How to take the journey by train from the Czech to Polish capital cities

All trains also call at: Katowice (change for Krakow)

These direct trains are usually scheduled to depart from Praha hl.n station daily at around 06:20, this train is named the 'Sobieski' - and at around 14:20, this train is named the 'Slilesia'.

On the earlier departure, for the first phase of the journey, as far as Bohumin, the train heading to Warszawa, will be joined to another train heading to Krakow.
So if you only see a train heading to Krakow on the departure screens at that time, the info will also apply to the train heading to Warszawa.

It is a particularly unexciting journey across mainly farming landscapes, so having something with you to watch or read is highly recommended.

So you won't be missing out on a thrilling travel experience, if you opt to take the overnight train instead.

Arriving in Warszawa / Warsaw

Presumably due to construction work on the railways around the Polish capital, on the latest timetable, these trains have been switched away from the city's main railway station, Warszawa Centralna.
Instead they will be arriving at a station to the north of the city centre, named [Warszawa Gdanska].

This isn't a problem because Warszawa Gdańska station is a public transport interchange
It is directly adjacent to Dworzec Gdański station on line M1 of the Warsaw Metro, so line M1 connects Warszawa Gdańska to Centrum station, which lives up to its name with a city centre location.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings usually open: 8 weeks ahead - see our guide to booking tickets on the CD website.

Something to look out for is that CD won't automatically include a reservation for these trains when booking tickets, but it will give you an option to add a reservation.
You'll need to be proactive and add the reservation, because reservations are required on this train for the part of the journey in Poland.

Rail Pass users will also need to reserve prior to boarding, these can be booked online on the CD website or from the International ticket desk in Praha hl.n. station.

Final Destination: Warszawa Wschodnia

The train also calls at: Krakow

The train is usually scheduled to depart Praha hl.n at around 22:15 and arrive in Warszawa shortly after 09:00.

For the part of the journey between Praha/Prague and Bohumin, these coaches heading to Warszawa, will be joined to another train that will be heading to Hummene in Slovakia.

If on the departure screens, you only see a train heading to Hummene departing at 22:15, then the departure details, will also apply to this train.

Arriving in Warszawa / Warsaw

Presumably due to construction work on the railways around the Polish capital, on the latest timetable, these trains have been switched away the city's main railway station, Warszawa Centralna.
Instead it calls at station to the north of the city centre, Warszawa Gdanska before going on to terminate at Warszawa Wschodnia / Warsaw East.

Warszawa Gdańska station is a public transport interchange, it is linked to Dworzec Gdański station on line M1 of the Warsaw Metro, so line M1 connects Warszawa Gdańska to Centrum station, which lives up to its name with a city centre location.

Though if your final destination is in the old town area of Warsaw, it's best to remain on the train until it arrives at Warszawa Wschodnia, as tram line/route 4 connects this station to the tram stop named Stare Miasto, which is located on the southern edge of the old town area..

Book early and save: Yes*

Online bookings open: 2 months ahead of the travel date

The train conveys:

- Compartment Seats (Sitzwagen)
- Couchettes (Liegewagen); 4 berths AND 6 berths
- Standard sleeping cars (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins
- Deluxe sleeping cars with showers in the cabin  (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins

*It's worth making the effort to book ahead if you want a bed in a sleeping cabin, but you'll save less than €10 compared to booking at the station if you want to travel in a seat or couchette.

A plus of booking online is that you will have ensured your place on the train. Your first choice of accommodation MAY be sold out if you don't book in advance.

There's much to be admired regarding the CD website, the online booking service of the Czech national rail operator, České dráhy, but how to book a berth in  a couchette, or a bed in a sleeping cabin isn't particularly obvious.

Hence our step-by-step guide to booking overnight accommodation on the CD website, which you can find HERE.

The couchette and sleeping coaches/cars are attached to an IC service between Praha and Breclav and then on arrival there, they're re-attched to a train which will then head off to Budapest.

Travelling with a rail pass:

Rail pass users must reserve before boarding these trains, and reservations CAN be booked online - follow the same steps as for booking tickets, except when initially looking up the journey, select, 'I want a reservation' instead of 'Buy'

OR reservations can also be arranged and paid for at the CD Travel desk at Praha hl.n station - ideally do this when you first arrive in Prague/Praha hl.n on the preceding train on your itinerary.

The reservation desk does not remain open until late it in the evening, so it will be closed if you attempt to reserve just prior to boarding.