2 Weeks in Poland: The Complete Tour
Contents
- Route Overview
- Where to Stay
- Warsaw (3 nights)
- Torun (1 night)
- Gdansk (3 nights including Malbork day trip)
- Poznan (1 night)
- Wroclaw (2 nights)
- Krakow (3 nights)
- Days 1-3: Warsaw
- Day 4: Torun
- Days 5-6: Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia
- Day 7: Malbork Castle Day Trip
- Day 8: Poznan
- Days 9-10: Wroclaw
- Days 11-13: Krakow and Auschwitz
- Day 14: Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains
- Transport Summary
- Daily Budget Summary
- City Guides for This Route
- Deeper Guides
Two weeks is the right amount of time to see Poland properly. This route covers the full north-south corridor — from the Baltic coast to the Tatra Mountains — plus three cities that most short-trip itineraries miss: Torun, Poznan, and Wroclaw. Each adds something different, and the train connections between them are straightforward. For day tours and excursions at each stop, guided tours across Poland let you book activities city by city.
Route Overview
- Days 1-3: Warsaw
- Day 4: Train to Torun (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Day 4: Torun
- Day 5: Train to Gdansk (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Days 5-6: Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia
- Day 7: Malbork Castle day trip from Gdansk
- Day 8: Train to Poznan (approximately 3 hours)
- Day 8: Poznan
- Day 9: Train to Wroclaw (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Days 9-10: Wroclaw
- Day 11: Train to Krakow (approximately 3.5 hours)
- Days 11-13: Krakow, Auschwitz day trip
- Day 14: Bus to Zakopane (approximately 2 hours)
- Day 14: Zakopane and Tatra Mountains
Total intercity transport cost: Approximately PLN 400-700 (EUR 94-164) per person.
Where to Stay
Warsaw (3 nights)
- Budget: Oki Doki Old Town Hostel — dorms from approximately PLN 70/night (EUR 16)
- Mid-range: Hotel Bristol, Krakowskie Przedmiescie 42/44 — from approximately PLN 650/night (EUR 152)
- Upscale: Raffles Europejski — from approximately PLN 1,400/night (EUR 328)
Torun (1 night)
- Budget: Hostel Tey, ul. Legionow 24 — private rooms from approximately PLN 130/night (EUR 30)
- Mid-range: Hotel Gotyk, ul. Piekary 20 — from approximately PLN 300/night (EUR 70), inside a Gothic merchant house
- Upscale: Hotel Bulwar, Bulwar Filadelfijski 2 — from approximately PLN 500/night (EUR 117), river views
Gdansk (3 nights including Malbork day trip)
- Budget: 3 City Hostel, ul. Grodzka 21 — dorms from approximately PLN 65/night (EUR 15)
- Mid-range: Hotel Podewils, ul. Szafarnia 2 — from approximately PLN 450/night (EUR 105)
- Upscale: Hotel Gdansk, ul. Szafarnia 9 — from approximately PLN 900/night (EUR 211)
Poznan (1 night)
- Budget: Poco Loco Hostel, ul. Taczaka 23 — dorms from approximately PLN 55/night (EUR 13)
- Mid-range: PURO Hotel Poznan, ul. Zydowska 7 — from approximately PLN 380/night (EUR 89), near the Old Market Square
- Upscale: Hotel Bazar, ul. Marcinkowskiego 10 — from approximately PLN 600/night (EUR 140), a Poznan landmark since 1841
Wroclaw (2 nights)
- Budget: Cinnamon Hostel, ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 67 — dorms from approximately PLN 60/night (EUR 14)
- Mid-range: Hotel & Art Stary Rynek, Rynek 31 — from approximately PLN 450/night (EUR 105)
- Upscale: The Granary, ul. Mennicza 24 — from approximately PLN 900/night (EUR 211)
Krakow (3 nights)
- Budget: Greg & Tom Hostel, ul. Pawia 12 — dorms from approximately PLN 80/night (EUR 19)
- Mid-range: Hotel Stary, ul. Szczepanska 5 — from approximately PLN 500/night (EUR 117)
- Upscale: Hotel Copernicus, ul. Kanonicza 16 — from approximately PLN 1,200/night (EUR 280)
Days 1-3: Warsaw
Day 1 — Old Town, Royal Castle, POLIN Museum
Castle Square and the Royal Castle (approximately PLN 40/EUR 9, free Wednesdays). Walk the reconstructed Old Town — rebuilt from rubble after 1944, now a UNESCO site. Rynek Starego Miasta, the Barbican, and the city walls.
Lunch at Bar Mleczny Bambino, ul. Hoza 1 — full meal approximately PLN 18-25 (EUR 4-6).
