Tour Date: 2 to 12 July, 2026Location: Poland
This holiday focuses on southern and western Poland – the most scenic and historically rich railway regions of the country. It combines authentic train experiences, mountain routes, and smaller heritage towns.
Many of our customers have travelled to the Baltic States with our local tour manager, Petras. Petras is so good we get a lot of requests for other tours led by Petras. So here it is!
Departures from St Pancras (on 30 June), Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Edinburgh.
Availability
Highlights
- Leisurely days (just one early start)
- Krakow
- Vintage Tram Ride
- Tatra Mountains
- Scenic Rail Journeys
- Almost all travel is by rail
- Zakopane
- Jelenia Gora
- Cog Railway
- Karkonosze National Park
- Main Line Steam Trip
Click to download PDF of full itinerary
Day 1 Thursday 2 July, 2026 (B) – Krakow
Various flight options from the UK to Krakow with direct flights from Heathrow (15:20), Gatwick (15:00), Stansted (16:00), Birmingham (19:45), Manchester (18:15), Bristol (09:05), Belfast (08:15) and Edinburgh (18:40). Dinner and overnight in Krakow.
Day 2 Friday 3 July (B,L,D) – Krakow – 10:00 to 15:00
Morning Krakow city tour. We will visit the Wawel Castle, the cathedral, the main square, St. Mary’s Basilica, the old University district and Florian’s Gate. Lunch. Afternoon visit to the Museum of Engineering & Technology and a ride on the trams. For this you will receive a public transport card which means you can travel as much, or as little, of the tram system as you like. Overnight in Krakow.
Day 3 Saturday 4 July (B,L,D) – Krakow – Zakopane – Krakow – 09:22 to 17:49
We take the morning regional train to Zakopane (4 hours). Just a few miles from the Slovak border in south central Poland, Zakopane is a resort town in the Tatra Mountains, popular with skiers in winter and with hikers and climbers year-round. Lunch. You have a free afternoon for your own exploration then a trip of the funicular to Gubałówka – an easy walk with tourist attractions, souvenir stalls, and a panoramic view over the town. Return by rail to Krakow for our third night. There is a total of 6 hours of rail travel today so, if you prefer, you can remain in Krakow for the day.
Day 4 Sunday 5 July (B,L,D) – Zakopane to Opole – 10:23 to 12:53
We catch the morning train to Opole – also by rail. Guided tour of Opole Old Town, Piast Tower, and the Odra River promenade with its historic railway bridge. Opole is the capital of Opole Voivodeship and a musical hub of Poland. It offers a rich heritage, a vibrant university life, a modern infrastructure and scenic islands on the Oder. The Main Square is a wonderful place to visit. It offers Baroque architecture of tenant houses, the neoclassical Town Hall, which was beautifully restored after the war. Dinner and overnight in Opoles.
Day 5 Monday 6 July (B,D) – Opole – Wałbrzych – Kłodzko – 07:01 to 11:51
Our only early start today with a scenic rail journey through Lower Silesia, on the morning train via Wrocław to Wałbrzych, then continue on one of Poland’s most beautiful railway routes – the mountain line from Wałbrzych to Kłodzko (approx. 1.5 h, of spectacular viaducts and tunnels). Guided tour of Kłodzko Fortress. The town is sometimes called “Little Prague” for it historical value and monuments. It sits in a picturesque valley location surrounded by mountains Dinner and overnight in Kłodzko.
Day 6 – Tuesday 7 July (B,D) – Kłodzko to Jelenia Góra – 10:18 to 13:40
We take the morning regional train, crossing the Sudetes to the Karkonosze region. Arriving in time for lunch in Jelenia Góra. Jelenia Gora is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in Poland, with a rich history, a beautiful centre and a scenic location. It has a long history as an important stop on the trade route. Today you can still see the houses and building from the 19th century. Afternoon Jelenia Góra city walk and Cieplice spa area. Dinner and overnight in Jelenia Góra.
Day 7, Wednesday 8 July (B,D) – Jelenia Góra – Szklarska Poręba – Kořenov (CZ) – Szklarska Poręba – 09:24 to 14:22
Today we ride the Kolej Izerska to Szklarska Poręba, then continue to Kořenov (Czech Republic), and return – a 3-4 h loop including stops. Some wonderful mountain scenery. In Kořenov we visit the local cog-railway museum (“Muzeum ozubnicové dráhy”). Dinner and overnight in Szklarska Poręba. Szklarska Poręba (ger. Schreiberhau) is a ski resort in Lower Silesian Voivodeship and a gateway to Karkonosze National Park in Giant Mountains. It is year-round destination both for hiking, skiing and simple leisure.
Day 8, Thursday 9 July (B,D) – Szklarska Poręba to Wrocław – 08:32 to 11:36
After breakfast we take the train to Wrocław (approx. 3 h), where the first railway line on Polish territory was opened. After lunch we have a city tour. Wroclaw is Poland’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the Viovodship of Lower Silesia. Originally (in medieval times) built across several islands, the city still has many lovely bridges and beautiful architecture. The Rynek (central square), lined by colourful buildings, is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Overnight in Wrocław.
