Train to Berlin - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Euro (EUR). Polish złoty is not accepted.

• Best time for a city break: April–May and September – pleasant temperatures, smaller crowds than in summer.

• How long to go for: a weekend (2–3 days) is enough for the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, East Side Gallery and Tiergarten. If you want to explore neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg, plan 4–5 days.

• Local transport: take the metro (U-Bahn) or suburban train (S-Bahn) to any district in just a few minutes. A single ticket costs a few zlotys, a day ticket a bit more.

• Practical tip: A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg – buy your ticket in advance.

The best time to visit is April–May or September, when daytime temperatures reach 15–22°C and the crowds are smaller than at the peak of summer.

Spring (March–May)

• The Tiergarten and Botanischer Garten are in full bloom, making it a great time for long walks through the parks.

• In late spring, the Karneval der Kulturen takes place – a multicultural festival with a street parade in Kreuzberg. Check the date before you travel.

• Temperatures rise from 7°C in March to 22°C in May. A warmer jacket is useful in March; a light layer is sufficient in May.

Summer (June–August)

• This is the busiest period for tourists – queues for popular attractions such as Museum Island and the Reichstag are longer at this time.

• Outdoor festivals, including Lollapalooza Berlin, take place in summer. Evenings along the Spree and in the parks are at their most vibrant.

• Daytime temperatures reach 20–27°C. It is worth bringing a bottle of water and planning your sightseeing for the morning or late afternoon.

Autumn (September–November)

• September is one of the best months for a city break – crowds are smaller, accommodation prices are lower than in summer, and daytime temperatures are still 17–22°C.

• In autumn, Berlin Art Week takes place – a week of events in galleries and art spaces.

• From November it gets cold and overcast, but you can visit museums and galleries without long queues.

Winter (December–February)

• Christmas markets – some of the best in Europe – open in December. If you enjoy this kind of atmosphere, also check out the train to Vienna or Dresden in the same season.

• Daytime temperatures are 2–6°C. Warm boots and a jacket are essential.

• Tourist traffic is low outside the holiday period, so you can visit museums and galleries without queuing.

There are direct EC and EIC trains from several Polish cities to Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

From Poznan

• You travel approximately 2.5 hours without changing trains from Poznań Główny train station.

• The route goes via Rzepin and Frankfurt (Oder).

• EC trains run daily.

From Wrocław

• The route from Wrocław Główny train station takes around 4 hours.

• You travel via Legnica, Zielona Gora and Frankfurt (Oder).

• Direct EC trains are available.

From Warsaw

• A direct train from Warsaw Central Station to Berlin Hauptbahnhof Station takes about 5.5 hours.

• On the route, it stops at Warszawa Wschodnia station, Poznań Główny and Frankfurt (Oder), among others.

• Connections are operated by PKP Intercity and Deutsche Bahn.

From Gdańsk

• From Gdańsk Główny station you travel approximately 6 hours without changing trains.

• The route goes via Bydgoszcz and Poznań.

• A direct connection runs daily.

From Katowice

• From Katowice station you travel to Berlin in around 6.5 hours.

• Along the way, the train stops at Opole and Wrocław, among others.

• Direct EC connections are available.

From Krakow

• The journey from Krakow Główny train station takes around 7 hours.

• The route passes through Katowice, Opole and Wrocław.

• Several direct connections per day allow you to reach Berlin without changing trains.

Other cities: From Łódź you travel with one change in Kutno or Poznań - the total time is around 5.5-7 hours. From Szczecin you travel with one change in Kostrzyn or Rzepin- total time about 2.5-3.5 hours. From Rzeszow, there are direct EC trains via Krakow and Wroclaw - journey time is around 9 hours.

You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registration - enter your passenger details, pay and you're done. You receive your ticket by e-mail and SMS. Before departure you also get an SMS with a direct link to your ticket, so you don't have to search for it in your email inbox. Reserving a seat is compulsory on a foreign leg. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. With PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. Please see the refund and exchange policy for details.

If you are looking for a similar city break destination from the same cities, also check out the train to Prague - routes start from Wrocław and Kraków.

There is an underground (U-Bahn) and a commuter train (S-Bahn) at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station. You can walk to Tiergarten and the government district, and reach most attractions in a few minutes.

For several trips a day, a day ticket will be more convenient than single tickets. The main attractions are spread across several districts - Mitte, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain - but public transport links them efficiently. You get around Berlin comfortably without a car.

