A state-owned PKP Intercity Pendolino train reached 253 km/h during overnight tests on Poland’s Central Line, marking a key step toward launching commercial 250 km/h services in December 2027, according to the railway infrastructure manager PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK). The trials primarily tested the GSM-R communications system at very high speeds, paving the way for regular passenger operations that will slash travel times between Warsaw and major southern hubs like Kraków and Katowice.
Central Line Tests Target December 2027 Launch
The recent high-speed trials took place along the Central Railway Line, known locally as Centralna Magistrala Kolejowa (CMK). According to PKP PLK, the tests successfully verified infrastructure readiness and the performance of the GSM-R communications network at elevated velocities. Infrastructure manager representative Maciej Kaczorek called the milestone a very important moment for the country’s rail network.
Commercial operations at 250 km/h are scheduled to debut with the 2027–2028 timetable update in December 2027. Minister for Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak stated that Polish railways are picking up speed and that 250 km/h is just the beginning. The higher speed limit will apply across roughly 180 kilometers of the 223-kilometer CMK route, which links the Warsaw area to southern destinations.
Did you know? Although the recent tests hit 253 km/h, the absolute Polish rail speed record remains 293 km/h, set by a Pendolino during pre-introduction testing on the Central Line back in 2013.
Sharply Reduced Journey Times to Major Cities
The shift to 250 km/h operations will directly benefit passengers by cutting travel durations across key domestic corridors. According to transit projections, the trip between Warsaw and Kraków will drop from approximately two hours and 45 minutes down to under two hours, specifically one hour and 55 minutes. Connections from Warsaw to Katowice will likewise speed up to one hour and 54 minutes, while journeys to Wrocław will shorten to about three hours compared to the current three and a half hours.
Despite these gains, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Piotr Malepszak acknowledged that adapting the broader network for regular 250 km/h operation took too long. Alstom-built Pendolino trains have operated in Poland since 2014 with a design maximum of 250 km/h, though commercial speeds have historically been capped at 200 km/h on routes connecting Warsaw with Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, and the Trójmiasto conurbation of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot.
Ridership Growth and Future 320 km/h Expansion Plans
The speed upgrades coincide with a steep rise in passenger demand across the state operator. PKP Intercity carried 44.7 million passengers in the first six months of the year, marking a new record that sits over 10 percent higher than the same period the prior year and roughly 45 percent higher than figures from three years ago.
Looking past the 2027 rollout, Polish authorities are designing a broader network intended to support trains traveling up to 320 km/h across roughly 2,700 kilometers of planned infrastructure. In December 2025, PKP Intercity launched a procurement tender for 20 trainsets capable of 320 km/h. These future fleets will serve newly planned routes feeding into the Port Polska transport hub west of Warsaw, with longer-term discussions even touching on 350 km/h segments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will 250 km/h trains start carrying passengers in Poland?
Commercial services running at 250 km/h are scheduled to launch in December 2027 under the 2027–2028 timetable, according to PKP PLK.
How much will the Warsaw to Kraków travel time decrease?
The journey between Warsaw and Kraków will drop from roughly two hours and 45 minutes to approximately one hour and 55 minutes.
What is the long-term speed target for Polish railways?
Polish authorities are planning a network of high-speed lines designed for speeds up to 320 km/h, backed by a tender for 20 high-speed trainsets launched by PKP Intercity.
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