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Getting to Poland by Train - Train Travel in Poland

Poland Train Travel

Introduction

It's easy to travel from the UK to Poland by train. You take a lunchtime Eurostar to Brussels and a high-speed train to Cologne, then the overnight sleeper train 'Jan Kiepura' from Cologne to Warsaw with connections for Krakow. Alternatively, take a mid-afternoon Eurostar to Paris, the excellent sleeper 'Perseus' train from Paris to Berlin, then an air-conditioned express from Berlin to Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw or Katowice. The journey from London to Warsaw or Krakow is safe and comfortable, with couchettes and sleeping-cars for the overnight part. An experience in itself!

Further Information can be found at Seat61.com & Rail Europe or Rail Europe (UK).

Direct Connections

* Berlin to Warsaw - EuroCity "Berlin-Warszawa-Express (BWE)" - 3 trains per day - 6 hour journey time.

* 1 train per day from Berlin to Poznan - 3 hour jouney time.

* Amsterdam, via Hamburg, EuroNight "Jan Kiepura", everyday, 15 hour journey time.

* Vilnius, Night Train "Balti", 10 hour journey time - temporarily operated by bus

* Kiev, Night Train, 16 hour journey time.

* Vienna, Night Train "Chopin", every day, 9 hour journey time, EuroCity "Sobieski", everyday, 6 hour journey time, EuroCity "Polonia", every day, 8 hour journey time.

* Prague, Night Train "Chopin", EuroCity "Praha", every day, 9.5 hour journey time.

* Moscow, Night Train "Ost-West", every day, 20.5 hour journey time.



In Poland, the national railway carrier is PKP (Polskie Koleje Państwowe). Train tickets are quite economical, but travel conditions reflect the fact that much of the infrastructure is rather old.

However, you can expect a fast, clean and modern connection on the new IC (InterCity) routes, such as Warszawa - Katowice, Warszawa - Kraków, Warszawa - Poznań and Poznań - Szczecin. Consider first class tickets, because the price difference between the second and first class is not so big, but the jump in comfort is substantial.

Train Types

  • Ex (Express) / IC (InterCity) / EC (EuroCity) - express trains between metro areas, as well as major tourist destinations. Reservation usually required. Power points for laptops are sometimes available next to the seat.
  • TLK (Tanie Linie Kolejowe) - discount trains, slower but cheaper than the above. Not many routes, but very good alternative for budget travellers. Reservation usually required. Use older carriages which are not always suited to high speed travel.
  • Pospieszny - meaning "high speed" but actually far from it; long distance, priority trains, stop only in cities and large towns. You can also buy a weekend Bilet Podróżnika
  • Osobowy - ordinary passenger train; usually slow, stops everywhere. You can also buy a weekend turystyczny ticket, or a week-long pass. Great if you are not in a hurry, but expect these to be very crowded at times.
  • Podmiejski - suburban commuter train. Varying degrees of comfort and facilities. Tickets need to be bought at station ticket counters. Some companies allow you to buy a ticket on board from the train manager, in the very first compartment. A surcharge will apply.
  • Narrow gauge - Poland still retains a number of local narrow-gauged railways. Some of them are oriented towards tourism and operate only in summer or on weekends, while others remain active as everyday municipal rail.

Tickets

It's probably easiest to buy InterCity / Express tickets online.

Tickets for any route can generally be purchased at any station. For a foreigner buying tickets, this can prove to be a frustrating experience, since only cashiers at international ticket offices (in major cities) can be expected to speak multiple languages. It is recommended that you buy your train tickets at a travel agency or online to avoid communication difficulties and long queues.

It may be easier to buy in advance during peak seasons (eg. end of holiday period, New Year, etc.) for trains that require reserved seating.

Please note, that tickets bought for IC/EC/express/etc. trains are not valid for local/regional trains on the same routes. If you change trains between InterCity and Regional you have to buy a second ticket.

Travellers under 26 years of age are entitled to 26% discount on travel fare on Intercity's TLK, EX and IC-category trains, excluding the price of seat reservation.

In some Ex and IC trains (but not on main routes to Warsaw) you can buy cheap "Last Minute" ticket (30 min. before departure time). Prices from 13 PLN.

Night trains operate throughout Poland, connecting major cities and regions. They are a good way to save time and hotel bills.