There are many trains between Poland and the Czech Republic. Passengers can choose between high-quality long-distance trains, regional trains or seasonal trains from Bohumin to the Baltic Sea. In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in passenger services There are plans to launch additional trains between Poland and the Czech Republic.
I described the most important trains between the two countries. In addition, the Zittau, Germany – Liberec train passes through Polish territory without stopping in Porajów.
Last updated: 24.05.2024
Intercity and Eurocity trains
Several times a day, Eurocity trains connect the most important Polish and Czech cities. There are daytime and overnihgt trains from Warsaw, Krakow, and Przemyśl to Prague, and trains from Poland to Vienna and Budapest pass through Czech territory, providing a fast and convenient connection to Brno (with transfer) and South Moravia (Znojmo, Mikulov).
Eurocity trains between Poland and the Czech Republic are operated by PKP Intercity and Czech Railways (České dráhy).
Ticket prices varying according to the train and how far in advance you buy the ticket. Cheap tickets are often available a few days before the planned trip out of season. It is best to compare prices using ticket search engines on the PKP Intercity and Czech Railways websites – sometimes tickets are much cheaper on Czech website. In Poland, seat reservation is compulsory. Sometimes tickets may be very expensive.
Czech Railways – online shop
PKP Intercity – official website and online shop
Cheapest promotional tickets in Poland
Warsaw – Prague 19,90 EUR (2nd class)/ 29,90 EUR (1st class)
Krakow – Prague 14,90 EUR (2nd class)/ 24,90 EUR (1st class)
Daytime trains are comprised of 2nd class seating carriages with compartments and open-plan carriages. 1st class carriages are usually open-plan and leather-seat Ex-Austrian carriages with compartments. Usually there is a restaurant or bistro car in the train. All carriages are equipped with air-conditioning.
An overnight trains from Prague to Vienna and Warsaw consists seating carriages with compartments, couchettes and sleeping cars. Due to thefts I recommend to travel in couchette or sleeping car.
EC Sobieski train Vienna to Gdynia run directly to Gdansk. There is no need to transfer in Warsaw.
Due to engineering works in Warsaw, sometimes trains may temporarily terminate at Warszawa Gdanska station. It is a not large, neglected station well-connected with the downtown via metro. Metro station is located next to the train station.
Eurocity trains between Poland and the Czech Republic are generally clean, comfortable and fast – a rout lead through main railway corridors and trains travel with an average speed 120-160 km/h.
If you want to travel from Krakow or Warsaw to Brno, you need to change trains. The best option is to change trains at Breclav station and continue the journey by EC train to Prague. You can also change trains at Bohumin, Ostrava hlavni nadrazi, Ostrava-Svinov and Prerov stations and continue your journey by Bohumin – Brno regional train operated by Regiojet. It is a cheaper but less comfortable option.
Warszawa Centralna train station
Warsaw Gdanska train station
Krakow Glowny train station
Prague – Gdynia train via Wroclaw and Poznan
The train is expected to run from mid-December 2024.
Prague – Przemysl overnight train (Regiojet)
There is an overnight train between Prague and Przemysl via Krakow, Tarnow and Rzeszow operated by Regiojet. Train is primarily intended for Ukrainians, but is also suitable for tourists who want to travel from Prague to Krakow by train. Train runs daily. It is comprised of seating carriages – open-plan Astra 2nd class carriages (I don’t recommend) and ex-Austrian 2nd class seating carriages with 6-seat compartments (very comfortable) and 3- or 4-bed sleeping cars. Some compartments are mixed, some only for women.
Ticket prices varying.
Regiojet – more information and online shop
Przemysl Glowny train station
Prague – Krakow train (Leo Express)
Twice a week Czech railway operator Leo Express runs direct train from Prague to Krakow.
The train has four classes: Economy class, Economy plus Class, Business Class and Premium Class. Economy class is the cheapest one, but in my opinion is uncomfortable and suitable only for short distances. Business class is much better – seats are arranged 2+1. Trains are air-conditioned. There are 3 small toilets on board. Polish journalists and travellers love Leo Express’s trains, I don’t understand why.
Ticket prices varying – sometimes are very cheap, sometimes very expensive.
Leo Express – more information and online shop
Seasonal trains to the Baltic Sea
PKP Intercity in cooperation with Czech Railways launches summer overnight trains from Bohumin to popular holiday resorts Leba, Hel and Kolobrzeg at the Baltic Sea. These trains are comprised of old Czech seating carriages with compartments and sleeping cars (it is unclear whether sleeping cars will run this year). Seating carriages are uncomfortable, overcrowded and travel in heat will be an unpleasant experience. Trains are popular among Poles because has several stops in many large Polish cities.
Czech Railways – online shop
PKP Intercity – official website and online shop
Cross-border trains between Poland and the Czech Republic
There are many cross-border trains between Poland and the Czech Republic. These trains are operated by many operators, so you need to buy tickets separately for each train.
Koleje Dolnośląskie
In Lower Silesia Voivodeship there are three cross-border passenger services operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie in cooperation with three various Czech operators.
