How to get to Kościerzyna: current connections and timetables
- Damian Brzeski
- Jul 30
- 9 min read
For anyone who regularly travels to and from Kościerzyna, the daily commute from June 2025 onwards is a real logistical conundrum. The modernization of railway line 201 has turned communication in the region upside down.
The closure of the tracks for much longer than originally promised forced everyone to frantically search for alternatives.
That's why I decided to compile it all in one place. No more searching through dozens of websites and asking questions on forums!
This article is my answer – a practical guide to all available options for getting to Gdańsk, Kartuzy, Chojnice, and back. Treat it as your personal cheat sheet for this new transportation reality.
Getting to Kościerzyna by public transport
How do we get out of Kościerzyna or back in today? Essentially, we have three main options, and the key to success is understanding how they differ.
Regional buses (PKS) : Your direct, commercial line to Tricity.
Railway Replacement Transport (ZKA) : Buses running instead of trains, on a train ticket.
Alternative routes with a transfer : Combination of the ZKA bus with a train, i.e. the so-called Kartuski Bypass.
PKS buses and private carriers
The easiest way to get directly from Kościerzyna to Tricity, independent of the railway chaos, is by buses of regional carriers .
The leaders here are PKS Gdańsk and PKS Starogard Gdański , which regularly run on key lines such as 450 and 860.
This is important: PKS buses are a completely different story than POLREGIO's replacement buses. They are a commercial service, with separate tickets and timetables.
Car sharing is also becoming increasingly popular. A look at BlaBlaCar is often a good idea. A shared ride can be the fastest (under an hour to Gdańsk) and cheapest (around a dozen złoty) option.
It is also worth knowing that there are specialized services in the region, such as private medical transport , which provides medical transport to people with limited mobility.
Rail connections – or rather the lack thereof
Let's start with the most important thing: direct passenger trains from Kościerzyna to Gdynia and Gdańsk do not run.
Full stop. Due to the modernization of the lines, their role was taken over entirely by the Replacement Bus Service (ZKA) , organized by POLREGIO.
Key information for you: you board a ZKA bus (with the distinctive POLREGIO logo) with a regular train ticket . These buses run on routes that were once served by trains, ensuring continuity of the connection network.
The main alternative to traveling entirely by bus is the Kartuzy Bypass . This is a clever solution, but it requires a transfer. First, you take a ZKA bus from Kościerzyna to Kartuzy, and then transfer to a train to Gdańsk.
Private transfers and taxis to the airport from Kościerzyna – an option for those who value convenience
But what if you don't want to worry about schedules, transfers, and finding a bus stop? There's one more option worth considering, especially if you're traveling to the airport, carrying a lot of luggage, or simply value peace of mind.
We are talking about individual, pre-ordered taxi transfers .
There are companies in the local market that specialize in door-to-door transportation, such as Rabbit-Trans . Their main advantages are convenience and predictability.
Getting to Kościerzyna without transfers : You order a car to your home and get off exactly where you want, for example right in front of the airport terminal in Gdańsk.
24/7 Availability : Crucial if you have a flight in the middle of the night or early morning.
Various vehicles : You can order both a regular taxi and a larger van for 6 or even 8 people with luggage.
Of course, this convenience comes at a price. It's a premium option compared to public transport.
For example, the cost of a ride from Kościerzyna to the airport in Gdańsk Rębiechowo is currently around 250 PLN for a standard car. A larger van for 6-8 people costs around 350-380 PLN . This is a great solution,
Planning a trip? Don't do it without these apps!
In this chaos, planning a trip "on foot" is mission impossible. A good flight search engine is your best friend. To effectively navigate the maze of carriers, routes, and schedules, be sure to use these platforms:
e-podroznik.pl : This is an absolute must-have. A nationwide search engine that integrates PKS (Public Transport Company), private buses, trains, and ZKA (Polish City Carrier) buses. In my opinion, the best tool for planning a trip around the region.
portalpasazera.pl and polregio.pl : Official websites of PKP PLK and POLREGIO. Here you'll find the most reliable and up-to-date information about train schedules and alternative transport (ZKA).
www.koscierzynarozklad.pl : A local gem. A simple, interactive website dedicated exclusively to public transport in Kościerzyna.
Timetables - Your cheat sheet
I've gathered the most important schedules for you to help you navigate. But remember: this is just a cheat sheet. Always, always, check your connection in the app right before leaving home, because schedules can change!
Kościerzyna PKS timetable
PKS buses heading towards Gdańsk (lines 450 and 860) depart from the stop at Galeria Wybickiego . In Gdańsk, they terminate at the Bus Station.
