Germany and Poland’s New High-Speed Train to the Ukrainian Border: A Game-Changer for European Travel!

Published on December 15, 2025

A significant expansion in long-distance rail transport has been announced with the launch of a new EuroCity line connecting Germany and Poland. This new service, which will be included in the 2026 timetable, introduces a 50% increase in the number of EuroCity connections between the two countries, offering travelers more options for efficient and sustainable travel across national borders.

The Deutsche Bahn (DB) and PKP Intercity, the Polish state-owned railway company, have partnered to introduce this new line, which will run directly from Leipzig in Germany to Wrocław and Kraków in Poland. The service will operate four daily trains, with two of them continuing to Przemyśl, a town near the Polish-Ukrainian border. This marks the first time that Leipzig and southern Poland will be directly connected by EuroCity trains, making travel more accessible without the need for transfers.

Direct Train Connections: A New Era of Travel Between Central Europe and Poland

The newly launched EuroCity line provides a direct route from Leipzig to Kraków and Wrocław, cutting down on travel time and offering a more comfortable alternative to other modes of transportation such as road or air travel. The journey between Leipzig and Breslau (Wrocław) takes approximately three and a half hours, while the journey from Leipzig to Kraków takes around seven hours. This efficient service offers a competitive edge by providing a fast and eco-friendly way to travel, in line with growing preferences for sustainable transport options across Europe.

One of the most significant benefits of this new route is that it eliminates the need for passengers to change trains in other cities, offering a seamless travel experience from Leipzig to Poland. This direct connection greatly improves convenience for travelers looking to move between central Germany and southern Poland and further strengthens the already well-established rail network between Germany and Poland.

Boosting Regional Connectivity: The Impact on Intermediate Cities

The Leipzig to Kraków and Wrocław route also brings notable advantages to smaller towns and cities along the line. In addition to Leipzig, this service will benefit cities such as Riesa, Hoyerswerda, Elsterwerda, and Ruhland, all of which will now have direct train stops. This improved connectivity will ensure that these regional hubs are better integrated into the broader European rail network.

With synchronized connections, even cities like Chemnitz, Dresden, Görlitz, and Cottbus—including Berlin, and the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)—will see enhanced access to the new EuroCity services. This increase in connections aims to strengthen the overall efficiency of the regional rail network and make it easier for passengers from across Germany to access this new cross-border service to Poland.

Strategic, Economic, and Political Importance of the New Service

The introduction of this new rail connection holds considerable strategic, economic, and political significance. According to Michael Peterson, a member of the Deutsche Bahn Management Board responsible for long-distance passenger transport, the new direct links between Germany and Poland provide not only a strong economic bridge but also a political one. The expanded rail network facilitates easier access to southern Poland, a region with increasing economic significance, and offers enhanced connectivity to the Ukrainian border.

This service is also expected to contribute to the tourism industry, as travelers will have more opportunities to explore Poland’s rich cultural heritage while also fostering closer ties between Germany and Poland. The rail service helps to ease the movement of people between the two countries and will likely promote deeper cross-border tourism and trade relationships.

Expanding Opportunities for Cross-Border Travel

Janusz Malinowski, the CEO of PKP Intercity, highlighted the growing demand for international travel between Germany and Poland, emphasizing that PKP Intercity is responding to this demand with expanded services. With increased passenger numbers traveling between the two countries, the new EuroCity service will help meet the rising demand for rail travel in this corridor. By offering more direct and efficient travel options, the service contributes to strengthening the tourism and business ties between Germany and Poland, while also providing travelers with a greener alternative to flying.

This expansion reflects a broader trend across Europe, where countries are increasingly looking to enhance rail connections as a way to reduce carbon emissions and provide more sustainable modes of transportation. With this new route, Germany and Poland join a growing network of nations committed to promoting cross-border rail travel as a sustainable option for both tourism and business.

Major Investments in Cross-Border Rail Infrastructure

The successful launch of this new service is the result of years of investment in cross-border rail infrastructure. Patrick Schnieder, the German Federal Minister of Transport, underscored the importance of these investments, which have been instrumental in enhancing the connectivity between Germany and Poland. In total, over 1.1 billion EUR has been invested in cross-border infrastructure in Germany, including this newly launched rail service. These investments are critical to ensuring that the European rail network remains competitive in the face of growing demand for both international travel and eco-friendly transport solutions.

Minister Schnieder also emphasized the strategic role of cross-border rail services in promoting neighborly relations between Germany and Poland, as well as contributing to the overall economic and cultural exchange between the two countries. With the ongoing geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe, this new rail service holds added importance, providing secure and sustainable travel options for both German and Polish citizens, as well as visitors from other countries.

Tickets, Services, and Accessibility

The new EuroCity line offers modernized EuroCity carriages from PKP Intercity, each providing over 300 seats for passengers. Trains depart from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof twice daily at 10:55 am and 2:55 pm, with arrivals in Wrocław and Kraków at 1:04 pm and 5:04 pm, respectively. Travelers can purchase tickets up to six months in advance, with prices starting at 18.99 EUR for the Super Sparpreis Europa offer. A mandatory seat reservation is included with each ticket, ensuring that passengers have a designated space for their journey.

For those coming from cities like Munich, Nuremberg, Erfurt, or Frankfurt am Main, the new connection will significantly reduce travel times to Wrocław, improving the overall travel experience. The optimized connections in Leipzig will make travel to southern Poland more accessible, further enhancing the overall efficiency of the European rail network.

Conclusion: A Key Step Forward for European Rail Connectivity

The introduction of the new EuroCity line connecting Germany and Poland is a major step forward in enhancing cross-border rail transport in Europe. With improved travel options, reduced journey times, and increased accessibility, this new service will play an important role in promoting sustainable tourism and facilitating economic cooperation between Germany and Poland. The success of this project reflects Europe’s ongoing commitment to developing efficient, eco-friendly transportation networks that connect cities and regions across the continent.