Massive capacity increase Germany-Poland from December 2025

[doc7austin]

DB Fernverkehr has confirmed the changes from December 2025 today.
Source: https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/pre...auen-Angebot-um-ueber-50-Prozent-aus-13498998

- a 7th daily Eurocity roundtrip will be introduced between Berlin and Warsaw. Right now an annoying gap of 4 hours exists in the current timetable. The 7th roundtrip will depart Berlin at around 8am and will depart back from Warsaw at around 2pm. Mind you: due to engineering works around Berlin-Köpenick, all Berlin-Warsaw trains will be cut to Frankfurt/Oder for around 12 weeks in 2026.

- Two daily new Eurocity roundtrips will connect Leipzig with Krakow via Riesa, Elsterwerda, Hoyerswerda, Horka, Wegliniec, and Wroclaw. This is a big premiere, as these will be the first long-distance passenger trains, which utilize the newly-refurbished 160km/h electrified main line via Horka. One daily roundtrip will be extended to Przemysl.

- The night train Berlin-Przemysl returns. That increases the number of daily long-distance train roundtrips between Berlin and Wroclaw/Krakow from 3 to 4. That new night train is possibly running via Poznan, instead of Zielona Gora. I assume this night train consists only of seating cars. I have found no information regarding sleeping and couchette cars.

- A new night train Berlin-Chelm is introduced. That train will run via Poznan, Lodz (!!!), and Warsaw. Chelm is the Western terminus is several Ukrainian broad-gauge sleeper trains.
It could be that Berlin-Chelm and Berlin-Przemysl will be coupled together between Berlin and Poznan. In additional Berlin-Przemysl could be coupled together with Swinoujscie-Przemysl between Poznan and Przemysl. Let's see and wait for the final timetable information. Again, I assume this new night train consists only of seating cars. I have found no information regarding sleeping and couchette cars.
That new Berlin-Chelm night train would give Ukrainian Railways the opportunity to reestablish a Berlin-Kiev through UIC sleeper car. The dedicated Berlin-Kiev night train was cut in late 2012.

- The existing EuroNight train Munich-Warsaw will be complemented with a through car group Munich-Krakow-Przemysl.

 

[mugam4]

DB Fernverkehr has confirmed the changes from December 2025 today.
Source: https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/pre...auen-Angebot-um-ueber-50-Prozent-aus-13498998

- a 7th daily Eurocity roundtrip will be introduced between Berlin and Warsaw. Right now an annoying gap of 4 hours exists in the current timetable. The 7th roundtrip will depart Berlin at around 8am and will depart back from Warsaw at around 2pm. Mind you: due to engineering works around Berlin-Köpenick, all Berlin-Warsaw trains will be cut to Frankfurt/Oder for around 12 weeks in 2026.

- Two daily new Eurocity roundtrips will connect Leipzig with Krakow via Riesa, Elsterwerda, Hoyerswerda, Horka, Wegliniec, and Wroclaw. This is a big premiere, as these will be the first long-distance passenger trains, which utilize the newly-refurbished 160km/h electrified main line via Horka. One daily roundtrip will be extended to Przemysl.

- The night train Berlin-Przemysl returns. That increases the number of daily long-distance train roundtrips between Berlin and Wroclaw/Krakow from 3 to 4. That new night train is possibly running via Poznan, instead of Zielona Gora. I assume this night train consists only of seating cars. I have found no information regarding sleeping and couchette cars.

- A new night train Berlin-Chelm is introduced. That train will run via Poznan, Lodz (!!!), and Warsaw. Chelm is the Western terminus is several Ukrainian broad-gauge sleeper trains.
It could be that Berlin-Chelm and Berlin-Przemysl will be coupled together between Berlin and Poznan. In additional Berlin-Przemysl could be coupled together with Swinoujscie-Przemysl between Poznan and Przemysl. Let's see and wait for the final timetable information. Again, I assume this new night train consists only of seating cars. I have found no information regarding sleeping and couchette cars.
That new Berlin-Chelm night train would give Ukrainian Railways the opportunity to reestablish a Berlin-Kiev through UIC sleeper car. The dedicated Berlin-Kiev night train was cut in late 2012.