Szklarska Poreba Górna – Liberec
A very popular train between interesting cities. Szklarska Poreba is famous for mountain hiking trails and beautiful nature. You can continue your journey by regional or long-distance train from Szklarska Poreba to Jelenia Gora, Walbrzych and Wroclaw. Euro-Nysa ticket is valid on the whole route from Szklarska Poręba Górna to Liberec.
Liberec is a railway junction. The city centre is located within walking distance from the station.
Regional trains to Lichkov
There are regional trains to Lichkov (border station) from Wroclaw and Klodzko operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie. You can continue your journey from Lichkov to Usti nad Orlici, Czech Republic by Czech regional trains operated by Leo Express.
Sedzislaw – Kralovec/Trutnov
Local trains run in cooperation with GW Train Regio. Diesel multiple units. Sedzislaw train station lies on the route from Wroclaw to Jelenia Gora.
Wroclaw – Ardspach train
Seasonal train. The train usually starts running at the beginning of May and operates on weekends throughout the summer. In previous years, there were two pairs of trains per day, with such high demand that some passengers couldn’t get on the train. Only if you like packed trains.
Koleje Dolnośląskie – online shop
Koleje Śląskie
Regional trains operated by Koleje Śląskie connect Katowice and Bohumin via Rybnik or Wodzislaw Slaski in Silesian Voivodeship. Journey time from Katowice to Bohumin is approximately two hours – you need to buy a ticket from Katowice to Chalupki and cheap cross-border ticket from Chalupki to Bohumin. The connection is served by modern air-conditioned electric multiple unit with one vacuum toilet. Trains are sometimes overcrowded.
Regional trains from Katowice to Cieszyn (sometimes passenger must change trains at Skoczów station) terminate one kilometer from the Polish-Czech border. There are shuttle trains from Cieszyn to Cesky Tesin operated by Ceske drahy but if you have no heavy luggage, you can cross the border on foot. Cieszyn is a city divided between Poland and the Czech Republic. Walk from Cieszyn train station to Cesky Tesin train station takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the route.
Cieszyn is a perfect destination for one-day trip.
Cesky Tesin train station lies on the main railway corridor between Prague and Kosice. There are many international trains for example to Zilina, Poprad and Kosice.
Koleje Śląskie – official website
Ceske Drahy
Domestic trains from Ostrava to Jesenik pass through Poland and stop at Glucholazy station in Opole Voivodeship. There is no need to buy an international ticket. There are only weekend trains from Glucholazy to other Polish cities. If you want to continue your journey further inland, take a bus to Prudnik (journey time 15-30 minutes) or Nysa (journey time 35 minutes).
Regional trains from Liberec to Cernousy will terminate in Polish small town of Zawidów in mid-2024 and in the future the route will be extended to Zgorzelec.
Related articles:
Train travel in Poland
Train travel in the Czech Republic
Euro-Neisse Ticket
If you want to visit border regions of east Saxony (Germany), west Lower Silesia (Poland) and Liberecky kraj (Czech Republic), there is a perfect one-day or three-day network ticket for public transport. The Euro-Neisse pass is called “Euro-Nisa” in the Czech Republic and “Euro-Nysa” in Poland. The ticket is intended for travel in the Liberec region and in German and Polish border regions and can be used on selected trains, trams and buses.
Sometimes “historical supplements” must be paid but tickets is relatively cheap and allows you to vist many interesting places.
One-day Euro-Neisse tickets are always valid for one day, and until 4:00 a.m. on the following day.
Map of the validity of the Euro-Neisse ticket (Source: Czech Railways)
What to visit with Euro-Neisse ticket:
Germany
Görlitz – one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Many monuments, cobleed street, nice railway station, ZOO.
Bautzen – picturesque town located on on the Spree River. It has a compact and well-preserved medieval town centre.
Löbau – town with a nice city centre. On the outskirts is located King Frederick Augustus Tower – the biggest cast-iron tower in Europe.
Bad Muskau – beautiful park and castle. The park is divided between Germany and Poland.
Zittau – nice but sleepy town with famous town hall built in an Italian style and Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway.
Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway is an absolute charming railway from Zittau to Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf. Steam hauled train are comprised of vintage carriages. You need to pay one-day supplement but it is worth it. The railway runs daily.
Supplement must be paid if you want to travel by narrow-gauge Waldeisenbahn Muskau from Weißwasser to Bad Muskau. The railway operates seasonally.
Czech Republic
Liberec – the capital of the Liberecky kraj. Medium-sized city ideal for short visit. City centre is located 10 minutes by walk from the railway station.
Frydlant – a small town with a beautiful castle.
There are scenic railway routes from Liberec to Szklarska Poreba, Ceska Lipa and Turnov. Many possibilities for active tourism – hiking trails, canoes, bike pathes etc.
Poland
Boleslawiec – a city famous for its long-standing pottery-making tradition and heritage Old Town.
Jelenia Gora – medium-sized city with nice city centre.
Szklarska Poreba – mountains, beautiful nature and many hiking trails.
There is a beautiful railway station in Wegliniec.
More information:
Euro-Neisse ticket – up-to-date information (in German)
Euro-Nisa ticket – additional information (in Czech)
Euro-Nysa ticket – additional information (in Polish)
Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway – official website
Waldeisenbahn – official website
