Train tickets: why you should buy in advance | PolishTrains
**There are times of the year when passenger traffic is heavy. It is worth considering buying tickets in advance, especially in view of the upcoming long May weekend (1-4 May). Booking in advance not only saves you money, but also guarantees you a seat and allows you to plan your journey with peace of mind.
At a glance
At a glance
- Domestic PKP Intercity ticket sales open 30 days before the departure date
- International tickets to Germany, Austria, and Hungary available up to 60 days ahead
- Early booking secures lower promotional fares before prices rise closer to departure
- Advance purchase allows you to reserve a bicycle space, sleeper, or adjacent seats
- Seats on popular holiday routes can sell out rapidly, especially around public holidays
- PolishTrains lets you save passenger details to speed up every future booking
Why buy train tickets in advance?
Rail ticket sales in Poland open 30 days before the date of departure.
Carriers offer special promotions and discounts for passengers who book well in advance. The closer you get to the travel date, the more the ticket price increases.
In addition, by booking a seat in advance, you are sure to find a free seat on your preferred train or even carriage. Particularly during periods of high demand, such as May Day, train seats on popular routes can sell out quickly. Increased traffic starts as early as Wednesday (30 April) and lasts until Sunday (4 May). You may encounter the greatest difficulties in booking a seat on Wednesday in the afternoon or evening and on Monday throughout the day.
What's more, buying your ticket in advance gives you the opportunity to plan your entire journey and book additional services, such as a seat in a sleeper car, choosing a seat in a compartmentless car or for carrying a bicycle. You can also easily book seats side by side when travelling with friends or family.
How many days before the train departs can I buy a ticket?
For domestic connections (within Poland), booking is only possible for journeys starting no later than 30 days from the current date.
Therefore, if you are planning to travel for May Day, book your tickets as early as 29 March, from 00:30, depending on when you plan to travel. If you will be travelling on Thursday (1 May), you can buy tickets from 30 March.
For international travel, booking, depending on the carrier, is only possible for journeys starting no later than 30, 60 or 120 days from the current date.
Domestic connections in Poland by PKP Intercity, offer includes train travel:
30 days from the current date
- Express InterCity Premium (EIP)
- Express InterCity (EIC)
- InterCity (IC)
- Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK).
International connections offered by PKP Intercity from Poland to other European Union countries:
60 days from the current date
- Germany
- Austria
- Hungary
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
How far in advance can I buy an international train ticket for foreign carriers?
- DB (Deutsche Bahn) - 6 months
- Eurostar (operate services to Paris, London, Amsterdam and Brussels via Eurotunnel) - 6 months
- OEBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen) - 6 months
- SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français) - 3 months
- RegioJet - 30 days
- TGV - 3 months
When is it worth buying tickets for PKP Intercity trains?
The sale of tickets for PKP Intercity trains generally begins 30 days before the departure date. During this time, passengers can reserve seats on selected trains and purchase tickets at the best prices. The cheapest offers are usually available just 12-30 days before the date of travel. The closer you get to your departure date, demand is greater and prices for train tickets gradually increase. Don't wait until the last moment to buy your tickets for Christmas.
It is worth remembering that the sale of PKP Intercity train tickets for international connections begins 60 days before the journey. Travelling by train in Europe is becoming increasingly popular, so it is worth knowing how far in advance you can buy tickets to get the best deal.
When do PKP tickets appear?
Ticket sales (online) for domestic trains in Poland start at 0:30 a.m. 30 days before the departure date. The exceptions are the first nights of the month, in which case the service time ends at 1:00 a.m. and only then can you book your ticket.
Book your ticket for May Day starting from 29 March at 00:30!
How to hunt for cheap train tickets for May Day? Some useful tips for travellers
Buy train tickets in advance
Railway companies offer special promotions and discounts to those passengers who book well in advance, therefore in the case of PKP Intercity train tickets. Train tickets can be purchased at the earliest 30 days before the planned journey, and the closer you get to the date of travel, the more the ticket price increases, so it is not worth leaving the purchase of tickets to the last minute. It is best to buy tickets as soon as sales open. For May Day, this date is 29 March if you plan to travel on a Wednesday (30 April).
When are the cheapest train tickets?
Travel on days with less traffic
There's another trick to buying a ticket more cheaply. Most people have heard of it for airline tickets, but it also works for trains, especially if you are looking for tickets for international routes such as Warsaw - Vienna, Cracow - Berlin, Przemyśl - Prague, etc. Prices change depending on the day of the week you plan to travel.
So there is a chance that you will be able to buy a ticket by choosing to travel on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday.
These are days with less traffic, so not only will you save money on tickets, but you will also have a more comfortable journey.
Check prices for connecting journeys
If you are planning to travel by train, check out the different connecting options. Before booking, check the different options, you will more than likely find that a connecting journey will be cheaper.
On the EuroPodoróże website you will always find verified information about ticket availability, trains for your route, you can also check the current timetable, compare prices and choose the most comfortable journey for you.
