Trains in Poland
Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP) is the primary national railway operator in Poland. With a modernizing fleet, expanding high-speed routes, and highly reliable schedules, traveling by rail is the fastest and most efficient way to navigate between major Polish hubs.
🕒 Travel Times Between Major Cities
Poland's principal rail network connects its iconic destinations through direct, efficient linear routes. Below are the average travel times for the fastest long-distance PKP Intercity services (EIP and IC):
Departure City | Arrival City | Average Fast Train Duration |
|---|---|---|
Warsaw (Warszawa Centralna) | Krakow (Kraków Główny) | 2 hours 15 minutes to 2.5 hours |
Warsaw (Warszawa Centralna) | Gdansk (Gdańsk Główny) | 2 hours 24 minutes to 2.5 hours |
Warsaw (Warszawa Centralna) | Wroclaw (Wrocław Główny) | 4 hours 15 minutes |
Krakow (Kraków Główny) | Wroclaw (Wrocław Główny) | 3 hours 15 minutes |
Gdansk (Gdańsk Główny) | Krakow (Kraków Główny) | 5 hours 45 minutes |
🎫 Seat Reservations & Pass Holder Rules
In Poland, standard tickets are automatically issued with a specific seat assignment. If you are utilizing a rail pass, such as the Interrail Poland Pass or an Interrail Global Pass, you must carefully navigate the strict seat reservation guidelines:
⚡ Train Category Requirements
- Express InterCity Premium (EIP / Pendolino): Mandatory reservation and supplement required. If booking a seat locally in Poland or through the official app, it costs 43 PLN (~€10). Traveling on an EIP without a pre-booked reservation results in a steep onboard fine.
- InterCity (IC) & Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK): Reservations are mandatory on select routes (indicated with an icon in the timetable) and highly recommended on all others to guarantee a seat. The nominal reservation fee is 3 PLN (~€0.70) when booked via the domestic system.
- Express InterCity (EIC): Optional but highly recommended. The reservation fee is 3 PLN.
- Regional Networks (POLREGIO, Koleje Dolnośląskie, PKP SKM): Seat reservations are not available. Pass holders can simply hop on and choose any available seat.
💻 How to Book Your Pass Reservations
You can reserve seats online up to 30 days in advance for domestic routes.
- Directly via PKP Intercity: Visit the official portal or download the PKP Intercity mobile app. Select the option to purchase a "reservation only" and input your Interrail or Eurail pass number.
- At the Station: You can secure your seat at any PKP ticket window (Kasa Biletowa) inside Polish rail stations.
- International Connections: For trains crossing borders (e.g., the Berlin-Warszawa-Express), daytime seat reservations cost approximately €3.50 to €4.00 and can be cross-booked via Deutsche Bahn or PKP systems. Night trains require mandatory berth additions.
