Traveling to Koszalin?

I want my children 9@6 to go to Koszalin this summer. I have a chronic pain condition @ travelling will be very difficult. Supposedly, my doctor thinks a pain patch will get me there and back? The doctor thinks I should have treatments in Poland. In Poland ,it wouldn't be appropriate to take care of my health? I should be taking care of the kids and visting with family. My Polish is little. My father in-law has spent two summer's in America. We both speak little of either language, but love and adore each other. Somehow, we communicate. What are some thoughts to language, culture, and special care- massages...? Most importantly, travelling there. My husband can't go because we have our own business and new real estate investment (plus, the economy has affected our business.

Are you flying into Gdansk...?

Your options are flying from London to Gdansk then 2.5 hrs by train to Koszalin OR from London to Szczecin and then 3-4 hours train ride to Koszalin OR to flying to Berlin, Germany and then some 6-8 hours by train.

Warsaw airport to Koszalin trip by train takes about 8-12 hours depending on train.

Koszalin is close to Baltic sea where you'd have many health retreat options - Mielno and Ustronie Morskie are 2 closest locations on the Baltic to consider

one of Mielno spas: unitral.eu

Yes. I will probably fly to Coppenhagen then to Gdansk (his brother,wife@kids live there), from there drive to Koszalin.

Thank you for the travel options and Spa information. I hadn't thought of those options? Good advice! I will explore all travel routes. I will get there!

So, you have somebody to pick you up in Gdansk and drive you to Koszalin...???

I think a family member will pick me up in Gdansk. Probably, my father in-law. That's how he travelled when he visited us. Otherwise, will need to move to plan B. I'm independent, I wouldn't want to impose. If I did do it on my own, any suggestions?

If its only two and a half hours by train to Koszalin it shouuldn,t be too much of a nightmare...I have never travelled on a Polish train , but i am assured they are quite comfortable....

Depends on the train and time of day, to be honest.

Osobowy trains (ran by PKP Przewozy Regionalne) should probably best be avoided - while they are perfectly safe and reliable, they can be very overcrowded and generally wouldn't be a good bet for someone travelling with small children. But it depends on where - Kostrzyn-Krzyz is an example of where the trains are of a very high standard.

Pospieszny (ran by PKP Intercity) can be hit or miss too - and I'd give them a wide berth too. Again, it depends on the time of day - you can travel on practically empty trains, or be stuck on ridiculously overcrowded ones. The standard is all over the place too. Neither osobowy nor pospieszny trains do seat reservations.

Generally speaking, you'd be best to stick with TLK/EX/IC/EC trains. But I've had a look at the timetable and there's only one TLK train a day and a very late night Express - so it might be pretty unsuitable for your needs. PKS bus might be an option - but no public transport in Poland is really that suitable for someone travelling with children.

Thank you for that extensive train information! I want to simplify travelling as much as possible due to the children. My husband thinks the train is a bad idea. He insists Tata will come pick me up. He seems to think it wouldn't be safe? Information you gave is great-thanks. I will keep this information as an option?

If you are not able to get somebody to pick you up from Gdansk airport i would be pleased to meet you there and drive you to Koszalin if you give me some money for diesal... I have just bought a Jeep cherokee , so you should feel at home in that , well apart from the steering wheel being on the wrong side....I have a Harley too , but i guess they would not be good for you , and a bit crowded with the kids too.....

Thank you, that is very kind and hospitable. Still establishing game plan.

Travelling on the train would be perfectly safe if you stick to TLK/Express/Intercity trains.

It's not exactly complicated to get from Gdansk airport to Koszalin. Taxi from airport to Gdansk train station. Train from there to Koszalin.

Here's an English language search engine for Polish trains: rozklad-pkp.pl/?q=en/node/143

Thanks for the additional information on trains and scheduling and for addressing safety concerns. I found that Polish men especially, are very protective of the women in their lives? I don't mean to stereotype, only from experience. They like to keep a close eye on others intentions.