PKP Intercity announces major railway timetable and speed upgrades

PKP Intercity is implementing a major overhaul of its railway timetable starting December 13, 2026. The new schedule aims to significantly increase the frequency and speed of long-distance connections across Poland. Key improvements include a substantial increase in daily services between major hubs such as Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, and the Tricity area. For example, connections between Torun and Warsaw will increase to 12 pairs daily, while services between Krakow and Wroclaw will reach 20 pairs.

A major technological milestone is the planned increase in train speeds on the Central Rail Line (CMK). Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak announced that by 2027, trains are expected to reach speeds of 250 km/h, reducing the travel time between Warsaw and Krakow to under two hours. While there were rumors of speeds exceeding 300 km/h on the CMK, the Ministry of Infrastructure clarified that such speeds would only be possible on a future, entirely new “Y” high-speed rail line.

The expansion is supported by significant investments in new rolling stock and infrastructure modernization. The new timetable will feature approximately 600 daily connections, a 50 percent increase compared to 2023. This expansion also focuses on restoring long-distance services to smaller towns like Olecko and Lomza, aiming to reach a target of 500 million annual passengers.