- The existing EuroNight train Munich-Warsaw will be complemented with a through car group Munich-Krakow-Przemysl.







View attachment 187212

If the second, or a future additional, Leipzig train leaves after 17:00, this will make London to Katowice possible in one day, at 15 hours or so.

 

[The exile]

Interesting (particularly given the political and historical overtones) that the map ignores European railway conventions by only giving the German names of most of the cities (yet leaves Gdynia rather than calling it Gdingen). Understandable in free flowing text / speech, but odd on a map.

 

[43096]

Presumably additional locomotives are going to be needed for this. In the absence of approval for Germany for the PKP EU200s, more leased Vectrons?

 

[Amalie]

Interesting (particularly given the political and historical overtones) that the map ignores European railway conventions by only giving the German names of most of the cities (yet leaves Gdynia rather than calling it Gdingen). Understandable in free flowing text / speech, but odd on a map.

I clicked on the link and was also surprised to not see a Polish language version of the map, which would make sense to attach in a press release. Unless KPK Intercity has an equivalent announcement with a Polish language map?

 

[rvdborgt]

I clicked on the link and was also surprised to not see a Polish language version of the map, which would make sense to attach in a press release. Unless KPK Intercity has an equivalent announcement with a Polish language map?

I'd expect PKP to have their press release and map (if they have a map), but they aven't published anything yet it seems:

Aktualności i wydarzenia

Strona internetowa przewoźnika kolejowego PKP Intercity S.A. należącego do grupy PKP, obsługującego kolejowe dalekobieżne przewozy pasażerskie: pośpieszne (Twoje Linie Kolejowe i InterCity) oraz ekspresowe (Express InterCity i Express InterCity Premium).

www.intercity.pl

 

[doc7austin]

If the second, or a future additional, Leipzig train leaves after 17:00, this will make London to Katowice possible in one day, at 15 hours or so.

In my eyes this is unlikely.
The first daily Eurocity train Leipzig-Krakow(-Przemysl) may overnight in Leipzig, suggesting a very early start.
The second daily Eurocity train Leipzig-Krakow may come from a short turn in Leipzig. I assume a 3pm'ish arrival in Leipzig, which suggests a 3.30pm'ish departure from Leipzig.

 

[HS2isgood]

PKP announced it long ago, with everything in Polish

 

[dutchflyer]

I clicked on the link and was also surprised to not see a Polish language version of the map, which would make sense to attach in a press release. Unless KPK Intercity has an equivalent announcement with a Polish language map?

Probably, most likely age-old tradiional ways for what once was only state-owned rail-monopolies: every country serves in its own languaga(s) any news/changes/promotions etc. Like there also was/partly still is the CIV-that one in any station equipped for that could buy tickets all over EURope-even into the UK when BR was still there.
Note: a major source for passengers for these routes are the thousands of UKRaynian refugees spread out all over these countries. They go home every now and then, often with heavy luggage, and for obvious reasons the trusted budget airlines, mostly WIZZair do not fly there now. Plus that with an overload of luggage these are also not that cheap. Side note: through BUSes (as we call what you call coach here) also flourish on these connections

 

[doc7austin]

PKP announced it long ago, with everything in Polish

PKP IC talked about 3 daily roundtrips Leipzig-Wroclaw in May. I think the press release by DB Fernverkehr confirms what DB Fernverkehr and PKP Intercity have eventually agreed on.

 

[HS2isgood]

Oh thanks my mistake

 

[Jamesrob637]

Poland is "da place to be" at the moment. Their railways are improving year on year. Encouraging.

 

[Robski]

Presumably additional locomotives are going to be needed for this. In the absence of approval for Germany for the PKP EU200s, more leased Vectrons?

