I travelled with PolskiBus in Poland, and also to other countries. The prise is really good, buses are new and clean. Much better than PKS. Train is always more comfortable (if it's clean, which is not obvious in Poland) and goes much faster. Anyway- I will take PolskiBus in future again.
Their rates are really very low, but how do they compare to PKP IC for example?
As you once said you couldn't find your way to the train at Warsaw Central railway station, I think you should stick to coaches, even if you are bound to get sick on them.
Coaches are generally cheaper than trains in Poland, although some time ago it used to be the other way round!
Centralna is so much more user friendly than it used to be. Coaches are - well - coaches. With scuzzy passengers, bumpy two-lane highways, broken 'toilets' etc.
Polish railways however are an underused gem with very good food in the Wars cars, beer and wine (now the Ducks' ridiculous alcohol ban for train dining cars has been lifted), a chance to stretch your legs and to sit back with a cold beer and watch the scenery comfortably rolling by. And surprisingly cheap, even in first class.There is really no comparison.
Got to say that I'm a big fan of Polish trains and hate hate hate the coaches. We're off to Poznan next week: 78zl for a return ticket. Next month I'm taking the five and a half hour trip to Zielona Gora for 181zl first class return.
I had a good experience travelling with them. I had my summer holiday earlier this month. I wanted to go from Rybnik to Gdansk.
Good things about Polski Bus
It's cheap (20zl from Katowice - Warsaw, then 30zl from Warsaw to Gdansk). They have air conditioning You buy the tickets online and print them, so you don't need to buy the ticket on the bus or at the bus station (good for nervous travellers)
Toilets, reclining seats, wi-fi. There was also a mention on the PA about electrical sockets, but I didn't use or see them. Free coffee and complimentary ice cream! Announcements to passengers "Welcome to Polski bus.... / no smoking / we will arrive in Warsaw in 5 minutes... etc" in Polish and English
Bad things about Polski Bus They don't travel to and from every city. Which is fair enough, nor do PKS buses. I had to wait for an hour in Warsaw on my journey at 4am, but it really wasn't a problem.
I'll probably use this service again. It's not a romantic, or Polish, as taking the train, and it's not as adventurous as taking a long distance bus, but its certainly easier, and cheaper.
[Moved from]: Does Polski Bus make stops on the way to Warsaw, or is it a direct route to the capital?
If you take Polski Bus from A to Warsaw, will it stop somewhere before the final destination in Warsaw if you ask them, or it only stops once at the the final destination?
the problem with Polski Bus is that network is very limited. Last winter I went to the mountains at Slovakian border and will return this coming winter and the only way is to take PKS. Just to think about it makes me panick. The bus takes close to 10 hours, stop at 3 places including Kielce just for a few minutes to let people use toilets but need to run ;) and at Busko (?) for lunch, where the only place is a greasy spoon joint selling flaki, pierogi, greasy soup and greasy pancakes. Taking the train would be very difficult. I suppose train to Krakow and then bus but how long between them? Hence, close to 10 hours for some 400 km and the PKS buses are not that great..... Not easy! The only + is that it's cheap.....
@Roger: not even railway but some obscure town's pks's station. I did not know about that and as I was hungry, I chose the cheese pancakes (but they were greasy ;)) and a cup of .. Capuccino (they just have powdered instant drinks to be bought from any store and a kettle). Next time, I won't bring home grilled salmon ;) but at least 1 or 2 decent sandwiches + fruit. The said joint is away from "downtown" so no shop nearby....
