larger photo.

Standard class seats.  Larger photo.		One of two cafe-bars, in cars 8 & 9.  Larger photo.

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, couchette cars with 4 and 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers & couchettes. Light snacks and drinks can be ordered from the attendant, but there's no restaurant car so bring a picnic and maybe a bottle of wine!  More information about European Sleeper.  Berlin Hbf station guide.

Berlin to Brussels by European Sleeper.  This is the inaugural train about to leave Brussels Midi on 26 May 2023. Click the interior photos for larger images.

1, 2 or 3 bed sleeper, set up as a single.		Couchettes, can be sold as 4 or 6 bunk.

3. Berlin to Wroclaw by EuroCity train...

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

The EuroCity train Wawel, arrived at Wroclaw Glowny.

1st class seats on the Wawel.		2nd class, some like this, some in compartments.

Restaurant car...

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

Wroclaw Glowny, one of Europe's most beautiful stations.

Option 2, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Berlin

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page.

  Leave London St Pancras at 08:55 by Eurostar, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 19:15.

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 21:15.

  Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have 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 Wawel, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 14:50.

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

  Fares start at €27.90, check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.bahn.de.

• Alternatively, spend the day exploring Berlin, then take the direct train leaving Berlin Hbf at 18:52 arriving Wroclaw Glowny at 22:53.  This train consists of EuroCity seating cars attached to the night express to Vienna & Budapest.

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Berlin by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Wroclaw Glowny at 13:09 and arriving Berlin Hbf 17:05.

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

  Fares start at €27.90, check times & buy tickets at the German Railways website www.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 using any service shown on the London to Germany page.  For example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 16:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

  Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Option 3, by daytime trains with overnight stop in Dresden

London ► Wroclaw

• Day 1, travel from London to Dresden by Eurostar and connecting trains, for times, fares & how to buy tickets 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 www.bahn.de.  No reservation is necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  The fare is likely to be around €35.

Wroclaw ► London

• Day 1, travel from Wroclaw to Dresden on one of several daily local trains, journey 3h55.  Look up times at www.bahn.de.  No reservation is necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on.  Fare likely to be 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, for times, fares & how to buy tickets see the London to Dresden section on the Germany page.

London ► Szczecin, Gdansk, Gdynia

• Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page.  For example:

  Leave London St Pancras at 08:55 by Eurostar, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 19:15.

  Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar, change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 21:15.

  Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have 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 Gdansk or Gydnia by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf 12:52, arriving Gdansk Glowny 18:24 & Gdynia Glowna 18:51.

  A restaurant car is available for lunch, treat yourself to an inexpensive meal and a beer or two.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity page, as this is one of those same trains.

• For Szczecin, there are regular trains every hour or two from Berlin Lichtenburg to Szczecin Glowny, journey time 1h49 to 3h30, just use www.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 www.bahn.de.

Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin ► London

• Day 1, travel from Gydnia or Gdansk to Berlin by EuroCity train, leaving Gdynia Glowna at 09:07 or Gdansk Glowny at 09:32 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 15:05.  A restaurant car is available for breakfast and lunch, treat yourself!

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

• 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 using any service shown on the London to Germany page.  For example:

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 16:57.

  Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi, arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

  Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares & how to buy tickets

• For fares & how to buy tickets from London to Berlin, see the London to Germany page.

• Berlin to Gdansk costs from €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1t class booked in advance at www.bahn.de.

• Berlin to Szczecin costs €30.70 each way if you book online at www.bahn.de.  However, if you wait until you reach Berlin, you can use the self-service machines to buy a Berlin-Stettin ticket for just €10, 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.

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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 www.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!  You might prefer train & ferry to reach Poland, for example to avoid the Channel Tunnel if there are problems with Eurostar or if you suffer from claustrophobia.  This route is also handy if you live in East Anglia as you can travel direct to Harwich avoiding London (there's a direct Cambridge to Harwich train connecting with the overnight ferry).  Indeed, you may simply prefer to cruise overnight on the Stena Line superferry in a luxury en suite cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV, then take onward trains to Poland, see the video.  And if you need to travel at short notice when Eurostar is expensive, the rail & sail option can still be affordable.

