Has anyone previous done this and used the printed ticket on-board?
I notice the bilet.intercity.pl site now allows you to purchase tickets using a credit card and print your ticket - This would be a great convience to complete this before I head over there this summer.
Also what are everyone opinions on 1st vs. 2nd on the train lines?
I've used it and it works great, but you have to remember to carry official picture ID with you when you travel. If you don't, it's just a piece of paper to them.
As far as 1st and 2nd class go, they vary wildly from train to train. Going 1st class doesn't guarantee you a luxurious experience, but you are likely to travel with less of a crowd.
I am taking two trips - One is from Warsaw to Sopot (on EuroCity) and Sopot to Poznan on (PDS?) train - I am assuming that it is worth it get 1st class on the Sopot to Poznan no?
Any chance there is a place on-line to see pictures of the trains?
They could vary - EuroCity should have a nice 1st class, but then again its 2nd class is usually OK too. I haven't heard of PDS trains, and it could make a big difference (for instance, TLK (i.e. Cheap Rail Lines - no, I'm serious) can be pretty shabby.
LOL I hear you with that - Took the TLK train from Wroclaw to Krakow last year in 1st and it was OK - On some trains it only seems to be a couple dollars more.