Afternoon at POLIN Museum (approximately PLN 35/EUR 8, free Thursdays). Allow 2-3 hours.
Dinner at Zapiecek, Old Town Square — pierogi plates from approximately PLN 28 (EUR 7).
Day 2 — Royal Route, Lazienki Park, Wilanow
Walk the Royal Route south from Krakowskie Przedmiescie through Nowy Swiat to Lazienki Park. Palace on the Isle (approximately PLN 30/EUR 7). Continue to Wilanow Palace (approximately PLN 35/EUR 8) — the baroque gardens alone are worth the trip.
Lunch at Sazy Mazy, ul. Nowy Swiat 19 — modern Polish bistro, mains from approximately PLN 35 (EUR 8).
Evening in the Praga district across the Vistula — walk ul. Zabkowska, Neon Museum (approximately PLN 20/EUR 5), and the Soho Factory cultural complex.
Day 3 — Warsaw Rising Museum and Free Time
The Warsaw Rising Museum at ul. Grzybowska 79 covers the 1944 uprising in extraordinary detail — one of Poland’s most important museums. Entry approximately PLN 30 (EUR 7), free Sundays. Allow 2-3 hours. For a guided tour of Warsaw’s wartime history before visiting the museum, guided Warsaw tours cover the key WWII sites across the city.
Afternoon free for shopping on Nowy Swiat, visiting the Copernicus Science Centre (approximately PLN 37/EUR 9), or exploring the rooftop gardens at the University Library.
Dinner at Kieliszki na Hozej, ul. Hoza 25 — small plates from approximately PLN 25-50 (EUR 6-12).
Day 4: Torun
Morning — Train to Torun
PKP train from Warszawa Centralna to Torun Glowny — approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, from PLN 49 (EUR 11).
Torun is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and one of Poland’s best-preserved medieval cities. The Old Town survived the war almost entirely intact.
Afternoon
Walk the Old Town Square (Rynek Staromiejski) — the Gothic Town Hall at the centre houses the Regional Museum (approximately PLN 17/EUR 4). Climb the tower for a panorama across the red rooftops. Visit the Copernicus House at ul. Kopernika 15/17 (approximately PLN 17/EUR 4) — a Gothic merchant house with exhibits on the astronomer’s life.
Walk the city walls along the riverfront, then find the Leaning Tower — Poland’s answer to Pisa, tilting at nearly 1.5 metres off vertical.
Torun is famous for gingerbread (pierniki). Buy the traditional Katarzynki at any of the shops on ul. Zeglarska, or try a gingerbread-making workshop at the Gingerbread Museum (approximately PLN 30/EUR 7, sessions last 1 hour).
Dinner
Eat at Manekin, Rynek Staromiejski 16 — famous for its enormous crepe-style nalesniki with dozens of fillings. Savoury and sweet versions from approximately PLN 18-30 (EUR 4-7).
Days 5-6: Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia
Day 5 — Train to Gdansk and Main Town
PKP train from Torun to Gdansk Glowny — approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, from PLN 39 (EUR 9).
Afternoon exploring Gdansk’s Main Town — the Long Street (ul. Dluga), Artus Court (approximately PLN 20/EUR 5), Neptune Fountain, and St Mary’s Church tower climb (approximately PLN 20/EUR 5 for the 400-step ascent). Walk the Motlawa River waterfront past the medieval Crane.
Dinner at Goldwasser, ul. Dluga 22 — Baltic cod and traditional Gdansk cuisine, mains from approximately PLN 50-90 (EUR 12-21).
Day 6 — European Solidarity Centre and Sopot
Morning at the European Solidarity Centre (approximately PLN 35/EUR 8, free Wednesdays), the definitive museum of the Solidarity movement and Poland’s path out of communism. Allow 2 hours.
Afternoon train to Sopot (SKM commuter, 20 minutes, PLN 4.50/EUR 1). Walk the 515-metre Molo pier (approximately PLN 10/EUR 2.30 in summer) and the Monte Cassino pedestrian street. Continue by SKM to Gdynia (10 minutes from Sopot, PLN 3.50) to see the emigration museum at the port or the Dar Pomorza sailing ship museum (approximately PLN 16/EUR 4).
Evening back in Gdansk — dinner at Czerwone Drzwi, ul. Piwna 52/53 — tasting menus from approximately PLN 180 (EUR 42) per person.
Day 7: Malbork Castle Day Trip
Take the PKP train from Gdansk Glowny to Malbork — approximately 35 minutes, from PLN 18 (EUR 4). The castle is a 15-minute walk from the station.