London, Cambridge & Harwich ► Warsaw, Krakow

• Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail...

  You leave London Liverpool Street at 18:45 Mondays-Fridays, 19:36 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

  At Harwich, the station is right next to the ferry terminal, you simply walk off the train into the terminal, through a simple security & passport check, check in at the Stena Line desk to get your boarding card & cabin key, then straight onto the Stena Line ferry to Hoek van Holland.

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

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV & free WiFi.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available.  You can have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin. 

  Day 2, take the frequent metro train from Hoek van Holland Haven to Schiedam Centrum and change onto a Dutch intercity train arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 10:25, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 13:00 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 19:25.

  Or spend some time exploring Amsterdam and take a later train, the 15:00 from Amsterdam arrives in Berlin at 21:25.  Left luggage lockers are available at Amsterdam Centraal.

• 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 11:16, or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:51 arriving at 15:22.  A restaurant car is available, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two...

• Day 3 for Krakow & Wroclaw, travel from Berlin to Wroclaw & Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel.

  This leaves Berlin Hbf at 10:52 & arriving Wroclaw 14:50, Katowice 16:58 & Krakow Glowny 18:01.

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

Krakow, Warsaw ► Harwich, Cambridge & London

• Day 1 from Krakow & Wroclaw:  Travel from Krakow to Berlin by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Krakow Glowny at 10:09, Katowice 11:06 or Wroclaw 13:09 arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:05.  EuroCity train Wawel is a comfortable air-conditioned Polish train with 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 16:32 and arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:05.  Or on any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:32 and arrive Berlin Hbf 18:07.  A restaurant car is available 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 08:33 and arriving Amsterdam Centraal 14:49, or take the 10:33 arriving 16:49.

• Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail.

  You take the 18:35 train from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiedam Centrum and change onto the frequent metro train to Hoek van Holland Haven.  At Hoek, the metro station is right next to the ferry terminal.  Check in at the Stena Line desk, walk onto the ferry & sail overnight to Harwich.

  The ferry sails at 22:00 and arrives at Harwich International at 06:30 next morning, UK time.

  All passengers travel in cosy private cabins with en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV & free WiFi.  Deluxe Comfort class & Captains class cabins are also available.  You can have a late dinner in the restaurant and settle into your cabin. 

  Day 3, take a train from Harwich to London Liverpool Street arriving around 08:54, or from Harwich to Cambridge arriving 09:41 (10:39 on Sundays).  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details.

How much does it cost?

• Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw by train starts at  €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

How to buy tickets

• Step 1, buy a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland online as shown on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.

  Buy the onward metro ticket to Schiedam Centrum as shown on that page.

• Step 2, book your trains from Schiedam Centrum to Warsaw & back at the German Railways website www.bahn.de like this:

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

  Adjust the stopover duration and departure time as necessary to get the trains you want between Schiedam, Amsterdam & Berlin and (the following morning) Berlin & Poland.  It also helps to click Type of transport and change admit changes to direct connections for each of the 3 sectors, Schiedam to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Berlin and Berlin to Krakow or Warsaw.

  Incidentally, even train-specific Sparpreis or Supersparpreis tickets are usually good for any train you like on the Dutch domestic Schiedam-Amsterdam part of the journey, so you can use any train on this sector, not just the one shown on your ticket.

  If can't get your head around all this, simply book Schiedam-Amsterdam as a separate ticket at the Dutch Railways website www.ns.nl, then use the German Railways website www.bahn.de to book an Amsterdam-Berlin ticket, then use it again to book a Berlin-Warsaw ticket for the following day.  Although this will cost a more, indeed, Schiedam-Warsaw often costs exactly the same as Amsterdam-Warsaw, saving you €17 straight away

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 from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page.  See the video...

Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer.  Larger photo.		Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich.  She's a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel.  Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema...