Bus timetable for the Kościerzyna – Gdańsk route
Direction | Running days | Departure times from Kościerzyna (Wybicki Gallery) | Operator / Line |
To Gdańsk | Weekdays (school) | 4:00, 5:00, 6:20, 6:45, 7:00, 8:00, 8:20, 10:10, 12:10, 12:30, 13:10, 14:00, 14:10, 15:00, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 17:40, 19:40, 20:20 | PKS Starogard (450), PKS Gdańsk (860) |
Holidays and vacations | 4:00, 5:00, 6:45, 8:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 17:30 | PKS Starogard (450) | |
Saturdays | 4:20, 5:50, 6:45, 9:00, 9:30, 10:10, 12:10, 14:00, 14:10, 16:30, 17:30, 19:40, 20:20 | PKS Starogard (450), PKS Gdańsk (860) | |
Sundays | 4:20, 5:50, 6:45, 9:00, 9:30, 12:10, 14:00, 14:10, 16:30, 17:30, 19:40, 20:20 | PKS Starogard (450), PKS Gdańsk (860) | |
To Kościerzyna | Weekdays | 6:00, 7:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:20, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 | PKS Starogard (450), PKS Gdańsk |
Saturdays and Sundays | 10:00, 13:00, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 | PKS Starogard (450), PKS Gdańsk |
Source: Data from PKS Starogard Gdański and PKS Gdańsk. The timetable is approximate.
Kościerzyna Railway Station timetable
The traditional PKP timetable to Tricity does not exist – it has been 100% replaced by ZKA buses (details below).
The only operational rail connection from Kościerzyna is to Chojnice. Trains run daily, but be warned: replacement transport is also introduced on this section periodically (e.g., during holidays) (line R17).
Approximate train departures Kościerzyna -> Chojnice:
Daily: 9:18, 15:31, 18:42
Mon-Fri (excluding holidays): 16:43
Approximate train departures Chojnice -> Kościerzyna:
Daily: 6:04, 13:40, 17:06
Mon-Fri (excluding holidays): 4:16
Source: POLREGIO, timetable valid from 10/12/2023 to 09/03/2024.
Kościerzyna bus timetable
When we say "buses from Kościerzyna", we mean two different things that cannot be confused:
PKS buses : Commercial routes to Gdańsk, the timetable of which is in the table above.
Replacement Buses (ZKA) : POLREGIO buses instead of trains, running on a train ticket.
The best way to find routes of smaller, private carriers is the already mentioned e-podroznik.pl website.
Alternative communication and alternatives – how does it work in practice?
The ZKA system is currently the backbone of our public transport. Its mission is to get us to our destinations from where we can continue our journey.
KZ2 bus line: Kościerzyna – Kartuzy
This is a key connection for anyone wanting to use the Kartuzy Bypass .
The KZ2 takes you from Kościerzyna station to Kartuzy station, where trains to Gdańsk depart. It runs frequently, especially during rush hour.
Selected ZKA routes of the KZ2 line (direction: Kartuzy) Timetable valid from 30/06/2025 to 30/08/2025
Stop | Departure times (selected routes) |
Kościerzyna, Dworcowa | 2:36, 4:36, 5:31, 6:36, 7:36, 8:36, 9:36, 10:36, 11:36, 12:36, 14:26, 15:36, 16:36, 17:36, 18:36, 19:36, 20:36 |
Somonino (Railway Station) | 3:29, 5:29, 6:24, 7:29, 8:29, 9:29, 10:29, 11:29, 12:29, 13:29, 15:19, 16:29, 17:29, 18:29, 19:29, 20:29, 21:29 |
Kartuzy, Train Station (arrival) | 3:41, 5:41, 6:36, 7:41, 8:41, 9:41, 10:41, 11:41, 12:41, 13:41, 15:31, 16:41, 17:41, 18:41, 19:41, 20:41, 21:41 |
Source: POLREGIO. Full schedule on the carrier's website.
Important practical note: you cannot transport bicycles on ZKA buses and they do not have a toilet.
Bus line KZ3: Kościerzyna – Somonino – Kartuzy
This line also serves the route to Kartuzy. In practice, it serves as a supplement to KZ2, and route search engines will automatically tell you which number to take. Don't worry – both will get you to your destination.
Bus line R17: Chojnice – Kościerzyna
During periods of intense construction, services to Chojnice are also replaced by buses. Line R17 then runs instead of trains, providing connections at both stations. For example, during the 2025 summer holidays, buses from Chojnice will depart at 7:50 AM, 1:31 PM, 3:50 PM, and 7:50 PM.
