The best way to travel from Berlin to Warsaw

When you look at a map of Europe, Berlin and Warsaw are on an even plane, nearly side by side with just land and the border separating them. The capital of Germany, Berlin and the capital of Poland, Warsaw both have so much to offer the traveller. From history, food and entertainment, there really is something for everyone.

Why should you travel from Berlin to Warsaw?

Many people visit Berlin for its history but never consider a trip to Poland while they are there. Poland is growing more popular as a tourist destination every year for singles, couples, and families. Travel from Berlin to Warsaw can easily be done in a day by plane, train, bus, and car.

The distance from Berlin to Warsaw is 574 kilometres so here we will tell you how to make the most of your time and how to get from Berlin to Warsaw to tick another city off your list.

buildings in Warsaw old town area
Travel from Berlin to Warsaw Old Town

How to get from Berlin to Warsaw

There are so many wonderful ways to experience travelling from Berlin to Warsaw. Poland is an emerging travel destination in Europe with much to offer travellers. Planning a trip to Poland is easy and getting from Berlin to Warsaw is very easy. Let’s take a look at the options for your Berlin Warsaw journey.

The Berlin to Warsaw drive

The A10 and A12 German highways will take you from Berlin to Poland via Frankfurt an der Oder. The der Oder distinguishes this Frankfurt from the other Frankfurt in the south. Frankfurt an der Oder is on the border with Poland.

It will take you a little over an hour to the German/Poland border. The total Berlin to Warsaw distance is 574 kilometres.

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From Frankfurt an der Oder the distance to Warsaw is 474 kilometres. Pretty much as soon as you cross the border, the highways in Poland attract toll fees. The highway to Warsaw from Berlin is world-class and brand-new. It makes for a smooth ride with a speed limit of 130 kilometres an hour.

You can pick up a hire car at any major airport in Europe, with no restrictions on driving between Germany and Poland. If you want to break the trip up Poznan is a good place to stay the night and explore the medieval town centre before heading on your way from Berlin to Warsaw.

sitting on a bus
Buses from Berlin to Warsaw

Planning a trip to Warsaw: Here are the best areas to stay in

Catch a bus from Berlin to Warsaw

Most buses on the Berlin Warsaw routes are direct. The journey will take you around 7.5 hours. At the time of writing, there were 14 buses a day travelling this route in Berlin, you will depart from Berlin Central Coach Station or the ZOB as it is known

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How to get to the Berlin Central Coach Station

The bus station is situated adjacent to the Funkturm (Radio Tower) and next to the exhibition grounds. The Zob is easily reached by Berlin’s public transport network.

Kaiserdamm U-Bahn station (U2 line) and the Messe Nord/ICC S-Bahn station (S 41/42/S46) are within 400 meters of the station. Local Berlin bus numbers M49, 139 and 218 go directly to the ZOB. Taxi, Uber and Hire cars are also available onsite.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is a popular tourist attraction

Where will the Berlin-Warsaw bus arrive at?

Warsaw West Bus Station (Dworzec Autobusowy Warszawa Zachodnia). To get into the Berlin city centre from Warsaw West Station you will need to take bus no.s 127, 158 or 517 to the City Train Station.

At night the bus numbers change and you’ll be needing N35 or N85. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes. Remember to validate your ticket onboarding.

Planning to see more in Warsaw? Use our epic 2 day Warsaw itinerary

Berlin Warsaw Flights

There are 2 direct flights between Berlin (TXL) to Warsaw (WAW) direct flights are operated daily by LOT Polish Airlines. There are many indirect flights with one-stop by airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and more.

Flying from Berlin to Warsaw

Flights from Berlin will depart from Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Brandenburg Airport in Berlin was recently opened in 2021.

The express buses X7 and X71 travel every 5-10 minutes between underground station Rudow (terminus U7) and terminal locations at Brandenburg Airport. The Airport express train travels through Berlin Hauptbahnhof four times every hour.

You can always use a taxi, Uber or even book a private transfer to pick you up from your Berlin Hotel and drop you at your terminal door.

Airport arrivals Warsaw

You will land at Fredrik Chopin International Airport. In 2018 the airport handled over 15.9 million passengers and 50 airlines fly in and out of Warsaw International Airport.

trams on a street in Warsaw

The most convenient way to reach downtown Warsaw is by taking either S2 to Warsaw CBD or S3 line to Central Railway Station.

There are 5 different bus lines running from the airport to different parts of the city. You can take Warsaw bus numbers 175, 188, 148, 331 and N32. A single fare ticket costs between 3.40 and 7.00 Polish Zloty.

There is always the option of taking a taxi or even organising a private transfer from the airport to your hotel.

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Train from Berlin to Warsaw

There are eleven Berlin to Warsaw trains every day. The trains depart Berlin Hbf and end at Warsaw Centralna. The first train to Warsaw leaves just before 6 am and the last train, the Berlin to Warsaw night train departs at 10.41 pm. 

