Europe’s Railway Renaissance keeps charging ahead in full speed, and after other recent excitement announcements, from a new scenic route traveling from Paris all the way to the Amalfi Coast, to a sleeper connecting Switzerland to Scandinavia, there’s now more to look forward to:
From next month, an overnight train traveling through a handful of Europe’s most stunning, yet overlooked cities is hitting the tracks.
From hidden gems in Poland, to the stately capital of the Czech Republic, the medieval flair of Slovakia, the alpine charm of Austria, and finally, the vibrancy of South Germany’s most cosmopolitan hub, the Euronight EN Carpatia is the best way to explore Central Europe this winter.
Poland, Through Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, All The Way To Germany
As confirmed by PKP Intercity, Poland’s national rail company, a new sleeper service will be launched from Przemyśl, all the way to Munich in German.
Przemyśl is a small city in southeast Poland that’s not exactly worth going out of your way to visit, and we all know Munich for its hectic beer hall culture and jam-packed Marienplatz, so the opposite ends of the line aren’t exactly exciting by themselves.
The secret lies in the carefully-curated route passing through several other lesser-known cities that rank among Europe’s most underrated for Old World charm and culture.
In total, the train will connect 6 European nations: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany, and whether you’re boarding in Poland, or any of the intermediate stops in between, here are some stops you shouldn’t just whoosh past:
Kraków, Poland
A vibrant city in southern Poland known for its well-preserved historic core, including Europe’s most picturesque Jewish Quarter, Kraków is dotted with medieval monuments and lush urban parks.
Rynek Glówny, the market square, is flanked by a Renaissance-era Cloth Hall, an arcaded building now occupied by cozy cafés and traditional Polish eateries, and the monumental St. Mary’s Basilica, a 14th-century Gothic wonder with soaring towers.
Don’t miss Wawel Royal Castle, an imposing fortress overlooking the Vistula River, home to Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings used to be coronated, and if time permitting, make sure you take a day trip out to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the famous World War II concentration camp, a short 1h drive away.
Bohumín, Czech Republic
A small town in the Czech Republic (or Czechia, however you wanna call it), far away from the hustle and bustle of Prague, Bohumín is like a storybook scene come to life.
With around 20,000 inhabitants, it is built around a 14th-century Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a Gothic structure with later Baroque modifications that towers over the Old Town. Inside, you’ll find a vast selection of sacral art and a striking, yellow-washed altar.
The crowd-free center, with its large square, local atmosphere, and historic buildings, is incredibly pleasant to stroll, and for the nature lovers out there, you should know Bohumín is conveniently placed at the confluence of the Odra and Olše Rivers.
Think long walks along the meandering waterfront and beautiful forest trails.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Unusually quaint for a capital city, Bratislava is Slovakia’s main cultural hub, as well as one of its best-preserved medieval gems.
It is set along the Danube River, close to the Austrian and Hungarian borders, and being surrounded by rolling vineyards, and the lower peaks of the Carpathian mountains, it is a living postcard waiting to be discovered.
The Old Town is absolutely stunning, criss-crossed with cobble-paved streets and dominated by a restored Bratislava Castle. Most tourists head to the castle for panoramic shots, but if you’re looking for the best views in town, go up the UFO Tower:
It literally looks like a UFO, and it boasts an impressive panorama of the city from 95 meters up.
Salzburg
This train will be stopping in Vienna before it travels westward into Germany, but before the final border is crossed, you should hop off in Salzburg:
Dubbed ‘Rome of the Alps’, this elegant Austrian city cut through by the Salzach River has an unmatched collection of Baroque buildings, a largely-pedestrianized Altstadt (Old Town), along the left bank, and a monumental fortress, Hohensalzburg, forever standing watch above a hill.
It is also the birthplace of Mozart, and if you’ve happened to have watched this nostalgic movie called The Sound of Music at some point, you should probably know that Salzburg is the main filming location. You may even get to live out your whimsical musical fantasies at the flower-filled Mirabell Gardens.
More On The Train Itself
As for the night train, it departs from Przemyśl at 5:51 p.m., reaching Kraków in the same evening. The first border crossing is in Bohumín, in the Czech Republic.
This is when the train will split in two, with one half going through Bratislava to Budapest, and the other traveling westbound into Austria, with Munich in Germany as the final destination.
Regardless, if Munich’s where you’re headed, both trains will terminate in Bavaria after their solo detours, at around 10:24 a.m. of the following day.
On the way back, trains leave from Munich at 6:45 p.m., arriving to Przemyśl at 10:10 a.m. of the next day.
In total, the complete journey will take 16 hours, and travelers can choose between regular seats, a ‘couchette’ (a pull-out bed in a shared compartment), or a full-sized bed.
Tickets start from only $65, although if you’re traveling long-distance (e.g., Kraków to Munich), we strongly advise you to invest in a private cabin with a shower.
Those start from around $240, but think of it as a hotel-on-wheels: you’re combining the price of transport and accommodation into a single booking. Plus, you get to avoid all the airport chaos, enjoy some free snacks, and a generous breakfast platter in the morning.
Nice way to get things going.
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