Seat reservations on trains in Poland

[Przemysław]

The rules for booking seats on long-distance trains in Poland have changed. On the website https://www.intercity.pl/pl/site/o-...ta-do-biletow-okresowych-w-pkp-intercity.html detailed description in Polish.

In English:
Interrail - https://www.intercity.pl/en/site/fo...ail/jak-korzystac-z-biletu-przewodnik-en.html
FIP - https://www.intercity.pl/en/site/fo...ere-to-buy-the-ticket/przejazdy-z-fip-en.html

 

[rg177]

As per the PKP link:

The change introduced by PKP Intercity from June 9 applies to journeys based on season tickets. Until June 8 this year. including passengers with such a ticket who wanted to travel on combined trains (Flirt, Dart, ED74 or diesel multiple units) had to download a seat reservation each time in the PKP Intercity system, which in the case of regular, daily journeys on short routes led to downloading these documents on the entire pre-sale period (PKP Intercity runs a 30-day pre-sale for domestic connections).

So if you have a FLIRT or an ED74 service - reservations are no longer mandatory.

As a result, in the event of a change of plans, this often resulted in blocking a seat on the train despite the lack of passenger on board the vehicle. The change was introduced on June 9 this year. and will provide greater flexibility in using PKP Intercity services on the basis of season tickets. Passengers will be able to travel without having to reserve a seat in Flirt, ED74 trains and diesel multiple units - i.e. on the same conditions as in trains with a classic locomotive and wagons. If, after June 9, a passenger with a season ticket wants to have a guaranteed seat, he or she will be able to purchase a paid reservation.

Logic seems to be that it stops the train getting clagged up with short-distance reservations.

"Diesel Multiple Units" seems to refer to the small number of TLK services operated with SKPL-branded units (such as Kraków-Jelenia Góra)

Reservations still mandatory on ED161 (DART) trains and Pendolinos.

 

[Cloud Strife]

So if you have a FLIRT or an ED74 service - reservations are no longer mandatory.

It's a mess, to be honest. PKP Intercity just shouldn't be selling seat reservations (or even tickets) for regional, short distance connections unless they're operated commercially.

 

[rvdborgt]

Price has also gone up from PLN 1 to PLN 3. Still cheap though.