Currently, there is only one train between Poland and Lithuania. There is only one border crossing between both countries and trains are slower than international buses operated by Ecolines, Flixbus and Lux Express. Buses run several times a day between Warsaw and Vilnius. Train connection Krakow – Vilnius in fact is not a direct train, but two trains Krakow – Mockava and Mockava – Vilnius. Trains waiting for each other at the same platform. Tickets are available for the entire route.
Last updated: 28.06.2024
Railway border crossings:
Trakiszki PKP – Mockava LG
1435 mm track crosses the border but from Mockava it is interlaced with broad gauge track [1520 mm] to Šeštokai and from Šeštokai the standard gauge line lead parallel to the broad gauge as far as Kaunas station. Standard gauge track reached Palemonas near Kaunas in October 2020.
The construction of the standard-gauge railway line connecting Kaunas – Riga and Tallinn is underway. The planned completion date is 2026, but it is expected that the construction will take several more years. After the opening of the line, it is planned to launch fast direct trains from Berlin to Vilnius and from Warsaw to Tallinn.
Trains between Poland and Lithuania – useful websites:
Lithuanian Railways – journey planner and online shop
PKP Intercity – journey planner and online shop
Train travel in Poland – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Lithuania – an essential guide
Trains between Poland and Lithuania – Krakow – Vilnius
On 11 December 2022 a Krakow – Suwalki train was extended to Mockava and Lithuanian Railways launched fast train from Vilnius to Mockava. The new convenient daytime train connection Krakow – Vilnius was inaugurated.
There is a change at Mockava station, but according to traveller’s reports it is comfortable journey on both – Polish and Lithuanian sections.
Polish train TLK Hańcza from Krakow to Mockava is operated by PKP Intercity. Trains is comprised of modern, comfortable carriages – open-plan and carriages with compartments are available. There is also a bistro car. All carriages are equipped with air-conditioning and vacuum toilets. Train Krakow – Mockava stops at main stations in major Polish cities: Warszawa, Bialystok and Suwalki.
The train starts at dawn from main station in Krakow. In Warsaw the train stops at all three major stations: Warszawa Zachodnia, Warszawa Centralna and Warszawa Wschodnia. The train has longer stops in Białystok and Suwałki (about half an hour). If you buy something to eat, you can get off from the train in Bialystok and go to shop and bistro at station in Bialystok or nearby bus station in Bialystok (three minutes by walk). The railway station in Suwalki is very neglected and empty.
At Mockava station passengers must change trains. The Lithuanian train will wait at the same platform.
The section Mockava – Vilnius is operated by LTG Link (Lithuanian Railways). The connection is served by PESA 630M or PESA 730M diesel multiple units. These comfortable trains are equipped with air-conditioning, vacuum toilets (2 in each unit) and vending machines. You can also buy some drinks, sandwiches and snacks from train staff.
In Lithuania, train stops at Marijampole, Kazlu Ruda, Kaunas and Vilnius stations.
There are plans to introduce direct trains Krakow – Kaunas or Vilnius after standard-gauge track to Vilnius will be completed but Lithuanian Railways currently have no diesel locomotive for standard-gauge tracks.
Ticket prices in 2024:
Krakow – Kaunas – 25 EUR
Krakow – Vilnius – 30 EUR
Warsaw – Kaunas – 20 EUR
Warsaw – Vilnius – 25 EUR
Bialystok – Kaunas – 13 EUR
Bialystok – Vilnius – 18 EUR
Suwalki – Kaunas – 11 EUR
Suwalki – Vilnius – 16 EUR
Ticket prices are fixed, so you don’t need to buy tickets in advance. Trains is often overcrowded in Poland, because only a few trains connect Warsaw with Suwalki.
Tickets are available online.
Trains between Poland and Lithuania – Bialystok – Kaunas train
At the turn of the first and second decade of the 21st century, a seasonal train ran between Białystok and Kaunas. Sometimes train ran only in summer, sometimes all-year round, but always on weekends. The timetable allowed for a one-day trip from Bialystok or Suwalki to Kaunas or Marijampole, although Polish diesel multiple unit was uncomfortable for journeys longer than 2 hours.
Despite tickets were cheap, the train was not as popular as Krakow – Vilnius train.
Train was operated by Polregio and passengers don’t need change trains in Lithuania. It was a direct train connected in Kaunas with trains Kaunas – Vilnius.
Train from Bialystok to Kaunas was ceased in December 2022 after train connection Krakow – Vilnius was inaugurated.
Trains between Poland and Lithuania in 2000s.
From end October 2000 to May 2005 there was a direct overnight train from Warsaw to Vilnius. Polish sleeping carriages used ‘SUW2000’ variable gauge wheelsets at Mockava station, but ticket prices were relatively high and tourism was not popular as in 2020s.
These trains were replaced by overnight buses Warsaw – Vilnius operated by PKP Intercity but after several years buses were ceased.
For several years PKP Intercity operated TLK “Hańcza” train from Warsaw to Šeštokai. In Šeštokai there was a transfer to Lithuanian train to Kaunas. On 15 December 2013 train Warsaw – Šeštokai was shortened to Suwalki due to engineering works in Lithuania.
