Leo Express Has Been Operating on Poland’s Domestic Rail Network for Over Six Months

Prague / Warsaw / Kraków, 6 October 2026

In the seven months since entering Poland’s domestic rail market, Leo Express has carried more than 153,000 passengers on domestic routes. The operator, which has been active in Poland since 2018, significantly expanded its services between Warsaw and Kraków this year. Since June, it has operated four services daily in each direction. Passengers have gained greater choice, several levels of comfort, guaranteed seating, dynamic pricing and onboard service. Rail travel has become not only more straightforward and passenger-friendly, but also more comfortable and affordable. 

Leo Express is no newcomer to the Polish railway market. The company has been operating in Poland since 2018, when it became the first private rail operator to launch a service from the Czech Republic to Kraków, paving the way for other private operators to enter the Polish rail market. March 2026 marked another significant milestone, as Leo Express entered Poland’s regular domestic passenger rail market for the first time. 

The operator launched its Warsaw–Kraków service on 1 March with two pairs of trains per day. On 25 June, it doubled the frequency to four services daily in each direction, three of which continue directly to Prague via Ostrava, Olomouc and Pardubice. 

“When we launched our first train between Warsaw and Kraków seven months ago, we wanted to demonstrate that rail transport can operate like any other customer-oriented service, where people choose what suits them best – whether that is departure time, price, comfort or a brand they trust. Just as when shopping at a supermarket, there does not have to be only one right choice. Every customer has their own preferences, and competition allows them to make decisions based on those preferences. After seven months, we can see that Polish passengers genuinely appreciate and take advantage of this freedom of choice,” says Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express. 

More Services in Poland and Strong Passenger Demand 

Interest in the new service was evident even before operations began. More than 100,000 tickets had been sold for the new connections before the first trains departed, and Leo Express carried nearly 23,000 passengers on its services in Poland during the first 20 days of operation. Growing demand subsequently enabled the operator to double the number of services between Warsaw and Kraków at the end of June. 

During the first seven months of domestic operations, from the beginning of March to the end of September, Leo Express carried a total of 153,072 passengers on journeys within Poland. The highest demand was recorded between the two cities’ main railway stations. A total of 34,247 passengers travelled from Kraków Główny to Warszawa Centralna, with a further 31,837 travelling in the opposite direction. 

Alongside expanding its services, Leo Express also focuses on affordable fares. The cheapest ticket sold during the period under review cost just PLN 6 (approximately EUR 1.40). 

Prague and Kraków Lead the Way: More Than 152,000 Cross-Border Passengers 

While Leo Express launched domestic operations in Poland in March this year, it has been developing international rail connections between Poland and the Czech Republic since 2018. Between the beginning of March and the end of September alone, the operator carried 152,127 passengers on international journeys between the two countries. 

The Prague–Kraków route has consistently attracted the highest demand. During the seven-month period, more than 85,000 passengers travelled between Praha hl. n. and Kraków Główny in both directions – 44,578 from Prague to Kraków and 41,128 in the opposite direction. 

Another important part of the network is the direct connection between Prague and Warsaw. Nearly 18,000 passengers travelled between the main railway stations of the two capitals in both directions. Other frequently used cross-border connections include services between Prague and Kraków Płaszów, as well as between Kraków and Ostrava. 

Sundays Are the Busiest, with Most Passengers Choosing Economy 

Data from the first seven months also reveals differences in passenger demand throughout the week. Sunday was the busiest day, with a total of 81,772 passengers travelling on Leo Express services during the period under review. Economy was the most popular travel class, chosen by a total of 392,660 passengers over the same period. 

On regular services between Warsaw, Kraków and Prague, passengers can choose from several travel classes, depending on the specific service. These include Economy, Economy Plus, Business and Premium, each offering different levels of comfort and onboard services. 

Standard onboard amenities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, power sockets and onboard catering. Passengers can order food and drinks directly from their seats, with onboard staff delivering their orders to them. In higher travel classes, starting with Economy Plus, selected food and beverages are included in the ticket price. 

For School, Work, Business Trips and Weekend Getaways 

Behind the passenger statistics are thousands of individual journeys made every day. Leo Express trains between Warsaw and Kraków are used by commuters travelling to work, students heading to schools and universities, employees and entrepreneurs on business trips, and professionals travelling between the two cities for meetings. 

From Friday to Sunday, however, the same trains attract a different mix of passengers. Travellers use the services to visit family and friends, attend cultural events, take day trips or enjoy weekend breaks in Kraków, Warsaw or Prague. 

“There is no single type of rail passenger. One person may be travelling to a business meeting in the morning, another to university, someone else to visit their parents, and another to spend a weekend in Kraków or Warsaw. Our goal is to ensure that each of them can find a connection and a service that meets their individual needs. This is our vision of modern rail travel – straightforward, passenger-friendly and built around genuine freedom of choice,” concludes Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express.  

Leo Express long-distance train

© Leo Express

Autor: Martin Stehlík

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