The upcoming changes to Poland’s train schedules are designed to enhance passenger convenience. With the modernization of railway lines, travelers will benefit from reduced travel times and the addition of new stops. These modifications will take effect at the end of the year.
Beginning December 13, a new annual train schedule will be implemented throughout Poland. Passengers traveling between major cities will save several minutes on their journeys.
The fastest connection from Krakow to Warsaw will now take 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is four minutes shorter than it currently is. The route from Opole to Warsaw will be reduced to 2 hours and 48 minutes, saving three minutes, while the trip from Wroclaw to the capital will last 3 hours and 28 minutes, which is also four minutes less. These improvements apply specifically to Pendolino services.
Faster Travel on Regional Routes
In addition, the changes will affect regional and interregional connections. The journey from Łódź Widzew to Katowice will be shortened by eight minutes, totaling 2 hours and 32 minutes. Passengers traveling from Wroclaw to Zielona Góra will reach their destination in 1 hour and 37 minutes, and continue to Szczecin in 2 hours.
Residents of Zachodniopomorskie province will travel from Szczecin to Świnoujście in 1 hour and 13 minutes, a six-minute improvement. Meanwhile, on the Białogard-Kołobrzeg route, the fastest trains will cover the distance in just 22 minutes.
Increased Speeds on PKP PLK Lines
Enhanced performance of the rail infrastructure is attributed to renovation and modernization work by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe. The upgrades impact both long-distance main lines and regional routes.
On select sections, the maximum speed for trains has increased. Routes such as Zielona Góra-Szczecin and Koluszki-Lubliniec will allow speeds up to 160 km/h, up from the previous 140 km/h, while the Kutno-Sierpc and Kostrzyn-Krzyż lines will see speeds rise from 100 km/h to 120 km/h.
PKP PLK emphasized that improved network quality will also benefit freight transport. The new schedule will feature additional stops.
Stations such as Żywiec Amfiteatr on the line connecting Sucha Beskidzka to Żywiec, Skopanie and Dąbrowica Małopolska on line 25, and Warszawa Ulrychów on line 509 will begin operations with the first stops planned for January 17, 2027. Other new stops will include Chełchy and Kijewo on the Ełk-Olecko route, Wągrowiec Południowy on line 356, and Dopiewiec on line 3.
Revamp of Warsaw Wschodnia Station for 22 Months
Starting January 17, 2027, another phase of the modernization of Warsaw Wschodnia station will commence. These organizational changes will last approximately 22 months and will affect the operations of some long-distance and regional trains. Warsaw Gdańska station will take on a larger role in serving passengers, with plans for about 358 trains daily from January 17 to March 13, compared to the 195 trains operating before the changes.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Piotr Malepszak stated that the reduced travel times, the return of trains on several routes, and the addition of new stops signify better access to train services for residents of many regions. “We are concurrently preparing the infrastructure to accommodate a larger number of connections, considering both passenger and freight traffic,” he added.
PKP Intercity Increases Service Frequency
PKP Intercity announced that the new schedule will include 600 trains operating daily. The carrier will also enhance the frequency of services; for example, trains on the Warsaw-Tricity route will run every half hour for much of the day.
PKP PLK is a state-owned company responsible for managing the national railway infrastructure, overseeing the operation and synchronization of traffic. It is also tasked with developing and updating the national train schedule across approximately 18,800 kilometers of railway lines.
