Gdynia Gdansk

Smaller ships may use Oliwskie Pier in Gdansk New Port, about four miles from town centre, or Gdynia's Pomorskie pier. The latter is around a 45-minute journey from Gdansk Old Town but only a 10-minute walk from central Gdynia.

Most larger vessels berth at Gdynia's Francuskie Pier, in an industrial port area without facilities. It is about a 30 minute walk to both town and the train station.

Taxis are plentiful, and cruise shuttles run to the city centre for 8 Euro per person.

Gdansk cruise schedule.

Gydnia cruise schedule.

Young but rapidly growing Gdynia is a seafront port with tourist sights, excellent shopping and considerable entertainment. Founded as a Polish harbour in 1926, its unusual shore-side position offers great sea views and beautiful scenery, long promenades, attractive waterfronts, marinas and yacht clubs.

Almost everyone continues to Gdansk, called Danzig by German speakers, on a cruise bus or public train. The dock is 2 miles from the station. After disembarking, walk 100 meters right for local taxis. A taxi carrying four should be 16-20 Zlotys, or about $5-$6 US, from dock to station.

At Gdynia Glowna station, avoid the ticket-window line you see upon entering because it serves long-distance trains only. Go instead to a side kiosk where a person sits behind a window to buy tickets. ATM's are available. A ticket costs 4 zloty ($1); buy two for the return as well. Gdansk has 2 to 3 trains per hour.

When station queues are long, board the chosen train and buy from the conductor. There is a small surcharge, approximately 15zł, and credit cards are accepted. Travelers are expected to greet compartment companions with a brief ‘dzień dobry’; as a matter of course, male passengers are assumed to help women or elderly people with heavy baggage.

Stamp tickets before boarding using the yellow machines found throughout the station. There is a fine for travelling without the stamp.

Leave the train at Gdansk Glowny. Several Gdansk stations exist, but this one is closest to town centre.

At Francuskie Pier, use Gdynia taxis belonging to a "corporation", identified by a logo and telephone number on the side and roof. Taxis inside the gates charge 5 Euro to Gdynia Center, 15 Euro to Sopot and 30 Euro to Gdansk centre; hire is 30 Euro per hour. Rates outside are about 20% lower. Around 100 euro is normal for a 5 hour cab trip. Confirm that the driver speaks some English.

The following can all be fitted into this timeframe:

Oliwa Cathedral's 110 pitch organ is unique to hear and see. Free 20 minute recitals take place at 10, 11, noon and one PM Mon-Fri.

Gdansk old centre deserves an hour or two in its beautifully, expertly restored old town. Visit the Solidarity Monument, recalling the troubled 20st century endured by Poland.

Sopot is an upscale beach resort with a genuinely Grand Hotel and lively beach and pier.

Gdynia itself has enough sights for a taxi driver to show you.

Gdansk is very simple to navigate on foot.

Prewar Gdansk, then called Danzig, originated in the 10th century and was shaped by Prussian and Hanseatic rule. Its 1945 liberation battles almost totally destroyed it. The historic centre was rebuilt reverently and is now among Poland's richest, most lavish collections of architectural relics. Entering feels like stepping into a Hansa merchants settlement: huge stone gateways stand at both ends of the main street, while the town-hall tower dominates and the main square is…

Gdansk Historical Museum is inside the impressive Town Hall, whose lavish decoration nearly outshines its exhibits. Maritime Museum displays models of every ship made in local yards since 1945, within the huge, largely original 15th-century Gdansk Crane once human-powered by treadmill walking. National Art Museum, a city highlight, has fabrics, chests, gold, silverware and extensive local Gothic sculpture and art all reflecting the town's former wealth. Its prized possession is…

Sopot lies between Tri-City Landscape Park's beautiful woods and Bay of Gdańsk's numerous sandy beaches. It is known for sanitaria, many artists and endless quantities of tourists, mainly visiting during summer. Monte Casino Street, ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino, forms Sopot's pedestrianized centre.

Look for crystal, silver and embroidered linen. Gdansk is particularly associated with amber, though beware fakes; buy it unset or, more commonly, set into silver jewellery. Gdansk historic centre is the main shopping area, and most shops open 7 days a week.

Poland's legal tender is the Polish złoty (zł, PLN). The country is not expected to adopt the common European currency Euro (€) soon, though many large "hypermarkets" already accept it. Always check conversion rates.

Most younger people, 35 and under, speak or at least understand English reasonably well.

Francuskie Pier has no Wifi or internet.

Pomorskie pier has free wireless access.

All of Gdansk old town has free wifi.

Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 1000-1800/2000 and Sat 1000-1300/1600. ‘Night shops' operate 24 hours, while supermarkets and department stores generally open daily 1000-1900.