Pendolino discounts for pensioners - what concessions can senior citizens count on? | PolishTrains

• Senior discounts: 30% after reaching the age of 60 in 1st and 2nd class, 37% for pensioners and disability pensioners with a certificate in 2nd class, 51% for war veterans and blind people unable to live independently

• Required documents: an identity document is sufficient for the 30% discount, a certificate and identity document are required for the 37% discount, while higher discounts require the appropriate ID card

• Buying a ticket: on PolishTrains, you choose the discount when buying the ticket, which is then sent by email and SMS; domestic tickets can be bought up to 30 days before travel

• Discounts and promotions: the 30% senior discount cannot be combined with Promo45, PromoPlus or SuperPromo, so compare the final price before payment

• Facilities on Pendolino: step-free boarding, spaces for wheelchair users, a quiet zone, Wi-Fi and a restaurant; the Kraków - Warsaw route takes approximately 2.5 hours ### At a glance

• A 30% senior discount is available to all travellers aged 60 and over in 1st and 2nd class
• Pensioners are entitled to a 37% statutory discount, valid for up to two journeys per year in 2nd class only
• War veterans and blind persons unable to live independently qualify for a 51% discount
• The 30% senior discount cannot be combined with PKP Intercity promotional fares such as Promo45
• Select the discount when entering passenger details on PolishTrains - the price updates immediately
• A document confirming age or pension status must be shown to the conductor during ticket inspection

Yes, Pendolino discounts for pensioners are available! They can benefit from discounts on this type of train, but it is worth remembering that the system for calculating them is the same as for IC, TLK and EIC train connections.

According to current information made available by the carrier, these people can benefit from the following discounts:

• 30% discount - for seniors over 60 years of age, for travel in 1st and 2nd class.
• 37% discount - for pensioners, this discount can only be used twice a year and is only valid in 2nd class.
• 37% discount - for military personnel and invalids of war, for blind people capable of independent living, for people incapable of independent living due to other illnesses.
• A 51% discount - for veterans and blind persons incapable of independent existence.

Please note that in order to benefit from these discounts, it is necessary to have an appropriate document confirming entitlement to the discount:

• For senior citizens with a 30% discount, an identity document proving the age of the traveller.
• For pensioners with a 37% discount - in order to take advantage of this discount, it is necessary to have a certificate issued, among others, by the Polish Association of Pensioners, Pensioners and Invalids. You can check current connections and the discounted price on PolishTrains, where after selecting the appropriate passenger category you will see the correct price immediately. If you are unsure about which discount you are entitled to, contact PolishTrains Customer Service. Such a certificate must be presented to the conductor with an identity document.
• For those benefiting from higher discounts, such as war veterans or blind persons, a special card confirming their status is required.

The amount you have to pay for a Pendolino ticket depends on several factors, such as the route, class of travel and date of purchase. In this case, it is worth using the PolishTrains website, which offers a convenient search engine for connections. It allows you to quickly check prices including all available discounts.

Pendolino discounts for seniors - sample ticket prices

In order to fully answer the question of how much a train ticket for seniors costs, here are sample prices for a Pendolino train journey for this age group (including a 30% discount):

• Warsaw - Cracow: from about 60 PLN (2nd class), from about 140 PLN (1st class)
• Gdańsk - Warsaw: from approximately 80 PLN (2nd class), from approximately 140 PLN (1st class)
• Wrocław - Warsaw: from approx. 70 PLN (2nd class), from approx. 150 PLN (1st class)
• Katowice - Warsaw: from approx. 85 PLN (2nd class), from approx. 140 PLN (1st class).
• Poznań - Warsaw: from approx. 60 PLN (2nd class), from approx. 140 PLN (1st class).

Importantly, the 30% discount for seniors does not combine with promotional offers such as Promo45, PromoPlus or SuperPromo. When purchasing a ticket, the system automatically allocates the more favourable offer. To plan an inexpensive train trip with a discount, it is worth comparing prices for several days before and after the planned date in the PolishTrains search engine, as price differences can be considerable. Domestic tickets on PolishTrains are available up to 30 days before travel. If another offer provides a higher discount than the senior discount, a different category will appear on the ticket (as you will end up buying, for example, a normal adult ticket with a discount such as PromoPlus).