Take advantage of discounts offered by rail companies
Check what discounts are offered by the carrier you plan to use. These may be statutory discounts or special offers. When buying a ticket on PKP Intercity, you can get a discount if you are travelling in a group of 2 to 6 people - "Taniej z Bliskimi". This discount can be used by everyone concerned, including foreigners. The most important thing is that they travel together from one destination to another.
It is worth remembering that you can take advantage of this discount by buying your tickets at least 7 days before your trip.
Travelling on business? Check out the advantages of buying your tickets in advance
If you are planning a business trip, the best solution when planning a trip is to book your train ticket in advance. What you gain:
- A greater choice of available connections on the day and a convenient departure time. Tickets for popular connections such as Cracow - Warsaw sell out quickly, especially during peak periods (morning and evening sailings).
- Minimising stress
- Planning your journey in advance reduces the risk of being late or having to make last-minute changes, which can be stressful.
- More efficient planning
- You can better plan your meeting schedule by knowing the exact departure and arrival times at your destination.
- Quiet zone
By buying your tickets in advance, you can choose any seat on the train, such as the Quiet Zone, where you can enjoy a calm and quiet journey before your meeting and catch up on the latest news.
Lower prices for Pendolino tickets
If you are keen on a short journey time and prefer to travel on Pendolino trains, then by booking your ticket in advance, there is a chance to get a ticket at a more attractive price.
Why book your train ticket in advance when travelling with the family?
When planning a family trip, the best solution is to book in advance. Find out what the advantages are:
Greater comfort
Families travelling with children or the elderly can book seats with more space or amenities, making the journey more comfortable.
Space in the family compartment
When travelling with a young child, you can choose a seat in a family compartment carriage; the number of seats in such carriages is severely limited and sells out quickly on popular routes.
More choice on popular routes
By planning a family holiday and buying your ticket as early as possible, you reduce the risk of tickets for a particular route being completely sold out. This applies to destinations by the sea and other popular holiday destinations.
Seat guarantee
It is also not worth putting off booking a ticket until the last minute because of the risk of being left without an allocated seat in the carriage, which would mean having to travel standing up for several hours. These are particularly uncomfortable conditions for travelling with a child.
Cheaper with loved ones and planning a trip with friends
Planning a trip with friends? Here are a few reasons why you should buy your train ticket early:
Save
By buying group tickets in advance, you can get lower prices compared to buying individual tickets at the last minute. This allows you to save money on your entire journey.
Guaranteed side-by-side seating
Booking your tickets in advance ensures that the whole group can sit together on the train. This avoids the unpleasant situation where friends would have to split up.
Cheaper with relatives" discount
When booking tickets for a group of 2-6 people, remember to tick the "Cheaper with relatives" discount. The discount is available when booking tickets for a minimum of 7 days from the current date to the date of the scheduled departure.
Better organisation
Planning your trip in advance allows you to set a precise schedule, take into account all your group's needs and plan to visit interesting attractions.
Is it possible to buy a ticket on an IC train?
On PKP Intercity trains you can buy your ticket directly from the conductor, but this involves an additional charge. The best solution is to buy your ticket in advance at the ticket office, online or in the PolishTrains app. But what if you are already standing at the station and you still don't have a ticket? Find out how buying a ticket on board a train works.
Travelling alone - a guide for train travellers | PolishTrains
**Do you fancy a trip but lack company? Or perhaps your life or work situation forces you to travel by train? Travelling alone can be a really interesting experience, provided, of course, you have the right attitude and prepare yourself accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Domestic PKP Intercity tickets go on sale up to 30 days before departure. For international connections, the window varies: up to 60 days for destinations such as Germany, Austria, and Hungary, and up to 120 days for some other European routes.
Yes. Carriers offer promotional fares and early-bird discounts for passengers who book early. As the departure date approaches, ticket prices generally rise, so buying ahead of time is the most cost-effective option.
Booking early guarantees you a seat on your preferred train or even in your preferred carriage. You can also arrange additional services such as a bicycle space, a sleeper berth, or adjacent seats for groups and families.
Yes, particularly during peak periods such as public holidays. On busy routes around May Day, for example, seats can sell out quickly, especially on Wednesday afternoons and evenings and throughout Monday.
Yes, tickets are available right up until departure if seats remain. However, on EIC and EIP trains a seat reservation is compulsory, so it is always worth checking availability before heading to the station.
Domestic PKP Intercity tickets go on sale up to 30 days before departure. For international connections, the window varies: up to 60 days for destinations such as Germany, Austria, and Hungary, and up to 120 days for some other European routes.
Yes. Carriers offer promotional fares and early-bird discounts for passengers who book early. As the departure date approaches, ticket prices generally rise, so buying ahead of time is the most cost-effective option.
Booking early guarantees you a seat on your preferred train or even in your preferred carriage. You can also arrange additional services such as a bicycle space, a sleeper berth, or adjacent seats for groups and families.
Yes, particularly during peak periods such as public holidays. On busy routes around May Day, for example, seats can sell out quickly, especially on Wednesday afternoons and evenings and throughout Monday.
Yes, tickets are available right up until departure if seats remain. However, on EIC and EIP trains a seat reservation is compulsory, so it is always worth checking availability before heading to the station.