The first train on a new international rail route from Poland to Croatia, named the Adriatic Express, successfully arrived in Rijeka on Saturday, marking a significant step in enhancing European rail connectivity. The journey covered approximately 1,240 kilometres and is set to operate throughout the summer season.
Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak announced the milestone on social media, noting that the new service has the potential to carry up to 11,000 passengers by the end of August. The debut run saw an enthusiastic response, with 90 per cent of seats booked in advance.
“This is not just a fast and convenient connection; it represents an accessible European holiday option, even from smaller towns,” Klimczak shared. The train makes multiple stops in Poland, including Opoczno, Włoszczowa, Sosnowiec, and Katowice, before continuing its journey through the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovenia, ultimately reaching Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
The Adriatic Express departs four times a week in both directions. Its inaugural journey began on Friday at approximately 2:00 p.m. from Warsaw and completed its return trip to Warsaw East Station (Warszawa Wschodnia) by Sunday afternoon.
This seasonal route will remain operational until the end of the summer holidays, with the final departure from Warsaw scheduled for August 28 and from Rijeka on August 29.
Operated by PKP Intercity, Poland’s largest long-distance rail provider, the new service reflects the company’s ongoing expansion efforts. Last year, PKP Intercity transported 78.5 million passengers, a 15 per cent increase from 2023 and 33 per cent higher than in 2022. The carrier now aims to serve 88 million passengers in 2025 and reach 110 million by 2030.
