PKP discounts for foreigners - how to visit Poland by train cheaply? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Children under 4 travel free on PKP Intercity with proof of age such as a passport
• Foreign students need both an ISIC card and proof of permanent residence in Poland to claim the student discount
• Pensioner, pupil and teacher discounts are restricted to Polish document holders and are not available to most foreigners
• Karta Polaka (Card of the Pole) also entitles holders to PKP discounts
• Promotional fares such as SuperPromo and Taniej z Bliskimi are open to all passengers regardless of nationality
• Refund conditions vary by fare; current terms are available on the PolishTrains refunds and exchanges page The terms of the student discount depend on the fare and carrier - if you have any doubts, contact PolishTrains customer service before travelling.

Foreign tourists travelling on trains within Poland can benefit from a number of discounts. However, please note that not all PKP discounts extend to foreigners. Among the available discounts are:

• All-access promotions for group travel and discount offers when booking tickets in advance.
• Tickets for senior citizens, children under school age and students (who have a document confirming the right of residence in Poland).

However, as a foreigner, you will not be eligible for discounts:

• Pensioners - a certificate is required for this (issued, among others, by the Polish Association of Pensioners, Pensioners and Invalids).
• Pupils - for primary and secondary school pupils, the discount applies only with a valid Polish school card.
• Teachers - the discount applies only to teachers working in Poland or in Polish schools abroad who hold a teacher's identity card.
• Persons with disabilities - discounts are granted on the basis of documents and certificates issued in Poland.
• Students -students without the right of permanent residence in Poland are not entitled to this discount.

Do you have a Card of the Pole? This document also entitles you to discounts on PKP. On the basis of the Card of the Pole, you can receive a discount of up to 37% on single journeys. The discount is valid on both regional and long-distance trains (including travel on modern Pendolino trains).

On PolishTrains, you can buy domestic tickets up to 30 days before travelling. Travelling to Poland with your child? You don't always have to buy a full-price ticket for him or her. You do not need to create an account.

30 minutes before departure, PolishTrains sends an SMS reminder with a link to the ticket. There are many discounts and promotions that will help you reduce the cost of travelling with your child.

PKP discounts valid for children of foreigners:

• Free travel for children up to 4 years old - valid on all carriers in the country. To take advantage of the promotion, all you need to do is bring your child's proof of age.
• 37% discount for children and young people up to 18 years of age - applies only to those attending Polish schools abroad and holding a school card issued there.
• 51% discount for students up to 26 years of age - only for university students having an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and a document confirming the right of permanent residence in Poland.
• 30% discount in the Family Ticket promotion - an offer addressed to families travelling with children on TLK, IC, EIC and EIP trains. In this case, everyone will receive a 30% discount on their ticket if there is at least one child under 16 years of age among the travellers. If you have any doubts about the required document, contact PolishTrains customer service before travelling. If you are not sure whether a particular document will be accepted, contact PolishTrains customer service before setting off. In order to benefit from the discount, a document confirming the age of the child (e.g. passport) must be presented during ticket control.

The Polish State Railways (PKP) offer a number of attractive promotions that are not only available to Polish citizens, but also to foreign tourists. The most interesting current offers of discounts on PKP tickets also available for foreigners are:

• Weekend tickets - this offer allows you to travel with a discount of up to 30% off the standard ticket price on weekends. The promotion is valid for journeys from Friday from 7 p.m. to Monday until 6 a.m. To take advantage of this offer, simply select the appropriate fare when purchasing your ticket. Proof of ticket purchase for the period in question must be carried.
• Group tickets - this offer is ideal for groups of at least 11 people. The discount can be up to 30% off the regular ticket price, depending on the train category and day of the week. To take advantage of the promotion, you will need to apply in advance to travel in a group - for example using the PolishTrains service.
• Tickets for seniors - people aged 60 and over can get a 30% discount on long-distance and some regional trains. You can check the current timetable for trains covered by this promotion in the PolishTrains search engine by selecting the dates of your weekend trip. This is a great opportunity for older people to travel at attractive prices, regardless of nationality. The discount amount and the hours during which it applies depend on the current promotion - check the terms when purchasing in the PolishTrains search engine.

Group tickets are intended for groups of at least 11 people. When purchasing a ticket, all you need to do is select the senior discount and present an identity document proving the required age during the inspection.

• The offer "Cheaper with Relatives" - a promotion for all those travelling in a group of 2 to 6 people - applies to TLK and IC trains. Discounts can reduce the ticket price by up to 30%. You must submit your group booking in advance - you will find the form on the PolishTrains group tickets page.

Taniej z Bliskimi is a promotion for groups of 2 to 6 people on TLK and IC trains. In order to take advantage of them, you need to select the appropriate fare when purchasing tickets and make sure that all members of the group will be travelling together. Importantly, the offer has no age requirements, only that you need to book up to seven days before departure.

• SuperPromo - is a dynamic discount system that can offer discounts of up to 70% off the standard ticket price. The availability and amount of discounts depends on the current popularity of the route. The offer is valid if you purchase your ticket in advance - best done online. Please note that the number of tickets in this promotion is limited and only valid on selected routes.

When and where to buy PKP tickets?

To get the best PKP discounts for foreigners, book in advance, up to 14 days before your journey. The earlier you plan your route, the better your chances of finding an attractive offer. We particularly recommend buying your ticket online at PolishTrains, which offers an intuitive interface and a wide selection of connections. In addition, by booking online, you can compare different travel options with peace of mind and choose the most favourable one for you.

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.