Warsaw-Rijeka Railway Connection Launches June 27: A New Gateway from Central Europe to the Adriatic

Polish rail operator PKP Intercity is launching a new seasonal service connecting Warsaw with Rijeka – Croatia’s third-largest city and one of its most important maritime hubs. This cross-border route responds to growing passenger demand for rail access to the Adriatic, especially from Polish holidaymakers for whom Croatia remains a leading summer destination.

The first train will depart on June 27, with services operating four times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Warsaw, and return journeys on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The route will operate until the end of the holiday season, with the final departure from Rijeka on August 31. Promotional fares start at just PLN 200 (approx. €45), positioning the offer as a viable and competitive alternative to long road or air journeys.

Spanning 1,240 km and crossing five countries – Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia – the journey begins shortly after 14:00 in Warsaw. Major stops include Opoczno, Katowice, and Wodzisław Śląski before reaching Vienna at around 22:00. From there, additional carriages will be detached and continue southward as a separate train. After midnight in Slovenia, the service merges with the overnight "Istria" train from Budapest to Rijeka. The train arrives in Rijeka just after 9:00 the next morning.

Rijeka? That’s just the end of the line – or the beginning. With stops in Vienna, Ljubljana, Postojna and Opatija, passengers can plan flexible journeys to some of Central Europe’s most iconic destinations. Whether it's the cultural elegance of Vienna, the green capital of Slovenia, the famous karst caves of Postojna or the Austro-Hungarian charm of Opatija – all are now accessible on the same route.

The train offers second-class compartments and couchettes with four-person berths. All cars are air-conditioned, and passengers in couchettes are provided with bedding and the assistance of onboard staff throughout the journey. Between Warsaw and Vienna, a full-service Wars restaurant car is available, serving fresh meals prepared onboard. Capacity for each train is set at 172 passengers.

The project is the result of extensive international coordination, requiring cooperation between the national rail operators of Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, as well as the respective ministries of transport. The new service stands as a model for European rail integration and connectivity between inland capitals and key maritime ports.

19 hours and 58 minutes. That’s how long it takes to travel from Warsaw to Rijeka by train. Is that long? Maybe. But it's comfortable. And what about the cost? PLN 350 (approx. €80) if booked last-minute – or as little as half that for early bookings. A family of four can make a round trip for around PLN 1,400 – cheaper than flying, far more scenic, and considerably more climate-friendly. In an era of decarbonization and multimodal logistics, this new corridor is more than just a summer link – it’s a step toward a more connected, accessible Adriatic.