AboutGraham Read Expertise NO QUESTIONS ABOUT VIZAS, WORK PERMITS OR PERMIT/VIZA RELATED MARRIAGES
Can help out especially with travel questions - main expertise about Krakow, South Poland and mountains/hiking, plus other major cities.
Also questions on/about; Polish language, life in Poland, cuisine, tourism, history.
Experience Living & working in Poland since 2002
Education/Credentials BSc University of Warwick, UK
Question QUESTION: Hi Graham,
I am coming over to Poland on the 1st July 2009 and fly into Bydgoszcz Airport, arriving at 4.55pm.
I am then wanting to travel from there to Gdansk on the 1st July, before moving onto Gydnia for a Festival that starts on the 2nd and i'm wondering what the best method of transport would be for 5 people?
I have had a look at trains which appear to take around 3.5 hours? Are there any long distance taxi companies or anything that may be cheaper/ easier?
Hope you can help!!
Matt
ANSWER: Hi,
The journey's about 180km, 2 1/2 hour drive (bus will be slower). A reasonable deal for 5 people would be about 700PLN (140quid).
http://bydgoszcz.naszemiasto.pl/kontakty_adresy/lista/32.html
This link should give you loads of taxi info (let me know if doesn't work). You'll need a Pole to help you as I can't imagine many will speak English (but for sure some will). Tell them they're are 5 of you.
I checked buses and doesn't look good. Trains, there's one at 17.57, next at 19.13 - 3 hour journeys.
Other option is to hitch hike it.
Let me know if you need any other help.
Good luck,
Graham
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QUESTION: Hi Graham, thanks for the quick reply!
I think the train will probarbly be the best option to be honest and we can just get it that evening as soon as possible.
How long a journey is it from Bydgoszcz Airport to the nearest train station that will depart for Gdansk? What is the price for a ticket and do you advise booking before getting to Poland or do you just buy tickets at the station/ on the train?
Also, would you advise booking a hostel/ hotel in Gdansk for the evening we arrive or are there plenty that we could pretty much just walk into?
If you know of any nice but cheap hostels/ hotel's in Gdansk could you let us know any of them?
Thanks,
Matt
ANSWER: Airport is a ten min drive from the airport. You want Bydgoszcz Glowny in the town centre - it's not a big station. Might not be beers on the train, stock up at the station if you can.
Only reason you'd want to book ahead is if you think you'll be short for time. Journey's probably about 40PLN.
You can just get on the train, but be a bit sharpish about finding a conductor, as if they find you it's a 10 pound fine.
For Gdansk, try inyourpock or Gdansklife websites, I recently stayed at the Pepperland hostel, it's well located on the river in the old town. You can find cheaper though.
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QUESTION: Thanks a lot Graham...really helpful!
I saw the Pepperland Hostel the other day and I think were going to stay there on the way home.
Do you know any hostels, hotels or campsites in Gyndia as we are staying there for a night or two after the festival? Also, what is it like in Gyndia? Are the beaches nice or is it more of a port?
Thanks,
Matt
Answer I don't know anything in Gydynia, take a look at the lonely planet or inyourpocket guide for accom.
Gdynia is a big shit hole port, communist style, that might or might not be interesting, I hear the nightlife can be good.
You could try Sopot, nice beaches, also acceptable nightlife (it has plenty of clubs on the main street). Gdansk nightlife is pretty bad, city dies at about 1pm.
I guess I'd recommend keeping Gdansk as a base, as it's beautiful, and then day tripping, or night tripping, out to other places. There's pretty good train connections with Sopot & Gdynia which run through the night.
