Day 195: Train to Warsaw
Weather: Showers With a High 18c
Elevation: 100 Metres (330 ft)
From Krakow to Warsaw – A Bumpy Start
Leaving Krakow, a city I’d really grown fond of, I boarded an early morning train heading north to Warsaw. I had treated myself to a first-class ticket — the upgrade cost only about four euros more, which seemed like a no-brainer.
That’s why it was so ridiculous to find myself without a seat. I ended up leaning against the counter in the buffet car, sipping a couple of beers to pass the time. A Polish lady struck up a conversation and told me she travels this route often. According to her, it’s common to see passengers crammed into corridors, even in first class, which she found disgusting.
An hour into the trip, the conductor came by. I showed him my ticket and asked for the email address to make a formal complaint. By some stroke of luck, a woman in first class got off the train at the next stop, freeing up a seat for me at last.
First Impressions of Warsaw
We arrived around lunchtime, and I headed straight to the Hard Rock Café for lunch and to get my bearings. My hostel turned out to be just 2 km away — a simple walk.
The dorm situation was… unusual. I’d booked a four-bed dorm, but when I walked in, there were only three beds — and mine was a double bed. This meant that, in theory, if another guest checked in, we’d have to share it. Not exactly my idea of comfort. Thankfully, I had it to myself for the two nights I stayed.
Strange Roommates and Stranger Nights
The first night, around 10:30 pm, a young guy came in. I greeted him with a cheerful “We’re roomies,” but he left shortly after — no luggage, nothing. The next morning, I discovered someone had used the shower in the night (the wet floor gave it away) and then left. I assume it was him, though I can’t be sure.
The second night, a Japanese or Chinese traveler arrived around 2:00 am. At 5:00 in the morning, I woke to find him sitting on the floor rummaging through his bags. “What are you doing at five o’clock in the morning?” I asked. He just said “Oh,” and hopped back into bed. He left before I woke up properly.
Why Warsaw Was Overflowing
It turned out my visit coincided with the weekend before the Polish general election. Both major political parties were holding rallies in Warsaw — and they were happening close to each other.
At first, I thought Poland was playing an international football match. Crowds of all ages carried flags and banners, marching through the streets. The police and army presence was heavy, and the city felt crowded and tense.
Between the rallies and the packed accommodations, Warsaw didn’t quite click with me. So, I decided to move on to Gdańsk on Monday via FlixBus.
The Hookah Bar Surprise
On my first night in Warsaw, I decided to take a short walk and find a local bar. I spotted one just a few streets away, saw they sold beer, and thought, Perfect.
It wasn’t until I’d settled in with my drink that I realised the place was actually a hookah lounge — the kind where people share flavoured tobacco through a tall, ornate water pipe. The air was thick with sweet, fruity smoke, and the tables were covered in glowing coals and glass hoses.
Not exactly what I had in mind when I went out for a quiet beer… but that’s travel for you. Sometimes you stumble into a hidden gem; other times, you accidentally gate-crash someone’s Shisha session. Either way, it made for a memorable first night in Warsaw.
Final Thoughts
No photos this time — just a blog entry. Warsaw was an interesting couple of days, full of odd moments, crowded streets, and unexpected detours. Not every destination will win your heart, but every stop adds a chapter to the story.
Couch Surfing
If we shared stories on our travels and you can put me up for a few nights I would love to meet you again and relive memories: Leaving Poland at last 90+ days a long time for a laptop fix, I'm sure they stuffed up somewhere along the way and made excuses.
Andrew from (inspireseniorstravel.com) a.matthews2453@gmail.com