Discounts for soldiers on PKP - how to save on train travel? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Military Police soldiers on official patrol duty qualify for a 100% discount in second class
• Territorial Defence Force members receive a 78% discount applicable to private journeys as well
• Veterans holding a valid veteran's card are entitled to statutory rail concessions
• Non-professional soldiers on active duty also qualify for the 78% statutory discount
• Discounted tickets must be validated with the appropriate military document during on-train inspection
• Polish military discounts do not apply to foreign operators such as RegioJet or Deutsche Bahn

Professional soldier PKP discounts is a topic of interest to many members of the armed forces. What is the issue of discounts for uniformed personnel and do soldiers have discounts on PKP? We hasten to explain! Under current legislation, soldiers of the Military Police and military law enforcement agencies performing official patrolling and other official activities on public transport may enjoy a 100 per cent discount on rail tickets in class two of passenger, fast and express trains. This discount applies to official journeys during which patrolling and other official activities in public transport are performed.

In order to benefit from the discount for professional PKP soldiers, it is necessary to present a valid military ID card and have the relevant documents confirming the purpose of the journey. For soldiers of the Military Police, these are:

• ID card of a professional soldier of the Military Police (ŻW) and identification badge of a professional soldier or
• an ID card of a non-professional soldier of the Military Police (ŻW) and an identification badge of a non-professional soldier,
• a certificate on the performance of specific official activities, containing the legal basis for the use of the relief, issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Police.

Soldiers of military law enforcement agencies should present:

• professional soldier's ID card or
• military booklet with a current entry on performing military service or basic military service,
• a certificate of performance of specified official activities, including the legal basis for the use of the discount, issued by the relevant garrison or military unit commander.

Soldiersin non-professionalmilitary service, including Soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces, who are entitled to a discount of up to 78%, arealso entitled to the discount. It is worth remembering that the PKP discounts for non-professional soldiers cover not only official journeys, but also private journeys, provided that they have the appropriate document entitling them to the discount. This is a military personal document (military booklet) with a current entry about non-professional military service for example: Territorial Defence, TSW, WOT or Voluntary Basic Military Service (DZSW), as well as military exercises, specialist training or academic legion. The concessions apply throughout Poland and cover various types of trains, including TLK, IC and Regio.

What about ex-servicemen who hold a veteran's ID card? PKP discounts also allow ex-service soldiers to save money on train travel. They can count on a 51% discount on passenger and fast trains in second class. Such a discount is available not only for business trips, but also for private journeys, allowing for significant savings in daily travel. The same level of discount is provided for the so-called aggrieved veterans, using the ID card of an aggrieved veteran-functionalist, officer of the Internal Security Agency or the Armed Forces of the Interior and Administration, together with an identity card.

Members of the Territorial Defence Forces are also eligible for rail travel concessions. PKP's WOT discounts provide for a 78% discount on tickets for soldiers serving in WOT structures. The condition for obtaining the discount is the possession of a military booklet with a current record of non-professional military service.

It is important to remember that WOT soldiers are entitled to concessions not only when travelling in connection with their military duties, but also when travelling privately, thus saving money on their daily commute. The WOT also allows its members to benefit from concessions when participating in training and exercises, which significantly reduces transport costs and encourages them to take part.

Does a reserve soldier have PKP discounts? This is a common question among those who have completed their military service but remain in the reserves. Soldiers in reserve service, with the exception of periodic and over-allied service, are also entitled to a 78% discount on official and private travel on TLK and EIC passenger and express trains. The same discount is also available to candidates for professional soldiers studying at a military academy or taking military classes and exercises (also students of military and naval academies). The prerequisite is the possession of a personal document (military booklet) with a current record of non-professional military service.

Do professional soldiers have discounts on PKP? No. Only non-professional soldiers in possession of a military ID card with a current record of non-professional military service, members of the Territorial Defence Forces and soldiers performing substitute service with the exception of periodic and overtime service can benefit from a 78% discount on travel.

A 100% discount is available to soldiers of the Military Police and military law enforcement agencies performing official patrolling duties. Veterans are also entitled to a 51% discount on passenger and express trains in second class.

How do I buy a discounted ticket? The easiest and quickest way to buy a ticket is to use the polishtrains.eu website, which allows you to book discounted tickets conveniently online. All you need to do is select your route and time of travel, as well as the appropriate discount, and then present the required documents at the checkpoint.

Rail travel could be cheaper for those associated with the armed forces. PKP discounts for WOT soldiers, non-professional soldiers and veterans guarantee attractive travel conditions and the possibility to buy a ticket at a reduced price. The condition is the need to have a valid document that confirms military status and entitles one to use the discounts. Regular use of the discounts makes it possible to significantly reduce transport expenses. Not surprisingly, according to information from the Polish State Railways, last year alone, nearly 439,000 soldiers took advantage of the discount!

What documents does a professional soldier need to show to benefit from a discount on the PKP?

Does a professional soldier have a discount on PKP? Unfortunately no. Only soldiers of the Military Police and military law enforcement agencies can benefit from a 100% discount, but only when performing official duties. In order to take advantage of such a discount for soldiers, you must carry a valid military ID card, an identification badge and a certificate stating that you are performing a specific duty activity, containing the legal basis for taking advantage of the discount and issued by a competent authority (e.g. the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Police or a unit commander).

Does the veteran's card entitle to discounts on all PKP trains or only selected connections?

The PKP discount with a veteran's card is 51%, but only for travel on passenger and fast trains in second class. This discount is not valid on all categories of trains and is limited to designated connections. The same discount is available to aggrieved veterans, upon presentation of the relevant card together with an identity document.

Does the military discount on PKP also apply to private journeys or only to official journeys?

This depends on the status of the soldier. The discount for non-professional soldiers, including members of the Territorial Defence Forces, soldiers doing substitute service (excluding periodic and overtime service) and candidates for professional soldiers is 78% - for both official and private travel. In order to benefit from the military discount on PKP, it is necessary to have a military booklet with a current record of non-professional military service.

Does a retired soldier have different discounts on PKP than an active professional soldier?

Yes. A retired military officer with a veteran's card enjoys a different type of soldier discount than an active professional soldier. He or she is entitled to a 51% discount on selected rail connections in second class, including private travel. An active professional soldier who is not on duty with the Military Police or law enforcement agencies as part of a patrol is not entitled to discounted travel. If a traveller wishes to take advantage of the PKP discount for military pensioners or the discount for WOT soldiers, he or she should select this option when purchasing a ticket for the selected train on the PolishTrains website.