All aboard the 1980s: Slow travel on Poland's retro train that refuses to rush

The Niespieszny—or 'Unhurried' train—is a bet by Polish State Railways (PKP) that some passengers will pay good money for a slower, more relaxed journey. The train, decked out in an '80s retro style, takes its time on scenic routes through the countryside, giving passengers time to enjoy the train's other main attraction: classic Polish food. 

    In the 'Wars' dining car, hungry passengers dig into traditional Polish fare—kielbasa with onions, 'bigos' sauerkraut stew, and a sour rye soup called Zurek are some of the most popular dishes.

    "All products are cooked by our central kitchen and our experienced chefs, and prepared here onboard," says Wars host Eva. 

   For retiree Witek, enjoying a beer in the dining car, travelling the old-fashioned way is a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life. 

   "I'm not listening to the phone, I'm not reading the newspaper, I'm just looking around," he says as the train traces the route of the Vistula river, "our Polish landscapes are beautiful."

     The train is full of nostalgic enthusiasts, relaxed day-trippers, and parents showing their children how riding the rails used to look in their youth. 

     "It harks back to the old days, to the old railways that existed in Poland, how people travelled when I was around my son's age," says dad Rafal, travelling with his 12-year-old railway enthusiast son Antoni. 

     The Unhurried is not a typical tourist train—it connects major cities and takes passengers from A to B, just at a more leisurely pace. It's an alternative to Poland's growing fleet of high-speed trains, called Pendolinos.

     "If I have to go to work and it needs to be quickly, there should be Wi-Fi, etc. I would choose Pendolino," says 27-year-old Warsaw travel agent Michal, "but on vacation or a city break, I would definitely choose this one."

     PKP says the train is "for those who want to slow down, travel more consciously and discover Poland at a rhythm that allows you to really see it."

     Since launching in April, the train has been connecting major cities and travel hotspots from the Carpathian Mountains to the Baltic coast, and tickets have regularly sold out. 

     Whether they are reminiscing about the old days, heading out for a day trip or just enjoying the food, for passengers on the Niespieszny, slow and steady wins the race. 

(Production: Thomas Holdstock)