What are trains in Poland like?

On this page you'll be able to read all about trains in Poland, what they're like, where they run, what kind of tickets there are, and how you can book them.

For an overview of how you can book Eurail seat reservations for Poland, please see Poland Seat Reservations. Also check out our Polish Rail Tour packages, with hotels, tickets and all reservations included.

Express Intercity Premium (EIP) high-speed trains

EIP are high-speed trains running between major Polish cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan and Gdansk. They are operated with comfortable high-speed trains up to 200 km/h and feature first and second class seating with free wifi, comfortable adjustable seats, and a dining car. Reservations are mandatory, and all tickets and reservations include a high-speed surcharge not included on regular EIC, EC or IC trains.

Second class features comfortable adjustable seats in a 2+2 configuration with free wifi, footrests, individual reading lamps, and dedicated luggage racks
First class features the same amenities, wider seats with more legroom in a 2+1 configuration, and drinks and a light meal (a steward will come and take your order from a provided menu) served at your seat included in the price.
A dining car serving cold and hot freshly made Polish meals, snacks and drinks is available to passengers of both classes

Pictures: first-class seating on board an EIP high-speed train.

Express Intercity (EIC / EC) long-distance trains

EIC or EC ( Eurocity) are the fastest long-distance trains in Poland and run up to 200 km/h between major cities in Poland as well as internationally to Berlin.

They make less stops than regular Intercity (IC) trains.
The trains feature first and second class seats and all feature a dining car.
EIC trains are marked as Eurocity (EC) in Germany.

Tickets for international connections to Berlin can be bought via the Happyrail Planner and come with a reservation included in the fee as standard. Reservations are obligatory. When travelling on an Eurail-pass, after buying your pass via Happyrail, you can load the pass in the Eurail app where reservations for EIC trains can be booked. Reservations can also be booked at major train stations in Germany and Poland.

Second class features comfortable adjustable seats, mostly in 6-person compartments. Wifi and plug sockets are available.
First class features also features seats in 6-person compartments, but the seats have additional padding and legroom, and a free hot drink, water and snacks will be served to you during the journey. The first class car is always located next to the dining car.
All EIC trains feature a dining car, in which you can be served either at your seat or order dishes to take away. Polish hot and cold dishes are freshly prepared, snacks and drinks are also available.

Intercity (IC/EC) long-distance trains

Most long-distance trains in Poland run as Intercity (IC) trains. International trains (e.g. to Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary) are called EC or Eurocity. IC trains make more frequent stops than EIC trains. Some trains feature similar first- and second class seating in compartments as EIC trains, while others feature open-plan coaches. Most IC trains feature a dining car, with some exceptions for trains on slower or more regional connections.

Most IC trains have compulsary seat reservations. After booking your Eurrail pass via Happyrail, you can make reservations in the Eurail app. Reservations can also be made at the train station, or if no ticket counter is available, onboard the train itself at the train staff.

Some IC trains feature second-class and first-class seating in 6-person compartments, with adjustable seats, plug sockets and dedicated luggage racks. Free wifi is usually available, but not on all connections. Pictured below is a second-class coach; first-class coaches are similar but feature more padding on the seats and more legroom.
Some IC trains feature second-class seating in more modern open-plan coaches. These also feature free wifi and plug sockets. Seats might not always be adjustable, or only to a limited amount.
Almost all IC trains feature a dining car, in which you can be served either at your seat or order dishes to take away. Polish hot and cold dishes are freshly prepared, snacks and drinks are also available. Some IC trains on short routes don't feature a dining car; check your connection on the PKPIC website or at the station whether a dining car is available on your connection.

TLK slow long-distance trains

TLK ( Twoje Linie Koleje) are long-distance trains with more stops and lower speeds than Intercity trains, offered for lower fares. Some trains are second-class only, while some trains also feature a first-class coach. Coaches are generally similar to IC coaches, but sometimes have seats with a smaller pitch and legroom. In contrast to IC trains, no wifi and no dining car are available.

Reservations are mandatory. After booking your Eurrail pass via Happyrail, you can make reservations in the Eurail app.
Reservations can also be made at the train station, or if no ticket counter is available, onboard the train itself at the train staff.

Pictured: a second-class open-compartment car as featured on TLK and some IC trains.

Regional trains

Regional trains in Poland greatly vary between region and per individual connection. Some older trains are still used, but these are gradually being replaced with more modern trains featuring amenities such as level boarding, wifi, and plug sockets.

Regional trains are run by a different operator in each province of Poland. It differs per province whether Eurail global or one-country passes are valid on regional trains. Check the Eurail planner to see whether the pass is valid for your connection.
Because every province uses a different operator, different prefixes for the type of train (for example S,R, RE, SKA, SKM) are used. Check the Eurail app whether your pas is valid on your specific connection.
If the Eurail pass is not valid, tickets are generally very cheap and can be bought from ticket machines at the station, ticket machines on board of trains, at ticket counters at the station, or from onboard staff.

Pictured: a modern regional Polish train with wifi, luggage storage and power sockets. Exact amenities may differ per specific connection.

Euronight (EN) international sleeper trains

Sleeper trains run from Warsaw and Krakow to other destinations in central Europe like Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. These are run under the Euronight (EN) brand. They are similar to other sleeper trains in Europe like Nightjet, and include three classes of travel: 2nd class seats, couchette (hard sleeper), and sleeping coaches.

Your Eurail pass as booked via Happyrail is valid on all of these connections. A reservation for your preferred travel class can be booked best via Austrian railways ÖBB, Czech railways CD or the Eurail app.

Seated coaches are compartment coaches of the same type as used on international EIC and IC trains (please see above). Couchette coaches feature either 4 or 6 beds, with bedding included:
Sleeper coaches feature one to three beds in compartments with either just a washbasin, or in the 'Deluxe' cabins, also a private shower. Both regular and Deluxe sleeper cabins have bedding and a small breakfast included. Pictured: a sleeping car as used on the Warsaw-Prague service. Photo credit Ceske Drahy.