Pendolino to run at 250 km/h on CMK in 2027

PKP Intercity is preparing its Pendolino trains for regular 250 km/h operation on Poland’s Central Rail Line in the 2027/2028 timetable. The fastest Warsaw–Kraków services are expected to fall below two hours once the higher speed is introduced. The target date is December 2027.

Tests between Grodzisk and Zawiercie

Trial runs of ED250 Pendolino units took place on the Central Rail Line between Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Zawiercie. This is the key section used by long-distance trains from Warsaw towards Kraków, Katowice and Wrocław.

According to information shared by the Ministry of Infrastructure and PKP Intercity, the tests checked dynamic loads on engineering structures at 250 km/h. Earlier tests on the same line also took place in March 2025.

Systems still need approval

Track upgrades alone are not enough to introduce faster services in the timetable. PKP PLK says the line also needs ERTMS/GSM-R radio communication, ERTMS/ETCS Level 2, certification and operating approval for the full route at the higher speed.

ETCS Level 2 supervises train movements at high speed. GSM-R provides the radio communication required for that system. Only after this process is complete can the operator put shorter journey times into the regular timetable.

Warsaw–Kraków below two hours

Passengers should see the biggest change on the Warsaw–Kraków route. According to Forsal, after speaking with PKP PLK board member Michał Gil, the Warsaw Central–Kraków Główny journey could take around 1 hour 55 minutes.

That would shorten current EIP journey times, although the final effect will depend on the timetable, the number of EIP services cleared for 250 km/h and works on other sections. Faster services are also planned towards Katowice, while the Warsaw–Wrocław journey could fall to around three hours.

Shorter business trips

For business travel, the key point is the Warsaw–Kraków journey falling below two hours. At that level, rail becomes more competitive with car travel and domestic flights, especially for city-centre to city-centre trips.

Travel managers should still treat the current announcements as an implementation schedule, not a final timetable. Corporate travel policies will need firm departure times, the number of EIP services running at 250 km/h and stable journey times after the 2027/2028 timetable takes effect.