A new sleeper train that travels through five European countries has completed its first journey. The new rail route, dubbed the ‘Adriatic Express’, connects the Polish capital of Warsaw to the city of Rijeka on Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coast. 

The huge journey spans around 745 miles and sees the train travel through the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia, as well as Poland and Croatia. There are several stops along the route, including Vienna, Austria’s capital, and Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital. The first service was completed on Saturday after the train left Warsaw on Friday afternoon.

The journey takes 19 hours but is considerably quicker than the previous route by rail which required patients to change services three times and took more than 30 hours, according to Metro.

One-way fares for the new PKP Intercity service start at around £39.50. 

The route is expected to run four times a week — each way — during the summer months, with trains scheduled to run until the end of August.

It is hoped the route will help grow tourism between the nations. 

Poland’s Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak said “as many as 90% of the available seats” were booked for the service’s maiden journey.

He wrote on X: “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in holiday train travel!

“Until the end of August, the Adriatic Express can carry up to 11,000 passengers in total, offering a comfortable and scenic route through five countries.

“It’s not just a fast and convenient connection, but also a symbol of accessible, European holidays – including from smaller towns!”

Other stops along the route include Katowice and Rybnik in Poland, Postojna in Slovenia and Opatija in Croatia.

The train has 172 seats, including 40 couchettes and 132 second class seats.

The service leaves Warsaw at around 2pm before arriving in Rijeka, north-west Croatia, at 9am the next morning.

The other leg sees the service depart from Rijeka at around 7pm, arriving in Warsaw before 2pm the day after. 

Discussions over the rail connection between Croatia and Poland first began in 2021. 

Warsaw is on the banks of the Vistula River and is home to an estimated 3.3 million people, making it the sixth biggest city in the EU. Its landmarks include Wilanów Palace and the Old Town Market Square.

Rijeka is Croatia’s third-largest city after Zagreb and Split.  It is home to sandy beaches, a castle and museums.