Świnoujście is built on islands, with its centre and beach on Uznam, separated from the rest of Poland by the Świna strait. Since the tunnel opened, getting here is straightforward – you just need to know which side of the water each route ends on.
A town on both sides of the Świna
Before choosing how to travel, it helps to understand the layout. The town centre, the seaside quarter, the promenade and the beach are on the island of Uznam (Usedom in German). The railway station, the sea ferry terminal and the road from Szczecin are on the island of Wolin, on the eastern side of the Świna. The two parts are linked by a road tunnel and by town ferries. To the west, Uznam has a land connection with Germany.
Four ways to get here
By car: the S3 and the tunnel under the Świna
From inland Poland, the S3 expressway leads to Świnoujście, running from the Czech border via Legnica, Zielona Góra, Gorzów Wielkopolski and Szczecin. At its end, already within the town, you enter the tunnel under the Świna. It opened on 30 June 2023, is just under 1.8 km long and takes about two minutes to drive through. Before that, drivers could reach Uznam only by ferry and queued for a long time in season.
- The tunnel is a single bore with two-way traffic and a speed limit – drive steadily and keep your distance.
- Pedestrians and cyclists cannot use the tunnel; the town ferries are for them.
- Traffic on the approach can be heavy on summer weekends. If you can, avoid the peak changeover hours.
- The tunnel undergoes periodic technical inspections, usually at night – check for notices before a night-time journey.
Coming from Germany you do not need the tunnel: you drive onto Uznam overland and cross the border at Ahlbeck or Garz.
By train: the station on Wolin
Polish trains terminate at Świnoujście station, which is on Wolin, in the Warszów district. It is served by trains from Szczecin and by long-distance services from larger Polish cities – some run only in season, so check the operator's current timetable.
From the station there are two ways across to Uznam. Right next to it is the landing for the town ferry, which carries pedestrians and cyclists to the other bank, close to the centre. The alternative is a town bus through the tunnel. From there you can reach the seaside quarter by local bus or taxi; on foot it is a longer walk through the centre and the Spa Park.
From the German side, the UBB resort railway runs to the Świnoujście Centrum stop on Uznam. It links Świnoujście with Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf and with the German rail network, which is useful if you are travelling via Berlin.
By ferry: across the Świna and across the Baltic
‘Ferry’ means two things in Świnoujście. One is the town ferries across the Świna mentioned above. The other is the sea ferries from Sweden: ships from Ystad and Trelleborg call at the Świnoujście terminal. The terminal is on Wolin, so after disembarking you drive to Uznam through the tunnel or, on foot, take the town ferry.
By plane: two airports within reach
- Szczecin-Goleniów – the nearest Polish passenger airport. It lies on the route from Szczecin, and you continue by car, bus or train.
- Heringsdorf – a small regional airport on the German side of the island, a little over ten kilometres from the centre of Świnoujście. It mainly handles seasonal flights.
Many international visitors also fly to Berlin and continue by car or rail. Flight networks change from season to season, so check current routes directly on the airports' websites.
Once you are here: do you need a car?
Świnoujście is flat and compact. If you are staying in the seaside quarter, the beach, the promenade and the Spa Park are all within walking distance, and the centre, the forts and the German resorts are an easy bike ride away. A car is mainly useful for trips onto Wolin. If you are driving, ask about parking when you book your accommodation.
However you travel, the destination is the same: the seaside quarter on Uznam. Our apartments by the promenade are a few minutes' walk from the beach. If you have questions about getting here or about availability, write to us or give us a call – we will gladly help you plan your arrival.
