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Poland through the Baltic States

How easy is it to travel by train from Poland through the Baltic States?

Posted by
631 posts

the answer to the original question is extremely difficult. Poland uses international standard gauge track, the Baltic states use Russian wide gauge. The only cross border trains from Poland to Lithuania run weekends and Mondays, and there are very few of them. Be careful of journey planners, including the one on the PKP website, with routings via Brest, these travel via Belarus and that causes Visa problems. Polrail is a ticket agent and many of their answers are actually buses.

Train travel within Poland is easy and within each Baltic state has some possiblities although they are in poor state.

Posted by
7049 posts

If it were me, I would take a cheap Wizz Air (or LOT) flight from Warsaw to Vilnius - hands down. It's about 1 hour duration, and I bet you can get a good fare. I wouldn't bother sitting that long on a train or bus.

Posted by
16893 posts

The Deutsche Bahn train schedule link also reflects trains in these countries, and it looks like more than those shown by PolRail. It will indicate the border crossing points and other route details. But it doesn't reflect buses, which may be operated by a variety of companies. For people trying to visits several stops in the Baltics, a guidebook will help find those. As well as Google or Rome2Rio can help. I'd fly, too, if time and simplicity are the priority.

Posted by
4637 posts

Baltic states won't be happy that they are under Russia again.

Posted by
7049 posts

Baltic states won't be happy that they are under Russia again.

Or Poland either!
(it probably makes most sense to post this Q under the Poland forum since it's the origin of the journey)

Posted by
17 posts

I would really suggest taking the flight. From my last experience, it is time and cost-effective strategy

Posted by
1 posts

Many tourists told that Poland trains are extremely slow. Roads in Poland and Baltic countries often are narrow and not in so good condition to drive fast, so bus is not an option. Rent a car or book a flight.

Posted by
703 posts

I'm late to this thread but.... We traveled by train from Vilnius to Warsaw a few years ago. It was fine. But if you want speed take the plane. We were in Poland again this past summer and have been to Lithuania three times. The previous poster's comment about the roads directly contradicts our experience. Bus transportation through the Baltics is very good; we've done it. Bus beats traveling by train through Lithuania, Lativa, and Estonia, though. Have a great trip.