Content
EIC (Poland)
Welcome to the guide to travelling by the Polish EIC express trains, which also cross the border to form EC services to and from Poland.
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At a Glance
Travel Pass Supplement
Rail Pass Reservation Fees
Reservations
Compulsory
Time of Day
Day
Catering
Food services available
Restaurant
Bar (sandwiches, snacks, salads)
Accessibility
Accessing the train
Wheelchair Spaces
Bikes Allowed
Train Specification
Attributes of the train
Has a Conductor
Country
Which country these trains operate in.
Poland
Travel Passes
Eurail
InterRail
Other
On Board
Premium
Perks
WiFi
A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.
Power Socket
The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.
Standard
Perks
WiFi
A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.
Power Socket
The power sockets on this train are compatible with standard E.U. two point plugs.
Seating types
Quiet Zones and Family Compartments are available on most departures, so look out for these options when booking online.
EIC Poland: Travel Guide:
These Express InterCity trains are the smartest conventional express trains operated by PKP - the Polish express train service provider.
They primarily use updated coaches, most of which are now wi-fi enabled, and they convey both quiet zones and family compartments.
Routes:
In Poland the international EuroCity services are classified as EIC services, so these trains travel primarily between Warszawa and border towns and cities.
Primary routes:
- (Gdynia - Gdansk) - Warszawa - Katowice - (Bielsko Biala)
- Gdynia - Gdansk) - Warszawa - Krakow - Zakopane/Rzeszow
- Warszawa - Wroclaw - (Jelenia Gora)
- Warszawa - Pozan - Rzepin/Szczecin*
*On this route, these EIC services are the premier express trains.
They also share the Katowice/Krakow - Warszawa - Gdasnk - Gdynia route with EIP services.
The EIC services are also used for routes, on which direct trains travel to and from destinations beyond those that are served by the EIP services.
When they share a route between destinations also served by the EIP trains, they tend to be around 10 - 20 mins slower, but they may not be any cheaper - it's demand per departure and not journey time which has the bigger influence on the ticket prices.
Also on the routes they share with the EIP trains, they also tend to depart less frequently than the EIP services.
Boarding:
All tickets for EIC trains are seat specific, seat reservations are complimentary and included with the booking, so when you arrive on the peron/platform, check the coach number that you will printed on your ticket.
The peron/platform will be zoned and there will be information on the platform that will show in which zone each coach will be located.
Particularly check in which zone you should wait it on the peron this if you will boarding an EIC train in Warszawa, as most EIC services travel through Warszawa, so the trains arrive at the stations only a few minutes before departure.
Something to be aware of is that EIC trains can’t be boarded until the destination details etc are displayed on the electronic indicators on the peron/track..
At the stations where an EIC train will be commencing its journey - the train may be waiting with doors open, it will be fairly obvious that it is the train you will be taking and you'll have a reserved seat.
However, the train may still being prepared for service, and if you board too soon, the conductor will politely ask you to leave.
Catering:
These EIC trains convey restaurant/gastronomic coaches which can be used by all passengers, including those travelling in 2nd class.
The on board menu can be seen here.
If you don't want to have a hot meal, the catering car/coach also has a bistro counter at which hot/cold drinks and cold food (sandwiches, salads) etc can be ordered and either consumed in the coach (not at the restaurant seats), or taken back to your seats.
If you opt to dine in the restaurant car, you are requested not to take your luggage etc with you, so when boarding initially take your reserved seat and then make your way to the restaurant.
If you are travelling in 1st class, you can also order the full menu of items to be delivered to your seat(s).
Using Eurail & InterRail Passes:
The terms for using a rail pass on these EIC services have changed recently.
If you will be travelling with a rail pass AND making a journey within Poland, you MUST reserve a seat(s) prior to boarding these trains - but if you book the reservation at a station in Poland, you won't be charged for it.
Ideally do so when you first arrive at a station in Poland and not just before you board your chosen departure.
Bicycles:
PKP operates the long distance express trains in Poland and it charges a flat rate of PLN 9.10 = approximately €2 for bike tickets, irrespective of the distance you will be travelling.
These tickets can be purchased online when booking your travel tickets - general info about booking Polish train tickets is available here.
You can only purchase 2nd class tickets if you travel with a bike on the EIC and EIP trains, the dedicated bike storage areas are in the part of the train which has 2nd class seats – the booking system should allocate you a seat reservation in the coach in which the bike storage is located.
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