Gigantic changes on the railway in Warsaw. PKP warns passengers

Warsaw will face serious railway difficulties. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe is preparing for one of the largest investments in the country – the reconstruction of the Warszawa Wschodnia station. The renovation will include, among others: over 46 km of tracks and 170 new turnouts and will last until 2029, although the partial return of long-distance trains is planned for 2028. The investment will cost PLN 3.63 billion and is expected to improve rail traffic in the capital for many years.

Warsaw East for renovation. What will change?

In December 2026, with the new timetable, the long-distance part of the station will be completely closed for almost two years. – Warszawa Wschodnia in the long-distance part is scheduled for closure. Platforms 5, 6 and 7 are to remain open and will take over suburban traffic. The length of the infrastructure and capacity allow for maintaining this traffic – said Michał Gil, member of the management board of PKP PLK SA, in an interview with “Forsal”.

Dozens of trains a day will be diverted, and passengers must prepare for reorganization of their journeys through the capital.

Renovation of Warsaw East. Information for passengers

PKP PLK has prepared three main variants of traffic organization:

• greater role of the Warszawa Gdańska station

• use of Warszawa Główna, which is currently underused

• partial redirection of connections to Warszawa Centralna

The first works will start in the fall. As part of the preparations, there will be, among others: a temporary second platform at the Warszawa Stadion station and overlays enabling trains to turn around. – First, we are implementing the long-distance part, which will result in cutting off the existing traffic control devices. After 22 months, we plan to hand over this part and launch new devices, explained Michał Gil.

– Carriers’ cooperation and adaptation are very important. During such a key modernization, we will not avoid difficulties and the need to reorganize what we know from our current operations – he added.

Problems on the railway as with the renovation of Warszawa Zachodnia?

PKP PLK emphasize that, unlike the recent renovation of Warsaw West, this time there will be a fixed timetable, without frequent changes and chaos.

– Breakdowns occurred because attempts were made to maintain traffic at the Warszawa Zachodnia station at all costs. Let me be blunt: it was self-deception. Maintaining traffic was apparent because it was very limited. The introduction of restrictions, such as telephone announcements, meant that very few trains ran – assured Michał Gil.