Polish Pendolino debuts on Czech rails with near-capacity morning run to Prague

The first Polish Pendolino train officially entered service on Czech tracks Monday morning, marking a new chapter in cross-border rail travel.

The inaugural journey between Bohumín and Prague was met with high demand, with the "platypus" (as the distinctive ED250 units are nicknamed) operating at near-full capacity for its 5 a.m. departure.

Operated by the Polish carrier PKP Intercity in cooperation with Czech Railways (ČD), the high-speed unit arrived at Prague’s main station at 8:28 a.m. Despite minor delays caused by ongoing construction work on the corridor, the debut was deemed a success by railway officials.

This trial operation is scheduled to run until June 17, 2026. During this period, the Polish train must complete a total of 60,000 kilometers on Czech lines to secure the final technical approvals necessary for permanent operation on the national network.

“Depending on the operating situation, passengers will most often encounter the Polish Pendolino on the SC 511 service leaving Prague at 3:31 p.m. and the SC 516 departing Bohumín at 4:58 a.m.,” said ČD spokesman Petr Šťáhlavský.

For international residents and local commuters, the service functions identically to existing SuperCity connections. The trains require a mandatory seat reservation, which remains free for passengers who purchase their tickets via the ČD website or the My Train mobile application.

While the onboard conductors and staff are Czech, the dining experience offers a distinct Polish flair with traditional Polish specialties served during the three-and-a-half-hour trip.

The introduction of the ED250 units is expected to increase flexibility on the busy Prague-Ostrava corridor, providing a modern alternative to the existing fleet of Czech Pendolinos and InterCity trains.

If the trial period concludes without technical hitches, officials hope to integrate the Polish units more deeply into the regional timetable, further narrowing the distance between the Czech and Polish capitals.