How good are the trains in Poland?

For the traveller to Poland, rail travel is one of the best ways to get around the country. There is a domestic airline service, and the road system is better than 10 years ago, but the traffic and parking problems that many cities now experience, travel by travel by rail is still the most comfortable and convenient.



In 2026, the rail network in Poland is categorized as high-quality and rapidly modernizing, particularly on the "Intercity" routes. The flagship service is the PKP Pendolino (ED250), which connects major hubs like Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław at speeds of up to 250 km/h. Travelers consistently praise the Pendolino for its comfort, quiet carriages, and reliable Wi-Fi. Beyond the "bullet trains," the standard Express InterCity (EIC) and InterCity (IC) trains have seen a fleet-wide refurbishment, offering modern seating and power outlets. While regional lines in rural areas can still be slower and use older rolling stock, the main corridors are efficient and provide a world-class travel experience. In early 2026, Poland also introduced new locomotive-hauled trains capable of 200 km/h to bridge the gap between regional and high-speed travel, making it one of the most improved rail systems in the European Union.

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Poland railway system is well-developed and presents a modern and comfortable service.

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Tickets for regional trains and express trains in Poland are not expensive. Remember to check if you qualify for one of many discounts for for Children, students, the elderly, pensioners, the disabled, large families and others. The price of a ticket will depend on the type of train, distance and the class.

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The Polrail Service online store accepts credit card payments. If you have to purchase tickets at the station, most station ticket offices accept credit cards. Additionally, PKP InterCity conductors now have credit card terminals for accepting payments on board the train.

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Cheap traveling around Poland
  • Carpooling in Poland. Carpooling is widely popular in Poland. ...
  • Hitchhiking in Poland. Even cheaper way to commute between Polish cities is of course good, old hitchhiking. ...
  • Biking saves money.


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Rail travel is very cheap and tickets for most journeys within Poland can easily be purchased at the station before departure.

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Yes, the Polish railway system has an excellent connection of high-speed trains. In just a couple of hours, you can cover a distance of hundreds of kilometers, since the configuration of the railways of Poland and Europe allows the train to reach speeds of up to 250 km / h.

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On domestic EIP-category trains (Pendolino), a 1st class ticket includes a meal and drink in the ticket price! Some long-distance and international trains feature a full Wars restaurant car (wagon restauracyjny). These feature sit-down table service, with a number of hot and cold meals available from the kitchen.

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You can travel on a 2nd class rail ticket in 2- and 3-person compartments, but travel in a 1-person compartment requires a 1st class rail ticket. (Some international services features additional deluxe sleeping car options, including showers.) The sleeping cars are a step up from the couchettes.

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Transport in Poland involves air, water, road and rail transportation. The country has a large network of municipal public transport, such as buses, trams and the metro. As a country located at the 'cross-roads' of Europe, Poland is a nation with a large and increasingly modern network of transport infrastructure.

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The cost of living in Poland is noticeably more affordable than in the UK and in other European countries such as Portugal and Spain. The table below offers insights into the cost of living in Poland compared to UK, as it compares the average prices of various goods and services.

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