By train to ski | PolishTrains
With the ski season about to start, we have put together a selection of resorts and ski areas that can be reached by train! Find out what to see and how to get to the well-known mountain resorts by train.
At a glance
At a glance
- Zakopane is Poland's top ski destination and is connected by direct trains from across the country
- Kasprowy Wierch near Zakopane is the only alpine-style ski run in Poland
- Bialka Tatrzanska has no train station — the closest rail stop is Zakopane, then bus to Kotelnica
- Skis and snowboards travel free as hand luggage on PKP Intercity and POLREGIO when bagged
- Wisla is the fastest ski destination by train from Katowice; Szklarska Poreba is ideal from Wroclaw
- Book ski-season train tickets early — domestic tickets available up to 30 days in advance
By train to Zakopane
This is the undisputed winter capital of Poland. The beauty of the Tatra Mountains surrounding Zakopane attracts both hiking and skiing enthusiasts. A large selection of slopes, varying in terms of difficulty, means that everyone will find a slope to suit their level of ability. Experienced skiers will certainly be delighted with the Kasprowy Wierch run - the only alpine slope in Poland. Less-experienced skiers will certainly cope on Polana Szymoszkowa. Zakopane has a good railway connection with the whole of Poland. You can get here by PKP Intercity and TLK trains even from as far away as Gdańsk!
Examples of train connections and timetables
Train timetables and online train tickets available.
Białka Tatrzańska
A few kilometres from Zakopane is Białka Tatrzańska, where the largest ski resort in the region - Kotelnica - is currently located. Good infrastructure, thermal pools, a number of slopes of varying difficulty and a unique highland climate make Białka one of the most fashionable and popular ski resorts in Poland. You can get to Białka by bus, among others, departing daily from the car park at the Railway Station in Zakopane.
By train to Wisła
A true pearl of the Silesian Beskid, known primarily for its Adam Małysz figure and the Gołębiewski Hotel. There are more than 10 ski stations in Wisła, making it a large centre and an ideal place to spend the holidays with the whole family. The level of difficulty of the slopes is varied, so both advanced skiers and beginners will go here. The gentle slopes of the Silesian Beskid Mountains are also suitable for ski touring and cross-country skiing. You can get to Wisła by train from such cities as Katowice, Warsaw or Częstochowa.
Examples of train connections and timetables
PKP timetables and online train tickets available.
By train to Szklarska Poręba
The Ski Arena Szrenica resort is a very important point on the ski map of Poland. The centre offers more than 12 km of downhill runs. Thanks to modern infrastructure and artificial snowmaking, the slopes are always in good condition for downhill skiing. The picturesque location of the resort in the heart of the Giant Mountains also makes it an attractive area for hiking and ski touring. The proximity of the border means that you can meet skiers and tourists from the Czech Republic and Germany. Szklarska Poręba can be reached by PKP Intercity trains from such places as Warsaw, Wrocław, Częstochowa and Opole.
Examples of train connections and timetables
By train to Rabka-Zdrój
Known above all as the City of Children and a spa to which visitors from all over Poland flock. In the summer Rabka delights with its beautiful Spa Park and graduation towers. In winter, it invites to walks and cross-country skiing. It is also a good starting point for hiking trips, e.g. to Turbacz, Maciejowa or Stare Wierchy. The historic Railway Station, located in the centre of the village, means that when you get off the train, you immediately find yourself in the heart of Rabka. Trains reach the town from, among others, Kraków, Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk and Łódź. It takes less than an hour to get from Rabka to Zakopane by train.
Kasina Wielka
From Rabka, you can ski to Kasina Wielka, less than 20 km away, which owes its fame to the outstanding cross-country skier Justyna Kowalczyk and the longest downhill run on Śnieżnica in the vicinity - the Kasina SKI station. The station, thanks to artificial snowmaking and illumination, provides skiers with good skiing conditions almost all day long.
By train to Krynica-Zdrój
Jaworzyna Krynicka boasts the longest Gondola Railway in Poland, open both in the summer and winter months. On its slopes, skiers have 7 ski runs at their disposal, more than half of which have FIS homologation. The picturesque location in the Beskid Sądecki and the proximity of the ski resort on Wierchomla make Krynica an ideal place for active winter holidays.
Train timetables and online train tickets available.
Can I carry skis on the train?
Skiers with a rail ticket for a particular journey can carry one pair of skis free of charge. Skis can be placed in the space above and below the occupied seat on the train. If equipment or luggage does not fit under or above an occupied seat, an extra charge of PLN 5.10 must be paid. The surcharge must be paid to the conductor on board the train.
Booking and purchasing train tickets
Book and buy train tickets online for these and other PKP Intercity, Pendolino and TLK train connections available at polishtrains.eu.