PKP discounts for teachers - find out details of cheaper tickets | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Teachers holding a valid service card (legitymacja sluzbowa) are entitled to a statutory rail discount
• A ZNP union membership card does not grant any PKP travel concession
• University lecturers can use their academic identity card to claim the teacher's discount
• Discounted tickets can be purchased on PolishTrains without registering an account
• The teacher's card must be valid on the day of travel and shown to the inspector on request
• Failure to present a valid card results in a supplement charge to the full fare

Does a teacher's card entitle you to a discount on PKP tickets.

What are the conditions at PKP for a teacher's discount to be applied to a ticket.

Whether retired teachers can count on a teacher's discount on PKP.

As a teacher, do you have a ZNP card and are you looking for discounts on PKP that you can get on the basis of it? Unfortunately, we have to worry you - this document alone does not entitle you to travel concessions. The ZNP pass first and foremost confirms membership of the Polish Teachers' Union and provides numerous privileges and benefits for teachers. These benefits, however, are not linked to reductions in train tickets.

If you want to benefit from statutory discounts, for example on public transport, you must additionally have a teacher's card. This is a separate document issued by the educational establishment or other authorised body. It is worth remembering this distinction in order to avoid unpleasant situations during ticket control on the train.

In contrast to the ZNP card, which only confirms membership of a trade union, the teacher's card certifies employment as a teacher. The information it contains, such as a photograph, personal details and the name of the school, allows identification. This makes it a fully-fledged document that gives you the opportunity to take advantage of privileges for this professional group - including train, bus and public transport travel.

What kind of PKP discount is available with a teacher's card? By law, it entitles you to a discount of 33% on the base ticket price. However, this does not apply to all train journeys. The discount can only be used on passenger trains, i.e. mainly regional trains such as:

• POLREGIO,
• Koleje Mazowieckie,
• Koleje Śląskie,
• Wielkopolska Railways,
• Koleje Małopolskie,
• Koleje Dolnośląskie,
• SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska in Tricity and Warsaw).

The discount offers the possibility to purchase both single tickets for a specific journey and monthly season tickets, which is particularly beneficial for teachers who commute regularly.

What conditions need to be met to receive the PKP discount for teachers for travel on passenger trains? It is sufficient to have a valid document with you:

• A teacher's service card - for teachers teaching in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
• A teacher 's pass issued by a Polishconsul - for teachers at a Polish school abroad.
• Academic teacher's service card - for teachers at higher education institutions in the country.

In addition, the card must be valid on the day of travel and must be presented at ticket control together with the purchased concessionary ticket.

The Teachers' Charter does not determine the amount of PKP discounts, but the professional status of the teacher. It is only on the basis of it that a teacher's card is issued, which entitles to discounts on rail travel. As we wrote above, such a discount amounts to 33% and is only valid on passenger trains. For other connections, it will not be possible to take advantage of such a privilege, but it is also possible to reduce the ticket price in other ways - for example, through special offers for group travel.

It is worth knowing that the statutory PKP discount for teachers is not valid on long-distance trains such as TLK, IC, EIC or EIP (Pendolino). In this case, other discounts can be used:

• Group discount - e.g. when travelling with students - possible if you travel in a group of at least 11 persons. Depending on the type of train, it ranges from 15 to 30%. However, it requires advance booking.
• CheaperWith Relatives - 30% discount for a group of 2-6 people travelling together, regardless of relationship. Valid on IC and TLK trains, not available on EIC and EIP.
• Family Ticket - 30% discount on tickets for teachers travelling with their family (at least one child under 16 years of age). The discount is available on EIC and EIP trains.
• 51% discount for students and doctoral students - a discount for teachers in the course of their studies, valid for tickets on long-distance trains such as TLK, IC, EIC and EIP.

Although the teacher's discount does not apply on PKP Intercity, the many price reduction options available mean that you are sure to find an option for you. You can purchase tickets with any of the above-mentioned discounts conveniently on the PolishTrains portal - a convenient website for planning your train journey and booking tickets online. It allows you to easily compare the available options, find the best discounts and make your purchase quickly, without having to leave your home.

If I am a retired teacher, can I receive the PKP discount? Unfortunately not, upon retirement every teacher loses the right to benefit from the statutory 33% discount. Nevertheless, it is not always necessary to buy a ticket at full price. There are special discounts for senior citizens:

• 30% discount for seniors over 60 - valid on all categories of PKP Intercity trains (TLK, IC, EIC, EIP) in both 1st and 2nd class. The ticket can also be purchased online, and the only thing you need to bring with you when travelling is a document confirming your age. The discount is also valid for regional travel, e.g. with POLREGIO and Kolej Śląski.
• 37% discount for pensioners for two journeys per year. Only valid in 2nd class. The ticket can be purchased with an appropriate certificate (issued, for example, by the Polish Association of Retired Persons, Pensioners and Invalids), which must be presented together with an identity document. In addition, when travelling on IC and TLK trains, you must report to the conductor to obtain an entry in the certificate entitling you to the discount.

Can the teacher's discount on PKP be combined with other promotions or special offers from the carrier?

The teacher's discount cannot be combined with other discounts. When you buy your ticket, except for special promotions, you choose only one discount. If you are a teacher but still in education (e.g. doctoral studies), choose the more favourable discount.

Can a part-time or contracted teacher also benefit from a train discount?

Does a teacher have a train discount even with a part-time and contracted job? Yes, because the discount is granted on the basis of a teacher's card. This document must be valid and the conductor does not check what the employment relationship and the amount of full-time employment is. It also does not affect how much of a discount a teacher has on PKP travel.

What data does a teacher's card need to contain to be recognised when checking tickets at PKP Intercity?

There are no separate discounts for teachers on PKP Intercity, so it is not necessary to show a teacher's card in order to get a discount on Intercity when checking tickets. Teachers' discounts apply on the passenger trains of other carriers.

What happens if a teacher buys a discounted ticket but does not have his/her card with him/her during the check?

If you do not show your teacher's card at the check, you cannot benefit from the discount. In this case, you will most likely have to pay a surcharge for the full ticket and a handling fee. The same will apply if the document is no longer valid.