The Poland Rail Travel Guide

We started as the "Polish Train Page" on the Internet in the autumn of 1995. We frequently receive messages from readers who have questions about travelling by train in Poland, and this guide to travelling by rail in Poland was created to help answer those questions and provide general information.

Having travelled tens of thousands of kilometres by rail in Poland and Central Europe since 1990, we have gained some insight into travelling by rail in Poland and hope to share some of the things we have learned with others. This guide targets the first-time rail traveller and assumes no prior experience in European trains. Experienced travellers may also find items of interest and are encouraged to keep reading!

The goal is to furnish an introduction to the Polish railways. We hope to provide some background information on the system, a general guide to planning and carrying out a railway journey, and details on types of equipment and services that the leisure or business traveller may find helpful.

If you have any comments or suggestions on these pages, please feel free to contact us.

Getting around Poland by train

For the traveller to Poland, rail travel is one of the best ways to get around the country. There is some domestic airline service, and the road system is better nowadays. However, with the traffic and parking problems that many cities now experience, travel by rail is still the most comfortable and convenient way to travel between cities.

The railway station is usually near the city centre and is always well-connected to the local transportation system. Most parts of the country can be reached by train.

So, assuming you decide to see Poland by rail, how do you go about it? Follow this guide, and you should be well on your way!

Tickets, Reservations and Passes

Polrail Service offers a pre-booking service for travellers to Poland and Central Europe. Tickets and reservations can be booked for trips inside Poland (up to 45 days in advance for domestic trains) and to/from other countries in the region (up to 60-90 days in advance).

Unless you have a rail pass, you will need a ticket. All major stations have ticket offices, and you can purchase there. You can also buy a ticket from the conductor on the train (except on EIP-category trains). There is a surcharge for this if the station you boarded at had an open ticket office. Ensure you find the conductor and purchase your ticket before he comes to you, or you may be fined!

You can purchase rail tickets at most larger stations using a credit card. Some stations also have ticket machines.

There are several train operating companies in Poland, and you will want to know which type of train you are travelling on and who the operator is so that you may purchase the appropriate ticket (and pay the applicable fare!). Tickets from one operator are generally not accepted on the trains of another operator (even if you've spent a higher fare!)

If you are a European resident, you can also buy an Interrail pass for Poland or all of Europe, including Poland. However, in almost every case we've found, purchasing individual tickets is less expensive than any pass product; if you decide on a pass, however, the InterRail Poland Pass can be ordered in our online store.

A queue of individuals waiting to pay at an train station.

Types of trains in Poland

You will find the following categories of trains in Poland:

Regio or Local train

Pociąg Regio (osobowy)

These are local trains that usually make a stop in each town as you travel down the line. This is a slow travel but an excellent way to meet the local population. Such trains will have only second-class cars.

A Polish train in red and white colors zooming across the countryside

TLK train

Pociąg TLK

A green Polish train on the tracks near a building.

This class of trains serves as a faster way to travel between regions. It will still stop at most moderate-size stations, but not every station. Most of these trains have first-class carriages, and there may be a refreshment trolley. Seat reservations are mandatory in both classes.

IC train

Pociąg IC

This train class is the same as the TLK category but has newer, recently refurbished equipment. Most carriages will be air-conditioned, and many IC services now carry a buffet car. Some trains now have free Wi-Fi internet. Seat reservations are mandatory in both classes.

A red and white Polish train speeding through the countryside.

Express InterCity train

Pociąg EIC

A blue and white Polish train speeding through the countryside.

EIC trains feature comfortable equipment (newer, air-conditioned cars are found on these trains), few stops, and high speeds. The train will have first and second-class cars. Often, there will be a full-service restaurant car, usually at least a buffet car. Passengers in all classes receive a complimentary drink, and first-class passengers also receive a snack. Seat reservations are mandatory in both classes. Some trains now have free Wi-Fi internet.