The train distance from Berlin to Warsaw is, 570km (356 miles) through some of Europe’s most scenic landscapes. Berlin to Warsaw train time can take as little as 5h28 up to 6h15. You will find the train journey to Warsaw to be comfortable and smooth.

The trains Berlin Warsaw have air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class seats and a bistro-restaurant car. 

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How to get to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (HBF)

You can reach Berlin HBF via S-Bahn lines S5, S7 and S75. These lines link the Berlin HBF with the east and west of the city. The U55 U-Bahn line joins the station with the government district and provides easy access to the Brandenburg Gate and the Rhienstag.  Departing trains to Warsaw use above-ground platforms.

Train arrivals Warsaw

Warsaw Central Station is much like any other big train station in Europe. It has multiple arrival and departure platforms. You will find shops and cafés selling food, sim cards, tours, ATMs and more. You be able to get anything you need if you arrive from Berlin to Warsaw or depart on the Warsaw to Berlin train.

from berlin to warsaw central station
The Berlin-Warsaw train is a popular mode of transportation for travellers between the two cities.

There is a Polish Rail office that can organize onward tickets for both domestic and International destinations. You will find taxi ranks at the main entrances and a tunnel that runs under the main road which allows connection with trams and buses.

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Do I need a ticket to board public transport in Warsaw?

You will need a ticket to ride the local public transport in Warsaw. There are tickets available to purchase on the trams and on the buses if there is not a ticketing machine at the stop.

There is an English option for you to use when purchasing your tickets, and you will need some small coin change to be able to buy the Warsaw public transport ticket, or you can use your credit card.

Places to stay in Berlin

Berlin has accommodation that suits all types of travellers from singles, families and couples. You will find apartments, hostels, hotels and more near the Berlin Christmas markets in winter. When we were in Berlin, we stayed at Meininger Alexanderplatz hotels near the Berlin Christmas markets. If you’re looking for more options, we recommend you use Trip Advisor for the best choice and price.

The best place to stay in Warsaw

Warsaw has accommodation to suit all needs and all budgets. You can find rooms for sings, doubles and families, you can find hostels, hotels and apartments. We recommend Dream Hostel just near the old town and Royal Castle. Dream Hostel is more like a hotel than a hostel, offering private rooms with ensuites

Essential information for Warsaw

There are many other things you need to consider when planning a vacation to Warsaw not just where are the best areas to stay in Warsaw. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from travellers to Warsaw.

How to get to Warsaw Poland

  • The Fredrik Chopin International Airport is located just 10 kilometres from the centre of Warsaw. The Warsaw Airport is home to LOT Polish Airlines and is serviced by budget airlines including Easyjet and Ryanair. Book your flights to Warsaw with CheapOair.
  • You can catch trains to Warsaw from all over Europe and Poland. High-speed trains run frequently between Warsaw and Krakow in around 2 hours. You can book your Super Saver fare tickets book here! with Bahn.de
  • Flix Bus has buses running daily to Warsaw from destinations inside Poland and International destinations. Search for your bus tickets to Warsaw
  • Poland has some great Highways for driving, The newer Highways built with E.U assistants are levied with what I would say are heavy tolls. Some local roads do leave a lot to be desired. You can hire a car at any international airport in Poland and Europe. Search your Rental Car today!

How to get around Warsaw

Public transport in Warsaw includes buses, trams (streetcars), Metro, light rail, urban railway and regional rail. ZTM tickets are valid on the city and suburban bus lines, as well as trams, and metro. You can buy tickets at most stops or onboard. Riding on public transport in Warsaw is the best way to get to all the best things to do in Warsaw.

Taxi and UBER are available in the city.

What currency do I need for my trip to Poland?

The official currency you need to use in Poland is the Polish Zloty. We recommend you get a Revolut travel money card that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save you money.

Travel insurance for Poland

Poland has a high quality of healthcare. In saying that, travel insurance is still recommended for all travellers entering the country. The last thing you want is a huge bill for medical expenses should you require care on your holiday in Warsaw.

We recommend using Travel Insurance Master. Their website will compare the best deals from several providers and present you with the best value-for-money policy on the market. Click through to Insurance Masters to get a free quote.

Using your phone in Warsaw

Relying on Wi-fi when you are travelling and sightseeing in Warsaw on vacation can be hard. Making calls and staying in contact when you travel to Europe is a top priority. Plan your trip out and order your sim before you leave home to stop any stress about travelling, data and calls on your epic vacation in Poland.

We hope this article from us here at Poland Travel Expert has given you all the very best options on how to get from Berlin to Warsaw. Warsaw is a good place to visit in Poland. If you are looking to extend your European trip by adding another country, then a visit to Poland is the perfect addition.

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Author Bio: Mark Wyld

Mark Wyld is a Father, husband, traveller, and writer at Poland Travel Expert and other blogs. I have accumulated a wealth of experience over multiple visits to Poland. Thanks to our friends in Poland, we stay connected to the pulse of the nation, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.