Springtime in Poznań marks the grand return of the city’s beloved attraction: its historic tourist lines. From the steam and diesel-powered charm of the Maltanka narrow-gauge railway to the clang of vintage trams echoing through cobbled streets, Poznań offers a one-of-a-kind way to explore both its past and present.
Tourist Lines Make a Grand Comeback
The term “tourist lines” in Poznań refers to a seasonal celebration of the city’s public transport heritage. Kicking off on 21 April with the Maltanka narrow-gauge railway, followed closely by the return of historic tram and bus lines on 26 April, these rides run every weekend and holiday through the end of September.
What makes these tourist lines so special is their authenticity. Rather than replicas or themed rides, passengers are travelling in restored original vehicles—some dating back over a century. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the aesthetics, sounds, and rhythms of early 20th-century transport while effortlessly sightseeing across Poznań’s most scenic and historic districts.
The Maltanka Railway
Among the most cherished tourist lines is the Maltanka narrow-gauge railway. Operating since 1972, it spans just under 4 kilometres from Rondo Śródka to the New Zoo, passing along Lake Malta’s shores. With a unique 600 mm track width, Maltanka is one of the last railways of its kind in Poland still in regular use.
The ride features historic rolling stock like the MBxc-41 diesel railcar from 1932—still fully operational and nicknamed “Ryjek” for its snout-like front. The railway also includes the Borsig Bn2t steam locomotive, the oldest of its kind in Poland. These aren’t just display pieces; they’re fully functioning, carefully maintained machines.
Each station along the route adds to the experience: from the Prussian-style Maltanka station building, through the passing loop at Balbinka, to the final stop at Zwierzyniec—conveniently located near the entrance to the zoo.
2025 Schedule and Ticket Info
Maltanka kicks off its season on Easter Monday, 21 April, with departures every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 18:30. After that:
- Weekdays: hourly from 9:30 to 17:00
- Weekends/holidays: every 30 minutes, up to 18:30
- Summer holidays: extended to 19:00 from Zwierzyniec
- September: open Fridays and weekends
Ticket prices:
- Adults: 15 PLN
- Children under 16: 10 PLN
- Group rate: 8 PLN per child (10+)
- Family ticket: 45 PLN (up to 5 people, including 2 adults)
Tickets can be bought at the stations.
Historic Trams and Buses
While Maltanka offers a lakeside journey, the city’s tram and bus tourist lines reveal a different facet of Poznań. They offer a mobile exhibition of vintage public transport, repurposed not just for nostalgia, but as a meaningful, relaxing, and fun way to get around the city.
These vehicles span multiple generations of transport history. Trams from as early as the 1910s have been restored to working condition, such as the SN4+PN3 set from Kraków, crafted in Germany over 100 years ago and brought to Poznań through intercity cooperation. Others, like the 102Na or GT8, reflect mid-century European engineering, showcasing the streamlined design and robust mechanics that once defined urban mobility.
But you don’t need to be a tram geek to appreciate them. Their appeal lies in the atmosphere—the warm wooden interiors, clinking sounds of old wheels on tracks, and the cityscape framed through large, original windows. Riding one feels more like time travel than public transport.
Discover Poznań Through Its Tourist Lines
Poznań’s tourist lines offer a moving mosaic of the city’s culture, architecture, and history—each with its own distinct route and atmosphere.
- Tram Line 0, operating on Sundays and holidays, is perfect for first-time visitors. It loops through the city centre, gliding past some of Poznań’s most iconic landmarks, including the Imperial Castle, Święty Marcin, and Rondo Kaponiera. The ride, in beautifully preserved N-type and ND trams, transforms into a rolling sightseeing tour—nostalgic, yet scenic.
- Line 20, running on Saturdays and long weekends, has a more local flavour. It ventures into quieter, character-rich districts like Wilda and Jeżyce, stopping at the lively Jeżycki Market and the historic Madalińskiego depot, where tram heritage is on full display. The atmosphere here is more neighbourhood stroll than grand tour, carried on the sturdy frames of 102Na and GT8 models that once ruled city streets across Europe.
- For those seeking rare gems, Line H is a must. Operating only on select days with favourable weather, it features the Kraków-based SN4 and PN3 trams—meticulously restored vehicles dating back to the early 1900s. Stepping into one feels like stepping into a moving museum, complete with wooden interiors, vintage signage, and the soothing creak of century-old craftsmanship.
These cars bring with them over a hundred years of history, restored down to their original fittings thanks to old photographs and German schematics.
explained Łukasz Bandosz, president of the Club of Rail Vehicle Enthusiasts.
- But the tourist lines aren’t just about rails—historic buses also play their part! Line 100 offers a picturesque loop between Poznań Główny and the New Zoo, passing lakeside attractions like Termy Maltańskie and Rondo Śródka. It’s a relaxed, charming ride in a vintage bus with large windows and a slightly bumpy rhythm.
- Line 102 takes passengers westward to the Armoured Weaponry Museum in Grunwald, on board the unmistakable Jelcz 043—known affectionately as the “cucumber” for its rounded, retro shape and distinctive cream-and-wine colours. Riding it is like flipping through a photo album of Poland’s communist-era streets.
Tickets for all tourist lines are refreshingly accessible: a single ride costs 7 PLN (normal), 5 PLN (reduced), or 21 PLN (family), while day passes—ideal for exploring multiple routes—are available for 12 PLN (normal), 9 PLN (reduced), and 36 PLN (family). Tickets are sold on board by uniformed conductors and are valid across all historic lines.
A New Way to Explore
These tourist lines aren’t only about the vehicles—they’re gateways to discovery. The routes connect you to major attractions like the Malta Thermal Baths, Poznań’s Old Town, the New Zoo, the Armoured Museum, and Ostrów Tumski. Along the way, you’ll pass parks, public art, riverside walks, and bustling markets—all from the comfort of your seat in a tram or train from another era.
In a city where history and innovation often meet, tourist lines remain one of the most enjoyable, accessible, and engaging ways to experience Poznań. Whether you’re interested in heritage or just looking for a charming day out, these rides are where your adventure begins.
