Poland Rail Passes and Train Tips

By Rick Steves

Are rail passes a good value for Poland?

Since point-to-point train tickets are cheap in Poland, a rail pass isn't likely to save you much money. The main reason to buy a rail pass in this region is to avoid the hassle of buying tickets as you go.

How do I see whether a rail pass makes sense for my trip in particular?

Map shows approximate costs, in $US, for one-way, second-class tickets. For first-class fares, add 50 percent.

Use this map to add up approximate pay-as-you-go fares for your itinerary, and compare that cost to the price of a rail pass for the number of days you expect to spend on the train. Also, follow the links below for:

• More tips for figuring out whether a pass makes sense for your trip
• The basics on choosing among rail passes
• More tips on how to save money by fine-tuning your rail pass
• Advice on deciding between first and second class
• Fare-estimate maps outside Poland
• Answers to frequently asked rail-pass questions

What are my options for rail passes that cover Poland?

Poland Eurail Pass

Eurail Global Pass (33 countries) → read more about this pass

►Rail Europe shopping cart: Have an order underway? Review and complete it here.

Do I need to make seat reservations on Polish trains?

Poland's faster trains require a seat reservation (specifically InterCity, Eurocity, and TLK services), along with overnight trains and some international routes (as indicated in online train schedules). Anyone with a vaild rail pass can make seat reservations for free at any Polish train station for any domestic trains that require them.

What do rail passes cover in Poland?

Virtually all trains within Poland, as well as a handful of minor non-train bonuses (described in materials that come with the rail pass).

Any tips for buying point-to-point train tickets in Poland?

If a rail pass doesn't pencil out for your trip, see our general tips for buying point-to-point tickets.

All orders for passes and tickets are fulfilled by Rail Europe (not by Rick Steves' Europe). For customer-service questions, contact them online (or call 800 622 8600, but expect long waits and periods of unavailability at the call desk) — and keep in mind that refund options are fairly limited.