Malbork Castle is the largest castle in the world by surface area — the former headquarters of the Teutonic Knights. The complex includes the High Castle, Middle Castle, and Palace of the Grand Master. Entry approximately PLN 55 (EUR 13) for the full route, or PLN 75 (EUR 18) with audio guide, as of 2026. Open 9am-7pm (summer), 10am-3pm (winter). Allow 3-4 hours for the full tour.
Lunch at Gotycka, ul. Staroscinska 14 in Malbork — Polish home cooking near the castle, mains from approximately PLN 25-45 (EUR 6-11).
Return to Gdansk by afternoon train.
Day 8: Poznan
Morning — Train to Poznan
PKP train from Gdansk Glowny to Poznan Glowny — approximately 3 hours, from PLN 59 (EUR 14).
Afternoon
Poznan’s Stary Rynek (Old Market Square) centres on the Renaissance Town Hall. At noon daily, two mechanical goats butt heads above the clock — a tradition since the 16th century. The Town Hall interior houses the Museum of the History of Poznan (approximately PLN 15/EUR 3.50).
Walk to the Imperial Castle (Zamek Cesarski) — the youngest royal castle in Europe, built for Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1910. The interior hosts rotating exhibitions. Entry approximately PLN 12 (EUR 3).
Poznan is the best city in Poland for eating. For lunch, try Pyra Bar, ul. Jozefa 2 — modern takes on pyry z gzikiem (potatoes with quark), the city’s signature dish. From approximately PLN 20-35 (EUR 5-8).
Evening
Dinner at Ratuszova, Stary Rynek 55 — fine Polish cuisine overlooking the square. Mains from approximately PLN 55-95 (EUR 13-22). Try the roast duck with apples, a Poznan speciality.
Days 9-10: Wroclaw
Day 9 — Travel and Old Town
PKP train from Poznan to Wroclaw Glowny — approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, from PLN 35 (EUR 8).
Afternoon on the Rynek — Wroclaw’s market square is ringed with colourful burgher houses and dominated by the Gothic Town Hall. Hunt for the bronze dwarf figurines (over 300 scattered through the city). Walk to the salt square (Plac Solny) and through the university quarter.
Dinner at Konspira, ul. Szewska 7 — communist-era themed restaurant, mains from approximately PLN 35-55 (EUR 8-13).
Day 10 — Cathedral Island and Centennial Hall
Morning walk across the bridges to Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island). The Cathedral of St John the Baptist has a viewing tower (approximately PLN 10/EUR 2.30). The Raclawicka Panorama at ul. Purkyniego 11 is a 360-degree battle painting, 15 metres high — approximately PLN 35 (EUR 8).
Afternoon: tram to the Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) — UNESCO-listed 1913 concrete dome. The Multimedia Fountain nearby runs free shows May-October. Japanese Garden adjacent (approximately PLN 15/EUR 3.50).
Lunch at Bar Mleczny Mis, ul. Kuznicza 48 — Wroclaw’s best milk bar. Pierogi from PLN 12 (EUR 3).
Days 11-13: Krakow and Auschwitz
Day 11 — Train to Krakow and Old Town
PKP train from Wroclaw to Krakow Glowny — approximately 3 hours 30 minutes, from PLN 59 (EUR 14).
Afternoon in Krakow’s Old Town — Rynek Glowny, St Mary’s Basilica (approximately PLN 20/EUR 5), Cloth Hall, and Wawel Castle (State Rooms approximately PLN 35/EUR 8). We cover Krakow in detail in our 3-day Krakow itinerary.
Day 12 — Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip
Take a bus from Krakow bus station to Oswiecim (Auschwitz) — approximately 1.5 hours, from PLN 15 (EUR 3.50). Alternatively, organised tours from Kraków to Auschwitz include transport for approximately PLN 130–180 (EUR 30–42) per person.
Entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free, but a guided tour is required between April and October (approximately PLN 100/EUR 23 per person). Book at visit.auschwitz.org well in advance — English-language tours sell out weeks ahead in summer. The visit takes approximately 3.5-4 hours (1.5 hours at Auschwitz I, then shuttle bus to Birkenau for 1.5 hours).
This is a profoundly important visit. Wear appropriate clothing and leave ample time.
Return to Krakow by bus (same route, same price).
Day 13 — Kazimierz and Wieliczka
Morning in Kazimierz — Old Synagogue (approximately PLN 15/EUR 3.50), Plac Nowy zapiekanki, Schindler’s Factory (approximately PLN 32/EUR 7.50, book online). Afternoon train to Wieliczka Salt Mine (PLN 5, 25 minutes) — Tourist Route tour approximately PLN 120 (EUR 28).
Evening pierogi crawl: Pierogarnia Maly Krakow, Pierozki u Vincenta, and Przystanek Pierogarnia — see our 3-day Krakow itinerary for details.
