-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Trains in Poland.
- Thread starter Bcfc1710
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
D107
Member
I'm off there in a few weeks and booked all of my travel using Polrail. http://polrail.com/
Really helpful folks and very quick to respond. Have used them previously and highly recommend. They will sort tickets and seat reservations for you.
PKP Intercity have recently started offering Advance-style tickets on http://intercity.pl/en/
I have never used Polrail before but have just looked at it and it may be more user-friendly than the PKP website.
However booking tickets on the day is still an option. The journey will probably be relatively cheap compared to UK prices and you can find out the price on the day by putting in your journey details here http://rozklad-pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en? and selecting a train and clicking 'Tariff'.
For example, Katowice to Warsaw is: (prices are singles)
49.50PLN on an IR train (You don't really want to get one of these as these are very low quality)
56PLN on a TLK train
113.10PLN on an EC train
119.50PLN on an EX train
123PLN on an EIC train
I have never used Polrail before but have just looked at it and it may be more user-friendly than the PKP website.
However booking tickets on the day is still an option. The journey will probably be relatively cheap compared to UK prices and you can find out the price on the day by putting in your journey details here http://rozklad-pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en? and selecting a train and clicking 'Tariff'.
For example, Katowice to Warsaw is: (prices are singles)
49.50PLN on an IR train (You don't really want to get one of these as these are very low quality)
56PLN on a TLK train
113.10PLN on an EC train
119.50PLN on an EX train
123PLN on an EIC train
F Great Eastern
Established Member
The only IR trains worth bothering with are RegioEkpress which are using brand new EMU's which are rather nice inside, with Free Wireless internet plug sockets and a few more goodies. No such trains run on the route you are using however, there is only a very small n umber of these trains, typically once a day in each direction and only on a couple of routes.
There are lots more standard IR trains which are generally, like aleksander said, trains which have seen much better days and are well worn. Some have been refurbished however and there is a very small amount of modern stock on such services so generally best avoided!
TLK's can be crazy crowded in the summer if you're unfortunate enough to get on one after a quite big gap since the last on the route. I know someone who got on the first Krakow to Warsaw cheap TLK train for 3 hours a year or so ago ad when it's like that, having compartments really goes against you when there are about 50-60 people squashed in like sardines up against the wall in a walkway not much wider than UK sleeper trains, they had elbows digging into them either side for the whole 3 hours. At that point it was impossible to reserve seats on TLK, unless first class, not sure if it's changed now.
You may also find this useful:
http://www.tktelekom.pl/Bilkom
There are lots more standard IR trains which are generally, like aleksander said, trains which have seen much better days and are well worn. Some have been refurbished however and there is a very small amount of modern stock on such services so generally best avoided!
TLK's can be crazy crowded in the summer if you're unfortunate enough to get on one after a quite big gap since the last on the route. I know someone who got on the first Krakow to Warsaw cheap TLK train for 3 hours a year or so ago ad when it's like that, having compartments really goes against you when there are about 50-60 people squashed in like sardines up against the wall in a walkway not much wider than UK sleeper trains, they had elbows digging into them either side for the whole 3 hours. At that point it was impossible to reserve seats on TLK, unless first class, not sure if it's changed now.
You may also find this useful:
http://www.tktelekom.pl/Bilkom
gordonthemoron
Established Member
TLKs are still only reservable in 1st Class.
Tickets can be bought on the day at the station or on the train for a small supplement. If using an EX, EC or EIC train, wait for the ticket inspector to come round and buy your ticket then, on a TLK (and probably anything else), go and find the guard as soon as you board to buy a ticket.
Aside from TLKs being very crowded and ridiculously cheap, they usually don't have buffet cars. EC, EIC & EX almost always do
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
BTW, TLK tickets are valid for 24 hours from the scheduled departure time of the first train, so you can break your journey on the way providing you reach your destination within 24 hours.
Tickets can be bought on the day at the station or on the train for a small supplement. If using an EX, EC or EIC train, wait for the ticket inspector to come round and buy your ticket then, on a TLK (and probably anything else), go and find the guard as soon as you board to buy a ticket.
Aside from TLKs being very crowded and ridiculously cheap, they usually don't have buffet cars. EC, EIC & EX almost always do
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
BTW, TLK tickets are valid for 24 hours from the scheduled departure time of the first train, so you can break your journey on the way providing you reach your destination within 24 hours.
Drsatan
Established Member
Having done Katowice - Warsaw last year I'd recommend traveling on either an EC or an EIC train.
On the outward leg I traveled on an EIC (Express InterCity) service. The majority of coaches are compartment coaches, and are clean, very comfortable and air conditioned. Even in 2nd class you are still offered a complementary soft drink!
Both EIC and EC trains are reservation only but I think you can get away with purchasing the reservation on board. I used an InterRail 3 day pass and obtained the reservation for the Katowice - Warsaw Central leg from Katowice ticket office (note: use a phrasebook or write down your request since the ticket clerks don't speak much English). However, when on the train, I was told the reservation, which was free, had been issued for free by mistake and I'd have to pay a 12 zloty surcharge.
On the return leg I used an EC service (EC 110 PRAHA) and paid for the reservation on board. Like the EIC service, this train had a restaurant car, and was formed of mainly compartment coaches, and was just as comfortable as most EIC services.
Bear in mind that if you do travel on a TLK service, the quality of the coaches used can vary considerably. Sometimes, you may travel in an air conditioned EIC coach with powerpoints for every seat, or you may end up traveling in an unrefurbished 1970s coach with no air conditioning.
Finally, regardless of whatever train you catch, DO NOT travel via Czestochowa since your journey will be a lot longer.
Hope this helps
On the outward leg I traveled on an EIC (Express InterCity) service. The majority of coaches are compartment coaches, and are clean, very comfortable and air conditioned. Even in 2nd class you are still offered a complementary soft drink!
Both EIC and EC trains are reservation only but I think you can get away with purchasing the reservation on board. I used an InterRail 3 day pass and obtained the reservation for the Katowice - Warsaw Central leg from Katowice ticket office (note: use a phrasebook or write down your request since the ticket clerks don't speak much English). However, when on the train, I was told the reservation, which was free, had been issued for free by mistake and I'd have to pay a 12 zloty surcharge.
On the return leg I used an EC service (EC 110 PRAHA) and paid for the reservation on board. Like the EIC service, this train had a restaurant car, and was formed of mainly compartment coaches, and was just as comfortable as most EIC services.
Bear in mind that if you do travel on a TLK service, the quality of the coaches used can vary considerably. Sometimes, you may travel in an air conditioned EIC coach with powerpoints for every seat, or you may end up traveling in an unrefurbished 1970s coach with no air conditioning.
Finally, regardless of whatever train you catch, DO NOT travel via Czestochowa since your journey will be a lot longer.
Hope this helps
- Status