There are many trains between Germany and Poland but sometimes traveling by cross-border trains is complicated due to engineering works (from Szczecin) and complicated tariffs on the Polish side. In recent years, the transport offer have significantly improved. Currently, direct long-distance trains from Poland to Germany end in Berlin – there are no direct trains further into the country – for example to Cologne, Hamburg or Frankfurt am Main. There is only one exception – an overnight train from Warsaw and Krakow to Munich end in Munich, but it has a long route via Vienna and Linz.
Direct train EN Jan Kiepura Warsaw – Amsterdam via Cologne was ceased many years ago.
Last updated: 07.08.2024
Railway border crossings between Germany and Poland
Ahlbeck Grenze – Świnoujście Centrum
Forst (Lausitz) DB – Zasieki PKP
Frankfurt Oderbrücke DB – Kunowice PKP
Görlitz DB – Zgorzelec PKP
Grambow DB – Szczecin PKP
Horka DB – Bielawa Dolna PKP
Küstrin-Kietz DB – Kostrzyn PKP
Tantow DB – Szczecin PKP
On the route Trzcińsko-Zdrój – Siekierki PKP bike path was built using the trackbed. The Oder border bridge in June 2022 was reopened for pedestrians and cyclists and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
The railway station Krzewina Zgorzelecka on the route Görlitz – Zittau is located in Poland but it serves the small German town of Ostritz which is accessed by a footbridge over the river Neisse situated next to the station entrance. Regional domestic trains between Görlitz and Zittau stop here. Polish villages and cities are located far away from the station.
Trains between Germany and Poland – useful websites
PKP Intercity – official website and online shop
Deutsche Bahn – journey planner and online shop
Train travel in Germany – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Poland – a comprehensive guide
Tickets for long-distance trains are available on both operator’s websites – PKP Intercity and Deutsche Bahn.
Trains between Germany and Poland – promotional tickets
Polish operator PKP Intercity offers promotional tickets Super Promo. The tickets are much cheaper than base-priced ones but are limited and you must buy tickets in advance. Promotional tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. Tickets are issued for a specific train. The cheapest tickets from Warsaw and Gdansk to Berlin cost 34,90 EUR (2nd class). The cheapest tickets from Poznan to Berlin are 10 EUR cheaper. The cheapest tickets from Krakow and Wroclaw to Berlin cost 29,90 EUR (2nd class) or 44,90 EUR (1st class).
Deutsche Bahn offers Super saver fare for low-cost travel between Germany and Poland. Promotional tickets are called in German Super Sparpreis Europa. You can book tickets up to six months (180 days) before you journey until shortly before a train is due to depart. Super saver fare tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation. You may only travel on long-distance trains (IC/EC) and on the days indicated on the ticket.
Cross-border operators have their own cheap tickets.
Trains from Berlin to Gdansk and Warsaw
There are direct trains from Berlin to Warsaw via Poznan. The trains are fast and very comfortable but sometimes are overcrowded, especially on the Polish side. The ride is smooth with average speed 120-160 km/h. The trains are comprised of modern air-conditioned Polish open-plan carriages, carriages with compartments and restaurant car. 1st and 2nd class are available.
Trains from Berlin to Gdynia run once a day. The train also consists modern and comfortable Polish carriages. The train provides easy access to many interesting Polish cities – Poznan, Gniezno, Bydgoszcz, Sopot and Gdansk. From Bydgoszcz you can continue your journey to beautiful medieval city of Torun and from Tczew to Malbork famous for magnificient castle.
Related articles:
Train stations in Warsaw
Warszawa Centralna train station
Poznan Glowny train station
Gdansk Glowny train station
Trains from Berlin to Krakow
There are two direct trains from Berlin to Krakow daily. Daytime trains operated by PKP Intercity in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn are also comprised of modern air-conditioned Polish carriages and restaurant car.
EC/IC train “Odra” runs from Berlin to Krakow via Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole and Katowice
EC/IC train “Wawel” runs from Berlin to Przemysl via Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole and Katowice, Krakow, Tarnow and Rzeszow.
The trains serve a few must-see places in Poland, for example Wroclaw and Krakow. These trains are comfortable but often overcrowded, especially on the section between Wroclaw and Krakow/Przemyśl.
In Katowice or Krakow you can transfer to a regional trains to Oświęcim, Polish town famous for Auschwitz Memorial and Museum.
Related articles:
Wroclaw Glowny train station
Katowice train station
Krakow Glowny train station
Przemysl Glowny train station
Trains from Dresden to Wroclaw
Currently, there are no direct trains from Wroclaw to Dresden. You can travel by train from Dresden to Poland with a transfer in Zgorzelec.
