Poland, Warsaw, Kraków and Katowice could gain new international rail connections from December 2027 as Czech private railway operator RegioJet seeks to expand its Polish network with services towards Austria, Croatia and the Czech Republic. The company has submitted applications to Poland’s Office of Rail Transport (UTK) for open-access passenger services on four international routes. The proposed expansion would give travellers new options for reaching major European cities, Alpine destinations and the Croatian Adriatic coast by train. RegioJet’s plans are subject to regulatory approval, meaning the proposed services should not yet be treated as confirmed operating routes. If approved, the services would add another layer to Central Europe’s growing cross-border rail network. They could also make it easier for travellers to combine Polish city breaks with mountain, cultural and coastal holidays elsewhere in Europe.
Four International Routes Proposed
RegioJet has applied for access to operate four international passenger routes from Poland. The proposed services are planned to begin in December 2027, with daily operations forming part of the company’s expansion strategy.
The routes would connect Polish cities with destinations including Vienna, Prague, Austria’s Alpine region and Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
Open-access applications allow railway operators to seek permission to run commercial passenger services on routes outside traditional state-operated arrangements. Approval involves regulatory assessment before services can begin.
For travellers, the key attraction is the possibility of additional direct or through-train options between destinations that are currently often reached by air, car or connections between different railway operators.
Poland Becomes a Larger Rail Gateway
Poland is increasingly important to Central European rail travel because of its geographical position. The country sits between Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Lithuania and other markets, while its major cities provide natural starting points for international journeys.
Warsaw and Kraków are particularly important tourism gateways. Warsaw offers museums, historic neighbourhoods and modern city attractions, while Kraków provides access to its historic centre, Wawel Castle and wider southern Poland.
Additional international rail services could allow visitors to use either city as the first or final point of a longer European journey.
For domestic travellers, the proposed network could also provide a new way to reach popular holiday destinations outside Poland.
Vienna Could Gain a New Polish Connection
Vienna is one of Europe’s major cultural and tourism centres, with extensive rail connections across Austria and neighbouring countries.
A new RegioJet connection from Poland could make the Austrian capital easier to incorporate into multi-country itineraries. Visitors could combine Polish destinations with Vienna’s historic centre, museums, palaces and classical music heritage.
Vienna also provides onward access to Austria’s wider railway network. This could be important for travellers continuing towards Alpine resorts.
The proposed connection therefore has potential significance beyond Vienna itself.
Alpine Resorts Expand the Winter Travel Market
Austria’s Alpine resorts are another major component of RegioJet’s proposed expansion. The ability to travel from Poland towards mountain destinations by train could appeal to winter sports travellers as well as summer hikers.
Rail-based journeys can reduce the need for car travel in mountainous regions, particularly where resort access involves congested roads during peak winter periods.
Travellers could potentially combine a Polish city break with skiing or snowboarding in Austria, creating a two-country itinerary.
During warmer months, the same network could support hiking, cycling and mountain holidays.
The final destinations and stopping patterns will depend on regulatory approval and the operating plan ultimately accepted by the relevant authorities.
Croatia Brings the Adriatic Coast Into Reach
The proposed services to the Croatian Adriatic coast would connect Poland’s railway network with one of Europe’s major summer tourism regions.
Croatia attracts visitors with destinations including Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Zadar and Dubrovnik, although not every destination would necessarily be served directly by the proposed RegioJet routes.
For Polish travellers, a train connection towards the Adriatic could offer an alternative to driving long distances through Central Europe. It could also form part of a broader rail journey incorporating Czechia, Austria and Croatia.
The possibility of reaching the Mediterranean by train is particularly relevant to travellers interested in lower-stress, multi-country journeys.
Prague Strengthens the Czech-Polish Link
Prague is another key destination included in RegioJet’s international expansion plans. The Czech capital is already one of Europe’s most visited city-break destinations, known for its historic centre, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and cultural attractions.
A stronger connection between Polish cities and Prague would reinforce the existing travel relationship between the two countries.
For international visitors, the route could also provide a convenient way to build a Central European itinerary around Poland and Czechia without returning to an airport between city stays.
RegioJet already operates international rail services in Central Europe, giving the company experience in cross-border passenger operations.
Rail Could Replace Some Long Road Journeys
The proposed network is particularly relevant to travellers who currently rely on cars for cross-border holidays.
Long-distance road trips from Poland to Austria or Croatia can involve substantial driving distances and multiple border crossings. A train journey allows passengers to leave the driving to the railway operator while spending the trip working, resting or travelling with companions.
For families and groups, the availability of sleeper or overnight options would be especially significant if included in the final operating model.
The exact train types, accommodation options, schedules and fares for the proposed services have yet to be confirmed.
Competition Could Expand Passenger Choice
RegioJet’s proposed expansion would also increase competition in international passenger rail markets.
Additional operators can create more choices around departure times, ticket prices and onboard services. For travellers, competition can be particularly useful on popular routes where existing trains sell out during holidays and peak travel periods.
The impact will depend on whether all four applications receive regulatory approval and whether the proposed services ultimately launch as planned.
A Wider Central European Itinerary
If approved, the proposed services could support combinations such as:
- Poland–Vienna: City culture and Austrian heritage.
- Poland–Alps: Winter sports and summer mountain travel.
- Poland–Croatia: Long-distance rail access to the Adriatic region.
- Poland–Prague: Central European city-break travel.
- Multi-country journeys: Combining Poland, Czechia, Austria and Croatia.
These routes would give travellers more opportunities to build holidays around several countries rather than focusing on a single destination.
RegioJet’s Polish Expansion Remains Subject to Approval
RegioJet’s application for four international routes represents a significant proposal for Poland rail travel, but the planned December 2027 launch remains dependent on regulatory decisions and subsequent operational preparations. The proposed connections could link Polish cities with Prague, Vienna, Austrian Alpine destinations and Croatia’s Adriatic coast, creating new possibilities for both leisure and international travel. For travellers, the potential value lies in the destinations that could be connected by a single rail network: Polish cultural centres, Czechia’s capital, Austria’s mountains and Croatia’s Mediterranean coastline. If the services receive the necessary approvals, RegioJet’s expansion could add new cross-border choices to Central Europe’s increasingly interconnected railway system from December 2027.
