How to Get From Berlin to Warsaw by Train
The best way to travel from Berlin to Warsaw is by train — a comfortable and relaxing journey made even more enjoyable by the excellent Polish dining car on these services.
Come along for the ride and see what the train journey between Berlin and Warsaw is like!
Berlin to Warsaw train
The Berlin to Warsaw route is served by premium EuroCity trains of PKP, the Polish State Railways.
There are usually six daily EuroCity departures each way, with the first train leaving Berlin at 6 am and the last around 6 pm.
The Warsaw-bound train departs from Berlin Hbf, the main station, and also stops at Ostbahnhof, the city’s eastern station.
The train, also known as the Berlin-Warszawa-Express, crosses the German-Polish border just after Frankfurt an der Oder, with the actual border on the bridge over the River Oder.
Travelling by train from Berlin to Warsaw takes just over five hours, with the beautiful Polish city of Poznań being the most important stop en route.
In the Polish capital of Warsaw, the EuroCity train stops at all three main stations: Warszawa Zachodnia, Warszawa Centralna, and Warszawa Wschodnia — the western, central, and eastern stations, respectively.
Ticket prices start at €27.90 for the journey between Berlin and Warsaw, with tickets available on both the German and Polish Railways websites — compare prices to find the best deal.
Check out my YouTube video below to see what it’s like to travel on the Berlin-Warsaw Express train.
Travel classes
The PKP EuroCity train running between the German and Polish capitals offers comfortable seating in both 2nd and 1st class.
Seating is generally available in both open-plan saloon cars as well as compartment coaches.
The train is equipped with Wi-Fi, and most coaches have power sockets at the seats.
However, there’s always a chance you might be unlucky and end up in a coach without either of them!
Toilets are located at the far end of each coach, and I’ve always found them clean on this train.
The Berlin-Warszawa-Express has just arrived at one of the upper platforms of Berlin Hbf. ©AndyBTravels
Polish dining car
One of the greatest aspects of the Berlin-Warsaw train is the fact it has a Polish dining car available.
Operated by the Polish railway catering company WARS, the dining car offers high-quality cooked food, snacks, and drinks, with proper at-seat service.
Meals and drinks are also good value, making the dining car a great spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply a coffee or beer.
You can, of course, bring your own food and drinks on board and consume them at your seat.
However, note that in Poland, drinking alcohol is not allowed on trains, except for alcoholic drinks purchased and consumed in the dining car.
The WARS dining car on the Berlin-Warszawa-Express. ©AndyBTravels
Private competitor
You’ll soon be able to travel with a private railway company from Berlin to Warsaw, as Flixtrain begins operating this route, competing with the Polish Railways.
Read more about this new international Flixtrain route in my article on the service.
Conclusion
If you need to travel from Berlin to Warsaw, the train is the best option, as the Berlin-Warsaw Express is fast, comfortable, and affordable.
By far the best aspect of the Berlin to Warsaw train is the Polish dining car, an enjoyable place to sit and have quality food or a drink while watching the scenery pass by.
Traveling by train between these two cities seems like a perfect way to relax and see more of the countryside. The fact that the train experience itself is a big part of the journey makes it so much more appealing.
I’ve done this route myself, and completely agree — the dining car alone makes it worth it! It’s also one of the smoother border crossings I’ve experienced by train in Europe, which definitely adds to the relaxed vibe.