Air travel isn't the most sustainable way to travel long distances, but I can't imagine making the bus trip you just documented. Just another example of why the Baltic states need to work together to build a high-speed rail line serving the major cities and connecting to Warsaw. The sooner, the better.
Indeed, many people find that taking such a long bus ride to be more of a punishment than a pleasure, but I simply enjoy it because I can see stunning and diverse scenery that I wouldn't see if I were taking a plane. And of course, I agree that high-speed rail is required, but until it is actually built, we will just have to wait and take a bus rides :)
Waiting for passengers from another train is sometimes a reason for rail's delays too. In Czech Republic I've seen annotations like "this train will not wait for any connection", however in Poland even EIP (Express Intercity Premium) will wait for late connection. I remember travelling from Warsaw to Gdansk when our Pendolino was delayed almost 50 minutes because of change for few passengers of IC from Katowice, which further caused delay of train to Szczecin (they had to wait for our train) and even few of passengers had to get a taxi (lost bus connections toward small cities around Gdansk). This is how the delay from southern Poland travelled to northern west of Poland. I don't know how to resolve problem of delayed connections but it's not exceptional to the bus services.
Interesting information about delays in Poland. I haven't travelled much by train in Poland, but I haven't had any delays in trains I've taken in Europe due to other delayed connections. I think I read that if your train is delayed and you miss your connection, they will simply send you by the next available train, not that train will wait for you. I've travelled by bus a lot, and this was the first time I'd ever experienced such delays, so I was confused by this situation.
Adjust the mindset and accept whats happening. Ecolines did a great job actually , only the communication before was sub standard. Compare this to airlines and you realize bus travel is not that bad
Hi! Could you please tell me, do they give also pillows for sleeping? I am also going to travel to Poland and just want to have a comoftable ride. And how much earlier I should be at the bus stop ,that everything could go smoothly?
Hello, you will need to bring your own travel pillow if you want to, as they will not provide one. In my opinion, arriving at the platform 15 minutes prior departure is enough, as buses typically arrive at the station 15 minutes before departure.
Hi! They do on some routes, but I'm not sure which ones. There were no food options on this route to Warsaw, but on a route from Berlin to Riga, there was a stewardess and ordering food was possible. I haven't tried any of the food on board, so I can't give an opinion on its quality. I'm not sure if credit cards are accepted for food orders.
Air travel isn't the most sustainable way to travel long distances, but I can't imagine making the bus trip you just documented. Just another example of why the Baltic states need to work together to build a high-speed rail line serving the major cities and connecting to Warsaw. The sooner, the better.
Indeed, many people find that taking such a long bus ride to be more of a punishment than a pleasure, but I simply enjoy it because I can see stunning and diverse scenery that I wouldn't see if I were taking a plane. And of course, I agree that high-speed rail is required, but until it is actually built, we will just have to wait and take a bus rides :)
That delay is ruined everything but thankfully it isn't cancelled.
Waiting for passengers from another train is sometimes a reason for rail's delays too. In Czech Republic I've seen annotations like "this train will not wait for any connection", however in Poland even EIP (Express Intercity Premium) will wait for late connection. I remember travelling from Warsaw to Gdansk when our Pendolino was delayed almost 50 minutes because of change for few passengers of IC from Katowice, which further caused delay of train to Szczecin (they had to wait for our train) and even few of passengers had to get a taxi (lost bus connections toward small cities around Gdansk). This is how the delay from southern Poland travelled to northern west of Poland. I don't know how to resolve problem of delayed connections but it's not exceptional to the bus services.
Interesting information about delays in Poland. I haven't travelled much by train in Poland, but I haven't had any delays in trains I've taken in Europe due to other delayed connections. I think I read that if your train is delayed and you miss your connection, they will simply send you by the next available train, not that train will wait for you. I've travelled by bus a lot, and this was the first time I'd ever experienced such delays, so I was confused by this situation.
Adjust the mindset and accept whats happening. Ecolines did a great job actually , only the communication before was sub standard. Compare this to airlines and you realize bus travel is not that bad
Hi!
Could you please tell me, do they give also pillows for sleeping?
I am also going to travel to Poland and just want to have a comoftable ride. And how much earlier I should be at the bus stop ,that everything could go smoothly?
Hello, you will need to bring your own travel pillow if you want to, as they will not provide one. In my opinion, arriving at the platform 15 minutes prior departure is enough, as buses typically arrive at the station 15 minutes before departure.
Hi!
And is it true that they are offering food too on the bus?
And if they do , have You tried any, and is it possible to pay with credit card?
Hi! They do on some routes, but I'm not sure which ones. There were no food options on this route to Warsaw, but on a route from Berlin to Riga, there was a stewardess and ordering food was possible. I haven't tried any of the food on board, so I can't give an opinion on its quality. I'm not sure if credit cards are accepted for food orders.
Are there toilets on ecolines buses?
Hello. Yes, there are toilets in the Ecolines buses