Świeradów-Zdrój back on Poland’s railway map after 27 years

Polskie Linie Kolejowe, the railway infrastructure manager in Poland, is changing the timetable on December 10, 2023. From that day, more trains will run in Lower Silesia.

The new timetable for 2024 will bring many changes. On December 10, for the first time, we will be able to travel by train to four cities: Świeradów-Zdrój and Mirsk in Lower Silesia, as well as Nowa Sól and Bytom Odrzański in Lubusz Voivodeship.

What is more, on the Lower Silesian section of the Nadodrzańska railway line, from Głogów to Wrocław, only our trains will operate, with as many as 22 pairs in total. An additional train will run in the morning from Kąty Wrocławskie to Wrocław. More trains will also appear on line 285 from Wrocław to Świdnica via Sobótka. The service between Zgorzelec and Jelenia Góra via Gryfów Śląski will be significantly improved, and Kamienna Góra will gain an additional pair to Sędzisław. Five additional pairs of trains will run between Głuszyca and Świdnica via Jugowice, and one pair between Wrocław and Lubin. An additional Wałbrzych–Wrocław train will also begin operating.

The timetable will also include a new railway stop: Mirków (Długołęka municipality), giving residents of the town the opportunity to reach Wrocław Główny in as little as 22 minutes.

Through the Jizera Mountains from train to… train

Świeradów-Zdrój is located northwest of Szklarska Poręba, on the border with the Czech Republic. The last passenger train left Świeradów-Zdrój 27 years ago. Younger railway enthusiasts therefore do not remember that it was once possible to arrive in the Jizera Mountains by train at one town and, after a mountain walk, return from another.

From December 10, 2023, this will once again be possible. Szklarska Poręba and Świeradów-Zdrój are about 20 kilometers apart on foot, which is a fairly undemanding distance for fans of mountain walks. Those who prefer less active excursions will be able to enjoy the charms of beautiful Świeradów-Zdrój on site throughout the day. The town will be connected by nine pairs of trains, enabling comfortable travel toward Jelenia Góra, Zgorzelec (Goerlitz), Legnica and Wrocław.

The connection covering the section from Gryfów Śląski to Świeradów-Zdrój via Mirsk will debut on December 10. Earlier, on December 7, ceremonies will be held to mark the line’s return to Poland’s railway map.

Only Koleje Dolnośląskie on the Nadodrzanka line

Only Koleje Dolnośląskie trains will operate on the Lower Silesian section of the Nadodrzańska railway line, from Głogów to Wrocław. This is a response to numerous requests from residents and local-government officials, who expected newer and more reliable rolling stock on the line.

– Koleje Dolnośląskie rolling stock is seven years old on average, which is 25 years less than that operated by Polregio’s Lower Silesian branch. Connections previously operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie were received very positively by Lower Silesian residents using the Nadodrzańska line. Therefore, we decided that this section would be served exclusively by KD trains – says Tymoteusz Myrda, a member of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Board responsible for rail transport.

Some services on this line have been extended, meaning that from December 10, Lower Silesian residents will be able to use 22 pairs of trains.

– The Lubusz Voivodeship Marshal’s Office was not interested in the idea of connecting Zielona Góra with Wrocław through a greater number of services. Therefore, on the Lower Silesian sections, we entrusted the entire line to Koleje Dolnośląskie – Myrda adds.

Koleje Dolnośląskie trains will also reach Nowa Sól (via Bytom Odrzański) in various configurations: both via Wołów and via Lubin and Legnica.

More trains to Kąty Wrocławskie, Sobótka and Gryfów Śląski

– As is customary, we ask passengers using Koleje Dolnośląskie services to check their connections in connection with the introduction of the new timetable – says Bartłomiej Rodak, press spokesperson for Koleje Dolnośląskie. – The new annual timetable primarily means the opportunity to use completely new connections – he adds.

There will be plenty to choose from. An additional train will run in the morning from Kąty Wrocławskie to Wrocław. The same will apply to line 285 (Wrocław – Kobierzyce – Sobótka – Świdnica), where additional or extended services will appear. The travel offer between Zgorzelec and Jelenia Góra via Gryfów Śląski will improve significantly. Kamienna Góra will also gain an additional pair of services (to Sędzisław, from where passengers can continue to Jelenia Góra and Wrocław).

Five additional pairs of trains will also run from Głuszyca to Świdnica via Jugowice, and one pair from Wrocław to Lubin. An additional Wałbrzych–Wrocław train will also begin operating. At 20:52, passengers will be able to leave Szklarska Poręba and reach Wrocław on Fridays and Saturdays (with transfers in Jelenia Góra and Wałbrzych).

– This year, our trains have already reached the milestone of 1 million kilometers traveled in a single month. Thanks to the new services entering the timetable in December 2023, next year we will achieve an unprecedented number of passengers carried. Koleje Dolnośląskie are on the right track – emphasizes Damian Stawikowski, president of Koleje Dolnośląskie.

Alongside the new timetable, Polregio decided to change national fares from December 10. Ticket prices will increase by 3 percent. Since Koleje Dolnośląskie operate under the same fare system, ticket prices will also be changed by the Lower Silesian carrier.