New £40 train linking five European countries launches today
A new sleeper train is set to connect five European countries in one route for the first time in history, spanning an impressive 745 miles — and it launches today.
Starting in the Polish capital of Warsaw, the new link will run all the way to Rijeka, a Croatian coastal city known for glistening beaches, waterfalls, and 13th-century castles.
It will pass through multiple cities along the way, including Opoczno, Katowice, Rybnik, Chałupki, Vienna, Ljubljana, Postojna, and Opatija.
As it stands, train passengers travelling from Warsaw to Rijeka can't travel directly; instead, they must swap services three times (in Breclav, Graz, and Zagreb), an irritating journey that can end up taking more than 30 hours.
It might still take 19 hours from door to door, rolling out of Warsaw at 2pm and calling at Rijeka at 9am the next day, but the new PKP Intercity service will shorten the journey drastically, shaving off more than a third of the current travel time.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Tickets are affordable, with prices starting around 200 Polish złoty (£39.53).
Interested? Services will run four times a week during the summer months, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The first is scheduled to leave Warsaw today, Friday, June 27.
The final routes will run at the end of August, leaving Warsaw on August 29 and Rijeka on August 31.
The path is packed with breathtaking scenery, passing through the diverse landscapes of Poland, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Though it doesn't stop at any Czech destinations along the way, it does stop at Vienna at roughly 10pm, where a few carriages will diverge and head off directly to Croatia on a different route. More Trending
Reaching Slovenia just after midnight, the train will partner up with the Istria service – which starts in Budapest – and plod on towards Croatia just in time for breakfast.
Warsaw, Poland
Opoczno, Poland
Katowice, Poland
Rybnik, Poland
Chałupki, Poland
Vienna, Austria
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Postojna, Slovenia
Opatija, Croatia
Rijeka, Croatia.
Passengers will travel in style, as the carriages are fully air-conditioned, with couchette cars available with beds. Sheets will be provided; no need to pack a sleeping bag.
A dining car will serve up hot food between Warsaw and Vienna, while passengers living it up in the couchette cars will have a staff member on hand to assist them throughout their voyage.
This isn't the only new train journey on the block. A service between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok will be returning by the end of 2025, building on the existing infrastructure that once operated between the two cities and destinations including Padang Besar and Butterworth.
Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook confirmed that the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) would be looking at plans over the next few months.
And closer to home, a new 'Tube for Europe' could completely revolutionise travel across the continent, connecting 39 stations, with at least one in every country along five main routes.
The proposals for the Starline service envisage that replacing short-haul flights with a high-speed rail network could slice emissions by a whopping 95%, while a total of 424 major cities will be connected to ports, airports and rail.
This article was originally published May 28, 2025 and has been updated.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Why Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc are missing from Austrian Grand Prix practice
MORE: 'Delightful' fishing village voted one of the UK's best spots for a seaside holiday
MORE: Underrated UK village is a foodie heaven with three Michelin-starred restaurants
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
The 7 European tourist hotspots taking action against 'drunken' British tourists
Several European hotpots for tourists are now starting to crack down on drunken Brits - implementing strict rules for UK tourists heading on holiday. Many of Europe's favourite stag do destinations saw a welcome pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the return of harsh-partying British tourists has upset some. In response, several cities are stepping up efforts to clamp down on disruptive behaviour, caused by Brits. Tour guide Daniel Seres in Hungary's Budapest, one of the most popular budget destinations, stated: "The bachelor parties dropped off sharply during Covid and now they are picking up again." Speaking to The Telegraph, he continued: "We need the income from tourists, but these big party groups only go on the free guided city tours [rather than paid], and they keep locals awake as they sing, stumble around and are sick on the streets." Daniel said that the disruption affects the elderly residents, who are still living in the busy tourist locations, the Express reports. In 2017, the city took measures to crack down on the drunken behaviour by banning the pedal-powered "beer bikes" due to safety and disturbance concerns. In 2020, authorities moved to restrict activity in the city's red light district and by 2023, District VII increased fines for late-night shouting and public urination, leaflets were handed out at the airport - written in English - warning tourists of the penalties. That same year, venues were also granted the right to decline bookings from large groups. But Budapest is far from alone in the crackdown, with many more European destinations following suit. Here are six more European hotspots that are taking a stand against these badly behaved tourists. Amsterdam In 2023, Amsterdam took decisive action to curb badly behaved tourists by banning boozy guided tours and cannabis smoking in the streets of its infamous Red Light District. In the same year, the Dutch capital launched its "Stay Away" digital campaign, specifically targeting young British men with warnings about fines and arrests. Restrictions were also introduced on short-term rentals and alcohol sales during specific hours. Barcelona The Spanish city has cut down on undesirable tourists by implementing strict rules regarding noise, as well as giving out behaviour fines, cracking down on unlicensed party promoters and short-term rental properties. Barcelona have also put strict restrictions on drinking in public. Prague The iconic Czech capital has taken a firm stance against party tourism by banning "beer bikes," boosting police presence in popular areas and discouraging promotions tied to sex tourism and stag related actives. Krakow The polish hotspot of Krakow has imposed strict regulations on advertising for strip clubs and "gentlemen's entertainment", as well as discussing tighter controls on alcohol sales. Some venues have also restricted smoking inside, designing smoking areas to reduce disruption. Lisbon Portugal's capital has cracked down on short-term rentals, especially in nightlife-heavy areas like Bairro Alto and Alfama, and has increased police patrols during the weekend, to maintain public order. Dublin Hotels and venues in Dublin are increasingly declining bookings from stag and hen parties. The city has also launched targeted campaigns promoting 'cultural' tourism over alcohol centred trips. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Pilot shares ominous reason passengers have to activate airplane mode on phones
