A new sleeper train is set to link five European countries along a single 745-mile route — a first for international rail travel in the region.
The journey will begin in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, and end in the Croatian coastal city of Rijeka, famous for its beaches, waterfalls, and medieval fortress.
Travellers will pass through several cities along the way, including Opoczno, Katowice, Rybnik, Chałupki, Vienna, Ljubljana, Postojna, and Opatija.
Currently, there is no direct train between Warsaw and Rijeka, requiring passengers to transfer three times — in Břeclav, Graz, and Zagreb — which makes for a journey that can exceed 30 hours.
Although the new PKP Intercity sleeper service will still take 19 hours from start to finish, it will significantly reduce the travel time by over a third.
Ticket prices are expected to start at around 200 Polish złoty, or approximately £39.53, offering a cost-effective alternative to air travel.
The service will run four times a week over the summer months, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The first train is scheduled to depart from Warsaw on Friday, 27 June, with the final services taking place on 29 August from Warsaw and 31 August from Rijeka.
The journey will feature panoramic views of Eastern and Central Europe, with the train crossing Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Although there are no stops in Czechia, the train will arrive in Vienna at around 10:00 p.m., where several carriages will separate and take a different route toward Croatia.
The service will cross into Slovenia just after midnight, where it will link up with the Istria line that begins in Budapest, before continuing into Croatia.
Passengers can expect comfort aboard the fully air-conditioned train, with couchette cars offering bed spaces and fresh sheets, so there’s no need to bring a sleeping bag.
A dining car will be available from Warsaw to Vienna, serving hot meals. Passengers in couchette cars will also have access to onboard Wars staff for assistance throughout the trip.
Full List of Stops on the Warsaw–Rijeka Sleeper Train:
Warsaw, Opoczno, Katowice, Rybnik, Chałupki (Poland); Vienna (Austria); Ljubljana, Postojna (Slovenia); Opatija, Rijeka (Croatia).