PKPIC intends to lease 18 additional multi-system locos by the end of the year.

Poland is "da place to be" at the moment. Their railways are improving year on year. Encouraging.

Intercity, yes. Polregio is collapsing though.

 

[doc7austin]

What is still missing in my eyes:
A second daily roundtrip between Berlin and Gdynia on the Baltic Sea.

Right now the one daily roundtrips leaves Berlin at around 3pm and arrives in Gdynia at around 9pm.
On the train that train departs Gdynia at 7am and reaches Berlin at around 1pm.
That schedule is not convenient if you are heading out for the beach.
A second daily (early am departure from Berlin; late pm departure from Gdynia) would be perfect.

 

[NCT]

You can do Berlin - Gdansk pretty much once every 2 hours with a change at Poznan taking the same journey time as the direct route. The timetable is well designed. I looks like between the two-hourly Warsaw ECs and the Krakow trains, the hourly EC paths between Berlin and Rzepin are mostly filled.

I suspect if any Berliner wants to go to Gdansk they are doing more than just going to the beach - they have closer alternatives within Germany. If they are going to Gdansk they are going to Gdansk for Gdansk and they are going to stay for more than a few hours.

 

[superalbs]

PKPIC intends to lease 18 additional multi-system locos by the end of the year.

Intercity, yes. Polregio is collapsing though.

More cargo vectrons???

 

[StephenHunter]

Interesting (particularly given the political and historical overtones) that the map ignores European railway conventions by only giving the German names of most of the cities (yet leaves Gdynia rather than calling it Gdingen). Understandable in free flowing text / speech, but odd on a map.

Gdynia was only a tiny community when it was under German rule - it only became a major port after Polish independence because they needed a port they fully controlled, especially with the large German population in Danzig.

 

[Austriantrain]

Gdynia was only a tiny community when it was under German rule - it only became a major port after Polish independence because they needed a port they fully controlled, especially with the large German population in Danzig.

And some historic names simply fall into disuse. We Austrians used to call Bratislava „Pressburg“ and it was still used when the Iron Curtain fell. Now, No one does that anymore.

 

[doc7austin]

Some preliminary timetable data points on the new twice-daily Eurocity service Leipzig-Hoyerswerda-Wroclaw-Krakow(-Przemysl):

East-West direction:
Krakow: 06:10
Wroclaw: 09:30
Hoyerswerda: 11:30
Leipzig: 13:05

Przemysl: 07:35
Krakow: 10:10
Wroclaw: 13:30
Hoyerswerda: 15:30
Leipzig: 17:05

West-East direction:
Leipzig: 10:55
Hoyerswerda: 12:35
Wroclaw: 14:30
Krakow: 18:00
Przemysl: 20:25

Leipzig: 14:55
Hoyerswerda: 16:35
Wroclaw: 18:25
Krakow: 21:40

 

[Julian G]

Portal Pasażera has had the 25/26 timetable added to the system.

Just a few I was able to find.
EC42 14:49 Warszawa Wsch-Berlin
EC43 Berlin-Warszawa Wsch 13:15

IC430 Ursa 18:54 Przemyśl-Berlin
IC431 Ursa Berlin-Przemyśl 09:11

No sign of the Leipzig trains & Chełm-Berlin trains.

RegioJet trains are on there as well.

 

[TravelDream]

Poland is "da place to be" at the moment. Their railways are improving year on year. Encouraging.

Booming economy and two major parties who compete with each other on who will invest more in infrastructure does that.

The new Warsaw West station is rather impressive. Not sure if someone has posted a trip report/ photos on here.

Still there are parts which need work. Lots of the Polregio network is barely holding on. And clockface timetabling is badly needed with many intercity pairs.

 

[doc7austin]

No sign of the Leipzig trains & Chełm-Berlin trains.

