In its early years, the train linked Kraków and Wrocław in Poland with Berlin and Hamburg in Germany.

At that time trains were running via Cottbus, passing the German-Polish border at Forst (Lausitz), then via Żary, Żagań, and Legnica to Wrocław and continued to Kraków.

In December 2012, the eastern section of the route was cut back to Wrocław, and in May 2013, the terminus of the western weekday extension was temporarily moved east, to Lüneburg.

[1] The Wawel has never been able to achieve the journey times of the fast diesel multiple unit trains operated by the Deutsche Reichsbahn that ran on the line in the 1930s.

Compared with the 'old' Wawel train, the route changed completely: The train now originated in Berlin Hbf instead of Hamburg Hbf, between Berlin and Legnica it uses the faster and electrified route via Frankfurt (Oder), and the eastern terminus has been moved further east to Kraków Główny instead of Wrocław Główny.