Polish Rail Travel FAQ*
*(frequently asked questions)
- Are there any discounts for children or students?
- Are there any discounts for senior citizens?
- Can I take my bicycle on the train?
- Which trains and routes have sleeping cars?
- How much does a sleeping car ticket cost?
- How can get train information when I'm in Poland?
- How can I find out how much a ticket costs?
- Can I pay for tickets by credit card?
- Can I buy tickets and make reservations on the Internet?
- How can I get from the airport to the train station?
- Where can I find working steam locomotives in Poland?
- Do stations have a place to leave my luggage?
- Is it safe to travel by train in Poland?
Are there any discounts for children or students?
Children under age 4 travel for free. The parent must have a document verifying the child's age.
Children over age 4 to a maximum of 24 years, if attending a primary, middle or secondary school IN POLAND, are entitled to a 37% discount in second class on all trains except those in the EuroCity (EC) category. A school ID is required.
Students of post-secondary schools IN POLAND, to a maximum of 26 years, are entitled to a 51% discount in second class on all trains except those in the EuroCity (EC) category. A school ID is required.
Doctoral candidates studying at schools IN POLAND, to a maximum of 35 years, are entitled to a 51% discount in second class on all trains except those in the EuroCity (EC) category. A school ID is required.
Polish citizens studying at post-secondary schools abroad, to a maximum of 26 years, are entitled to a 51% discount in second class on all trains except those in the EuroCity (EC) category. A school ID or International Student Identity Card (ISIC) as well as an identity document such as a passport verifying the student's age is required.
For children 4–15 from other countries, the only discount options are special promotions offered by the railway operating companies:
- PKP InterCity offers the "PKP InterCity family discount" (Rodzina z PKP InterCity). Under this discount, a child 4–15 receives a 33% discount from the base rail fare, and up to 4 adults travelling with the child also receive this discount. This discount is limited to EIC, and TLK-category trains, and cannot be applied in 2nd class on trains departing between 1400–2000 on Fridays; in 1st class there is no time limitation.
Another type of youth discount is the "MAX-26" promotion offered by PKP InterCity. Any person up to 26 years of age can save 26% when travelling on EC, EIC, and TLK-category trains in 1st or 2nd class. You will need to have an identity document verifying your age. This discount is not good on journeys starting between 1400–2000 on Fridays in EC and EIC trains; the discount is valid all the time in TLK trains.
Are there any discounts for senior citizens?
For domestic travel by the rail carrier PKP InterCity, there a 50% discount on the ticket (but not any reservation fee) for holders of the IC Senior Card (Karta Seniora). Anyone over age 60 can buy the card (non-Poles included) for 150PLN. The ID is valid for one year from the date of purchase (or the starting date you specify).
For domestic travel by the rail carrier Przewozy Regionalne, there a 50% discount for holders of the PR Senior Citizen ID (Karta Seniora). Anyone over age 60 can buy the card (non-Poles included) for 75PLN. The ID is valid for one year from the date of purchase (or the starting date you specify).
Note: These are two separate documents issued by two separate companies, so if you wish to travel by trains of IC and PR, you must buy both cards!
Can I take my bicycle on the train?
Yes. You can take a bicycle on any train. You will have to have a special ticket for your bike. On PKP Przewozy Regionalne local trains the bicycle ticket costs 4.50 zl. and does not depend on the distance travelled. On PKP InterCity trains , the bicycle ticket costs 9.10 zl. and does not depend on the distance travelled.
You cannot put your bicycle just anywhere on the train. Bicycles can be carried in the following locations:
Carriages equipped to carry bicycles and large tourist equipment (bicycle wagons). (The online timetable will indicate if a train has a special place for carrying bicycles.)
If the train has no bicycle wagon, bicycles are only permitted in the first and last vestibule of the train. They should be attended at all times and not be allowed to bother other passengers or cause damage to the train. Bicycles cannot be taken into couchettes or sleeping cars.
On certain local trains they can be carried in a special compartment for travellers with large hand baggage (dla podróżnych z większym bagażem ręcznym).
Which trains and routes have sleeping cars and couchettes?
The online timetable will indicate if a train has sleeping cars or couchettes.
How much does a sleeping car or couchette ticket cost?
Sleeping car and couchette tickets must be purchased in addition to a rail ticket for travel on the route desired. For further information, visit the Sleeping Car Page.
How can get train information when I'm in Poland?
Most large train stations have a special window labeled "Informacja". In small stations, simply ask at the ticket window.
You can call for train information by dialling (0801) 022007 inside Poland. From outside Poland dial (+48 422) 055 007.
How can I find out how much a ticket costs?
The online timetable can display ticket prices for domestic journeys. First, do a search and find a train you are interested in travelling on. Next, put an "x" in the "Details" box, and click "Details for selection". The bottom of the page will then show a "Detailed view"—at the bottom of this box is a link for "Fares". Click this link, and you will be shown the prices for 1st and 2nd class tickets.
Note: the online timetable will not calculate ticket prices for international journeys. For for direct online purchase of such tickets, use the Polrail Service ticket enquiry page. You can alternatively send an inquiry to PKP InterCity: infoeuropa@intercity.pl.
Can I pay for tickets by credit card?
Most large PKP stations now accept credit cards. However, not all ticket windows in a station will necessarily have a terminal. Look for window stickers or a sign showing the internationally-known credit card logos.
Additionally, PKP InterCity conductors now have credit card terminals for accepting payments on board the train.
Can I buy tickets and make reservations on the Internet?
Tickets and passes for all Polish Railway services can be bought through Polrail Service. Visit our online store.
How can I get from the airport to the train station?
The airport in Krakow is the only airport in Poland with a train station. In other cases you'll have to use city transport or a taxi to transfer between the airport and the train station. We supply detailed city-by-city information on the Rail/Air Links page.
Where can I find working steam locomotives in Poland?
Poland is the last place in Europe where one can find steam-hauled passenger trains running on normal passenger trains in scheduled service. These trains run from town of Wolsztyn, which lies southwest of Poznan. In the 2009–10 timetable, there are two daily passenger trains from Wolsztyn to Poznan and return behind steam. You can download a timetable of these trains in Adobe Acrobat format (trains with footnote [2] are those pulled by a steam locomotive). There is usually a period in August when these trains revert to diesel haulage, when the steam drivers take their annual holidays.
Do stations have a place to leave my luggage?
Large city stations will often have self-service luggage lockers. Find an empty locker, insert your luggage, and close the door. The machine will then ask you to deposit some coins, and after doing so will print you a ticket with a code number, along with the number and location of the locker. Hang onto the ticket, as you'll need the code number when you return! When you're ready to take your luggage, type in the code number. Depending on how long you've stored the luggage, you may need to insert some additional coins.
Larger stations without lockers and medium-sized stations will usually have a left luggage facility (przechowalnia bagażu). Here you leave your luggage and you must tell the attendant a declared value for the luggage (the price varies depending on the value). The attendant will issue you a ticket, which you must use when picking up your bags. You will pay at the time of pick-up. Make sure you check the opening times, to make sure the facility will be open when you plan to return!
Is it safe to travel by train in Poland?
Travelling on a train in Poland is generally as safe as walking down the street. In recent years patrols of railway police have been stepped up, and they're often visible on platforms or on the trains themselves. Use your common sense, and follow the safety tips given in the Rail Travel Guide, and you should be perfectly safe.
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