Toruń

Toruń (Kashubian: Torń, German: Thorn) is a beautiful, medieval city in North-Western Poland, situated on the Vistula River. Its architecture was not hit by bombs during World War II, and as such represents one of the few examples of true Gothic architecture in Poland. It is still reasonably off the radars of most European travelers, so one can expect to have an amazing Polish experience here without the nightmares of a million and one Interrail travelers.

It has been one of the capitals of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999, and was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998 and of the Pomeranian Voivodeship from 1921 to 1939. The city is located near the Geographic Center of Europe.

Toruń's medieval Old Town or Starówka is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Toruń is the birthplace of the world famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The house where Copernicus was born and the chapel where he was christened are still standing in the city. From Middle Ages the town is known for its gingerbreads.

As of 2019, Toruń was home to 201,000 people.

By plane
The nearest airports that offer commercial flights are in (60 km) Bydgoszcz (low cost airlines across Europe), Poznań - Ławica airport (140 km, low cost airlines across Europe), Gdańsk - Lech Wałęsa airport (~180 km, low cost airlines across Europe, connected by motorway) and Warsaw - Okęcie airport - long haul airlines (230 km) - or Modlin airport.

By train
Polish State Railways operates train connections to Toruń from Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Łódź, Katowice and Olsztyn.

Toruń's main railway station is across the river Vistula from the city. To walk into town takes 35 minutes. A taxi into the old town will cost less than 20 zł. Alternatively, buses #22 and #27 run directly to the old town. These depart from both sides of the railway station; however, the kiosk for buying tickets is on the south side of the station. Take the bus two stops to Plac Rapackiego (You'll also notice the old town as you cross the bridge - it's the stop that immediately follows the bridge). You don't need an additional ticket for the bag, as long as you don't put it on the seats.

is another railway station which is smaller but much closer to the old town. Not all trains stop there, but if your train does then getting off at Toruń Miasto is the simplest solution.

By car
Highway runs between Toruń and Gdańsk - quick way (170 km). You can reach Łódź by highway (175 km). Warsaw can be reached via route 10 (220 km) or via +  motorways (260 km).

By bus
There are many bus connections to Toruń, and the is just a short walk from the Old Town. (see Poland::By bus).

Get around
Toruń's Old Town is small. Torun's public transportation system does not enter the Old Town. Walking around is your best option. During summertime it is possible to hire a pedicab.

Outside of the Old Town, there are plentiful buses and trams. There are more and more ticket machines in buses and trams. Still there is a small possibility that you will find one without a ticket machine, and will have to buy a ticket from the driver (they rarely speak English). You can also buy a ticket in one of the many kiosks (newspaper shops), but only for cash, unless you buy something more than a ticket. If ticket inspectors (always in plainclothes) board the bus with you, you may have only 10-30 seconds to stamp your ticket before the stamping machines are frozen. Don't assume that a jam-packed bus will prevent ticket inspectors from checking your ticket: they quite frequently force their way through crowded buses to check everyone's ticket, to maximise their chance of finding a ticketless traveller.

If you plan to use public transport, you can consider using a mobile ticket (Mobilet or SkyCash; even if the websites are in Polish, the apps fortunately have English language versions).

The operators have an English version of the timetable available, but better is to use the Jak Dojadę application. It is reliable and has up-do-date info in changes in timetables.

Best bet is to walk, or if you can speak Polish or have your destination written down. Taxis are quite cheap. To get further afield, cars can be hired for around 100 zł a day.

Do
A list of events, entertainment, culture in Toruń - updated daily (also in English) can be found online:


 * Check availability in advance on +48 566636617. During peak season you should book your visit beforehand unless you plan to show up on Sa Su. Open from 09:00 to 18:00 off-peak season (from January to the end of March) open from 10:00 to 18:00. There must be at least 5 people to start show, this condition does not apply at 16:00. Need more information? Phone the museum or e-mail them at muzeumpiernika@muzeumpiernika.pl
 * Ice hockey: TKH Toruń play in Polska Hokej Liga the top tier. Their home rink is Tor-Tor on Berna boulevard just north of city centre.
 * Ice hockey: TKH Toruń play in Polska Hokej Liga the top tier. Their home rink is Tor-Tor on Berna boulevard just north of city centre.
 * Ice hockey: TKH Toruń play in Polska Hokej Liga the top tier. Their home rink is Tor-Tor on Berna boulevard just north of city centre.
 * Ice hockey: TKH Toruń play in Polska Hokej Liga the top tier. Their home rink is Tor-Tor on Berna boulevard just north of city centre.

Buy
There are many shops, boutiques in old town selling clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, music, food, drinks, vegetables and fruits (on New Town market), etc.



Eat
At warm times of year Toruń's old town is full of street cafes, restaurants where you can eat or drink outdoors and enjoy the medieval atmosphere. Some cafés are located on the bank of river Vistula, and at least two are on boats on the river. Various dishes - traditional and fast food, drinks - beer, soft drinks and ice cream are offered there. If you are a football lover there are many street cafés where you can watch a game on TV while drinking good Polish beer.

Toruń is known for its gingerbread (Toruńskie Pierniki). You must try it.



Private rooms
If you would like to stay in one of the historic buildings in the old town, it is possible to rent a furnished apartment for the night from a local family. Go to the tourist information centre and ask them for a phone number, or have them call on your behalf if you don't speak Polish. It was less than 80 zł per night during the summer in 2010.

Go next

 * Warsaw
 * Gdańsk
 * Chełmno - beautiful well-preserved medieval town 40 km north from Toruń.
 * Chełmża - old small town with Gothic cathedral, situated by the lake. 15 km.
 * Golub-Dobrzyń - former Teutonic Knights' Castle, 40 km east from Toruń
 * Szafarnia - Frédéric Chopin museum, 45 km east from Toruń
 * Ciechocinek - famous Polish spa, with unique graduation towers, 25 km south from Toruń
 * Biskupin - archaeological reservation of the Lusatian Culture settlement (650-550 year BC), 90 km from Toruń
 * Poznań - city where Poland has started; with beautiful Old Square and Cathedral Island
 * Bydgoszcz - second capital of the Voivodeship, on the Brda river, with art nouveau architecture, opera house, and Brda waterfront, 50 km from Toruń