Express InterCity Premium train

Pociąg EIP

This new class of high-speed "Pendolino" trains are found on the main routes linking Warsaw with Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw and Gdansk/Gdynia. All seats are reserved in both classes, and all trains are fully air-conditioned and carry a buffet car. Passengers in all classes receive a complimentary drink, and first-class passengers also receive a cold meal at their seats.

Polish train at night, illuminated station with lights.

Seat reservations

A seat reservation is required in both classes on all trains operated by PKP InterCity. The reservation will be included when you buy your ticket, but if you are travelling on a pass, you must obtain a separate reservation from a ticket office or order it in advance through our site. If travelling on a train operated by Polregio or one of the other local operators, the seats are unreserved; you board the train and can take any available seat.

Taking a trip

Once you have bought your ticket, you are ready to travel! Since so many trains are always coming and going from stations, you want to ensure you're in the correct place to board your train.

At the station

Most large stations have electronic signage to assist you. Other stations will have posters prominently posted with train times. Look for white posters for arrival times (marked arrivals [przyjazdy]) and yellow posters for departure times (marked departures [odjazdy]). The departure posters have columns with times, a list of stations the train goes to, and a platform number. Find the time of your train, and then read across to the right to find the platform number in the column marked "Peron".

Info sign in front of Train Station building

At the platform

Follow the signs in the station to the proper platform (peron). Many venues have two tracks (tor), so don't get on the first train you see. Look for an overhead sign showing the destination and departure time of the train. If you don't have one, look for the coach's side signboards showing the destination. If all else fails, ask the train conductor or a railroad worker (point to the train and ask, "o [name of your destination]?". Sometimes, a train will be split along the way, with some coaches going to one place and the rest somewhere else. Trains of this type will have signs on the side of each section showing the destination of that part of the train.

Classes

First-class cars also have a yellow stripe above the window. All cars should have a large number "1" or "2" by the entry door, indicating the class of the car.

Finding your reserved place

If you have a reservation, look at the reservation slip. It will show the car number (wagon) and the seat number (miejsca). The car number will be red on a little white sign on the side of the car or newer trains on an electronic display board. Once inside, the seat numbers are posted above or near each seat. If someone sits in your seat, show them the reservation slip and politely ask them to move. If you can't, ask for help from the train conductor.

A stationary train at a station, displaying a sign on its side

En route

Once you find your seat, sit down and enjoy the ride. The conductor will be around to check your ticket (he will ask, "Tickets please" ["Proszę bilety do kontroli"]); you may need to show an ID document. On some older carriages, you can open the window for ventilation (be considerate of others in the compartment). There are restrooms at the end of each car. If you're in a first-class compartment, your seat will probably recline a bit if you want to relax. Many refurbished carriages also offer outlets to plug in your laptop or phone charger.

Food & drinks

You can also purchase there if the train has a buffet or restaurant car (indicated in the timetable). Remember the safety of your belongings should you leave them in the compartment to go to the buffet car. Bring your refreshments may also be a good idea (and less expensive). Most stations have kiosks and shops where you can buy food and drink before boarding.

Getting off the train

On intercity trains, each approaching station usually has announcements on the train's public address system (and sometimes on electronic displays). Still, on local trains, generally, you're on your own to know when to get off the train. It's often a good idea to note the scheduled arrival time at your destination so that you will know when you're getting near. You can usually see the station's name on a sign as you pull into the station. Once the train has stopped and you are ready to get off, you may have to open the door yourself. Just push down on the latch and push outward on the door, or push the button located near the door. Watch your step, as it may be a long way down!

Eating and sleeping on board a Polish train

Food service

Some Polish trains feature sleeping cars or food service cars. These cars are run by a division of PKP InterCity called Wars. Foodservice is usually in the form of a bar car (wagon barowy). These cars feature a menu of snacks, sandwiches, and several hot dishes. There are tables where you can eat or take your purchase to your seat. Trains that carry a bar car are indicated in the timetable. You can review a sample bar car menu here (prices and offers are subject to change).

On routes with no bar car, a refreshment trolley may pass through the train, selling hot and cold drinks and snacks at some point during the trip. On domestic EIP-category trains (Pendolino), a 1st class ticket includes a cold meal and drink in the ticket price.

