I took the train Vilnius to Warsaw last year. Wonderful adventure, but more adventure than I'd planned. I think it was to be 10 hours. I'd packed a bag lunch, planning to get a second meal on the train. WRONG! No food service all the way. Can't say as it hurt me, but I was really hungry when I got to Warsaw, since the train was also a couple hours late.

Hot and no air conditioning. A feisty older lady in our particular little compartment didn't like the wind blowing from the open windows so insisted they be closed. I'm not sure just what she said, as she communicated with the other younger passengers in Lithuanian. But I could tell by the expressions who was happy and who wasn't. I spent a lot of time outside the compartment in the passage, hanging out a window like a dog in an auto.

I'd read in www.seat61.com of the smooth train change, but mine didn't go that way. At the border we were directed off the train and onto a nearby bus. No signage, just people in uniforms talking and pointing. I showed them my ticket with the words Vilnius and Warsaw and they would nod. I kept asking passengers if this really was the way to get to Warsaw. Mostly they ignored me, but one took pity and in broken English said "Is OK". I took it on faith as there didn't seem to be any other alternatives. The bus took about 30 minutes to get loaded because some of the partying passengers didn't understand that they were to get off the train. Eventually everybody was loaded into the bus. It took off, and drove for a LONG time. Through country side. After maybe 45 minutes it pulled up to a tiny old train - one engine and maybe 2 or 3 cars. Out in the country. No other businesses around. Again, with no alternative in sight and because everybody else did it, I piled into the waiting train.

As we continued on the trip, the train added on cars, so by the time it got to Warsaw it was probably a dozen cars long.

Maybe in the reverse direction things will go more smoothly, but thought I'd warn OP.

Wonderful memory, even though it was a bit nervous-making at the time.

Gorgeous scenery, and the people were always kind.

Romelle