Bypass Kartuski – Your railway alternative
This is our saving grace during the renovation. The Kartuski Bypass is a detour route that allows trains to bypass the modernized section and reach Gdańsk.
How to use it from Kościerzyna? It's simple, just 3 steps:
Stage 1 (ZKA Bus): At the Kościerzyna Railway Station, take the replacement bus (line KZ2 or KZ3).
Step 2 (Transfer in Kartuzy): The bus takes you right to the station in Kartuzy. There, you transfer to the POLREGIO/SKM train towards Gdańsk.
Stage 3 (Train to Gdańsk): Hop on and go. The bypass train reaches Gdańsk Wrzeszcz and Główny in approximately 50 minutes.
Best of all, this entire journey takes place on one train ticket as part of the Pomeranian Tariff.
Modernization of Line 201 – why so long?
Why do we even have to bother with all this? Because the current difficulties are the result of one of the largest investments in Pomerania in years.
It's like replacing an old country road with a three-lane highway. Understanding the scale of this undertaking helps with patience.
The goal is to create a super-efficient, double-track, electrified transport corridor from Bydgoszcz to the Tricity ports. The future benefits will be enormous.
The scope of work is gigantic:
Electrification of the entire line.
Adding a second track (and in some places even a third!).
Increasing train speed to 120-160 km/h.
Reconstruction of the station and construction of 79 new platforms.
Construction of 26 grade-separated intersections (viaducts and tunnels).
Modern control centers , including one in Kościerzyna.
The value of investments on our section (Kościerzyna-Gdynia) is approximately PLN 2.5 billion net .
Work schedule – a new standard for years to come
And now the crucial, albeit painful, information: this will take time . Forget about "two years." Official PKP PLK schedules indicate that current transport solutions will be here to stay.
Planned completion dates:
Kościerzyna – Somonino section: June 2028
Somonino – Gdańsk Osowa section: end of 2027
Gdańsk Osowa – Gdynia Główna section: Q1 2032
This means that we will only be able to travel by fully modern train from Kościerzyna to Gdynia after 2030 .
Public transport in Kościerzyna
Once you get to Kościerzyna (or want to get around), public transport, operated by PKS Starogard Gdański, comes to your aid.
The network is based on three main lines:
Line 1 : The city's main line, connecting the train station with the hospital . It runs through the city center (Mazurka Dąbrowskiego Street), where you can transfer to bus lines to Gdańsk.
Line 2 : Runs on weekdays, connecting the railway station with the industrial area at Towarowa Street.
Line 3 : Alternative route connecting the Railway Station with the Hospital.
The most important hub for all lines is the Dworcowa (PKP) stop, which facilitates transfers to the ZKA (Polish City Railway) and trains to Chojnice. The second key point is Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (Wybickiego Gallery) , where bus services depart.
Pomeranian Tariff – where does it work and where doesn't it?
PLEASE NOTE: This is very important: The Pomeranian Tariff does not apply to public transport buses in Kościerzyna! Public transport has its own, separate ticketing system.
The Pomeranian Tariff is an integrated system that applies only to regional trains (POLREGIO, SKM) and the ZKA buses that replace them . Its biggest advantage?
You travel on a single ticket, for example, from Kościerzyna to Gdańsk (ZKA bus + train). The offer includes single and season tickets, as well as very attractive daily and monthly tickets for the entire province.
Main transfer points - travel strategy
In Kościerzyna, everything revolves around two places. Which one you choose depends on your travel plans.
1. Railway Station (ul. Dworcowa 31) – Your gateway to the railway system
This is where you need to go if you are planning to travel using alternative transport and trains.
From here they depart:
ZKA buses (lines KZ2, KZ3 to Kartuzy and R17 to Chojnice).
POLREGIO trains to Chojnice.
All three public transport lines .
2. Stop at Galeria Wybickiego (ul. Mazurka Dąbrowskiego) – Your express to Gdańsk
This is the central stop in the city, dedicated to direct, commercial bus connections.
From here they depart:
Buses PKS Gdańsk and PKS Starogard Gdański (lines 450, 860) straight to Gdańsk.
City bus line no. 1 , which will take you to e.g. the railway station.
The conclusion is simple: Want to take a direct bus to Gdańsk? Go to Galeria Wybickiego. Planning a journey with a transfer through Kartuzy? Head to the train station. Knowing this simple rule will save you a lot of time and frustration.
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