Some long-distance and international trains feature a full Wars restaurant car (wagon restauracyjny). These are sit-down table services, with several hot and cold meals available from the kitchen. Wars restaurant and bar cars are usually in the middle of the train.

Overnight accommodation

Sleeping car service is featured on several overnight trains. There are two types of railway cars, and three classes of accommodation available for domestic travel:

Couchettes (Wagon z miejscami do leżenia or “kuszetka”)–Couchettes are a form of second-class overnight accommodations. You travel in a compartment with bunk beds. You will be sharing the compartment with other travellers. The compartments are quite narrow and confined once the beds are folded, and everyone's luggage is stowed.

A comfortable bed in a train car with a window

You can book a standard couchette on a limited number of Polish domestic and international night trains. These couchettes offer a choice of 4- or 6-person compartments (Polish domestic services carry only 3-, 4- or 6-person compartments). You will be provided with a pillow, blanket and clean sheets, and you must make your bunk. Couchettes are an economical way to travel, but if you want more privacy or quiet, you might want to consider a sleeping car (below).

Sleeping cars (wagon sypialny)–Sleeping cars are a more comfortable way to travel through the night. The compartments are identical, but there can be 1, 2 or 3 berths in a compartment. As with a couchette, you are only buying a place, so you may find yourself sharing the room with a stranger if you buy a single berth in a 2- or 3-person compartment (when compartments are shared, they are designated as single-sex only—you must choose male or female). You can travel in a sleeping car on a 2nd class rail ticket. (Some international services feature additional deluxe sleeping car options, including showers.)

A cozy bed in a train car with a window

The sleeping cars are a step up from the couchettes. You will find more room for luggage in the compartments, along with a mirror and a sink. The beds are more comfortable (there is a mattress) and there is less noise. There will be a sink with running water in the compartment. Many sleeping cars have been through a rebuilding process recently, with interiors being wholly renewed and air conditioning installed.

Sleeping car passengers get complimentary coffee or tea in the morning and a breakfast snack.

Sleeping cars and couchettes will usually be located at the front or the back of the train. When you board, show your railway ticket and your sleeping car ticket to the attendant, and he will show you to your place. He will keep the tickets until the morning when he comes to wake you up. The doors between the sleeping cars and the rest of the train will be locked, so you cannot pass through to the coaches.

Sleeping car tickets can be booked through Polrail Service. It would be best if you tried to book a sleeping car space as early as possible, to ensure that you can find a place. During the busy winter and summer travel seasons, sleeping cars can often sell out 30 days in advance! If you wish to book before coming to Poland, visit our online store to make your booking.

If you should decide at the last minute that you want to travel in a sleeper, you can always try to buy a space from the Wars car attendant on the train, if any beds are available. You may have to pay a surcharge for this.

Travel safely

From time to time, questions are popping up on the Internet or in guidebooks about the safety of train travel in Central Europe. However, train travel is extremely safe, and on-board crimes are a rare exception rather than the rule.

Train stations are monitored by the railway police (SOK-Straż Ochrony Kolei), and SOK officers can also be found on board some true; you can ask these officers or your train con if you need any assistance doctor.

A helpful man in a yellow vest, part of the Polish railway police, offering a bottle of water to a traveler

Still, when travelling, the use of common sense is always wise. If you are alert to what is happening around you, you will be one step ahead of the potential criminal, who may look for a more unsuspecting victim.

You may also want to keep the following safety tips in mind:

When moving through stations or boarding trains, always try to keep one arm free. Don't get weighted down with baggage. A favourite trick of pickpockets is to create a "crush" as people struggle to enter or exit the train.
Keep your luggage in your line of sight at all times. Please do not leave it unattended or where you cannot see it.
When looking for a place to sit, it might be better to sit with other passengers rather than try to find an empty compartment to sit in by yourself.
When travelling in a sleeping car or couchette, keep the door to your room locked while you're asleep.
Use a money belt or neck pouch to safeguard your money and passport.