Can beer be drunk on the train? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Drinking alcohol on Polish trains is prohibited under the 1982 Act on Upbringing in Sobriety
• The ban covers all carriages, corridors, vestibules, platforms and station areas
• The fine for drinking alcohol on a train is typically PLN 100, and repeat offenders may face court proceedings
• Alcohol may be legally carried in sealed packaging in luggage throughout the journey
• Non-alcoholic beer (below 0.5% ABV) is not subject to the prohibition but should be drunk from original packaging
• Restaurant and buffet carriages are the only spaces where alcohol can be legally purchased and consumed on board

In Poland, the issue of alcohol consumption is regulated by the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism of 26 October 1982. According to its provisions, consumption of alcoholic beverages in public transport is prohibited, with the exception of restaurant carriages and buffets, where beer and other beverages are served under licence.

The alcohol ban applies to all rail operators and covers both long-distance and regional trains. The law as clearly set out in the Act does not allow for exceptions. Drinking beer on a train outside the designated areas is an offence with consequences.

Where does the ban apply?

To ensure passenger safety, the regulations apply not only to the carriages themselves, but also to:

• platforms and train stations (stops),

• corridors and vestibules in the train,

• every 1st and 2nd class compartment.

Before you open a bottle of beer on the train, please read the rules described below.

PKP Intercity is the most popular long-distance carrier in Poland. Is it permissible to drink beer on an Intercity train? The answer is clear: drinking beer on an Intercity train outside the dining cars is not allowed. This question arises extremely frequently among passengers planning to travel.

The ban on drinking alcohol stems from the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety, and the carriers enforce it on the basis of the regulations of passenger carriage. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger carriage carries the risk of consequences.

What is the penalty for drinking beer in a compartment?

Passengers often wonder whether they can drink beer on the train while sitting in their compartment. Even discreet consumption of alcoholic beverages on the train can result in consequences. To ensure safety, conductors have the right to draw the attention of travellers and, in extreme cases, lead to the police or the Railway Security Guard being called in.

To ensure safety, passengers should remember that beer on the train can only be drunk in the restaurant car. Carriers consistently enforce the rules on drinking alcohol on board.

If you are planning to travel and want to drink beer, it is worth checking before you leave to see if there is a restaurant car in the line-up, on some trains these may not be available. Drinking beer on a train without restaurant cars means you won't legally buy alcohol.

Not sure how to get information on Wars during your journey? Read: How to find out if there is WARS on the train? A practical guide for travellers.

The restrictions do not apply only to beer - they apply to all drinks containing alcohol, regardless of the percentage. Drinking beer, drinking alcohol in the form of wine, vodka or drinks in the passenger carriage is equally prohibited. Drinking alcohol in any form on the train is subject to the same restrictions.

Can I carry alcohol in my luggage?

It is legal to have alcohol on the train. If you carry bottles of wine or alcohol bought as a gift and transport them in a sealed container, you are not breaking the law. Consequently, many travellers carry drinks in their luggage.

Which drinks are banned?

Other prohibited alcoholic beverages include:

• wine (white, red, sparkling),

• cider and perry,

• vodka, whisky, rum and other spirits,

• ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs),

• liqueurs and tinctures.

Some travellers try to pour alcohol into a thermal mug or other vessel, thinking they will avoid the consequences. This is wrong thinking - the conductor will not be fooled by the appearance of the container, and the smell of the alcohol will quickly reveal the nature of the drink.

The consequences of such behaviour are serious, and this is aggravated by the fact that it shows a deliberate breach of the law. The consequences for drinking alcohol on the train are identical regardless of the type of beverage.

The law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages on means of transport. Carriers such as PKP Intercity, Polregio or regional train operators apply the same rules. Passengers should bear this in mind when planning to have a beer on the train on a longer journey.

Can you drink 0 beer on the train? This is one of the most frequently asked questions among passengers planning to travel by train. The issue of non-alcoholic beer is controversial, as formally 0% beer (less than 0.5% alcohol content) is not classified as an alcoholic beverage under the law. It is worth knowing the answer to this question, as beer on the train is a topic that concerns many travellers.

What does the law say?

It is not illegal to drink non-alcoholic beer on the train. The law defines alcoholic beverages as those with a content of more than 0.5%. 0% beer does not meet this definition and therefore the prohibition of alcohol does not include non-alcoholic beer. The consumption of non-alcoholic beverages is not prohibited in any means of communication. Non-alcoholic beer therefore does not fall under the alcohol consumption regulations.

Bottles and cans of non-alcoholic beer often look identical to their alcoholic counterparts. A conductor or police officer may not notice the difference, leading to unpleasant situations.

Here are some important tips to avoid problems:

• drink 0% beer only from the original labelled package,

• carry a label indicating the non-alcoholic nature of the beverage,

• do not pour non-alcoholic beer into cups or other containers.

Remember that non-alcoholic beer has a similar smell to regular beer, which may arouse suspicion of fellow passengers or train staff.

The only place where you can legally drink beer on the train is in one of the restaurant carriages or buffet cars. Restaurant carriages (and buffet carriages) are licensed to sell alcohol, as are stationary restaurants. Passengers can buy beer, wine and other drinks here and consume them on the spot - the only exception to the general alcohol ban.

What do dining cars offer?

On PKP Intercity trains, the restaurant car offer usually includes:

• beer of various brands (bottled and canned),

• white and red wine,

• in some trains, stronger spirits,

• soft drinks, coffee, tea,

• food - snacks, sandwiches, hot dishes.

Read also: WARS on the train - what can you buy, how to order and how much does it cost?

The serving of alcohol in the restaurant carriages is carried out in accordance with current regulations. Buffet staff have the right to refuse to sell to an intoxicated person.

Alcohol bought in the restaurant carriage must be consumed on the spot, you cannot take your beer to a seat or compartment in another carriage. Drinking beer in other parts of the train is not allowed, even if you have bought the drink legally. Drinking beer and alcohol outside the restaurant carriages is prohibited. Check also: Can you smoke on the train and on the platform? Find out the regulations.

Does every train have a dining car?

Restaurant cars may not be available on Polregio regional trains or some TLK trains. On such trains it is not legal to consume alcohol on the train. It is a good idea to check the timetable and train composition before travelling to know whether you will have access to buffets or restaurant cars. No buffets or dining cars means that beer will not be allowed on the train.

What about trains abroad?

When travelling in Europe, it's worth knowing that the rules on drinking alcohol on the train vary from country to country. In Germany, drinking beer on the train is widely accepted, while in the UK it is banned. If you are planning to travel internationally, it is worth checking local regulations. European carriers have very different approaches - in some modes of transport, consumption of drinks is allowed without restriction.

The consumption of alcohol on the train in Poland is regulated by the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety. What is worth remembering?

• Drinking beer and other beverages in a passenger carriage is not permitted - no exceptions.

• Beer on the train is only allowed in restaurant and buffet carriages that have a concession to sell alcohol.

• Non-alcoholic beer (0%) is not formally prohibited, but it is advisable to drink it from the original packaging to avoid unnecessary discussions with the conductor.

• You can legally carry sealed alcohol in your luggage - the regulations apply to consumption, not possession.

• Drinking beer on a train is punishable by a fine of PLN 100 or more, and in more serious situations you may also receive a fine.

Remember the regulations in force and respect the comfort of your fellow passengers - this is the best way to have a pleasant train journey.