City bikes are available throughout the city - a good option for exploring Tiergarten and the riverside boulevards along the Spree. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are available at the train station and throughout the city.

Where to stay overnight:

• Mitte - the tourist centre, close to the main attractions and well connected to the station.

• Prenzlauer Berg - quieter, café-family atmosphere, good connection to the station.

• Friedrichshain - attracts nightlife and street art, close to main attractions.

Brandenburg Gate

Admission is free. A visit takes 20–30 minutes. It is worth arriving in the morning before the crowds gather – before 10 am you can take photos without hundreds of tourists in the frame. Right next door is the Reichstag with its viewing dome. Entry is free, but requires advance online booking.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

This is a UNESCO-listed complex of five museums in the city centre. There is an entrance fee. Visiting one museum takes 2–3 hours; the entire complex takes a full day. It is worth booking tickets in advance, as queues can be long during high season.

Checkpoint Charlie

This is the former border crossing between East and West Berlin. You can see the site itself for free. The museum next door charges admission, and the visit takes about an hour.

Tiergarten

This is the largest park in central Berlin – free and open around the clock. It is a great place for a walk or a bike ride between attractions. In the middle of the park stands the Victory Column (Siegessäule) with a viewing platform.

Berlin Wall – East Side Gallery

This is the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, covered in murals – more than 1.3 km along the Spree. Admission is free. The walk takes 45–60 minutes. It is best to come in the morning or towards evening, when the light is ideal for photos.

Plan for 1 day

• Morning: Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag area. If you have booked entry to the dome, this is a good time to go.

• Midday: Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror Museum. Admission is free and the visit takes 1–2 hours.

• Afternoon: East Side Gallery – a walk along the murals by the Spree.

• Evening: Head to Prenzlauer Berg, where you will find local restaurants, a quieter atmosphere and a good spot for dinner.

Plan for the weekend (2 days)

Day 1: You can follow the same plan as the 1-day itinerary.

Day 2: Museum Island in the morning – choose one or two museums, for example the Pergamonmuseum or the Neues Museum. The visit will take 2–4 hours. In the afternoon, stroll through Tiergarten and have a coffee near Potsdamer Platz. In the evening, head to Kreuzberg, where you will find a multicultural atmosphere, bars, street art and popular döner kebab places.

Practical tip: The Berlin Card – a day ticket for public transport plus discounts to attractions – can be worth it if you are sightseeing intensively. Check the current offer on site or on the website of Berlin transport operator BVG.

What to eat

Currywurst - Berlin's iconic street food. Sausage sliced and topped with curry sauce and ketchup. You'll find it in stalls all over the city. It's worth trying in Mitte or Kreuzberg, where the tradition dates back to the 1950s.

Döner kebab - Berlin is the European capital of döner kebab. The establishments in Kreuzberg and Neukölln serve some of the best versions in the city. Portions are large and prices are affordable.

Berlin breakfasts - cafés in Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain serve extensive breakfasts throughout the morning: bread, cheese, cold cuts, eggs, jams and coffee. This is a popular choice with locals, especially at weekends.

Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg - a historic market hall with local food and street food. It is open several days a week. It's worth checking the current schedule before visiting, as the popular Street Food Thursday takes place on Thursdays.

Where to eat:

• KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) - one of the largest department stores in Europe. The food section on the sixth floor is a separate attraction - hundreds of varieties of cheese, cold cuts and sweets from all over the world.

• Hackescher Markt - a neighbourhood full of boutiques, design shops and Hackescher Höfe courtyards with galleries and cafes.

• Mauerpark - a flea market on Sundays. Here you'll find souvenirs, vintage, vinyl and handmade jewellery. By the way, you can hit the karaoke in the amphitheatre.

Souvenirs

• Fragments of the Berlin Wall - authentic and replicas.

• Berlin bear (Berliner Bär) - in various forms, from magnets to figurines.

• Products with the Brandenburg Gate motif - a popular choice as a Berlin souvenir.

Berlin offers options for every budget – from free attractions and street food to comfortable hotels and paid museums.

The budget option assumes accommodation in a hostel or budget hotel, mostly street food and free attractions – Brandenburg Gate, East Side Gallery, Tiergarten and the Topography of Terror.

The mid-range option includes a three-star hotel, meals in restaurants and cafés, a day ticket for public transport and one or two paid museums.

The comfort option includes a four-star or design hotel, restaurant dining with table service, taxis or ride-sharing and several paid attractions.

All amounts are indicative ranges in PLN, excluding the train ticket.