Port information & tips for Gdansk (City)
Gdańsk, the magnificent jewel on the Polish Baltic coast, captivates with its centuries-old history and unmistakable Hanseatic charm. The Hanseatic city on the Motława enchants visitors with an inviting atmosphere of grand patrician houses and vibrant maritime flair. The glitzy highlights in the center include the imposing Marienkirche, the Lange Markt with the Neptunbrunnen, and the famous medieval Krantor. Cruise ships usually dock at the Westerplatte Terminal (Nabrzeże Obrońców Westerplatte), from where the old town is easily reachable in about 20 minutes thanks to comfortable shuttle connections. In addition, this location offers direct access to the historic Westerplatte Monument, making the stay at the port a first-class cultural experience.
Gdansk (Gdańsk) is a fascinating port city on the Polish Baltic coast and a popular destination for smaller cruise ships, which usually dock at Westerplatte (Obrońców Westerplatte Quay or WOC II Quay) or at the Oliwskie Pier. Larger cruise ships, on the other hand, dock in Gdynia, located about 30 to 40 kilometers away, from where passengers can use convenient transfer options to Gdansk. The terminals in Gdansk itself are easily accessible thanks to good connections and short distances.
Car
Thanks to the A1 motorway, also known as the "Amber Highway", as well as the developing S6 express road connecting Szczecin with Gdansk, you can reach the region comfortably. The DK89 main road leads directly to the Westerplatte exit for the Westerplatte cruise terminal. Specific long-term parking spaces directly at the smaller Gdansk city terminals are rare; it is recommended to use central parking options in Gdansk and travel from there to the terminal by taxi or public transport.
Train
Gdansk Main Station (Gdańsk Główny) is a central hub with good connections and is located only about 10 kilometers from the inner-city cruise terminals such as Westerplatte. From Gdańsk Główny station, you can reach the terminals easily by taxi or with local bus lines, for example, line 106, which offers a direct connection to Westerplatte.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN), only about 10 to 15 kilometers from Gdansk city center. Taxis or private shuttles are available for a quick and comfortable transfer, covering the distance in about 18 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach Gdańsk Główny main station from the "Gdańsk Port Lotniczy" airport station via the SKM train (Szybka Kolej Miejska) with a change in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz; the total journey takes about 25 to 45 minutes. Bus line 210 also offers a direct connection to Gdansk main station in about 40 to 50 minutes. For those traveling from further away within the DACH region, an overnight stay in one of the centrally located Gdansk hotels on the day before embarkation is recommended.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