Step 1) Travel by regional train from Dresden to Zgorzelec.
Step 2) Travel by regional train from Zgorzelec to Wroclaw.
Regional trains from Dresden to Zgorzelec are operated by Trilex. On the Polish side regional trains from Zgorzelec to Wroclaw are operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie. Travel between Görlitz and Zgorzelec stations is free of charge (you need to take a free ticket).
If you travel from Poland, Polish regional operator Koleje Dolnośląskie offers cheap return tickets from Wroclaw to Dresden. German operator Trilex has similar offer.
Promotional return tickets from Wroclaw to Dresden (Koleje Dolnośląskie)
Cross-border trains between Germany and Poland
There are many cross-border trains between Germany and Poland. Detailed information about prices and promotional tickets are available on operator’s websites.
Polregio operates cross-border trains on the following routes:
Zielona Góra – Gubin
Zielona Góra – Frankfurt am Oder
Zielona Góra – Görlitz
Żagań – Forst/Lausitz
Sometimes you need to buy domestic ticket to the border station and cross-border ticket between last station in Poland and the first station in Germany. Sometimes you need to buy ticket for the entire route. It is a complicated.
Polregio – additional information (in Polish)
Deutsche Bahn operates trains between Szczecin and Berlin and from Szczecin to Lubeck. Trains may be cancelled or replaced by buses due to engineering works.
Niederbanimer Eisenbahn runs trains between Berlin and Kostrzyn nad Odrą. On 31 July 2024 the upgraded railway bridge between Kustrin-Kietz and Kostrzyn was opened.
Trains between Jelenia Góra and Görlitz are operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie.
DB Regio Nordost runs trains from Swinoujscie Centrum station in Poland. The “Swinoujscie Centrum” station is not the same station as “Swinoujscie” station. Neglected “Swinoujscie” station serves Polish regional and long-distance trains. It is located 4 kilometers away on the other bank of the Swina river, close to the ferry terminal.
Niederbanimer Eisenbahn – official website
Koleje Dolnośląskie – official website and online shop
DB Regio Nordost – official website
Euro-Neisse Ticket
If you want to visit border regions of east Saxony (Germany), west Lower Silesia (Poland) and Liberecky kraj (Czech Republic), there is a perfect one-day or three-day network ticket for public transport. The Euro-Neisse pass is called “Euro-Nisa” in the Czech Republic and “Euro-Nysa” in Poland. The ticket is intended for travel in the Liberec region and in German and Polish border regions and can be used on selected trains, trams and buses.
Sometimes “historical supplements” must be paid but tickets is relatively cheap and allows you to vist many interesting places.
One-day Euro-Neisse tickets are always valid for one day, and until 4:00 a.m. on the following day.
Map of the validity of the Euro-Neisse ticket (Source: Czech Railways)
What to visit with Euro-Neisse ticket:
Germany
Görlitz – one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Many monuments, cobleed street, nice railway station, ZOO.
Bautzen – picturesque town located on on the Spree River. It has a compact and well-preserved medieval town centre.
Löbau – town with a nice city centre. On the outskirts is located King Frederick Augustus Tower – the biggest cast-iron tower in Europe.
Bad Muskau – beautiful park and castle. The park is divided between Germany and Poland.
Zittau – nice but sleepy town with famous town hall built in an Italian style and Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway.
Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway is an absolute charming railway from Zittau to Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf. Steam hauled train are comprised of vintage carriages. You need to pay one-day supplement but it is worth it. The railway runs daily.
Supplement must be paid if you want to travel by narrow-gauge Waldeisenbahn Muskau from Weißwasser to Bad Muskau. The railway operates seasonally.
Czech Republic
Liberec – the capital of the Liberecky kraj. Medium-sized city ideal for short visit. City centre is located 10 minutes by walk from the railway station.
Frydlant – a small town with a beautiful castle.
There are scenic railway routes from Liberec to Szklarska Poreba, Ceska Lipa and Turnov. Many possibilities for active tourism – hiking trails, canoes, bike pathes etc.
Poland
Boleslawiec – a city famous for its long-standing pottery-making tradition and heritage Old Town.
Jelenia Gora – medium-sized city with nice city centre.
Szklarska Poreba – mountains, beautiful nature and many hiking trails.
There is a beautiful railway station in Wegliniec.
More information:
Euro-Neisse ticket – up-to-date information (in German)
Euro-Nisa ticket – additional information (in Czech)
Euro-Nysa ticket – additional information (in Polish)
Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway – official website
Waldeisenbahn – official website
