The distinctive iCiC branding marks PKP Intercity’s modern rolling stock, a familiar sight at stations across Poland.
PKP Intercity First Class in 2026: what you’re actually getting (and on which trains)
Look, “PKP First Class” covers two very different products. The Express Intercity Premium (EIP) Pendolino trains offer 2+1 aircraft-style seating, complimentary meals, and dedicated hosts. These high-speed tilting sets run Gdańsk to Warsaw, Warsaw to Kraków, and Warsaw to Katowice. These are the trains everyone writes about.
Then there’s the older stock on longer international routes. I took Kraków to Berlin in what PKP calls First Class: six-seat compartments, three facing three. It felt closer to a 1990s German IC than anything premium. No meal service, no hosts, just a bit more legroom than Second Class. The Wi-Fi didn’t work. The couple I met had done the same route in Second. They said the difference was marginal.
This review focuses on the EIP Pendolino First Class, the product worth discussing. If you’re booking an older train, manage expectations accordingly. The seat reservation is compulsory on EIP services and included in your ticket price. You pick your exact seat when booking online.
First Class vs Second Class on PKP: the differences that matter
The EIP Pendolino First Class runs 2+1 seating. Second Class is 2+2. That’s the fundamental split. In First, you get either a solo seat by the window (A side) or a pair (D and F on the aisle side). Second Class pairs you regardless.
The tray tables in First are absurdly large. Reviews mention fitting a desktop PC, which sounds daft until you try working on a laptop with a coffee and notebook. They fold out from the seat in front and actually align with the windows. You’re not staring at a door frame for three hours.
Each First Class seat has an EU power socket (the two-pin round type). You also get an adjustable fabric headrest, a footrest, and an individual reading light. No USB ports as of early 2024 reports, so bring an adapter if you need one. The recline is decent without being a bed. It’s comfortable enough to doze off between Gdańsk and Warsaw if you’re tired.
Second Class has the same sockets and lights, but the 2+2 config means less shoulder room and smaller tables. If you’re travelling solo and value space, First makes sense. If you’re a couple happy to sit together and don’t need the meal, Second is perfectly fine. The legroom difference isn’t dramatic. It’s the width and table size that matter.
Booking, reservations, and typical prices
You book directly on the PKP Intercity website. The interface isn’t as slick as Trainline, but it works. Select your route, choose EIP as the train type, and you’ll see a seat map during checkout. Click your preferred seat and the reservation is automatic. No separate step. You can choose solo window, duo, or four-top table configurations.
Gdańsk to Warsaw in First Class runs around €64 full fare. Second Class is roughly €40. That’s a €24 difference for the meal, drinks, space, and 2+1 layout. A Warsaw to Katowice return was reported at 160 złoty (about €37) in First Class in 2023. Check current pricing as fares shift.
The value calculation depends on journey length. On a 2h44 Gdańsk to Warsaw run, the upgrade works out to about 19 pence per mile. Compared to UK First Class pricing, that’s borderline absurd. For a three-hour daytime journey where you want to work or relax properly, it’s reasonable. For a quick 90-minute hop, probably not.
Advance booking doesn’t offer huge discounts on PKP like Western European operators. Prices stay fairly stable. Booking a week out versus a month out won’t save you €30. Just book when your plans are firm and pick your seat early for the best window alignment.
Ready to test the PKP Intercity first class experience aboard this sleek Siemens Vectron locomotive: let’s see if that €24 upgrade delivers the comfort it promises.
Onboard experience: seats, carriage layout, and what to choose
First Class occupies a single carriage at the front of the Pendolino. It sits right behind the driver’s nose cone. The 2+1 layout gives you three seat types: solo A seats by the window, D-F pairs on the aisle side, and occasional four-top table groups. If you’re working or want guaranteed quiet, take a solo A. If you’re travelling with someone, grab a D-F duo.
The four-top tables are useful for families or small groups. You might end up facing strangers if the train is full. The tables themselves are the same huge fold-outs as the rest of First Class. They’re practical for spreading out.
Overhead luggage racks are standard European train size. They’re fine for a rollaboard but tight for a massive backpack. There’s some floor space near the doors for larger bags. The carriage is quiet. No announcements blaring every five minutes. Just the hum of the Pendolino tilting through curves at 200 km/h on the CMK high-speed line.
The lavatory at the end of First Class is basic: toilet, sink, soap, mirror, and a plug socket for razors. It’s clean and functional, nothing fancy. If you’re expecting airline-style amenities, dial it back. This is a train.