There are already in.
Eurocity EC 132 "SAXONIA" Krakow-Leizpig (departure out of Wroclaw at 09:30; arrival in Horka at 11:00)
Eurocity EC 134 "VIA REGIA" Przemysl-Leizpig (departure out of Wroclaw at 13:30; arrival in Horka at 14:59)

Intercity IC 28170 "UZNAM" Chelm-Swinoujscie (departure out of Chelm at 18:28; arrival in Swinoujscie at 06:34)
In Poznan the Chelm-Berlin through car group will be detached from UZNAM and attached to URSA.

You have already mentioned the timings of Intercity IC 430 "URSA".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2025 ==

Still there are parts which need work. Lots of the Polregio network is barely holding on. And clockface timetabling is badly needed with many intercity pairs.

Some people hate the idea that their beloved original Kibel electric multiple units are going out of service.

 

[Julian G]

More cargo vectrons???

You guessed correctly.
Cargounit has been announced as the winner.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Still there are parts which need work. Lots of the Polregio network is barely holding on. And clockface timetabling is badly needed with many intercity pairs.

The Polregio network is falling to bits, and the company really should just be put into a grave by now. The EN57s are in truly terrible condition, and the staff aren't much better. While it might look good on a national level, at the regional level, there are some horrifically huge differences between the voivodships, especially those big enough to afford their own railway companies.

Talking about my local branch of Polregio in Wrocław, the situation here is very much a case of the unions running the company. They have zero interest in providing a real passenger service, passengers are treated as an inconvenience, and the comparison with Koleje Dolnośląskie is like night and day. They have a contract to operate some services until 2030, but this was a political concession to keep the unions quiet more than anything else. Frequent cancellations are the norm, without explanation, although this is also down to the fact that Polregio is sucking up a lot of cash from the voivodships in order to maintain a massively bloated company structure.

To make matters worse, PR Wrocław even cancels a huge amount of trains every year because the rolling stock simply hasn't received the mandated maintenance. There's no reason for it, other than money being taken out of the voivodship and spent elsewhere on various things.

 

[43096]

You guessed correctly.
Cargounit has been announced as the winner.

Three tender lots of locos, which Cargounit has cleaned up. Is this an extra 18 locos on top of the nine they already have, or 18 in total? Either way Cargounit will need more locos - and it says something that there is very little risk of that not happening. Siemens deliver on time or early generally off the Vectron production line - that's the benefit of a standard design on an established production line.

 

[Julian G]

Three tender lots of locos, which Cargounit has cleaned up. Is this an extra 18 locos on top of the nine they already have, or 18 in total? Either way Cargounit will need more locos - and it says something that there is very little risk of that not happening. Siemens deliver on time or early generally off the Vectron production line - that's the benefit of a standard design on an established production line.

370.055/093/094/095 are on 6 months contract currently hire to PKP IC until Dec (I wouldn’t be surprised if these are included in the 18 mentioned)

370.073/074/075/076/092 (all in Baltic Express livery) on hire 12/24-12/27

Lokotrain 193.428/1293.206 12/24-12/26

 

[Julian G]

https://bocznica.eu/files/archiwum/2026.html

Few compositions of intl trains for new timetable has appeared on above site.

 

[Oxfordblues]

I had to look up "Breslau". I've been to Wroclaw a few times and never heard it called that. (I live in "Ochseford"!)

 

[rvdborgt]

I had to look up "Breslau". I've been to Wroclaw a few times and never heard it called that.

It's the commonly used German exonym, so I'd expect it to be used in communication for a German-speaking public.

 

[TravelDream]

I had to look up "Breslau". I've been to Wroclaw a few times and never heard it called that. (I live in "Ochseford"!)

The city was founded by Poles (sort of. Maybe pre-Poles is more accurate).
But Wroclaw was for a very long time a part of Germany/ Prussia and before that in the Habsburg Empire (Austrian). We are talking over 500 years where the name would have been Breslau.
It only became Polish again after WW2 when Poland lost a lot of its east to the USSR and made a big move west.