Day 9 Friday 10 July (B,D) – Wrocław to Wolsztyn – 12:55 to 15:26
Morning free or option to visit Kolejkowo, Poland’s largest railway model exhibition located in the former Świebodzki station. In the afternoon we take the train to Wolsztyn (via Leszno). Wolsztyn is a county town located on the banks of Barzyńskie and Wolsztyńskie Lakes, connected with each other with the Dojca river. The town’s great attraction is an open-air museum with operational steam locomotive depot. Dinner and overnight in Wolsztyn.
Day 10 Saturday 11 July (B, D) – Wolsztyn – Poznań – 10:39 to 12:50
Early guided visit at the Parowozownia Wolsztyn (locomotive shed) before we depart on the 10:39 steam train to Poznań. A city with its own identity, dialect and customs, Poznań in the Greater Poland region is where Catholicism first gained a foothold on Polish soil. Poland’s first diocese was founded here on the Cathedral island in the 10th century by the nation’s first king. Afternoon Poznań city tour including the famous Market Square, town hall and Cathedral Island. Dinner and overnight in Poznań.
Day 11 Sunday 12 July (B) – Poznań to UK
Direct flights to Stansted (13:55) and Luton (11:25). Most of the group will go by rail at 10:30 west across the border to Berlin for late afternoon or evening direct flights to Heathrow (18:40), Gatwick (18:05), Birmingham (17:25), Manchester (22:20 or 10:20 next day), Bristol (21:55) and Edinburgh (21:40). Or return overland by rail.
Holiday Prices (per person)
- Full 11-day holiday from Stansted or Luton: £1,975
- Full 11-day holiday from other UK airports: £2,075
- Full 14-day holiday by rail from home station: £2,550
- Full 11-day holiday Krakow to Poznań: £1,750
Supplement
- Single use room at hotels: £230 (10 nights)
- Single use room overland by rail: £440 (13 nights)
* Overland price includes a first class Interrail pass (over 65s) which gives you free travel from you home station to London and back. Book early to get upgrade to Standard Premier on Eurostar as Interrail seats are very limited. It is also possible to go one way by rail and one way by plane – price on request.
With flight prices might increase for late booking if the air fares have increased.
Deposits
- Travelling by air: £700
- Travelling by rail: £1,000
- Own travel: £400
Holiday Includes
- All travel and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
- En-suite accommodation
- Meals as shown in the itinerary; B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
- Entrance fees as per program
Online Booking
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Accommodation
Krakow Wyspianski Hotel 3*, https://www.hotel-wyspianski.pl/en/
Opole Mercure Opole 3*, https://all.accor.com/hotel/3405/index.en.shtml
Kłodzko Na Stoku Twierdzy, https://www.nastokutwierdzy.eu/
Jelenia Góra Mercure Jelenia Góra 3*, https://www.jeleniagorahotel.pl/en/
Szklarska Poręba Boutique Eco Hotel Sasanka 3*, https://hotel-sasanka.pl/
Wrocław Ibis Styles Wrocław Centrum 3*, https://all.accor.com/hotel/9347/index.pl.shtml
Wolsztyn Hotel Kaukaska 3*, https://www.kaukaska.pl/index.php?lang=2
Poznań De Silva Premium Poznan 4*, https://www.desilva.pl/poznan/en/
UK Flights
BA872 15:20 Heathrow to Krakow (arr 18:55)
BA995 18:40 Berlin to Heathrow (arr 19:35)
W2-2008 15:00 Gatwick to Krakow (arr 18:25)
EZ8626 18:05 Berlin to Gatwick (arr 19:05)
FR2432 16:00 Stansted to Krakow (arr 19:20)
FR1751 13:55 Poznan to Stansted (arr 15:00)
FR6806 09:05 Bristol to Krakow (arr 12:35)
FR2934 21:55 Berlin to Bristol (arr 22:55)
FR1465 18:45 Birmingham to Krakow (arr 23:10)
EZ6622 17:25 Berlin to Birmingham (arr 18:20)
FR2141 14:45 Manchester to Krakow (arr 18:15)
EZ2202 22:20 Berlin to Manchester (arr 23:20)
FR6624 18:40 Edinburgh to Krakow (arr 22:20)
EZ3262 21:40 Berlin to Edinburgh (arr 22:50)
Overland from UK by Rail
30 June
Rail connection from any UK station
E* 10:04 St Pancras to Brussels Midi (arr 13:05)
ICE 14:25 Brussels Midi to Cologne (arr 16:15)
ICE 16:44 Cologne to Berlin (arr 21:01)
Overnight in Berlin hotel
1 July
EC379 10:55 Berlin to Prague/Praha (CZ) (arr 15:23)
Overnight in Prague hotel
2 July
EC115 10:22 Prague/Praha to Krakow (arr 17:02)
Return by Rail
12 July
EC246 09:30 Poznan to Berlin (arr 12:16)
ICE 13:28 Berlin to Frankfurt (arr 17:44)
Overnight in Frankfurt hotel
13 July
ICE 10:25 Frankfurt to Brussels Midi (arr 13:35)
E* 14:52 Brussels Midi to St Pancras (arr 15:57)
Onward rail connection to any UK station