Dinner before bed?  Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.		Standard outside cabin.  Larger photo.  360º photo.

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.

A German Intercity train.  More information about Intercity trains.

Dinner in the bistro.  The beef ribs were delicious...		Bistro car.  See current month's menu...

2nd class seating is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4.  Sometimes you'll find 2nd class compartment cars with side corridor and ten 6-seat compartments  Larger photo.

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train...

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

This is the Berlin-Krakow Wawel, boarding on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf...

1st class seats on the Berlin-Krakow Wawel...		2nd class seats.  Some are in compartments.

Restaurant car on the Wawel.  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...

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 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:00 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:22.

  Or take an earlier train and enjoy an evening in Berlin, the 13:00 arrives 19:22, giving time for an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.

• 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 11:16, or have a leisurely breakfast and take the daily 09:51 arriving at 15:22.  A restaurant car is available, treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two...

• Day 3 for Krakow, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel.

  You leave Berlin Hbf at 10:52 & arriving Wroclaw 14:50, Katowice 16:58 & Krakow Glowny 18:01.

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

Krakow, Warsaw ► Scotland & North

• Day 1 from Krakow:  Travel from Krakow to Berlin by EuroCity train Wawel, leaving Krakow Glowny at 10:09 or Katowice 11:06, arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:05.  EuroCity train Wawel 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 16:32 and arrive Berlin Hbf 22:05.  On any day of the week you can leave Warsaw Centralna at 12:32 and arrive Berlin Hbf 18:07.  A restaurant car is available 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 08:33 arriving Amsterdam Centraal 14:49.

• Day 2, travel overnight by cruise 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 details of timetables, fares & how to buy tickets from Amsterdam to the UK via these ferry routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page.

Fares & how to buy tickets

• Step 1, check the ferry times and buy your ferry ticket at www.dfds.co.uk (Newcastle-Amsterdam) or www.poferries.com (Hull-Rotterdam). 

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

• Step 3, Amsterdam to Warsaw by train starts at  €37.90 each way in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Book this at www.bahn.de as follows:

  To get Amsterdam to Warsaw or Krakow with an overnight stop in Berlin, enter Amsterdam Centraal to Warsaw Centralna or Krakow Glowny, then click Stopover and enter Berlin Hbf as a via station with a stopover duration of (say) 14 hours.  I've set this link up for you, just enter your date of travel and number of passengers.  Adjust the stopover duration 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 www.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 en suite cabins, 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.

DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway (now Princess Seaways) about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  The ferry also has deluxe Commodore class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.  See the video...		A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

P&O Ferries Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort.  The ferry also has deluxe class cabins with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.		A standard outside cabin with shower & toilet on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam from Hull to Rotterdam.

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.

A German Intercity train.  More information about Intercity trains.

Dinner in the bistro.  The beef ribs were delicious...		Bistro car.  See current month's menu...

2nd class seating is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4.  Sometimes you'll find 2nd class compartment cars with side corridor and ten 6-seat compartments  Larger photo.

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train...

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity page for more information.

This is the Berlin-Krakow Wawel, boarding on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf...

1st class seats on the Berlin-Krakow Wawel...		2nd class open-plan seats.  Some are in compartments.

Restaurant car...

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

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It's not difficult to buy train tickets for domestic 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 domestic 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 rozklad.sitkol.pl

A recommended journey planner for all Polish trains, including local ones (for example, those linking Krakow with Oswiecim (Auschwitz) see rozklad.sitkol.pl/bin/query.exe/en.

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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

A double room at the Polonia Palace...		The Polonia Palace from the viewing terrace of the Palace of Culture.

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

0207 864 4600 (UK) 1-888-829-4775 (USA) 1-855-882-2910 (Canada) 1300 971 526 (Aus) 0800 000 554 (NZ)

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 for tours, holidays & breaks to Krakow & Poland by train...

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.

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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 for Europe

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for Europe and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list.  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.  VPNs & why you need one explained

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  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 the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Always carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com.

Touring cities & museums?  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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