PKP discounts for children - how to travel more cheaply? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Children under 4 travel free on all PKP Intercity and regional trains throughout Poland
• Free travel for under-4s also applies on Polish international trains to Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia
• A free ticket must still be booked for children under 4 on long-distance trains requiring seat reservation
• The 37% pupil discount is valid with a physical school card or mLegitymacja in the mObywatel app
• All statutory child and pupil discounts apply in second class only; first class is excluded
• Domestic tickets are available up to 30 days in advance; international tickets up to 60 days

Many parents wonder up to what age the school card entitles them to a discount and whether the child must have the document during the inspection. It is also useful to know what a PKP pupil's discount entitles them to in practice, as discounts depend on age and ticket type.

The child usually has to carry an ID card or other proof of age to benefit from the discount. This usually also applies to first class tickets and different categories of trains, although the details depend on the carrier and the tariff.

Planning to buy a ticket for your preschooler? Great news - children up to the age of 4 travel by rail for free! Whether you choose to travel on Pendolino, InterCity or regional trains (e.g. Koleje Śląskie or Polregio), if your toddler is under 4 years of age, you will not pay for their ticket. This applies to railways throughout Poland as well as to Polish international trains to neighbouring countries, such as Germany, the Czech Republic or Slovakia.

What conditions must be met to obtain the PKP discount for pre-school children?

In order to benefit from this discount, it is necessary to book a free ticket, especially on long-distance trains (IC or Pendolino). You can purchase such a ticket online, for example on the PolishTrains website. This will reserve a seat for your child next to you. Please note that you must have proof of your child's age with you when travelling.

What if your child is older than 4 years old? Rest assured, you can still take advantage of the PKP discount for children. If he or she goes to pre-school, he or she is entitled to a statutory pupil discount of 37% on the normal ticket price - don't forget your school ID. On the other hand, for children aged 4 to 7 who do not attend an educational institution, you will also receive a 37% discount based on proof of age. When travelling with a preschooler, you also have the option of family compartments - available for a carer with a child up to the age of 6. Such compartments are available, for example, on Pendolino trains. Why choose this option? It provides greater comfort and privacy, making it easier for you to relax and giving your child space to play or rest comfortably.

You will also find attractive discounts for school children in the PKP offer. Thanks to them, every student can travel by train at favourable prices. The only condition is to have a valid student ID card - it can be a traditional paper document or mLegitymacja in the mCitizen app.

How much of a percentage discount does a student have on PKP?

School pupils are entitled to two discount options:

• 37% on single tickets on all types of trains,
• 49% for registered monthly tickets, mainly on regional trains.

Discounts are available for students up to the age of 24. This includes those attending pre-school, primary school, secondary school (such as high school or technical college), and post-secondary schools. The discount applies to both public and non-public establishments with public school status.

What if you want to take advantage of the Family Ticket offer? No problem! All adults in the family will get a 30% discount, and the student will keep their regular PKP discount, which is the same as the school card (37%). This is a great option to save even more money on family rail travel.

Wondering if PKP discounts apply to children from abroad? In some cases, it is possible! Although the discount scheme is mainly aimed at people living in Poland, there are some exceptions that allow families coming from abroad to save money.

You will be pleased to know that children under the age of 4, regardless of their nationality, travel on the same basis, i.e. free of charge. However, the situation is different for students from abroad, as the PKP discount for children and schoolchildren is only valid on the basis of a valid card issued in Poland. There is only an exception for those under 18 years of age who attend Polish schools abroad - this applies to registered establishments which have been granted special rights and issue the relevant passes. The standard 37% or 49% discount can then be used.

Alternatively, Family Tickets are available, and in the case of organised trips (e.g. school trips) special group ticket discounts of up to 30% off the base ticket price are available. These are particularly attractive options for foreign tourists who do not qualify for standard PKP discounts for foreign children.

Different rules apply when it comes to students up to the age of 26. Is your child already attending university? If he or she has an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and a document confirming the right of permanent residence in Poland, they are also entitled to discounts! For train travel, this is as much as a 51% discount.

You already know how much of a discount a pupil has on the PKP in the standard option with a school card, but are there other options? Yes, your child can benefit from a discount:

• 78% - this special discount for people with disabilities is available to school children and young people up to the age of 24. However, it is not valid for every journey, the discount can only be used on the route between the place of residence and the school or health centre attended by the child. To obtain the discount, you will need a school pass, a disabled person's pass. and a doctor's/rehabilitation referral or a document proving that the child attends school at an establishment along the route.
• 51% - is a discount for Polish university students valid for all types of trains within the country. A valid student card entitles you to use it.

Are you facing a long journey with your child and looking for more comfort and convenience? Book 1st class seats! This option, although more expensive, will provide you with excellent travel conditions no matter how many hours you spend on the train! But are there discounts for children in 1st class on the PKP? We're already in a hurry to answer Unfortunately, the type of carriage on the train affects the discount, so only in Class 2 will you benefit from a discount:

• 100% for children up to the age of 4
• 37% for schoolchildren and youth
• 30% for the purchase of a Family Ticket
• 78% for disabled children and young people
• 51% for students

It is also worth remembering that family compartments are only available in second class carriages. Therefore, when planning travel with children, take these factors into account to choose the option that best suits your family's needs and budget.

Where to book PKP tickets with a discount for children?

The most convenient way to buy PKP tickets with a children's discount is to use the online platform PolishTrains. The website allows you to conveniently search for connections, check available discounts and book seats for both domestic and international trains. What's more, with the special PolishTrains mobile application, you can plan your journey from your smartphone.

Does my child have to carry their card or other document on board the train to benefit from the ticket discount?

Yes, your child should always carry a valid school card or other document confirming age and entitlement to the discount. If you do not have this document, you may be charged as if you were travelling without a discount.

Does the school card discount on PKP also apply to 1st class and all categories of trains?

The statutory discount can also be used in 1st class, however, the surcharge for the higher standard is calculated on the price of a normal ticket in this class. Discounts apply to most categories of domestic trains, but specific rules may vary depending on the carrier and the type of connection.