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Do you want to avoid the chaos at European airports this summer?
Between the long winding queues due to the recently launched EES system and the crazy Ryanair rules that just don’t make sense –What do you mean I have to pay $50 on the spot because an inch of my luggage wheels is sticking out of the wheels—we wouldn’t blame you for avoiding airside hubs like the plague.
The good news is that you don’t actually have to trust your Eurotrip logistics to dodgy European airports this summer: train routes have been launched left, right and centre, and if you’re a devout Travel off the path reader, you already know that when you cross the track route is definitely a no-brainer here.
A more generous baggage policy, no long trips to the airport where you have to bite your nails for fear that you won’t be on time, and now no more hassle with digital registration.
Trains run from city center to city center, and if it’s an overnight journey, that’s even better: you can basically combine the price of hotel and transport in one single booking.
After Paris ↔ Berlin and Basel ↔ Copenhagen, Europe is now preparing to launch a new ‘overnight’ train that takes you through 4 of the most beautiful (but underrated) cities on the continent…from just $65.
Welcome aboard the Leo Express from Poland to Germany
For those who aren’t in a rush to get anywhere this summer, this new 18-hour train runs from southeastern Poland, one of Europe’s trendiest countries to visit right now, through the Czech Republic, and finally to Germany.
The ‘Leo Express’ will be launched on June 25and it is a seated night train. In other words, no sleeper cars have been announced at this time, so if you’re looking for the lie-flat option, you may want to hold off on booking for now.
The route is divided into four sections and the full stop list with departure times is as follows:
Day part (Poland) 🇵🇱
- Przemyśl Główny – 13:31
- Przemyśl Zasanie – 13:35
- Jarosław – 14:11
- Przeworsk – 14:21
- Łańcut – 14:36
- Rzeszów Główny – 14:48
- Ropczyce-15:11
- Dębica – 15:19
- Tarnów – 15:38
- Brzesko Okocim – 15:55
- Bochnia-16:04
- Kraków Płaszów – 16:29
- Kraków Główny – 4:40 PM
No express jump. It basically stops at every major city in south-eastern Poland. On to the night part:
Nightime section – Part I (Poland) 🇵🇱
- Krakow Główny – 23:28
- Kraków Płaszów – 23:36
- Bochnia-00:01
- Brzesko Okocim-00:10
- Tarnów – 00:27
- Dębica-00:46
- Ropczyce-00:54
- Rzeszów Główny – 01:17
- Łańcut – 01:29
- Przeworsk-01:44
- Jarosław-01:54
- Przemyśl Zasanie – 02:20
- Przemyśl Główny – 02:23
Night part – Part II (Czech Republic) 🇨🇿
Overnight stay at the core
- Bohumin – 20:58
- Ostrava—21:00–21:10
- Olomouc – 10:00 PM – 10:10 PM
- Pardubice-11:30 p.m
- Prague – 23:23–23:32
Deep night section (Germany) 🇩🇪
- Dresden – 01:38
- Leipzig-02:54
- Erfurt-04:23
- Gotha-04:40
- Eisenach-04:57
- Fulda-05:59
Early morning section (Germany) 🇩🇪
- Hanau-07:06
- Frankfurt South – 07:26
- Frankfurt Airport-07:53
Going to Europe this summer? Make sure you have the Admission requirements that apply here to your destination.
From mandatory fingerprints to new travel permits, a lot has changed since your last trip across the pond all those years ago, and if you’re a US passport holder, you’ll want to get your documentation in order with all the red tape that Brussels brings.
The top 4 destinations to visit with the Leo Express
That’s one lot But which cities should you actually get off at? Here are our 4 top picks:
Krakow, Poland
Krakow, Poland’s second largest city, and main cultural center (sorry, Warsaw), is located on the Vistula River, and although the city has been relegated to Warsaw, it was the country’s capital for centuries.
Unlike many Polish cities, much of Krakow’s historic center survived World War II intact, and that makes it special: cobbled streets, red-brick buildings and palaces that did not bear the brunt of the conflict. Everything you’re likely to see today still looks exactly as it did in the 14th century.
What is there to see in the city, you ask? The Market Square, or Rynek Główny, is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and an excellent place for people-watching, while Wawel Castle, on the banks of the Vistula, is home to Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned and buried.
Looking for a hidden gem hiding in plain sight? Just beyond the Old Town, the former Jewish district of Kazimierz has historic synagogues and bohemian cafes, and believe it or not, a vibrant nightlife that rivals that of Warsaw.