It is worth noting that these prices can vary depending on the day of the week, the time of day and how far in advance of travel the ticket is purchased. Our PolishTrains service regularly updates prices and offers, so it is best to check the website or mobile app for up-to-date information on connections. You can check the current price for the selected connection on PolishTrains.

You can buy a discounted ticket on PolishTrains in a few steps:

• Go to PolishTrains and enter the route, date and number of passengers.

• In the passenger details, choose the appropriate discount from the list, for example “Seniors -30%” or “Pensioner/disability pensioner -37%”.

• From the available connections, choose the train marked EIP (Pendolino).

• Enter the passenger’s details and choose a seat – from the map or by automatic allocation.

Pay for the ticket by card, BLIK or online bank transfer. How to take advantage of the senior citizen discount on Pendolino travel? The most convenient way is to book the connection via the PolishTrains platform. Here is how to do it in a few simple steps:

• Go to the PolishTrains website and select the "Train tickets" tab.
• Enter the details of your journey: departure station, destination, date and time of departure.
• Select your preferred Pendolino connection from the list of results - marked "EIP (Pendolino)".
• During the booking process you need to: select the carriage class, enter your details and select the appropriate discount. 30 minutes before departure, PolishTrains sends an SMS reminder with a link to the ticket. You will speed up this step if you have an account with the service, in which case your passenger information will be entered automatically.
• In addition, you can also choose a seat from the map or opt for an automatically assigned seat.
• Finally, make your payment for the ticket - by bank transfer, BLIK, debit card, online transfer or deferred payment.

Advice for seniors using PolishTrains:

• Create an account on the platform - this will allow you to book faster in the future and access your travel history.
• Download the PolishTrains app - this will make it easier to search for connections and purchase tickets from your smartphone.
• Consider buying your ticket in advance - often tickets bought, for example, on the first possible date (30 days before departure) can be cheaper. This is due to the principle that the fewer reserved seats on a train, the lower the price.

If you need help with your purchase, contact PolishTrains Customer Service. Please note that you will need to show both your ticket and your discount document when travelling.

Additional benefits of travelling by Pendolino

In addition to senior citizen discounts, there are many other benefits to travelling on Pendolino trains. Among these are:

• Travel comfort - spacious and comfortable seats and air conditioning in every compartment.
• Speed - shorter journey times compared to traditional trains (for example, the journey time between Cracow and Warsaw is less than 2.5 hours)
• Facilities for persons with reduced mobility - easy access to carriages, special seats for wheelchair users.
• Quiet zone - a carriage in which everyone can travel in a quiet atmosphere, phone conversations and listening to music without headphones are prohibited in this compartment.
• Restaurant on board - possibility to purchase snacks and drinks during the journey.
• Free Wi-Fi - access to the internet during the journey to keep in touch with loved ones or for entertainment.

Rail travel in Poland is becoming increasingly senior citizen-friendly. If you are travelling with larger luggage or equipment, check the PolishTrains baggage rules.

The quiet zone is suitable if you want to travel in a calmer part of the train. Retirees can enjoy significant discounts on train fares - including Pendolino. Modern trainsets are also tailored to the needs of older passengers, offering, for example, spacious interiors, no steps at the entrance, clear signage and toilets with grab handles. You can buy a ticket on PolishTrains without creating an account, and after payment you will receive it digitally. Check the instructions for exchanging a ticket on PolishTrains. If you want to return your ticket, the refund conditions depend on the fare and the time remaining before departure – details and a cost calculator can be found on the PolishTrains help page. In addition, by using the PolishTrains platform, senior citizens can not only save on tickets, but also enjoy the convenience of searching for the most optimal journey.

Marcin Lis, member of the PolishTrains team. A travel enthusiast who regularly travels by train across Poland and Europe. Analyst and marketer studying travellers’ needs and behaviour since 2017.