All PKP Intercity trains going to Germany are free of charge for Ukrainian citizens

From Wednesday, March 9, until further notice, all PKP Intercity trains going from Warsaw, Przemyśl (via Cracow) and Gdynia towards Germany - to Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder) – run in the InterCity (IC) category, which ensures that Ukrainian citizens can travel on them in 2nd class free of charge. Over 300k citizens of Ukraine have traveled throughout Poland free of charge on PKP Intercity trains already.

From March 9 this year 4 pairs of connections are downgraded from EIC to IC category, which increases the number of trains on which Ukrainian citizens can travel for free in 2nd class. The change will also allow an even distribution of passenger flows to Berlin.

The citizens of Ukraine can already use 9 pairs of daily connections towards the western border for free. Trains depart from Warsaw, Gdynia and Przemyśl via Cracow. Trains also enable journeys to Germany from Poznan and Wroclaw, among others.

Citizens of Ukraine, can travel from Poland to Germany in 2nd class seated carriages on trains:

• IC no. 37000/56 Wawel;
• IC no. 57000/58 Gedania;
• IC no. 60456/456 Nightjet;
• IC no. 17008/40 Varsovia;
• IC no. 17000/248 Berolinum;
• IC no. 17006/44 Spree;
• IC no. 17004/48 Odra/Oder;
• IC no. 17002/246 Wisła;
• IC no. 17040/5940.

More passengers - extra trains and additional wagons

Since February 26 this year, over 300k Ukrainian citizens have traveled free of charge on PKP Intercity trains. Since February 24 this year 157k refugees boarded PKP Intercity trains departing from border stations and heading for various corners of Poland.

Between February 24 and March 8 this year a total of 374 trains departed from locations near the border with Ukraine. These include 216 extended regular service trains, 76 additional trains operated by PKP Intercity rolling stock and 82 trains started by regional carriers' rolling stock. The use of rolling stock of regional carriers is coordinated by PKP Intercity.

To make journeys as efficient as possible and to enable as many people as possible to travel, PKP Intercity has reinforced 372 regular trains with a total of 1114 wagons.

Railway operations between Poland and Ukraine continue. Together with Ukrainian Railways, PKP Intercity maintains rail connections to Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa, enabling passage to Poland to refugees. Most of them arrive in Przemyśl, Chelm and Warsaw, where they receive the necessary assistance, meals and information regarding further transportation options directly at the stations. Travellers from border stations, in agreement with the provincial governors, are mainly directed towards Cracow, Katowice, Wroclaw and Warsaw. There is a constantly growing interest in travel to Berlin.

Free tickets for Ukrainian citizens

2nd class carriages of TLK and IC trains, which can be used free of charge by Ukrainian citizens since February 26 this year, are fitted with special bilingual labels. In addition, announcements about free travel for Ukrainian citizens on these trains are also made at stations in Ukrainian. Any document confirming Ukrainian citizenship may be used to confirm passenger’s eligibility. Free tickets are distributed by ticket offices as well as on-board staff.

Current information for Ukrainian citizens and safe travels

On February 28 PKP Intercity started operating a helpline in Ukrainian. It is dedicated number for Ukrainian citizens wishing to obtain information regarding PKP Intercity timetables and other passenger issues in their native language. The lain is available 7 days a week, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at +48 22 473 00 86 (call fee dependent on operator’s tariff) and 800 033 022 (toll-free line for all domestic operators). Information is also available on PKP Intercity website in two language versions – Polish and Ukrainian.

PKP Intercity employees are present at railway stations in Przemyśl, Lublin and Warsaw, where they coordinate the passenger transport, passenger streams and boardings. Mobile stewards and volunteers provide another layer of assistance, handing out necessary information in Ukrainian, too.

Appropriate services watch over safety at railway stations. Also there are Railroad Protection Guard and Police officers on board of some PKP Intercity trains.