Rzeszow
The largest city in southeastern Poland, Rzeszów is bisected by the winding Wisłok River and is a historic trading town that has developed into one of the country’s fastest-growing urban centers.
If you’ve been put off by Western Europe’s rapid descent into disorder and chaos, you’ll be happy to hear that Rzeszów still feels like the old continent of yesteryear: clean streets, a good mix of medieval charm and modern infrastructureand impressive levels of social cohesion.
In fact, Poland as a whole is one of the safest countries to visit across the pond, with an impressive score of 95 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, which is based on reports from travelers on the ground:
The historic center is compact and easy to explore, and the local market square, while not as vast and grand as Krakow’s, is perhaps even more charming: think colorful mansions, cozy coffee shopsand a single milk bar serving homemade pierogi.
Most striking monument in the city, you ask? That would have to be Rzeszów Castle, a 17th-century fortress known for its manicured grounds, moat and aristocratic legacy.
Prague, Czech Republic
The capital of the Czech Republic, as well one of the best preserved medieval cities in EuropePrague is built along the fast-flowing Vltava River. Stone arch bridges, tall Gothic towers, Renaissance palaces and Art Nouveau mansions: it has it all.
Some of these comparable European cities abandoned their heritage and gave in to the 20th-century development boom, glass-and-steel giants and modernist eyesores, but Prague has retained much of its historic character, with a skyline that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
It’s no wonder it’s the ‘City of a hundred spires‘, a tribute to the many belfries that rise above the red tiles, gable roofs and cobbled streets.
The Old Town Square is perhaps the most beautiful on the entire continent, with its medieval astronomical clock and the iconic twin-spired Church of Our Lady before Týn.
On the other side of the river, across the saint-guarded Charles Bridge, lies Prague Castle, a monumental complex of courtyards, cathedrals and royal gardens. Real Old World, kind of a storybook cover.
Dresden, Germany
Dresden, Saxony’s largest city and cultural powerhouse, is yet another jewel on the river. But instead of being known for its spires, this one is nicknamed ‘Florence of the North‘ because of an impressive collection of art, baroque architecture and cultural treasures.
Today it seems like a literal open-air museum, with the iconic Frauenkirche rising above a pedestrianized central square, gilded statues and ornate building facades, but in reality everything you look at was essentially rebuilt after World War II.
The city was severely damaged during the conflict, and after Dresden’s incorporation into the former communist-led GDR, it took years to reconstruct the historic center and its many sights, which had lain in ruins for decades.
Once more, you couldn’t tellgiven the sheer grandeur of places like the Zwinger, the stunning palace that anchors Altstadt, dotted with angelic sculptures and lavishly decorated fountains, and Semperoper, Dresden’s stately opera house.
More about the route itself
Basically, the night part, which actually feels like night, starts in Krakow and extends all the way to Hanau, Germany, with a sleep window between midnight and 6 am. Realistically, it is occasionally interrupted by stops and announcements, and again, there are only seats (no confirmed sleeper cars).
That doesn’t mean you can expect that easyJet Plus level of comfort: in Standard Economy, the most popular option rates range from $11 to $65chairs Doing lean back far enough to allow a good night’s sleep.
The seats also have electrical sockets and free WiFi is available on the train. Food and drinks are not included in Standard Economy, but you can purchase them in the dining car or from the train conductor.
In Business you can expect wider seats, a quieter carriage and an additional level of service, with the expected estimate ranging from $40 to $120 one waydepending on the route and demand at the time of booking.
Even in Business no sleeping compartments have been announced. This is the biggest limitation when you compare the Leo Express with other night services such as the Nightjet.
Is this actually a good night train?
Positives
- Extremely cheap entrance fees (from just $11)
- It is a direct connection between Poland and Germany, without transfers
- Arrival in Frankfurt early in the morning
- Good for budget-friendly long-distance travel
Disadvantages (important for nighttime use)
- No sleeping car (reclining seats only)
- Sleep quality is limited (many stops, lights on and off and train announcements)
- Long duration
- Feels more like a ‘night bus’ on rails
In short
If you think:
- Cheap way to travel through Central Europe at night: yes, value for money
- Good sleeper train experience: not… at all
- Arriving at the airport the next morning: actually a very good strategy, especially if you fly from Frankfurt
Then yes, go for it.
