What do you think of our itinerary?

Hey!

My friend and I are visiting Poland this Christmas.
I just wanted to get a second opinion on our itinerary, it is so hard to decide what to do in such a short space of time. I'd appreciate any tips and recommendations..

22nd Dec - arrive in Swinoujscie around 7am. Leave straight away with a train to Warszawa, arrive around 17.00

(it is hard to find where to book the trains in advance because the direct train only leaves once a day. Everyone keeps directing me here: http://rozklad-pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en? but I can't see where you can book trips with connections)

23rd Dec - visit Warszawa (tips?). Take night bus to Zakopane

24th Dec - Arrive Zakopane 7am.

26th Dec - Train from Zakopane to Krakow.

27th Dec - (evening) fly out of Krakow

Ahh when I write it like that it seems like we have no time at all! I guess we were a bit ambitious travelling from the very north to the very south, but we didn't want to miss Krakow. Should we bail on Zakopane and enjoy a few more days in Krakow?
I think all the trains from Swinoujscie go via Warsaw so we thought it would be worth a stop.

I appreciate your help!

/Caitlyn

Your itinerary is OK, you will spend much time travelling, but if Swinoujście is your starting point so you don't really have a choice. Maybe consider flying (from Szczecin), but it will be much more expensive than a train.
Don't skip Zakopane - it is really worth visiting during winter. You can always make one day trip to Zakopane and save more time for Krakow or surroundings (e.g. Wieliczka, Auschwitz).
Do not take train from Krakow to Zakopane - buses are faster (2h), cheaper and depart every hour.
Remember that many people spend Christmas in Zakopane so hotels may be full - book as early as possible.

Visiting Poznan is also interesting option - I guess one day is enough for Poznan. But if given a choice - I would choose Warsaw instead.

Crazy itinerary. All traveling around and no seeing and doing. Pick a place and stay there; there will be plenty for you to do.

However, if you have ADD, then maybe this is the perfect choice for you.

I agree that this is very rushed. I would suggest as follows:
- on the 1st day go directly to Poznań, spend the afternoon in Poznań (agree with #2 that Warsaw is a more interesting option, but Poznań fits much better with the train connections and actually can be appreciated in half a day).
- take a night train from Poznań straight to Zakopane (the "Podhalanin", dep. 21:20). Book your sleeper/couchette online as soon as possible. The trains/buses during the pre-Christmas weekend will be very busy.
- spend 2-3 days in Zakopane, depending on the weather.
- go to Kraków for at least 2 full days.

Do not take train from Krakow to Zakopane - buses are faster (2h), cheaper and depart every hour.

This is true throughout most of the year, but during the Christmas season things get tricky: Christmas and the New Year holidays is the peak of tourist season in Zakopane. The road to Zakopane is narrow and winding, which means it can get completely jammed (i.e. 4-5 hours on a bus instead of 2), especially right after Christmas in the direction from Kraków to Zakopane. Zakopane to Kraków right after Christmas should be fine, but it is always wise to check the travel time online.

Edited by: emd_four on Jan 14, 2013 6:01 AM

I second the caution against reaching Zakopane by road during any busy season. That one access road quickly becomes a parking lot and can be very frustrating.

I would try to spend more time in Krakow if I were you. The Aleph hotel is cheap and has a great restaurant in the hotel that serves the best Russian Perogies I have ever had.

Best,
Craig