Food and drink in PKP First Class
Shortly after departure, a dedicated First Class host brings round a light meal and drinks trolley. The meal isn’t lunch. It’s a starter-sized salad (ham and blue cheese is common), a croissant with eggs and ham, or sandwiches. You also get a branded PKP wipe. Nice touch but not exactly transformative.
The drinks trolley offers tea, coffee, apple or orange juice, still water, and Coke. All included. The host is friendly and efficient, but don’t expect multiple rounds. You get one pass, maybe a second coffee if you ask. If you’re hungry, this won’t fill you up. Buy snacks at the station before boarding.
The Wars bistro car is mid-train, standing room only, with four small tables. The menu is extensive, the same full InterCity dining car selection, but there’s no seating. You order, pay, and either eat standing or take it back to your seat. In First Class, you can ask the host to bring bistro items to your seat for an extra charge. It’s not always proactively offered. Mention it when they deliver the complimentary meal if you want a proper lunch.
The bistro itself is efficient. Quick turnover, reasonable prices by Western European standards, and the coffee is drinkable. If you’re in Second Class, it’s your only food option beyond what you brought. In First, it’s a fallback if the light meal doesn’t cut it. One downside: the bistro gets crowded at peak meal times. You might wait 10 minutes to order if half the train has the same idea.
Wi-Fi, power, and workability for a 2 to 3 hour ride
The EU power sockets work reliably. Bring a two-pin adapter if you’re coming from the UK or Ireland. The sockets are at seat level, easy to reach, and I’ve never had one fail. No USB ports, though, so you need your own charging brick.
The tray tables are genuinely huge. A 15-inch laptop, a notebook, and a coffee all fit without Tetris. The reading light overhead is bright enough to work by if the daylight fades. For a two- to three-hour journey, First Class is entirely workable if you need to get things done.
Wi-Fi is advertised but patchy. On my Kraków to Berlin trip (admittedly older rolling stock), it didn’t work at all. On the EIP Pendolino, reviews suggest it connects but drops frequently. Rural stretches are particularly bad. Don’t rely on it for video calls or large uploads. Tether to your phone if you need a stable connection.
The 2+1 layout means you’re not elbow-to-elbow with a neighbour. If you’re on a call (with headphones, obviously), you won’t disturb half the carriage. It’s quieter than Second Class, though not silent. The Pendolino tilts smoothly, so there’s no jarring motion to knock your coffee over.
*The distinctive PKP Intercity branding marks first class carriages on Poland’s premier rail service. *
Stations, timing, and route notes
Gdańsk Główny to Warsaw takes about 2 hours 44 minutes on the EIP. The train hits 200 to 250 km/h on the CMK high-speed line south of Warsaw. That’s the fastest stretch of track in Poland. You’ll feel the tilt in the curves, but it’s smooth. No drama.
Warsaw has two main stops: Warsaw Central (Centralna) and Warsaw Zachodnia (West). Most EIP services call at both. If you’re connecting to another train or heading into the city centre, Central is more convenient. Zachodnia is useful if you’re staying west or catching onward international services.
The Warsaw to Kraków route is similar in character. High-speed segments, comfortable ride, around 2h30. Warsaw to Katowice is shorter, closer to 2 hours. All these routes run multiple daily EIP departures. You’re not locked into one time slot.
Platform distances at Gdańsk Główny and Warsaw Central are manageable. You’re not sprinting 400 metres like at some German stations. Just board at the right end (carriage 1 for First Class) and you’ll walk straight on.
Verdict: is the First Class upgrade worth it?
For a two- to three-hour daytime journey where you want space, quiet, and the ability to work or relax properly, yes. The €24 Gdańsk to Warsaw upgrade buys you a solo seat, a massive table, a light meal, and drinks. That’s reasonable value compared to Western European First Class pricing.
If you’re travelling as a couple and happy to sit together in Second Class, the upgrade is less compelling. The 2+2 layout in Second is fine for pairs. You lose the meal and some table space, but you’re not cramped. Save the €48 and spend it on dinner in Warsaw.
The meal isn’t a full lunch. It’s a snack. If you board hungry expecting a three-course service, you’ll be disappointed. Buy food before you get on. The bistro car is there, but it’s standing-room only and not particularly relaxing.
On older PKP stock (the six-seat compartment trains on international routes), First Class is barely worth it. The legroom difference is minimal, the meal service doesn’t exist, and you might end up facing backwards next to strangers anyway. Stick to Second and save your money.
The EIP Pendolino First Class is the product to buy. It’s comfortable, quiet, and functional. Just know what you’re getting: a very good regional train experience, not a luxury sleeper. For the price, that’s more than fair.