PKP Intercity carriages | PolishTrains

At a glance

• PKP Intercity operates 1st class, 2nd class, restaurant, sleeping, couchette, bicycle, and Combo multi-purpose carriages
• Couchette cars have 4 to 6 berths per compartment; sleeping cars offer 1 to 3-berth private compartments with washbasins
• First class EIC passengers receive a complimentary drink or refreshment included in the ticket price
• A restaurant car operated by WARS is available on most long-distance Intercity services
• Double-deck carriages are planned for introduction on key routes in 2028
• Bicycle spaces must be reserved separately when purchasing a ticket; dedicated racks are available in some trainsets

PKP Intercity today has a diverse rolling stock, which ranges from classic compartment wagons to modern, compartmentless units with air conditioning, sockets and Wi-Fi. Various types of passenger carriages can be found in the trainsets. Each has a different purpose, and the key division for passengers remains the distinction between 1st and 2nd class, which differ in comfort, equipment and seating arrangements.

Intercity 1st class carriages

First class in PKP Intercity trains is a proposal for passengers who value a more comfortable journey. In cars of this class there are fewer seats - usually 6 in a compartment (instead of 8 in second class) or a 2+1 arrangement in compartmentless cars.

Characteristic features of an Intercity 1st class carriage:

💺Morespace and more comfortable seats with armrests,

🔌Electric sockets and Wi-Fi access (in most trainsets),

☕Frequently provided refreshments or drinks included in the ticket price (e.g. on EIC trains),

🤫 Quietand peaceful atmosphere, ideal for work or rest.

In modern trainsets, such as the Z1A or Z1B carriages, the interiors are distinguished by better soundproofing, air conditioning and LED lighting.

Intercity 2nd class carriages

Second class is the most popular choice among passengers, offering a good standard at an affordable price. Depending on the type of train and the age of the carriage, you can find both compartment cars (8 seats per compartment) and non-compartment cars with a 2+2 seating arrangement.

Characteristic features of an Intercity 2nd class carriage:

💺Standardseats with backrest and table,

🛜Air-conditioningand Wi-Fi on most newer trainsets,

🔌Sockets next to seats on retrofitted carriages,

♿In some trains - family compartments or seats for people with disabilities.

Second class trains include carriages of type 111A, 112A, 141A or Z2, which differ in their interior layout and level of modernisation.

For more differences between carriage classes, see the guide: 1st or 2nd class on an Intercity train? Comparison, differences and opinions.

In addition to 1st and 2nd class passenger cars, specialised units with specific functions can also be found on Intercity trainsets:

Restaurant car (WR)

This is a carriage with a catering area where passengers can have a meal during their journey. The service is provided by WARS, offering hot dishes, drinks and snacks. A meal-to-seat ordering service via the WARS app is also available on many trains. Read more in the guide: WARS on the train - what can you buy, how to order and how much does it cost?

Sleeper car (WL)

Sleeping cars are designed for overnight travel. They contain compartments with beds - single, double or triple. Each has access to a toilet and washbasin and, in higher standards, also air conditioning and a breakfast set.

Sleeper car (Bc, so-called couchette)

This is a cheaper alternative to sleeping cars. The compartment has between 4 and 6 seats, which can be converted into recliners. Passengers receive bed linen and the ticket price includes a basic sleeping set.

Bicycle or luggage car (Bdnu, Bd)

Some Intercity carriages have a separate area for transporting bicycles, prams or larger luggage. In modern trainsets, this function is often performed by a part of the passenger carriage, equipped with special holders and racks. For more information see: Bicycles on trains - rules and costs of carriage.

For several years, PKP Intercity has been carrying out an intensive investment programme to replace and modernise its rolling stock. New PKP Intercity carriages and modernised PKP Intercity carriages are increasingly appearing on routes across the country, offering greater comfort, safety and a standard of travel comparable to European railways.

Modern carriages are equipped with:

• air conditioning,
• electric sockets,
• Wi-Fi,
• passenger information system,
• automatic doors.

The upgrades have given older designs new interiors, LED lighting and comfort systems.

Intercity double-decker carriages

A special type of new units will be Intercity's double-decker carriages, which feature a two-storey design to increase the number of seats. PKP Intercity plans to use the double-decker trains on domestic routes in the economy category on, among others, the Warsaw to Gdańsk, Łódź, Olsztyn, Wrocław, Kraków, Białystok and Terespol routes. The carrier assumes that the first of these will appear in regular traffic in 2028.

Intercity's double-decker carriages will provide both space for families with children and comfortable seating. They are also distinguished by their modern design, panoramic windows and quieter running gear. Importantly - they will also be fully adapted to the needs of travellers with disabilities.

Intercity Combo coaches

Also of note are Intercity's Combo coaches - modern units designed to be as accessible as possible for all passengers. Compared to standard carriages, the Combo Intercity car is distinguished by its multifunctional interior layout. Instead of a homogeneous compartmentalised or uncompartmentalised seating arrangement, several zones with different purposes are combined in one carriage. In addition to the classic passenger area, the Intercity Combo coaches include:

• a space for people with disabilities - with space for wheelchairs and wide doors,
• a family area - with extra seats and a baby changing facility,
• space for bicycles and larger luggage,
• an accessible toilet for people with reduced mobility.

This makes the Combo car more versatile than a traditional 2nd class carriage - it can simultaneously serve passengers with different needs while maintaining a high standard of comfort and safety.

This is an example of PKP Intercity's flexible approach to travellers' needs and proof that the railway is consistently modernising its rolling stock. Thanks to the introduction of new and modernised carriages, PKP Intercity is successively improving the quality of travel, providing passengers with greater safety and availability of services at the highest level. Buy your ticket at Euro Podróże and enjoy the comfort of your journey.