How to get to Warsaw: plane, train, bus or car from Germany
There are four ways to get to Warsaw from Germany.
A plane saves you a day, a train brings you right into the center, a bus costs the least, and a car gives you freedom once you're there. Prices on the Berlin-Warsaw route vary several times over. So choose based on budget and time, not habit.
We checked schedules and carrier fares for September 2026 on official websites. Below you'll find travel time, cost, arrival stations, and the catches of each option.
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By plane from Germany
💡 In short:
- Compare tickets in advance, about a month before your trip.
- From Chopin Airport to the center, take the SKM train or a bus.
- Prices and operating hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Warsaw public transport website.
Chopin Airport (WAW) is 10 km from the center of Warsaw (as of 09/2026, Chopin Airport). LOT, Ryanair, and Wizz Air fly here from Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna. From Berlin, the flight takes just over an hour. This is the fastest way to the city.
There are many direct flights, so you'll find a convenient departure time. Compare flight prices in advance, about a month before your trip. That gives you a better chance of a low fare and a wider choice of seats.
© Adrian Grycuk · CC BY-SAPhoto: Adrian Grycuk, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/pl/deed.en), Wikimedia CommonsFrom the airport to your hotel, you'll get there in about half an hour. Together with check-in and security, the airport adds an extra hour to the journey. More on that below.
From Chopin Airport to the center
Suburban SKM trains on lines S2 and S3 and city buses run to the center of Warsaw. The train reaches Warszawa Centralna station in 20-25 minutes, bus 175 takes the same streets in 35-50 minutes (as of 09/2026, Warszawski Transport Publiczny). A ticket for all of this costs 4.40 zł and is valid on the metro, trams, and buses for the duration of your trip.
We checked the SKM schedule on 09/15/2026 on the official Warsaw public transport website. Tickets are sold by machines in the terminal and in the app. You tap your card at the entrance and get off right in the center.
Taxis and ride-hailing services cost several times more. Use them at night or with a lot of luggage. During the day, the train is cheaper and more predictable in terms of time.
By train from Berlin direct
A direct EuroCity Berlin-Warszawa-Express train runs from Berlin to Warsaw several times a day. It departs from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and arrives at Warszawa Centralna. The journey takes about 5.5 hours (as of 09/2026, DB train schedules). Along the way, the train stops in Poznań.
Tickets are sold by Deutsche Bahn and PKP Intercity. A one-way fare starts at around 29.99 € (as of 09/2026, Deutsche Bahn). The earlier you buy a seat, the cheaper the ticket. Train tickets across Europe are easy to search for your exact date.
From Prague and Vienna, the train journey is longer and often requires a transfer.
The catch: on Friday and Sunday, evening departures sell out quickly. Book in advance.
© Adrian Grycuk · CC BYPhoto: Adrian Grycuk, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/pl/deed.en), Wikimedia CommonsThe train is good because it brings you right into the center. You don't need a transfer and you don't need parking.
By bus: FlixBus, Ecolines, and Sindbad
The bus is cheaper than the other options. FlixBus takes about 7-8 hours from Berlin to Warsaw (as of 09/2026, FlixBus). One-way tickets start at €24.49 (as of 09/2026, FlixBus bus tickets). Buses run both day and night, and power outlets and Wi-Fi are included in the price.
Besides FlixBus, Ecolines and Sindbad also operate on this route. They have similar fares but a different network of stops. Buses arrive at Warszawa Zachodnia bus station. From there you can transfer to a tram or suburban train to the center.
© Emile Donzel · CC BY-SAPhoto: Emile Donzel, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe catch: the bus takes longer than the train or plane. Not everyone can handle eight hours in a seat.
By car via the A2 highway
The drive from Berlin to Warsaw is about 574 km (as of 09/2026, ADAC Maps). Without long stops you can make it in 5.5-6 hours, and the route runs almost entirely along the A2 motorway.
The A2 motorway has toll sections for passenger cars. The rate depends on the vehicle category; check current prices with the operator. Payment is made at toll collection points or in the app.
If you don't have your own car, you can rent a car right in Warsaw. This makes sense if you plan to explore Mazovia and want to stop wherever you like.
The catch: parking in central Warsaw is difficult, and there are often traffic jams on the way in.
Option | Time from Berlin | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Plane | just over an hour | depends on date and flight load (LOT) | if you value your time |
Train | about 5.5 hours | from €29.99 (as of 09/2026, Deutsche Bahn) | if you want to reach the center without transfers |
Bus | 7-8 hours | from €24.49 (as of 09/2026, FlixBus bus tickets) | if budget matters |
Car | 5.5-6 hours | fuel and tolls (ADAC trip planner) | if you need freedom on the ground |
Tours and tickets in Warsaw
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get from Berlin to Warsaw?
The price depends on the mode of transport and how early you buy your ticket. The bus starts at €24.49 (as of 09/2026, FlixBus fares), the train starts at around €29.99 (as of 09/2026, DB train fares), and the plane is usually more expensive. The cheapest seats sell out several weeks before the date, so don't put off buying.
How do I get from Chopin Airport to the city center?
SKM trains on lines S2 and S3 and buses 175 and 188 run from the airport to the center. A ticket costs 4.40 zł and is valid on all city transport (as of 09/2026, WTP fares and routes). The train reaches Warszawa Centralna faster than the bus, so choose it if you're in a hurry.
How long does the Berlin-Warsaw train take?
The direct EuroCity Berlin-Warszawa-Express takes about 5.5 hours (as of 09/2026, EuroCity timetable). Trains run several times a day from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Warszawa Centralna. There are no direct overnight services, so plan a daytime trip.
Where do intercity buses stop in Warsaw?
FlixBus, Ecolines, and Sindbad buses arrive at the Warszawa Zachodnia bus station. From there you can reach the center by tram or suburban train. Buy a city transport ticket from the machine at the stop or in the app.
Do I need a vignette to drive to Poland?
Passenger cars do not need a vignette in Poland (as of 09/2026, ADAC). You pay only on certain motorway sections, such as the A2. Payment is made at toll plazas or in the operator's app. Check your route in advance so you don't have to hunt for cash on the road.
In short: what to book
If you value your time, take the plane and an airport transfer. If you want to step off the train in the city center, choose the EuroCity from Berlin. If budget is everything, take the bus.
Before the trip, sort out two things: accommodation and tickets. Hotels in Warsaw are easy to compare on Trip.com, and city tours can be booked in advance for the day you need.
We updated the data on September 15, 2026, using the carriers' official websites. The journey takes anywhere from a few hours to a full night, and that is the only real difference between the four options.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.