Five days in Krakow - time for Gdansk?
 

Hi all!

I have booked five days in Krakow in late May. I had played around with the idea of taking a day trip to Wroclaw and maybe Zakopane, but I am intrigued by Gdansk. Even though it is far, I see that there are overnight trains possible. Would it be too much to try to squeeze in a night or two in Gdansk, or should I stay in the south and explore this area more? I am a fast traveler so I won't be doing a lot of tours/museums, mostly just walking around.

Thanks!

check planes too - have you taken overnight trains before? If so and like and can sleep a great option and ultimate daytime time saver. For a fix on what to expect on overnight trains check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Not going to Auschwitz and yes not for everyone. Also Wieliczka Salt Mines just south of Krakow is worth a half day - UNESCO World Heritage Site - more than just a mine but inricate things have been fashioned out of salt, including chandliers in dining hall, etc.

Gdansk is great idea.
 

Definitely do Gdansk but try for 2 nights vs just 1 ... especially if you like to walk around... it's old city is large and it rocks also very different architecture as well as different soul then Krakow, so it would be a nice contrast ...

Thanks, everyone! Would you recommend Gdansk over, say, Wroclaw? I don't think I will have time to do both.

We used five days for our first visit to Krakow, and included one day trip to Wroclaw; and in hindsight we would have enjoyed an overnight. Even so, trying to add Gdansk for one day (though it is worth two days, and perhaps three if you add a day to Malbork Castle) would then leave you with only three days for Krakow (assuming overnight trains). You write that you are a fast traveler, but with this itinerary you might be missing too much.

Why not Warsaw?

Warsaw would be a lot quicker to visit, sure, but the OP doesn't like to go to museums, which I think is one of their strong points. Just walking around Warsaw isn't all that attractive compared to places like Krakow or Wroclaw, which are more attractive. I wouldn't suggest it for someone who doesn't like to go to museums.

Visiting Gdansk from Krakow would be too much for me in a 5 day trip. No way would I do those overnight trains, either, given one leaves at 2 am. So you aren't really going to get much sleep that night anyway, and then you waste the morning of the next day because it doesn't arrive until 11 am. That would not be attractive to me at all, and then doing that both ways in a couple days? ugh. But really that's up to you. Otherwise, I don't see any reason why 3 days in Krakow and one overnight in Gdansk (in addition to 2 night trains??) isn't feasible. I think 3 days in Krakow would be enough for you.

It's just the travel issue that is not remotely appealing to me, and a lot of time doing it, also. I would suggest you go to Wroclaw instead, which is lovely Never been to Zakopane, don't know its appeal, I thought it was mainly a resort town. It is a lot closer, of course, so I guess you can do a day trip. I was in Wroclaw several days myself.

This is so helpful, thank you! I also worry that I might be trying to do too much if I squeeze in Gdansk. I might just stick with Krakow with a day trip to Wroclaw. Warsaw doesn't interest me as much, and I have a Polish friend who said it's worth skipping for other places. :)

However, you also said that 3 days in Krakow and 2 days in Gdansk might be feasible? Or do you mean it would not be feasible?

3 days in Krakow and 2 days in Gdansk is feasible (or 2 days in Krakow and 3 days in Gdansk). Skip Warsaw. Wroclaw although much more interesting then Warsaw, does not really beat Gdansk ( unless you want to venture to it's surrounding attractions by excursion or a car rental ( e.g. Castle in Ksiaz or Bolkow ) ...

By day train Krakow to Gdansk is 5.5 hours where Krakow to Wroclaw is 3.5 ... check schedules here http://rozklad-pkp.pl/en or https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml ... Or you can take overnight train from Krakow in evening arriving in morning (those take 8+ hours) in Gdansk and vice versa. Flying is also an option (http://www.lot.pl). Flight time is 1.5 hours BUT both cities airport are fairly outside of the old cities sections where driving a taxi depending on traffic would add at least 1.5 hours to your connection ...

In Gdansk check some of the amber selling shops - no need to buy ( but you probably will - just shop around ) - quick video about Gdansk ( which are tons on Youtube )

Thanks, Peter, this is really helpful. I have definitely ruled out Warsaw, and I will be based in Krakow, so my main question is just whether to do a day trip to Wroclaw and spend the rest of my time around Krakow, or whether to skip Wroclaw and try for a day or two in Gdansk. It may be a last-minute decision depending on my mood. :) Thanks for your help!

We stayed 3 nights in Warsaw, and then took the bus to Wroclaw for 2 nights. I love Wroclaw. It is just the right size for us....not too big or spread out nor too compact. I love the colorful Tenements in the Market Square, and imo more beautiful than the ones in Brugge!! Another thing we loved doing was looking for the different cheeky but charming bronze dwarves that litter the city which represent the city's daily life or some historical significance. I wholly recommend visiting Wroclaw!!

Thanks Joy! I think the best option for me is to do a full day in Wroclaw and spend the rest of my time in and around Krakow. Gdansk may be too ambitious. I appreciate all the tips! This has been so helpful!

I just re-read what I have posted. I'm sorry I meant we spent 3 nights in KRAKOW and 2 nights in Wroclaw.

If going to Auschwitz, the train station is a few km from the two camps (Auschwitz the work camp and Birkenau the work and extermination camp with rail sidings still abutting remains of gas chambers/'showers', which are also a few kms apart - take buses from station and between each though I walked to both and was always interesting to walk thru non-touristed towns like Auschwitz is - apart from the two camps that is! Not saying these camps are musts but to me there still reverberate in my mind years later. For tours get them at entrances - though I think best to have a printed guide also at entrances and be alone to ponder these horrific places. Just walking thru the "Work will Set You Free" sign at Auschwitz entrance is so so so sobering. There are also of course group bus tours from Krfakow or Wroclaw. Auschwitz not for everyone but if going some tips.

I will not be visiting Auschwitz, but thanks for the tips.

Krak�ow to Gdansk is about 5.5 hours by train. You can be there for lunch if you take the 05:48 from Krakow.
Stay one night and take the late train back to Krakow.

It is your your trip, so make it that.

I think I have decided against Gdansk as it may be trying to squeeze too much into only five days. Maybe I will return one day! Thanks for all the advice!