Day 14: Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains
Take a FlixBus or minibus from Krakow to Zakopane — approximately 2 hours, from PLN 15-30 (EUR 3.50-7).
Walk ul. Krupowki and try oscypek (smoked sheep’s cheese, approximately PLN 8-15). Take the Gubalowka funicular (return approximately PLN 38/EUR 9) for a Tatra panorama.
Afternoon hike option: Morskie Oko lake — bus from Zakopane to Palenica Bialczanska (PLN 5), then 9 km walk each way (approximately 2 hours). Horse-drawn carriage covers 7 km for approximately PLN 70 (EUR 16) one way.
Dinner at Gazdowo Kuznia, ul. Krupowki 1 — highland cuisine with live folk music. Kwasnica soup and grilled oscypek, mains from approximately PLN 35-65 (EUR 8-15).
Transport Summary
| Route | Mode | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw → Torun | PKP train | 2h 30min | From PLN 49 (EUR 11) |
| Torun → Gdansk | PKP train | 2h 30min | From PLN 39 (EUR 9) |
| Gdansk → Malbork (return) | PKP train | 35min each way | From PLN 36 return (EUR 8) |
| Gdansk → Poznan | PKP train | 3h | From PLN 59 (EUR 14) |
| Poznan → Wroclaw | PKP train | 2h 30min | From PLN 35 (EUR 8) |
| Wroclaw → Krakow | PKP train | 3h 30min | From PLN 59 (EUR 14) |
| Krakow → Oswiecim (return) | Bus | 1h 30min each way | From PLN 30 return (EUR 7) |
| Krakow → Zakopane | Bus | 2h | From PLN 15 (EUR 3.50) |
All prices approximate as of 2026. Book PKP tickets at intercity.pl.
Daily Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | PLN 55-130 | PLN 300-650 | PLN 500-1,400 |
| Food (per day) | PLN 60-80 | PLN 120-180 | PLN 250-400 |
| Attractions (per day) | PLN 30-60 | PLN 60-100 | PLN 60-100 |
| Transport (total) | PLN 250-400 | PLN 400-700 | PLN 600-1,000 |
| 14-day total (per person) | PLN 4,500-7,000 | PLN 7,000-12,000 | PLN 14,000-24,000 |
All prices approximate as of 2026.
City Guides for This Route
- Warsaw City Guide — full overview, hotels, and restaurants
- Toruń City Guide — Copernicus birthplace and Gothic Old Town
- Gdańsk City Guide — Solidarity Centre and the Baltic waterfront
- Gdynia City Guide — Emigration Museum and modernist architecture
- Sopot City Guide — Baltic resort and the longest wooden pier
- Poznań City Guide — Old Market Square and Cathedral Island
- Wrocław City Guide — Market Square, Cathedral Island, and dwarfs
- Kraków City Guide — full overview, hotels, and restaurants
- Oświęcim and Auschwitz — visitor information for the memorial site
- Zakopane City Guide — Tatra Mountains, cable cars, and hiking
Deeper Guides
- Malbork Castle — the full history and visitor guide for Day 7
- Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau — what to expect, how to book, and how long to allow
- Tatra Mountains Trekking — the complete guide to Day 14 in the mountains
- 3 Days in Kraków Itinerary — expand Days 11–13 in Kraków with a dedicated plan
- 1 Week in Poland Itinerary — the stripped-down version for shorter trips
- Getting Around Poland — all trains, buses, and transport connections on this route
- Poland Budget Guide — what to expect to spend across 14 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does 2 weeks in Poland cost?
- Excluding international flights, budget approximately PLN 7,000-12,000 (EUR 1,640-2,810) per person for mid-range travel. This covers 13 nights of accommodation, all intercity trains, food, and attractions. Budget travellers using hostels and milk bars can manage on PLN 4,500-7,000 (EUR 1,050-1,640).
- Is 2 weeks too long for Poland?
- Not at all. Two weeks lets you cover Warsaw, the Baltic coast, medieval Torun, Malbork Castle, Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the Tatra Mountains without rushing. Poland has more regional variation than most travellers expect — each city has a distinct character.
- What train pass works best for 2 weeks in Poland?
- Poland does not have a useful domestic rail pass. Book individual PKP Intercity tickets at intercity.pl 30 days ahead for the cheapest fares. The total for all train legs in this itinerary is approximately PLN 400-700 (EUR 94-164). A Eurail pass is not cost-effective for Poland alone.
- Can I do this itinerary in reverse?
- Yes. Starting in Krakow and ending in Warsaw works equally well. The train connections run both directions at similar frequencies. Starting in Krakow gives you the mountains early and the capital at the end. Choose based on your flight routing.