A commercial pilot has revealed why you're asked to put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff - and it's nothing to do with the plane crashing The holiday season is back, and with it all the niggling hassles like squeezing into last summer's shorts, digging out your forgotten passport, and sprucing up those toenails for sandal-worthy feet. Once you've finally boarded your plane, you're often met with a stark reminder from cabin crew to switch your mobile to airplane mode. Is it really plausible that one tiny device could threaten the integrity of a gargantuan jet? This question has been addressed by aviation boffins, and indeed they suggest there's a need for caution. Commercial aviator Perico Durán advises: "Smart people think that something could happen if we don't activate airplane mode, so do it." Back when mobiles were becoming omnipresent, there was genuine concern regarding their potential to disrupt aircraft systems. Notably, in 2011, Boeing 737 cockpit displays were discovered to be vulnerable to mobile-induced interference. Perico clarifies that while interference wouldn't cause an engine failure or stop landing gears from deploying, it might lead to misreadings or untimely distractions: "What might happen is a false indication of something, a distraction at a specific moment." According to Perico, air travel regulations are formulated to preclude even the most minute hazards: "We tell people to activate flight mode to avoid distractions," he asserts. He emphasises the triviality of being disconnected briefly: "What difference does it make?" Perico remarked. "It's only ten minutes from ten thousand to fourteen thousand feet. Put your phone in flight mode and avoid a distraction. Being without your mobile phone for ten minutes is nothing." A 2017 survey by Allianz Travel Insurance involving over 1,500 Americans revealed that 40% don't always switch their phones to airplane mode, with nearly 14% admitting to sneaking texts or calls mid-flight. In the US, adherence to the flight attendant's advice is more stringent due to Federal regulations which state, "cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off." However, European travel offers a more laid-back approach. With the introduction of 5G technology on airlines in 2023, EU passengers can now freely make and receive calls and texts during flights, thanks to EU 5G networks operating on different frequencies than American ones, thus not interfering with aircraft systems. If you're concerned about your mobile phone battery dying mid-flight, it's perfectly acceptable to bring an external power bank in your carry-on luggage. However, they should not be packed in your checked luggage due to the lithium batteries they contain, which can occasionally ignite. Should a battery fire break out in the passenger cabin, flight attendants can quickly identify and extinguish it before it causes significant damage. Conversely, if a fire starts in the cargo hold, it could become dangerously widespread before an alarm is triggered. If crucial documents like your boarding pass are stored on your phone, having a backup battery is a wise move. While airline staff will likely assist if your phone does run out of juice during your journey, it's always better to be prepared.
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Warning as extreme heat in Europe could see temperatures hit 43C
Warning as extreme heat in Europe could see temperatures hit 43C Temperatures in parts of Europe are reaching extreme levels Firefighters battle a wildfire in Greece earlier this week as temperatures soar across Europe (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images ) Parts of Europe have been put on red alert as temperatures across parts of the continent are set to climb towards the mid-40s in the coming days. Aemet, Spain's national weather agency, has issued a 'special notice' for a heatwave in place for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. In one spot - the Cordoba countryside - there is a "significant risk" and up to a 70% chance that the temperature could reach 43C before Saturday evening. The sweltering heat is set to continue for days and into July. It's not just Spain facing the heat either, as Italy confronts melting tarmac amid the relentless heat and Greece battles vicious wildfires. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . While the UK could see a heatwave of its own in the coming days, the temperatures expected are nothing compared to what people are expected to see in parts of Europe. However, with the school holidays around the corner and many Brits travelling to the continent, advice has been issued. Temperatures in southern Spain on Monday afternoon are feared to be well above 40C Article continues below On its website, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has issued warnings about extreme heat in four countries, including in Greece, where nighttime temperatures are sticking stubbornly above 30C in large parts of the country. The FCDO has also issued heat-related warnings for Turkey, Cyprus and Spain. France's national weather agency, Meteo France, has echoed these warnings, cautioning that the high temperatures put "everyone at risk, even healthy people." Portugal recently recorded its highest temperature this year at 40.5 degrees, while parts of Spain have seen the mercury rise above 42 degrees. Article continues below "Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional 'sun and sand' summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer," said Bas Amelung, a professor at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. , forecasts that popular holiday destinations like Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey could become unbearably hot in summers to come. "If a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be 'too hot', they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season."
