This summer, Poland’s rail sector is undergoing significant changes in both infrastructure and passenger services.
Starting in June, authorities and rail operators are introducing new connections, expanding existing routes, and accelerating modernization projects aimed at improving mobility across the country, with a focus on tourist regions and cities that have long lacked adequate rail services.
The railway infrastructure manager, Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK), is continuing the most extensive investment program in the recent history of the Polish railways. The ongoing works are already contributing to shorter travel times, the modernization of stations, the construction of new stations and stops, and increased safety in rail transport. At the same time, adjustments to train schedules allow the work to proceed without significantly disrupting passenger and freight services.
Historic Return of Trains to Łomża
One of the most important symbols of the current transformation is the return of passenger rail service to Łomża, a city located in northwestern Poland, in the Podlasie Voivodeship. This city has not had passenger trains for over 30 years.
The project to reconstruct the Łomża–Śniadowo line includes the complete overhaul of the infrastructure, the installation of modern signaling and traffic control systems, the construction of a new station, and the development of additional stops. Once the project is completed, the city will have direct connections to Białystok and Warsaw, and travel time between Łomża and the capital of the Podlasie region will be significantly reduced.
“Poland’s railways are currently undergoing their most significant period of development in decades. We are returning to places from which trains disappeared many years ago, modernizing strategic lines, and setting a new standard for travel. The return of the train to Łomża after more than 30 years is a symbol of these changes—a symbol of a railway that reconnects regions, supports the development of local communities, and becomes a real alternative for daily travel,” said Piotr Wyborski, president of Polskie Linie Kolejowe.
Record number of rail connections during the summer season
From the perspective of the national operator PKP Intercity, the summer rail season in Poland means an unprecedented expansion of the commercial offering. The new timetable will feature up to 560 trains per day, 46 more than in the previous summer season. The increase in capacity aims to meet the high demand for travel to the Baltic Sea coast, mountain regions, and tourist areas in Warmia and Masuria.
Among the most significant changes is the expansion of services operated by Pendolino trains. For the first time, a direct Express InterCity Premium connection will link Bielsko-Biała with the Baltic Sea resort of Ustka, offering passengers in southern Poland a fast and comfortable alternative to the coast. Additionally, the route of another Pendolino train will be extended to Kołobrzeg, and during the summer, high-speed trains will also run as far as Świnoujście.
The operator is also introducing a series of seasonal trains to Hel, Łeba, Kołobrzeg, and Zakopane, while tourist regions in the northeast of the country will benefit from more direct connections. The number of connections between Olsztyn and Białystok will increase significantly, and several long-distance trains will be extended to Giżycko and Pisz, facilitating access to the Masurian Lake District.
Another highlight of the season is the return of the international Adriatic Express train. In response to high demand in recent years, the service will run up to six times a week to Croatia and Slovenia. The train will travel through the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovenia, and a special group of cars will provide, for the first time, a direct connection to Koper, the main port city on the Slovenian coast.
This summer’s changes demonstrate that rail transport is playing an increasingly important role in Poland’s mobility strategy. Investments in infrastructure are complemented by the expansion of commercial offerings, the reintroduction of services to cities that have been without trains for decades, and the development of connections to major tourist destinations. Thus, the summer rail schedule in Poland is not merely a seasonal adjustment to train schedules, but also an important step in the modernization and consolidation of the national rail network.
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