Poland tests 250 km/h train speeds for planned cuts to intercity journey times

Poland has achieved a new milestone in its rail transport ambitions after a Pendolino train reached a speed of 253 kilometers per hour (157 miles per hour) during testing on the Central Main Line (CMK). This marks a key step toward significantly reducing travel times between major Polish cities starting next year. The successful trials, conducted overnight on Monday, focused on the GSM-R data transmission system, a critical component for maintaining reliable communication at high speeds. The results indicate that scheduled train speeds of 250 km/h could be operational on the CMK by December 2027. The CMK connects Warsaw, Kraków, and Katowice, forming the backbone of Poland’s rail network. Once fully implemented, the increased speed will reduce the travel time between Warsaw and Kraków, the nation’s two largest cities, to approximately one hour and 52 minutes. Currently, the trip takes about two hours and 20 minutes. Similarly, the journey from Warsaw to Wrocław, Poland’s third-largest city, is projected to take roughly three hours instead of the present 3 hours and 30 minutes. These improvements align with broader efforts to modernize and expand the national rail infrastructure. Maciej Kaczorek, a board member of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, described reaching the 250 km/h threshold as a “very important moment for Polish rail.” He emphasized that the tests represent a crucial phase in adapting the existing rail network to accommodate faster trains. The success of these trials follows several years of preparation, including upgrades to signaling systems and track conditions necessary to safely sustain higher speeds. Despite the progress, the 250 km/h mark is not a new record for Polish railways. In 2013, a Pendolino train reached 293 km/h during a test on the CMK, though passenger services using high-speed trains did not begin until 2014. Since their introduction, Pendolinos have operated primarily at speeds capped at 200 km/h due to infrastructure limitations. Now, with the completion of necessary upgrades, the trains are set to perform closer to their design specifications. The current government, which came into power in December 2023, has ambitious plans for further expansion of high-speed rail in Poland. Deputy Infrastructure Minister Piotr Malepszak stated that it had taken too long to adapt the network for regular operations at 250 km/h. Looking ahead, the administration aims to construct 2,700 kilometers of new tracks capable of supporting trains traveling at 320 km/h. This initiative includes a tender launched in December 2025 for 20 such trains, which are expected to drastically cut travel times on key routes. One notable example is the proposed reduction in the journey time between Warsaw and Gdańsk, located on Poland’s Baltic coast. Presently, the trip lasts 2 hours and 25 minutes, but with the new trains, it could be completed in about 100 minutes by 2040. These developments reflect a growing emphasis on improving connectivity and efficiency within the country’s transportation system. Recent trends show a surge in passenger demand for rail travel in Poland. In the first half of 2026, PKP Intercity recorded a record 44.7 million passengers, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year and nearly a 45% rise over the past three years. This growth underscores the importance of continued investment in rail infrastructure to meet rising expectations and ensure sustainable mobility solutions for the population. As Poland moves forward with its rail modernization program, additional projects are underway. For instance, a Polish Pendolino high-speed train has recently entered service in the Czech Republic as part of a certification process aimed at eventually establishing a direct route between Warsaw and Prague. Such initiatives highlight the potential for regional integration and enhanced cross-border connectivity through improved rail networks.