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Train or plane

Q: When is the train a better choice than the plane?

The train is usually a better option on **routes of up to 700 km**, when you count the full journey time, including getting to the airport, check-in and collecting your luggage. Rail travel is particularly suitable when travelling with a lot of luggage, with children or when you want to reduce emissions. For longer distances, the plane is more often faster.

Q: How much luggage can you take on a train without paying extra?

On many long-distance trains, you can take **standard hand luggage and a suitcase** at no extra charge. However, bicycles and sports equipment require you to check the rules of the specific carrier. You can find detailed baggage rules in the [EuroPodróże baggage guide](https://www.polishtrains.eu/pomoc/podrozowanie-z-bagazem).

Q: How does boarding a train compare with checking in at the airport?

You usually only need to arrive shortly before departure for a train, because **you do not go through a typical security check** or baggage check-in. At the airport, it is worth allowing more time, especially for an international flight. With some trains, such as Eurostar, you go through an additional check before travelling, so check the latest information before setting off.

Q: Is travelling with a large suitcase easier by train than by plane?

Yes, in many situations the train is more convenient. **You keep your suitcase with you** throughout the journey, so you do not check it into the hold or wait to collect it after landing. The risk of lost luggage is lower than in air travel, although you should still keep an eye on your belongings on the platform and in the carriage.

Q: On which European routes does the train beat the plane?

This most often applies to routes between large cities, where **the stations are close to the centre**. Good examples are connections between Paryż - Londyn, Madryt - Barcelona and Warsaw - Kraków, where travelling by rail is quick, while the time needed to get to the airport and check in makes the journey by plane longer. Check the latest connections before setting off.

Q: Does the train timetable show live delays?

The timetable in the EuroPodróże search engine shows current information about connections, allowing you to check the train's status before travelling instead of relying solely on the time shown in the timetable. This is particularly useful when comparing it with a flight, where cancellations and delays are more common in bad weather.

Q: What is the difference between IC and Intercity (EIC/EIP)?

IC is the basic category of long-distance trains, while EIC and EIP are faster and usually more comfortable Intercity variants, with more legroom and access to sockets or Wi-Fi. You can check the specific train category on your chosen route when buying a ticket on EuroPodróże.

Published 2026/06/19

Why build new rail lines and travel by train when you can fly by plane? You can buy tickets for domestic and European trains on PolishTrains without creating an account – the ticket is sent by email and SMS. This comparison helps you choose a means of transport based on journey time, luggage, comfort and environmental impact. You can check routes to Vienna and other destinations up to 700 km away in the PolishTrains (polishtrains.eu) search engine to compare train journey times with flying. Is the plane the fastest and best form of travel? The answer turns out to be very simple. Here we rush to explain.

Here are the arguments why train travel is better than air travel:

Train stations are closer to city centres
Train travel without queues
When planning a cycling trip to the seaside, for example to Łeby, you can add a bicycle space when buying your ticket in the PolishTrains search engine. Luggage allowances? Take as much as you want!
Detailed luggage rules depend on the carrier – you can find the latest information in the PolishTrains luggage guide. Lost luggage? Not this time
Trains offer more space and comfort
Weather-proof" railways
Concern for the environment
The train offers more freedom

Railway stations are closer to city centres

A journey consists not only of travelling the distance between two airports, but also of getting there and the time spent checking in. These problems are not present when travelling by rail. Railway stations are usually in prime locations, right in the heart of cities, so as soon as you step off the train you can start exploring. Importantly, the location of the stations ensures that you can get to your hotel quickly, for example. Also, buying essentials such as water, coffee, a sandwich, etc. will put much less strain on your budget than visiting airport shops.

Travelling by train without queues

The procedure for boarding and alighting from the train is much simpler and takes less time than checking in air passengers (especially with the current tightening of security procedures). Staying in an airport is, above all, associated with standing in long queues. Surveys of passengers indicate that most consider the queues at security checkpoints to be a major drawback.

Luggage allowances? Take as much as you want!

This applies, for example, to a trip to Bieszczady, where there are no direct flights, and you can check the train connection in the PolishTrains timetable. Travelling by rail has no baggage allowance! Exactly the opposite of the airlines, which charge you for carrying every extra kilo.

Lost luggage? Not this time

Lost luggage is a common occurrence with airlines. For the passenger, this is an uncomfortable situation which causes stress, wastes time and often involves additional expense. However, when travelling by train, it is virtually impossible to lose luggage! Unless the passenger forgets to take it with them when getting off.

Trains offer more space

Unfortunately, airlines are increasing the average occupancy rate on planes without making them any bigger. You can buy a train ticket on PolishTrains up to 30 days before a domestic journey and up to 60 days before an international journey. By increasing the seating density, they achieve a corresponding economic effect. There is definitely more space on trains than on aircraft. Carriers care about passenger comfort.

Weather-proof" trains

What is more, trains (excluding the most extreme situations) are almost "insensitive to the weather". Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of planes grounded, e.g. due to fog or other weather conditions that do not allow safe flight. Also, and also importantly, there are passengers who simply have no choice because of their fear of flying. If you change your plans, refund and exchange conditions depend on the carrier and fare – you can check the latest rules on the PolishTrains refunds and exchanges page.

Curiosity. When planning a cycling trip to the seaside, for example to Łeby, you can add a bicycle space when buying your ticket in the PolishTrains search engine. Detailed luggage rules depend on the carrier – you can find the latest information in the PolishTrains luggage guide. On many European routes the train wins over the plane!

Concern for the environment

Trains are definitely less polluting. A 2009 report showed that if people travelled by train on the same route instead of taking domestic flights, carbon dioxide emissions would decrease 29-fold.

Train guarantees more freedom

Today, most passengers take their electronic devices (smartphone, tablet or laptop) with them on the journey. On board a plane, this is difficult, even forbidden in some phases of the flight. You can buy a ticket on PolishTrains without creating an account – you receive it by email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you receive a reminder with a link to the ticket. When all the components of a journey are taken into account, a high-speed train, even over a distance of several hundred kilometres, takes less time than a flight and offers many more advantages.

Book yourtrain ticketonline Booking and purchasing train tickets online as well as train timetables are available on PolishTrains.co.uk.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the train a better choice than the plane?

How much luggage can you take on a train without paying extra?

How does boarding a train compare with checking in at the airport?

Is travelling with a large suitcase easier by train than by plane?

On which European routes does the train beat the plane?

Does the train timetable show live delays?

What is the difference between IC and Intercity (EIC/EIP)?

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