I Love Trains

I Love Trains

8 slow stays in Poland you can reach with KOLEO

Tiziano Terzani once wrote: “Traveling by train, for an extended time confined in a small space, renews a withered curiosity for details. (...) After three decades of flying, I can’t recall a single fellow passenger. It’s entirely different on a train: you share days, meals, and boredom with people you’d otherwise never meet, and some you simply can’t forget”.

According to KOLEO’s report, in 2024 Polish railways carried 407.5 million passengers—a record for the 21st century. Trains make commuting to work and visiting family at the holidays more comfortable. They give you time to think, admire the scenery, or sometimes just meet someone new. And the fact that after a conversation everyone gets off at a different station only adds to the charm.

Are you inspired to travel by train? Here are eight destinations in Poland that could be the goal of your next rail adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Hello from the tower

Wrocław Nowy Dwór

In 2024 the busiest station was Wrocław Główny. From there, you can reach Dresden, the Barycz Valley, or the Karkonosze Mountains. But you can go even nearer—just hop off at Wrocław Nowy Dwór. A short walk with your backpack and you’re at the renovated water tower.

E64 resisted slow decay and even plans to blow it up. After years of solitude, it came into the hands of Eliza, who gave it new life. She set up a weekend café on the ground floor, but the crown jewels are the two apartments with a cinematic view over Wrocław. Sometimes the best experiences aren’t far away—you just have to go up high.

'E64 Wieża Wrocław is highly recommended for anyone looking for something truly unique. You can step away from standard lodgings and enrich your city stay with extra, memorable experiences. The host is deeply engaged and helpful, and the place itself has an exceptional atmosphere. The terrace, offering panoramic views of the city, is simply stunning.'

What a view!

Gdynia Główna

Last year, the average resident of the Pomeranian Voivodeship took the train 33 times, making the Tri-City SKM the most popular urban rail service in Poland. This time, we suggest a short route—from Gdańsk to Gdynia—then hop on city bus line 105 or 146. Just a 30-minute ride later, you’ll arrive at the Mechelinki pier.

At Grandpa Jaś’s house, the third generation is already welcoming guests. It’s intimate but impressive, since the house sits right on the beach. And here’s a major plus: neither the hosts nor Gdynia’s buses charge extra for pets, so feel free to bring yours along.

'What a retreat! The apartment is beautifully designed and fully equipped, and the hosts have thought of every detail. The bed—sleeping on it felt like floating on a cloud. Only the view could pull us out of it :) A view that amazes at any time of day and absolutely takes your breath away at sunrise. We hope to be back soon.'

Great design in Kazimierz

Kraków Główny

When it comes to popularity, the Kraków Główny–Katowice route can’t be beaten—it sold the most tickets in 2024. But what if you want to stay in Kraków a little longer?

Meet a spot made for couples in love with each other and good design. This six-room hotel nestles quietly in the winding streets of Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic district. Its breakfasts are legendary, and keen eyes will spot plenty of high-end art throughout.

'This hotel, the service, the breakfasts, the design! You just can’t describe it in words. You have to see it for yourself. I wholeheartedly recommend it, and I know that on my next trip to Kraków, I’ll stay at the Warszauer again!'

A little Scandinavia

Zakopane

In Poland, about a million people take the train to work or school every day. We’re not sure how that compares to Scandinavia, but we found a bit of its spirit beneath the Tatra Mountains. In this family-run guesthouse with nearly 20 years of tradition, simplicity meets deep respect for highlander customs.

To get here, take the train to Zakopane and then hop on the bus toward the Cyrhla stop (line 11 or 21).

A place by the window

Pyzówka

For 85% of Poles, trains could be nothing more than window seats. Maybe those stats inspired Natalia and Staszek, in whose cabins the windows truly impress. You’ll find a view by the window in the bathroom with a tub, in the bedroom, in the second bedroom, and even in the sauna.

Forget about cabs or buses—your ticket to the view is just 400 m from Pyzówka station.

'Definitely 10/10! In this place we found everything we needed and more. The location is a huge plus—gorgeous scenery, and the view from the bedroom makes you want to stay longer. The cabin is very comfortable and well-equipped—the kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals, plus there’s a grill available.'

A base for cyclists

Wisła Jawornik

Most cyclists take the train from Kraków to Katowice. What a missed opportunity—to go only as far as Katowice instead of exploring the Silesian Beskids! The trails here practically beg you to pack a bike and pedal through the mountains.

If you decide to do just that, make your base the wooden villa in Wisła Jawornik. Just 400 m from the station you’ll be treated to warm, yeast-scented kołocz wiślański (a local cheese pastry), breakfast included, and direct bike trails all the way to Brenna.

'What a wonderful spot, perfectly located for train travelers. The room is clean with a comfortable bed. The hosts are very friendly and helpful. Breakfasts served daily are incredibly varied and delicious—there’s something for everyone. We highly recommend it!'

A guesthouse for good conversations

Ubocze

As many as two-thirds of travelers say they prefer a compartment, especially older passengers who enjoy chatting with fellow riders. But if train banter isn’t enough, skip the remote cabin and book a stay at a guesthouse run by two retired friends. In the shared lounge, fans of good conversation, thoughtful architecture, or simply a pleasant life come together.

Fun fact: in Ubocze, the train stops only on request. To get off, let the conductor know or press the stop button.

'NO DRAMA. I didn’t want to go home! This place—as a friend said—is so outrageously beautiful that you can just stand and lose yourself in the harmonious mix of décor, colors, and textures. (...) But the main source of my delight is the hosts, who have elevated hospitality to an art form, following the principle: “For guests, only the best is good enough.” I felt like part of a newly found family.'

Polish-Czech apartment

Cieszyn

On Deutsche Bahn trains (Warsaw–Berlin) you can order currywurst. Czech Railways (to Prague) will serve you goulash soup. Poland’s WARS offers traditional tomato soup and pork cutlet. And Cieszyn? It greets you with the local sandwich—topped with egg and herring.

Just as the train connects countries, Cieszyn knows no borders. You can freely cross from the Polish side to the Czech side and back. In the over-100-year-old modernist apartment on the market square, the hosts have neatly blended all these influences.

PS It’s only a 600-m walk from the station.

'We’ll definitely be back. The apartment is incredibly atmospheric, the location is perfect, and we were completely charmed by Cieszyn. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to relax.'

Published:
23.09.2026

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